Abstract
This paper pursues the lead of Bart K. Holland in utilizing classic literature as a guide to the pharmacologic potentialities of natural products. Instead of focusing on European texts, however, American medicinal plants are examined through the work of the influential naturalist Constantine S. Rafinesque (1783-1840). Rafinesque is discussed with special attention to his activities as a medical botanist. In particular, the plant species monographed in the main section of hisMedical Flora of the United States (1828-1830) are studied for their historical and current use as medicinal agents. The results are tabulated and presented in a bar graph. The study concludes that Rafinesque was a progressive therapist whoseMedical Flora is a promising guide for phytopharmacuetical prospecting with North American plants.
Résumé
Dieses Referatfolgt dem Beispiel von Bart K. Holland, indem es die Idassische Literatur als Anhaltspunkt zu den pharmakologischen Möglichkeiten von natürlichen Produkte mutzt. Statt sich auf europäische Texte zu konzentrieren, werden amerikanische medizinische Planzen durch die Arbeiten von dem einfluβreichen Naturforscher Constantine S. Rafinesque (1783-1840) untersucht. Rafinesque wird mit besonderer Aufmerksamkeit auf seine Tätigkeiten als medizinischer Botaniker besprochen. Insbesondere, die Einzeldarstellung der Pflanzenspezies, die im Hauptabschnitt seines BuchesMedical Flora ist, wird wegen ihres historischen und aktuellen Nutzen als medizinisches Mittel studiert. Die Ergebnisse sind tabellarisch angeordnet und graphisch dargestellt. Die Studie kommt zu dem Schluβ, daβ Rafinesque ein progressiver Therapeut war, dessenMedical Flora ein vielversprechender Führer für phytopharmazeutische Untersuchungen von nordamerikanischen Pflanzen ist.
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Flannery, M.A. The Medicine and Medicinal Plants of C. S. Rafinesque. Econ Bot 52, 27–43 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02861293
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02861293