PREFACE
In the preparation of this project of biology on the
topic "Medicinal Plants in Our Surroundings", I have
precisely demarcated all the important points. I
have made my best possible efforts to make the
information provided as accurate as possible.
It is a great pleasure for me to thank all those
valuable suggestions that have been given to me
by my teachers and peers.
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INDEX
1. Bonafide certificate 2
2. Acknowledgement 3
3. Declaration 4
4. Preface 5
5. Aim 7
6. Introduction 8
7. History 9
8.Medicinal Plants Profile
A.Holy Basil (Tulsi) 11
B.Peppermint 13
C.Turmeric 15
D.Rosemary 17
E.Thyme 19
9.Conclusion 21
10.Bibliography 21
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AIM
To observe and analyze the
structure and medicinal
properties of various medicinal
plants using photographs of
plant specimen.
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INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants have played a significant role in
treating various ailments since time immemorial.To
this day various plants are used in modern
healthcare.The global market value of medicinal
plant products exceeds $100 billion per annum.
THis project aims to emphasize the contributions
and utility of these plants in medicine throughout
time.
What are medicinal plants?
A medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or
more of its organs, contains substances that can be
used for therapeutic purposes or which are
precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs.
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HISTORY
Human kind advanced the process of healing by
discovering the medicinal properties of various
plants. All over the world, in different countries
indigenous plants have been utilized to cure and
treat a variety of diseases and injuries common the
that respective reigon.
Bronze Age
The oldest written evidence of medicinal plants’
usage for preparation of drugs has been found
on a Sumerian clay slab from Nagpur,
approximately 5000 years old.
It comprised 12 recipes for drug preparation
referring to over 250 various plants
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HISTORY
2500 BC
The Chinese book on roots and grasses “Pen
T’Sao,” written by Emperor Shen Nung circa
2500 BC, treats 365 drugs
Some of these drugs are still used to this date
to treat variety of common issues
Ginseng- treats headaches, infertility,
indigestion
Jimson Weed- flu, asthma, cough
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the skills of healing,
cultivation of medicinal plants, and preparation
of drugs moved to monasteries.
This medicine was based on 16 medicinal
plants, which the physicians-monks commonly
grew within the monasteries.
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HOLY BASIL (TULSI)
Specimen No. 1
Date of collection 8/7/2024
Common Name Holy Basil/ Tulsi
Scientific Name Ocimum tenuiflorum
Family Lamiaceae
Habitat Tropical and subtropical regions of
Southern Asia(Terrestrial)
Nature Dicotyledonous
Locality Ernakulam,Kerala
Medicinal Properties
Daily consumption of tulsi is said to prevent disease, promote
general health, wellbeing and longevity and assist in dealing
with the stresses of daily life
The ability of tulsi to protect against the damaging effects of
various toxicants has been documented in numerous
experimental studies
These studies attest to the ability of tulsi to prevent liver,
kidney and brain injury by protecting against the genetic,
immune and cellular damage caused by pesticides,
pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
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HOLY BASIL (TULSI)
FLOWER
SEED
LEAF
STEM
12
PEPPERMINT
Specimen No. 2
Date of collection 11/7/2024
Common Name Peppermint
Scientific Name Mentha piperita L.
Family Lamiaceae
Habitat Wet environments and moist soils
(Terrestrial)
Nature Dicotyledonous
Locality Kochi,Kerala
Medicinal Properties
Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves
the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats.
Peppermint, when applied topically, has a soothing and
cooling effect on skin irritation caused by hives, poison ivy, or
poison oak.
Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective
decongestants. Because menthol thins mucus, it is also a good
expectorant, meaning it helps loosen phlegm and breaks up
coughs
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PEPPERMINT
MID RIB
LEAF
VEIN
STEM
14
TURMERIC
Specimen No. 3
Date of collection 11/7/2024
Common Name Turmeric
Scientific Name Curcuma longa
Family Zingiberaceae
Habitat Turmeric is only known as a cultivated
plant that grows indoors or in heated
greenhouses (Terrestrial)
Nature Monocotyledonous
Locality Ernakulam,Kerala
Medicinal Properties
The active ingredient in turmeric is a natural compound
(polyphenol) called curcumin, which has both antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties.
It has also traditionally been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese
medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, skin diseases,
wounds, digestive ailments, and liver conditions.
Turmeric is thought of as a pain reliever. The spice is reputed
to relieve arthritis pain due to its anti-inflammatory ability
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TURMERIC
LEAF
RHIZOME
(TURMERIC)
STEM
ROOT
16
ROSEMARY
Specimen No. 4
Date of collection 1/8/2024
Common Name Rosemary
Scientific Name Salvia rosmarinus
Family Lamiaceae
Habitat Warm, sunny, well-drained conditions
(Terrestrial)
Nature Dicotyledonous
Locality Kozhikode,Kerala
Medicinal Properties
Rosemary has significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
anti-oxidant and neuroprotective properties.
Rosemary has been used in folk medicine to alleviate several
diseases including headache, dysmenorrhea, stomachache,
epilepsy, rheumatic pain etc
Recently, studies are focused on the beneficial therapeutic
properties of different kinds of rosemary extracts and its main
constituents, such as carnosic acid rosmarinic acid, etc
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ROSEMARY
LEAF
STEM
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THYME
Specimen No. 5
Date of collection 1/8/2024
Common Name Thyme
Scientific Name Thymus vulgaris
Family Lamiaceae
Habitat The Mediterranean region. (Terrestrial)
Nature Dicotyledonous
Locality Kozhikode,Kerala
Medicinal Properties
Studies have illustrated the therapeutic effects of thyme and
its essential oils, especially thymol and carvacrol, against
various diseases
Thyme has long been known for its antiviral, antibacterial,
antifungal, and antiseptic activities
In the COVID-19 era, some thyme constituents were
investigated for their potential in viral binding.
Thyme is particularly rich in vitamin A and vitamin C.
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THYME
LEAF
STEM
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CONCLUSION
From this extensive project, we can conclude the
part played by a variety of herbs, shrubs and other
plants in the history of healthcare. Medicinal plants
also provide an alternative to synthetic treatments
hence reducing possible side effects. These plants
are also an essential source of income for many
cultivators. Hence we can infer the multiple
contributions of medicinal plants.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The National Center for Biotechnology Information
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Google
https://www.google.com/
Encyclopedia for Life
https://www.eol.org/
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