Question

Learning Task 15-06 : Medicinal plants in Ontario

Part A

• Select 4 plants from Ontario that are thought to have medicinal properties.
• Find out what the plant is thought to treat.
• Research to find out if there has been any scientific research done yet to find out the effectiveness of the plant.

Plant	Treatment	Effectiveness

Part B

Humans form part of our local ecosystems. Indigenous populations, such as the Metis and the First Nations, have used and cared for medicinal plants for years.

Research one indigenous plant conservation initiative in Ontario and include the following:

• Which plants were involved
• Where the conservation is occurring
• How the conservation is taking place
• What the reason is for the conservation

Plant Conservation Initiative:

Plants involved:

Where the conservation is occurring:

How the conservation is taking place:

The reason for the conservation:

Answer 1

Part A

Plant	Treatment	Effectiveness
Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, L.)	Its used traditionally believed to boost energy, lower cholesterol, blood sugar and stress, it was believed to promote relaxation,and manage sexual dysfunction in men.	A study showed good results of ginseng in fatigue when given to cancer patients. Ginseng is known to have anti inflammatory effects according to experimental results in Journal of Translational Medicine. it has also been know to help in men with erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.
Goldenseal	It was earlier believed to mask the presence of cocaine and other drugs in blood. this is not true. it is now commonlu used for cold, upper respiratory tract infection and hay fever	It is known for its use on Upper respiratory tract infections like cold and also in hay fever, digestive disoorders, gastritis, pneumonia malaria, whooping cough etc
Millifoil or yarrow (Achillea millefolium)	Used as a tonic, diaphoretic and astringent. Used in Gastrointestinal disorders. Miwok of California used it as an analgesic and a head cold remedy	It is immensely valued for its anti microbial properties.it has been used to effectively treat wounds as an astringent externally and as a tonic internally.
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)	Traditionally used to treat Gynaecological and other disorders.	U.S. Pharmacopoeia uses it by the name of "Black snakeroot" for the treatment of snake bite, inflammation of lungs and pain of childbirth.

Part B

Goldenseal is an endangered species of plant in the Ontario region.

According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), Goldenseal was listed as threatened in 2000. Its also listed threatened under the Species At Risk Act (SARA).

the Gosling Research instititue of plant preservation(GRIPP) is working for the preservation of golden seal. The conservation of golden seal is occouiring at the GRIPP institute.

GRIPP has formed protocols for establishing an in vitro germplasm collection for goldenseal have previously been developed. Studies are now being applied by GRIPP researchers in order to – back up genetic diversity for this species in its cryobank.

Goldenseal is a highly valued medicinal plant , most important its antimicrobial properties.

the major threat to thius plant is from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion and from Wild unmonitored collection of the plant.