Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants

                                                                                                Final Exam

                                                                                                Name ______________________________

 

I. Short answer (4 points each).

 

A. Maximizing net photosynthesis for basil is necessary to provide the best growth for this culinary herb.  Describe net  photosynthesis for basil, list the necessary ingredients for the photosynthetic reaction, describe environmental variables that influence photosynthesis, and explain what you as a gardener/grower can do to maximize net photosynthesis in a basil plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. Maximizing growth does not always produce the best spice or herb crop.  Indicate why this could occur and whether this should be a concern to you as a grower. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C. Several historical and traditional medical systems that used herbs are still practiced.  Describe some of these systems and account for the continued use of each systems in an era of “modern,” western medicine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

II. Multiple choice.  In reference to herbs, spices, and medicinal plants, choose the one best answer that matches the term at right from among the possible choices and place the associated letter in blank space to left of term. (1 point each).

 

___ Parsley can best be described as:

 

            A. a new type of shoe                                       B. a plant frequently used in medicine

            C. a plant with culinary uses                               D. a plant for which Tennessee is famous

                                                            E. a plant commercially grown only in Kentucky

 

 

___ Allspice (Pimenta dioica) is of special importance to:

 

            A. Citizens of Peru where the crop                     B. Citizens of Scandinavian countries where the spice

                        is primarily produced                                          is used to marinate fish

            C. Citizens of Uganda where the spice is            D. Citizens of France where the crop is interplanted

                        used in blessings during childbirth                        with corn to control weeds

                                                            E. Citizens of Northwest India where the locally

                                                                        grown crop is used for payment of taxes

 

 

___ Paprika grows throughout the world in temperate countries, but:

 

            A. being related to Piper pepper, needs               B. is most valued for the red color of the

                        warm climates to produce the best grade                        fruit, best observed in Hungarian paprika

            C. actually is the one spice                                 D. is best consumed when green to take

                        which originated in Alaska                                 advantage of the a-pinene content

                                                            E. produces the most ί-eugenol, a flavor enhancer,

                                                                        in warm climates

 

___ An infusion is a:

 

            A. a drink prepared with an herb plant                B. a glycerol ester of a fatty acid used to

                        or a drink with herb extract added                      reduce deposits in blood veins

            C. a substance removed from plants which         D. the extract of a plant obtained by distillation

                        produces colors when boiled                               or use of solvents and used medicinally

                                                            E. a solution produced by steeping or soaking an herb or

                                                                        medicinal plant in water without boiling

 

___ A good example of a potherb is:

 

            A. Watercress                                                  B. Cascara sagrada

            C. Paprika                                                        D. Allspice

                                                            E. Bay laurel

 

___ Most alkaloids affect the body by interacting with the:

 

            A. Cardiovascular system                                  B. Respiratory system

            C. Digestive system                                           D. Nervous system

                                                E. Endocrine system

 

 

 

 

III. Matching (choose the best letter from column B and place next to the most frequently associated word or phrase in Column A) (1 point each).

                        Column A                                             Column B

 

___ hydrodistillation       A. technique primarily used to extract heat sensitive essential oils

 

___ potpourri                B. technique primarily developed to extract essential oils from dry basil plants

 

___ essential oil            C. terpenes suspended in fennel oil

 

___ enfleurage              D. plant extract frequently used as a flavoring agent

 

___ homeopathy           E. extract removed from plant roots in early spring

 

___ solvent extraction   F. technique primarily used to extract very volatile aromatics from flowers

 

___ respiration              G. movement of water and minerals through plants

 

___ glandular hairs        H. change in form from gas to liquid

 

                                    I. the metabolic process by which energy is produced from sugar in a plant

 

                        J. water secretory structure in the Pinaceae family

 

                                    K. oil secretory structure common to the Lamiaceae family

 

                                    L. leaf appendages responsible for insect resistance

 

                                    M. extract removed from plant leaves in late summer

 

                                    N. usually consists of a mixture of dried, aromatic plant materials

 

O. medical practice using small quantities of preparations that produce disease symptoms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV. True or false.  (From the perspective of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants, place a T in front of the statement if true or an F in front of the statement if any part is false). (1 point each).

