85151 - Medicinal Plants and Food Supplements

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Health Biology (cod. 5729)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Health Biology (cod. 9212)

Learning outcomes


At the end of the course the student acquires the ability to operate in phytotherapy with old and modern knowledge on some issues of medicinal plants most used in the herbal sector, in accordance with current regulations.

Course contents

Introduction to the course: what is phytotherapy, plant products for health, market: needs and developments, information on packaging, evaluation of herbal products, critical analysis of products based on plants on the market: formulation and stability; amount of extract and daily dose; "Directions"; interactions and toxicity. Classification of biologically active substances of vegetable origin and their nutritional interest. Products from primary plant metabolism: glycides, lipids and proteins; products from secondary plant metabolism: alkaliods, phenols, glycosides and terpenes. Problems of digestive organs and metabolism: Diseases of the mucosa of the mouth and throat; halitosis: mallow, altea, aloe, tea tree, sage, cloves, licorice, thyme, mint, bergamot, cardamom Acute and chronic stomach disease, nausea and vomiting; hepato-biliary diseases: lemon balm, ginger, turmeric, passionflower, common chamomile, Roman chamomile, fennel, common anise, star anise, absinthe, gum arabic, rhubarb, bay leaf, milk thistle, artichoke, burdock, boldo, chrysanthello, gentian, aromatic calamus, centaurea minor, angelica Diseases of the intestine, diarrhea, constipation: cumin, blueberry, papaya, belladonna, tormentilla, agrimony, carob, flax, psyllium, cascara, frangula, senna Endocrine and metabolic diseases; slimming: gymnema, glucomannan, garcinia, fucus, cinnamon, coleus, banaba, moringa, maté, bitter orange, guarana, soy lecithin, bean Other problems: Inappetence, asthenia, physical exhaustion, thinness: Eleutherococcus, oats, alfalfa, ginseng, spirulina, rhodiola, fenugreek, schizandra, withania Venous-lymphatic insufficiency and varicose veins; hemorrhoids; drainage; cellulite: horse chestnut, centella, vitis vinifera, birch, ash, agropyron repens, ortosiphon, horsetail, holly, witch hazel Longevity food: red oranges, chocolate, green tea and black tea Protective food: garlic, aromatic herbs, oil seeds, nuts

Readings/Bibliography

Texts that can be used as a consultation and in-depth study, but not necessary for the course:

Maugini E. , Maleci Bini L., Mariotti Lippi M. Botanica farmaceutica , Piccin editore, Padova, IX edizione. 2014.

 

Nicoletti M., Botanica farmaceutica - Storia, attività ed impieghi delle piante medicinali, EdiSES S.r.l., Napoli. 2012

Teaching methods

Front lessons will be performed with Power Point slides and projector.

Since no comprehensive program text is available, classroom attendance is important for the correct understanding of the program and the individual topics.

 

Assessment methods

Testing is done through the final exam consisting of a 60 minute written test followed by an oral test.


The oral exam, mandatory only if the written score is less than 25, is inspired by the written test topics for a more accurate assessment of the student's preparation.

Examination must take place through the Almaesami website.


All students who have taken the minimum grade 18 (18-30L rating scale) will be admitted to the oral exam.

The written task will consist of 20 multiple choice questions on the entire program, a monograph of a plant treated in class and a dissertation on the composition of a supplement.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Calandriello

SDGs

Good health and well-being Responsible consumption and production

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.