On the Rhododendron to NYMC

In the height of spring, the New York Medical College campus became filled with a beautiful assortment of flowers. Beyond their decorative appearances is their rich history as healing agents.  

Plant matter has played a significant role in traditional medicine across continents and through centuries. The studies of phytochemistry and pharmacology have allowed scientists to explore the biochemical components of plants, their interaction with mammalian biochemistry, and potential therapeutic applications. 

We explored the medicinal uses and brief history of some of the flowering plants that bloomed across campus this spring. Be sure to look out for these flowers next year!

 

Crabapple tree

• Scientific name: Malus species
• Origin: Northern Hemisphere: Asia, Europe, North America
• Medicinal uses: Traditionally, the crabapple has been used to alleviate indigestion and other digestive issues in China. Laboratory studies show its positive effects extend beyond the digestive tract to include lowering blood glucose levels and hypercholesterolaemia in rats and mice. 
• Find at NYMC: Lot #5 – BSB East Student Parking (Gravel Lot)

• • Effects of Crabapple (Malus sylvestris) on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Diabetic Rats  
  • Crabapple fruit extracts lower hypercholesterolaemia in high-fat diet-induced obese mice 

Source:

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/malus/ 

 

Kanzan cherry tree

• Scientific name: Prunus ‘Kanzan’
• Origin: Japan
• Medicinal uses: Not typically used for medicinal purposes. All parts except the fleshy fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides which are considered toxic because they release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized. 
• Find at NYMC: Lot #1 – General BSB Parking – Northwest Parking

Source:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/cyanogenic-glycoside
• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-kanzan/ 

 

Vanhoutte spirea

• Scientific name: Spiraea x vanhouttei  (hybrid)
• Origin: Southeastern Europe and Asia
• Medicinal uses: In Eastern medicine, certain varieties have been used to treat nausea and fever. Plants of the Spiraea genus have been widely studied and are known for a variety of useful properties; these include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, among several others. 
• Find at NYMC: On the left side of Sunshine Cottage, along the path to and from MEC

• • Phytoconstituents and Bioactivity of Plants of the Genus Spiraea L. (Rosaceae): A Review 
  • Antiviral Potential of Spiraea Extracts (Prepared by Repercolation) Against Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

Source: 

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/spiraea-x-vanhouttei/ 

 

Flowering dogwood tree

• Scientific name: Cornus florida
• Origin: Eastern America and Northern Mexico
• Medicinal uses: Plants of the Cornus genus are widely distributed across the continents, including North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. The fruits of some dogwood species have been used in traditional medicine for analgesic activities and for improved liver and kidney function. Studies show that these plants have high biological value, properties that are considered anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic and hypolipemic agents. 
• Find at NYMC: Along the path beside the MEC Roadway Visitor Parking

• • Anthocyanins in Cornus alternifolia, Cornus controversa, Cornus kousa and Cornus florida fruits with health benefits
  • Inhibition of Digestive Enzymes and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from Fruits of Cornus alba, Cornus sanguinea subsp. hungarica and Cornus florida–A Comparative Study
  • An Overview of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Edible Fruits of European and Asian Cornus Species

Source: 

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-florida/ 

 

Common lilac

• Scientific name: Syringa vulgaris
• Origin: Balkan Peninsula
• Medicinal uses: The common lilac has been used traditionally in a variety of ways, from treating gout, rheumatism and muscle/joint aches in Europe to treating fever, cough, and mouth pain in North America. Studies on S. vulgaris have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antipyretic properties.
• Find at NYMC: Across from the School of Health Science and Practice Building

• • Effects of Phytochemically Characterized Extracts From Syringa vulgaris and Isolated Secoiridoids on Mediators of Inflammation in a Human Neutrophil Model 
  • Phenolic composition, antioxidant and antinociceptive activities of Syringa vulgaris L. bark and leaf extracts. 

Source: 

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/syringa-vulgaris/ 

 

Lesser periwinkle

• Scientific name: Vinca minor
• Origin: Europe to the Caucasus
• Medicinal uses: In folk medicine, periwinkle has been used to treat cerebral circulatory, memory disorders, and promote cerebral metabolism. Vinca species show antioxidant activity and are rich in alkaloids, with high concentrations of vincamine, an alkaloid known for its vasodilatory and hypotensive effects.
• Find at NYMC: In front of the Medical Education Center
• • Determination of Active Ingredients, Mineral Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Hydroalcoholic Macerates of Vinca minor L. Plant from the Dobrogea Area
  • The Vinca minor genome highlights conserved evolutionary traits in monoterpene indole alkaloid synthesis

Source: 

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vinca-minor/ 

 

Azalea

• Scientific name: Rhododendron
• Origin: Northern Hemisphere to Tropical Asian Mountains and NE Australia
• Medicinal uses: Azaleas have a long history of use in Chinese traditional medicine, with a wide range of treatments that include gastrointestinal issues, asthma, cold symptoms, respiratory diseases, pain, inflammation, and skin diseases. Studies on the Rhododendron show pharmacological activities such as antinociceptive, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic. They are also toxic and have shown possible interaction with common drugs.
• Find at NYMC: In front of the Medical Education Center

• • The genus Rhododendron: An ethnopharmacological and toxicological review 
  • An updated review of the genus Rhododendron since 2010: Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology
  • Rhododendron Molle (Ericaceae): phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology

Source: 

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron/ 

 

Dandelion

• Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale
• Origin: Europe and Asia
• Medicinal uses: Taraxacum officinale has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes, inflammation, and liver disease. Studies show that dandelions have bioactive components with potential for anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antirheumatic, anti-diabetic, and chloretic properties. 
• Find at NYMC: All around campus

• • The Physiological Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) in Type 2 Diabetes 
  • Taraxacum officinale and related species—An ethnopharmacological review and its potential as a commercial medicinal plant 

Source: 

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taraxacum-officinale/ 

 

To see these images in higher quality, please check out our Instagram post.

Scientific research on the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of these plants is ongoing. This information is for educational purposes only.