Theophrastus Bomabastus Von Hoheneheim (Paracelsus) said “sola dosis facet venenum,” translated as, “all things are poisonous and nothing is without poison.” (Wink & Wyk, 2008) For people living in the Great Lakes regions of Northern Michigan, it often feels the opposite, “in everything there is medicine and nothing is without medicine.” Undoubtedly, some plants can externally or internally irritate the body affecting homeostasis, including instances of photo-sensitization and allergies; but generally
medicinal plants in our world. This flowering plant is very widespread being found in much of temperate Europe and parts of North America. While, the leaves, flowers, and seeds are all poisonous to us and other animals, compounds have been extracted from the species and are used in heart medicines and other medicinal products that we still use today. The foxglove can grow in very little soil and can often be found in many cracks and crevices making it a very common and recognizable plant species (Royal
do damage to the body. In the animal and plant kingdom there are toxins deadly to humans, but we have found ways to combat some of them. How do the toxins in nature affect the body and how does man fight back? Many plants are poisonous from poison ivy and poison sumac to flowers used in bouquets such as larkspur and lily of the valley. Plants spread their poisons in different ways. Their poisons rang from skin irritation to death. Some are poisonous to the touch while others are orally toxic
uses these plants to concoct different medicines, is the owner and caretaker of the garden. The centerpiece of the garden is one especially flamboyant plant--a large shrub with purple blossoms. Giovanni grows to enjoy the doctor tend to the garden. Rappaccini examines each plant with a detached sense intentness; noticing that he avoids their odors and their touch by wearing gloves, a mask, and other protective garments. One day, Giovanni notices the doctor closing in on the purple plant, with all
Mushrooms: Mushrooms which are typically fungi, produced above ground as its food source. They are believed to be the close relatives of plant. There are thousands of varieties of this fleshy fungus. It ranges from a whole gamut of colours ranging from black to white with vibrant flavours to add to the palate of delicious food. The name mushroom is cultivated from white button mushroom, Agaricus, bisporus.Hence the term mushroom is often applied to those fungi that has stem (stipe), cap (pileus)
creature that survived the adaptability of thunderstorms, lightening and earthquake is the insects which has more power to adapt the changing forces of its environment. If any living specie needs to inherit the earth, it will not be man. Even when any poisonous or hydrogen bomb erupt the earth, we will face a completion, and for the earth it’s self. We well be overrun by the equipped army entering the context with great capability and able to adapt without our imaginations. Insects, instead of human, will
oleander) yellow, might enable you to save the shrub or small tree. Hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9a through 11, oleander's abundant green leaves form a perfect backdrop for its showy, colorful flowers. However, when diseases, pests or improper care get the better of this poisonous, yet aesthetically pleasing evergreen, yellow leaves and the decline of the plant might be an unpleasant consequence. (See References 1) Leaf Scorch Disease Leaf scorch is a disease that's
To survive in the wild, plants must form defenses to protect themselves from herbivory. The main physical defenses are thorns, used to harm the herbivore, or predator. This harm to the animal triggers a negative response, therefore causing the animal to avoid that plant in the future. Plants commonly eaten sometimes form a sour or bitter taste or odor to deter herbivores. This mechanism causes herbivores to stay away from such plants and avoid eating them. In addition, poison serves as an effective
destroying valuable pharmaceutical plants. A huge amount of these animals and plants have never, and will never be discovered. Experts say, "Close to eighty percent of the terrestrial species of animals and plants are to be found there [in the rainforest],." As people tear down the rainforests they are affecting the ozone layer, and disrupting the process that lets plants fight the deadly amount of pollution the world produces every day. Over three thousand plants found can help the fight against
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) Conium maculatum is a tall, branched, biennial plant, usually 1–2.5m high, and thought to be one of the most toxic members of the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae) of plant kingdom. The stems are rigid, smooth, and hollow except at the nodes. The plant has a bitter taste and white flower. The leaves are large, triangular; fern like, and alternate on the erect stem. The plant usually grows in waste places where moisture may accumulate and protected from cultivation
