Major
Kinesiology
Advisor
Seeram, Navindra
Advisor Department
Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Advisor
Lausier, Joan
Advisor Department
Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Advisor
J. Peter Morgan
Advisor Department
Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Date
5-2017
Keywords
Pharmacognosy; Medicinal plants; Essential Oils
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Abstract
Natural and homeopathic remedies have seen quite a resurgence in popularity over the past few years. Many people are seeking natural solutions or treatments for a wide variety of conditions. There are almost as many different modalities as there are plants. In the realm of natural solutions plants can be used in their raw, unadulterated state in the same way plants are used as food. Plants can also be further processed into concentrated supplements, tinctures, and essential oils. While the interest in the use of plants as a complementary and alternative medical practice has increased, many still dismiss the topic as a fad or as an unscientific practice. However plants have been used medicinally for thousands of years.
In this project I researched some of the most commonly used plants and their medicinal properties. After extensively researching many different plants, I experimented with making my own rosemary isolation with rosemary that was cultivated in the Pharmacy greenhouse on the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus. I also experimented with making my own salves, creams, oils, and tinctures. In addition to researching and experimenting with different plants, I hosted an essential oil workshop on campus. The workshop was a free event, in which the public was invited to learn about essential oils. The workshop also included two different activities. One of the activities was creating a salt-based oil diffuser while the other activity was making with a clay-based diffuser.