PLBIO 2100 Medical Ethnobotany
Course description
Plants have always played a key role in the history of life on Earth and have served as medicinal agents in all societies since prehistoric times. Medical Ethnobotany is the study of medicinal plants used by a group of people. Medicinal plants are either critical constituents of many modem drugs or provide templates for synthetic analogous molecules. In this course we will introduce and be acquainted with past and current plant-based natural remedies used across the globe, exploring their efficacy and mode of actions. We will analyze and compare how plants are employed in the different continents to heal (or alleviate) a plethora of pathological conditions, and explore how they affect our bodies (which organic system is affected, i.e., gastro-intestinal, central nervous or respiratory system). The course is designed for students with an interest in the natural world and in traditional medicine.
Outcome 1: Describe the role of plants in human health and in social contexts in the past and the present.
Outcome 2: Identify and define the most commonly used medicinal plants across the continents and their bioactive compounds.
Outcome 3: Discuss the processes involved in the isolation of active bio compounds from plants.
Outcome 4: Compare how medicinal plants are used in various cultures, which organ(s) they affect in the human body, how efficacy is measured, and explain in general terms their modes of action.
Outcome 5: Integrate concepts from ethnobotany, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and conservation.
No upcoming classes were found.
Previously offered classes
Winter 2024: Online course
![Giulia Friso](/img/people/546_285x285.jpg)
Section ID: | PLBIO 2100 001-LEC |
Number: | 1099 |
Session: | 3-week Winter session |
Class dates: | January 2-19, 2024 |
Final exam/project due: | Friday January 19, 11:59 PM (see Final exams) |
Time / room: | |
Mode of instruction: | Online (async) |
Credit: | 3 |
Grade: | Graded only |
Instructor: | Friso, G. (gf32) |
Max. enroll: | 20 |
Eligibility: |
Rising Juniors and Seniors See Eligibility. |
To enroll: | See Dates & Deadlines. See Online Learning FAQs. This course is open to all registrants, including undergraduates and precollege students. |
Tuition & fees: | See Tuition for Online Courses |
Summer 2024: Online course
![Giulia Friso](/img/people/546_285x285.jpg)
Section ID: | PLBIO 2100 001-LEC |
Number: | 1690 |
Session: | Summer 3-week 2 |
Class dates: | June 24-July 12, 2024 |
Final exam/project due: | Friday July 12, 11:59 PM (see Final exams) |
Time / room: | |
Mode of instruction: | Online (async) |
Credit: | 3 |
Grade: | Graded only |
Instructor: | Friso, G. (gf32) |
Max. enroll: | 20 |
Eligibility: |
Rising Juniors and Seniors See Eligibility. |
To enroll: | This course is full. If you would like to be considered for a different class, please send an email to precollege@cornell.edu with the class number. You will want to first check that the class you want is not full before you write to us. See Dates & Deadlines. See Online Learning FAQs. This course is open to all registrants, including undergraduates and precollege students. |
Tuition & fees: | See Tuition for Online Courses |