R and J medicinal plants

In this project I have been asked to research and report on two plants. They had to of been plants that have a medicinal use. For example guava and papaya. Well I picked Opium(Poppy's) and St. Johns wort. These plants are two of a vast number of medicinal plants that are on this world.

 

Opium is a substance that is harvested from poppies that can make medicine but it can also make narcotics(Drugs). My plant can be found in many places its most common Afghanistan and Mexico. The largest consumer is actually the United States. It is used for medicinal use as a pain killer. It has four main substances morphine, codeine, thebaine, and papavine. This drug is very potent and has the potential to kill. It started in China as a pain killer. It comes usually in white bitter powder that can be injected by needle, smoked, or orally swallowed.

 

St Johns Wort is a medicinal plant that elevates depression and pressure. It also can help smokers, cancer, HIV/AIDS, muscle pain, nerve pain and simple cuts and bruises. It started in Ancient Greece where it was used to help sleep. In the modern world their is really no cases of misuse of St. John's Wort. I guess you could get an overdose of antidepressant. It comes in 5 main forms, oil based lotions, pills, powdered, dried herbs and tea.

 

These two plants are not really a like. They both come in powdered forms. One is a pain killer trying to make you feel nothing while the antidepressant trying to make more happy. I believe Friar Lawrence was right in saying that each plant can be used for good and bad. For example, Opium Poppies can be used for someone that just lost there leg or for someone that is a druggie. In the end I feel that these two plants are a good representation of the medicinal plant community.

 

 

Works Cited

Burequest, Yue Q. "Disclaimer." University of Maryland Medical Center. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/st-johns-000276.htm>.

"Home Vitamins, Herbs, Dietary Supplements A-z List St. John's Wort." RxList. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.rxlist.com/st_johns_wort/supplements.htm>.

"Opium and Heroin." Information from Drugs.com. 01. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.drugs.com/opium.html>.

"Opium Poppy." Opium Poppy. WP Armstrong, 2006. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://waynesword.palomar.edu/opium.htm>.