Course Description:
The course will cover primarily the medicinal plants of Costa Rica, although plants from other areas such as the Amazon will also be discussed. The course will include:
· Identification of some of the commonly used medicinal plants.
· Methods of preparation, including teas, decoctions, tinctures and salves.
· Medical conditions and diseases for which the various plants are used.
· The chemical structure and mode of action of selected medicinal plants.
It is also designed to give students hands-on experience in the search for medicinal plants in the Neotropics. Techniques for characterization of the forest and map making will be learned. The course will consist of lectures and field work, with field work representing a large portion of the course. Students will participate in the exploration of La Suerte’s forest.
La Suerte offers primary secondary and newly emerging forests that will provide us with a rich selection of flora to learn from
all found in distinct Forest types:
·Primary, secondary, and newly emerging forests.
This course will provide students who are considering a career involving fieldwork in the tropics to experience the joys and hardships expected.
The material covered in the course is equivalent to an upper level or graduate university course. Students who enroll in the course should have knowledge of botany and basic organic chemistry.
Students will be expected to work hard, but we also intend to provide students with a fun experience.
Text book: TBA contact instructor for a list of references. |
