Title

Effect of Cecropia polyphlebia, Cecropia obtusifolia, and Bidens pilosa on human lung capacity

Alternative Title

Efecto de Cecropia polyphlebia, Cecropia obtusifolia, y Bidens pilosa en la capacidad pulmonar humana

Creator

Michelle Gin

Files

Publication Date

November 2009

Abstract

Traditional medicine is used by 80% of the world population as their primary care. Monteverde, Costa Rica houses a rich flora including Cecropia polyphlebia (Cecropiaceae), Cecropia obtusifolia (Cecropiaceae), and Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) that have been identified as medicinal plants to reduce the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory ailments. Fifty-eight human subjects were divided into four groups of tea treatments, including Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile (Asteraceae) as a control. Lung capacity was measured using the amount of air blown into a balloon in a single breath. Initial (pre-treatment) as well as the immediate and long-term effects of plant extracts on lung capacity were measured for the four tea treatments. Results showed no statistically significant difference between the immediate and long-term effects of any of the treatments. However, there was a statistically significant difference between B. pilosa and C. obtusifolia; B. Pilosa and C. nobile; and C. polyphlebia and C. nobile. B. Pilosa and C. polyphlebia are most effective to increase one’s lung capacity and, therefore, most likely to lessen asthma symptoms. La medicina tradicional está siendo usada por un 80% del mundo para mejorar la salud. Monteverde, Costa Rica tiene una flora con una riqueza alta que contiene plantas medicinales, incluyendo plantas como Cecropia polyphlebia (Cecropiaceae), Cecropia obtusifolia (Cecropiaceae), y Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) que reducen los síntomas de asma y otras enfermedades respiratorias. Para este estudio, cincuenta y ocho personas estaban divididas en cuatro grupos de tratamientos de te diferentes, incluyendo manzanillo, Chamaemelum nobile (Asteraceae), como un control. La capacidad de los pulmones estaba medida usando una sopla de aire por un globo por cada persona. Efectos iniciales, inmediatos, y a largo plazo de la capacidad de los pulmones estaban medidos por los cuatro tratamientos de té. Los resultados mostraron que no hubo diferencia entre los efectos inmediatos y los de largo plazo. Sin embargo, era una diferencia entre B. pilosa y C. obtusifolia; B. Pilosa y C. nobile; y C. polyphlebia y C. nobile. Bidens pilosa y C. polyphlebia son los más eficientes para mejorar la capacidad de los pulmones y bajar los síntomas de asma.

Keywords

Herbs--Therapeutic use, Hierbas--Uso terapeutico, Asthma, Asma, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde, CIEE Fall 2009, CIEE Otoño 2009

Geographic Location

Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone; Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde

Type

Text

Media Type

Reports

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute MVI

Identifier

M39-00537

Recommended Citation

Gin, Michelle, "Effect of Cecropia polyphlebia, Cecropia obtusifolia, and Bidens pilosa on human lung capacity" (2009). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 105.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/105