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) Conium maculatum is a tall, branched, biennial plant, usually 1–2.5m high, and thought to be one of the most toxic members of the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae) of plant kingdom. The stems are rigid, smooth, and hollow except at the nodes. The plant has a bitter taste and white flower. The leaves are large, triangular; fern like, and alternate on the erect stem. The plant usually grows in waste places where moisture may accumulate and protected from cultivation
Ethnobotany The knowledge of plants usage by the native people is called Ethnobotany, which provide opportunities for better understanding of the traditional uses, find new ways of transffering this knowledge to future generations, make improved use of the available resources, and explore new pharmaceuticals for biomedicine (Tor-Anyiin et al., 2003; Kufer et al., 2005). Some of the ethnobotanical studies reported from Pakistan are, Dar (2003) explored ethnobotanical information of Lawat and its allied
swamps, and along shorelines. This species is typically grown for aesthetic purposes, but has spread to southern wetlands. In these wetlands, it spreads densely in clumps and blocks sunlight and takes nutrients from other native species (Capital Area Plant Society). The elephant ear are characterized by their large leaves that block sunlight from
The Roles of Water in Living Organisms and as an Environment for the Organisms Without water there would be no life on Earth; this is why water is the most important biochemical of all. In "Human Biology" by J.M Orten and O.W. Nevhans, it is suggested that 70% of all body weight is water, most of which is found in three major compartments: 70% intracellular fluid, 20% interstitial fluid (lymph) and 7% blood plasma, and only 3% in other compartments. By volume, nearly a half of each of
In “The Botany of Desire” by Michael Pollan, the author argues that instead of humans interacting, controlling, and paving the way for plants, they in fact work in ways for our lives to better themselves, and help us to become the human’s we are. They instill desires in our life: beauty, control, sweetness, and intoxication. Each plant mentioned in the four-part book, apples (Malus Domestica), tulips (Tulipa), marijuana (Cannabis Sativa x Inidica), and potatoes (Solanum Tuberosum) contribute to a
Herbs are plants that have acquired some inherent value to humans (Keller, xiii). Three values that are relevant to this report are edibility, medicinal property, and toxicity. All plants have the potential to fall into the one or all of these categories. Contrary to popular belief, the study of plants is not a pseudo-science. This belief perpetuates the idea that herbs need not be taken seriously. The study of herbs as a science, herbalism, safeguards human safety when using these plants. Modern
Plant extracts are commonly referred to as plant botanicals and are the secondary plant metabolites synthesized by the plant for protective purposes. Some of these compounds are toxic to insects. These plant compounds are called botanical pesticides, plant pesticides or simply botanicals. Many of the plant botanicals are used as insecticides both in homes, in commercial as well as in subsistence agriculture by small-scale farmers. They may be contact, respiratory or stomach poisons. Botanicals are
weapons, alcohol, tobacco, women, children and all forms of wildlife (animals and plants). Wildlife trafficking is a serious threat to the environment. Animals, for example, are usually stolen from their natural habitat and sold in the black markets for large sums of money. Removing animals and/or plants from their natural habitat affects the ecosystem, ruins the food chain and risks driving those animals and plants towards extinction (FREELAND,2010). The wildlife trade is driven by the demand of
breathtaking views, plants, and animals of all different kinds! This forest is located in Northern Puerto Rico, also known as a tourist magnet. They love the tropical forest and mountains. El Yunque has 82 different species of animals, some not found anywhere else on earth! The Puerto Rican parrot or a Coqui frog are animals that you could easily find in this forest reserve. Not only are there interesting animals, but plants too! There are 150 native ferns and 240 species in El Yunque. Plants such as the
Native Dye Plants of the United States The first to use native dye plants in the United States were the Native Americans. Their culture was totally dependent on what the land produced. This is reflected in the wealth of information Native Americans possessed about useful plants, from medicinal to ceremonial and dye plants. This is reflected in the types of houses they built and the names of places (often after the plants that grew there). Early European colonists foolishly ignored the wisdom of