 

___ Pepper (Piper nigrum) is a climbing vine and the pepper of commerce consists of berries from the vine.

 

___ On a fertilizer bag labeled 5-10-20, the 10 refers to phosphorus.

 

___ Oil yields are increased when herbs are seeded in late evening and harvested in early morning.

 

___ Herbs being investigated as alternative antioxidants are sage and rosemary.

 

___ Transpiration ratio refers to the relative amount of water required by an herb to produce a unit of dry matter

 

___ All known herbs, spices, and medicinal plants contain an essential oil.

 

___ Most of the U.S. garlic crop is produced in Gilroy, Oregon.

 

___ The medicinal plant milk thistle can be used to protect poisoned livers.

 

___ Although unknown by many herbalists, the most valuable portion of the ginseng plant is the leaf tissue.

 

 

V. Definitions (in a few words indicate the meaning of the each word or phrase as related to herbs, spices, and medicinal plants) (2 points each):

 

            Potpourri -

 

 

            GRAS -

 

 

            Sachet -

 

 

            Food and Drug Administration -

 

 

            Allopathic -

 

 

            Antihelmintic -

 

 

            Carminative -

 

 

            Doctrine of signatures -

 

 

 

 

 

VI. Plant Identification (material at front of room; please leave your desk and look at the material when others will not be in your way) (place the name of the plant, plant product, or plant part as requested at the correct number) (1 point each).

 

  1. ______________   2. ______________   3. ______________   4. ______________       5. ______________   

 

  6. ______________   7. ______________   8. ______________   9. ______________       10. ______________

 

11. ______________ 12. ______________ 13. ______________ 14. ______________       15. ______________

 

16. ______________ 17. ______________ 18. ______________ 19. ______________       20. ______________

 

21. ______________ 22. ______________ 23. ______________ 24. ______________

 

25. ______________ 26. ______________ 27. ______________ 28. ______________

 

29. ______________ 30. ______________ 31. ______________ 32. ______________

 

VII. Matching (in reference to herbs, spices, and medicinal plants, choose the best phrase from column B and place the associated letter in the blank next to the matching plant in Column A) (1 point each).

 

            Column A                                             Column B

 

___ cloves                                A. phenol content useful as antifungal and antibacterial agent, used in lotions and ointments,

used in feminine hygiene products; more commonly known as a culinary herb

___ eucalyptus                         

                                                B. primarily a flavor agent used in toothpaste and chewing gum

___ Japanese mint                   

                                                C. menthol content makes this a good topical antiseptic for skin and mucus membranes,

___ spearmint                                       used in Noxzema Medicated Cream, Solarcaine, Vicks Vaporub, and other products

                                                           

___ thyme                                D. used as flavoring agent, as a dental analgesic, and in toothache preparations such as

Benzodent, Jiffy Toothache Drops, and Nuzident; also in Lavoris mouthwash; more commonly known as a spice, but has long history of association with dentistry

___ belladonna 

           

___ foxglove                             E. used a flavor agent and antiseptic, diaphoretic, and expectorant; frequently used in

                                                            nasal inhalers, Dristan, Sine-Off,  Vicks Sinex, and Listerine mouthwash

___ lobelia

                                                F. one source of digitoxin used prescription products such as Lanxoin and Lanoxicaps

___ ergot                                              for control of heart

 

___ peppermint                         G. contains an alkaloid used to stop craving for cigarettes, commercially in product

                                                            Bantron

 

                                                H. contains alkaloids used to stimulate uterine muscles and increase basal tone of uterine

                                                            muscles, decreasing loss of blood from postpartum uterus; associated with witch

                                                            trials of Salem, Massachusetts  

 

                                                I. flavoring agent used in Listerine Mouthwash, Phillips' of Magnesia, and Tums;

                                                            carminative 

 

                                                J. parasympathetic depressant used in treatment of ulcer, digestive disorders, diarrhea,

                                                            and pancreatis; commercial products include Belap SE, Donnatal, and Protac

Cold Capsules; associated with dilation of eyes in young women

 

 

 

 

VIII. Matching (choose the word in column B that can be best associated with the structure in column A and place the corresponding letter in the blank; note items in column B may be used more than once).  (1 point each).

 

 


            Column A                                                                                                         Column B

A. alkaloid

B. hemiterpenoid

C. monoterpenoid

D. sesquiterpenoid

E. diterpenoid

F. triterpenoid

G. phenylpropanoid

H. flavonoid

I. tannin

J. anthraquinone

K. none of the above
 
 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Extra Credit: (1 point each)

1. Indicate who William Withering and Marco Polo were and their contributions to the study of herbs.

 

 

 

 

2. Why is Connecticut known as the "nutmeg" state?

 

 

 

3. Explain the differences between a formal and informal herb garden.

 

 

 

Thanks very much for sharing this semester with me.  As you finish this course, I hope that you will remember the importance of these plants in human history and culture, that you will have the opportunity to plant and grow herbs, and that you will appreciate the value of these plants each time you flavor food, apply a cosmetic product, or use a medicine. 

My best wishes for the future.  LEC

My best wishes for a great summer.  Have a safe trip home and think about taking an advanced course in herbs next fall semester, if we are able to offer the course.