Hopseed Bush (Scientific Name: Dodonaea Viscosa)
Hopseed Bush
Description:
Type~ Angiosperm.
Leaves~ The leaves are usually elongated, shiny, sticky, and dark green in color.
Bark~ The bark is dark gray and peels some.
Habitat~ The natural habitat of the Hopseed bush is Australia, New Zealand, south Asia, and other areas in the southern hemisphere, favors open areas in tropical
and subtropical climates.
Co-exists~ Many species of birds and butterflies are usually found around Hopseed bushes.
Reproduction~ The Hopseed Bush produces little capsules with a few black seeds in them, is wind pollinated, and has both male and female flowers but sometimes there is only one gender on a specific plant.
Ethnobotany:
The Hopseed bush is mainly used for medicinal purposes. The leaves are often used topically to heal wounds and treat skin conditions. The leaves can also be chewed and or ingested to relieve toothaches, digestive problems, infections, and respiratory issues. Also the wood has been used in house building, firewood, tool creation, traps, and even incense.
Current research:
There is research being done to study the antibacterial properties of the Hopseed bush. Throughout history this plant has been used for medicinal properties. This article tested the antibacterial properties of the Hopseed bush and other plants, finding that the leaves of the Hopseed bush have high antibacterial properties and could be used to create antibiotics.
There is also research being done to investigate the antioxidant properties of the Hopseed bush. Based off many tests and experiments done, it is clear that the Hopseed bush has a high antioxidant level in its leaves. This coincides with the fact that this plant has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. As a result, the leaves of the Hopseed bush can likely be used as a new antioxidant source.
Research into the anti-diabetic properties of the Hopseed bush has been conducted. This research was done on diabetic rats. The outcome showed that the Hopseed bush would be a good anti-diabetic solution. It could supplement the oral anti-diabetic medicine already being used, or it could be used to treat pre-diabetes before it progresses.
Creative Writing:
People in your village are sick and need a treatment. You venture out in search of something to do the trick. You’ve heard of the Hopseed bush, which supposedly has wonderful medicinal purposes. You’ll recognize it by its shiny, elongated, dark green leaves with a sticky residue. Also the bark will be a gray color and peeling. Once you find it you see that there some butterflies flying around, which must be a good sign. You pick as many leaves as you can from the large grouping of bushes, and you take some of the branches too just in case. Back in your village you have some people eat the leaves for their stomach problems and some people heat up the leaves to put on their skin wounds. Within days everyone is doing much better. And with the branches you resourcefully use them as small traps and firewood. What a successful adventure.
Description:
Type~ Angiosperm.
Leaves~ The leaves are usually elongated, shiny, sticky, and dark green in color.
Bark~ The bark is dark gray and peels some.
Habitat~ The natural habitat of the Hopseed bush is Australia, New Zealand, south Asia, and other areas in the southern hemisphere, favors open areas in tropical
and subtropical climates.
Co-exists~ Many species of birds and butterflies are usually found around Hopseed bushes.
Reproduction~ The Hopseed Bush produces little capsules with a few black seeds in them, is wind pollinated, and has both male and female flowers but sometimes there is only one gender on a specific plant.
Ethnobotany:
The Hopseed bush is mainly used for medicinal purposes. The leaves are often used topically to heal wounds and treat skin conditions. The leaves can also be chewed and or ingested to relieve toothaches, digestive problems, infections, and respiratory issues. Also the wood has been used in house building, firewood, tool creation, traps, and even incense.
Current research:
There is research being done to study the antibacterial properties of the Hopseed bush. Throughout history this plant has been used for medicinal properties. This article tested the antibacterial properties of the Hopseed bush and other plants, finding that the leaves of the Hopseed bush have high antibacterial properties and could be used to create antibiotics.
There is also research being done to investigate the antioxidant properties of the Hopseed bush. Based off many tests and experiments done, it is clear that the Hopseed bush has a high antioxidant level in its leaves. This coincides with the fact that this plant has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. As a result, the leaves of the Hopseed bush can likely be used as a new antioxidant source.
Research into the anti-diabetic properties of the Hopseed bush has been conducted. This research was done on diabetic rats. The outcome showed that the Hopseed bush would be a good anti-diabetic solution. It could supplement the oral anti-diabetic medicine already being used, or it could be used to treat pre-diabetes before it progresses.
Creative Writing:
People in your village are sick and need a treatment. You venture out in search of something to do the trick. You’ve heard of the Hopseed bush, which supposedly has wonderful medicinal purposes. You’ll recognize it by its shiny, elongated, dark green leaves with a sticky residue. Also the bark will be a gray color and peeling. Once you find it you see that there some butterflies flying around, which must be a good sign. You pick as many leaves as you can from the large grouping of bushes, and you take some of the branches too just in case. Back in your village you have some people eat the leaves for their stomach problems and some people heat up the leaves to put on their skin wounds. Within days everyone is doing much better. And with the branches you resourcefully use them as small traps and firewood. What a successful adventure.
Works Cited:
Dodonea Viscosa. (2013). Retrieved 10 1, 2013, from National Tropical Botanical Garden: http://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=4259
Dodonea Viscosa (Hopbush). (n.d.). Retrieved 10 1, 2013, from Kew, Royal Botanical Gardens: http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Dodonaea-viscosa.htm
Nasrullah, Suliman, Rahman, K., Ikram, M., Nisar, M., & Khan, I. (2012). SCREENING OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review & Research, 14(2), 25-29.
Teffo, L. S., Aderogba, M. A., & Eloff, J. N. (2010). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of four kaempferol methyl ethers isolated from Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. var. angustifolia leaf extracts. South African Journal Of Botany, 76(1), 25-29. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2009.06.010
Vahid, S., & Amir, M. (n.d). Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia leaf: New source of polysaccharide and its anti-oxidant activity. Carbohydrate Polymers, 98199-207. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.05.083
Veerapur, V. P., Prabhakar, K. R., Kandadi, M. R., Srinivasan, K. K., & Unnikrishnan, M. K. (2010). Antidiabetic effect of Dodonaea viscosa aerial parts in high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats: A mechanistic approach. Pharmaceutical Biology, 48(10), 1137-1148. doi:10.3109/13880200903527736
Dodonea Viscosa. (2013). Retrieved 10 1, 2013, from National Tropical Botanical Garden: http://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=4259
Dodonea Viscosa (Hopbush). (n.d.). Retrieved 10 1, 2013, from Kew, Royal Botanical Gardens: http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Dodonaea-viscosa.htm
Nasrullah, Suliman, Rahman, K., Ikram, M., Nisar, M., & Khan, I. (2012). SCREENING OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review & Research, 14(2), 25-29.
Teffo, L. S., Aderogba, M. A., & Eloff, J. N. (2010). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of four kaempferol methyl ethers isolated from Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. var. angustifolia leaf extracts. South African Journal Of Botany, 76(1), 25-29. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2009.06.010
Vahid, S., & Amir, M. (n.d). Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia leaf: New source of polysaccharide and its anti-oxidant activity. Carbohydrate Polymers, 98199-207. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.05.083
Veerapur, V. P., Prabhakar, K. R., Kandadi, M. R., Srinivasan, K. K., & Unnikrishnan, M. K. (2010). Antidiabetic effect of Dodonaea viscosa aerial parts in high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats: A mechanistic approach. Pharmaceutical Biology, 48(10), 1137-1148. doi:10.3109/13880200903527736