Frontier Chemistry Project Introduction

Frontier Chemistry Project

Questions and Answers

1 Justify the importance of identifying a plant/root correctly.

2 Why would it be prudent to know a variety of species from other regions when dealing with
natural medicines and food?

3 Would it make a significant difference if you were traveling in different seasons? Why or why
not.

4 As a scientist, why would it be significant to develop a relationship with local peoples about their
plant habitat?

5 If you were found without traditional medicines, would you trust your (or a reference texts)
knowledge of local flora to treat illness or disease? Why or why not.

1. Identifying plants is important because often plant themselves can cause maladies.  If a plant is used incorrectly or the wrong part is used the problems caused could be dire.

2.  It would be prudent to understand a variety of species from different regions because if in the chance that one finds him or herself in a situation that requires this knowledge, say a situation like the ones in this project, they will have the knowledge to fight the problem at hand

3.  It makes a significant difference when traveling in different seasons because plants are not in bloom a year long. Different plants bloom at different times and some medicines must be prepared at different times during the year since people might need a part of the plant that only exists at a certain time during the year.

4.  It would be important to develop a relationship with the local people for anyone traveling abroad since often time the native people to a specific location know the vegetation that grows there.

5. I would not trust my memory for executing floral treatment for maladies; I would however trust a reference text depending on how dire the situation is. My identification skills are not up to the task. There are too many kinds of plants that look so familiar to each other. I wouldn’t risk it. Floral Medicinal treatment would probably be a near last resort, I would exhaust all other solutions before trying it.

Table of Contents by Maladies:
Malaria
Frostbite
Tick bite
Sore throat
Constipation
Diarrhea
Food poisoning
Sprained ankle/wrist
Knife cut
Axe wound
Snake bite
(Rattlesnake)
Dermatitis
Rope burn
Poison Ivy
Blisters
Fungus infection
Bear attack (large
flesh wounds)
Deep puncture wound
Burns from oil
Toothache
Flea bites
Sunburn
Gunshot wound
(fleshy)
Broken bone
Burns from fire