What are the primary metabolites in plants?
Chemicals fundamental to plant life (e.g., proteins, lipids, carbs, chlorophyll).
What are secondary metabolites in plants?
Chemicals not essential for survival but with diverse functions in plants.
About how many secondary metabolites have been discovered?
~200,000.
How many secondary metabolites are still undiscovered (estimated)?
80–90%.
In herbalism, what are plant metabolites referred to as?
Plant constituents.
What are secondary metabolites also called in herbalism?
Constituents
Why do plants make secondary metabolites?
For their own purposes (e.g., protection, interaction, survival functions).
Give me an example of a secondary metabolite and its role
Flavonoids – protect the plant from UV radiation
What functions do secondary metabolites serve in plants?
Protection, interaction with other species, color, fragrance, and structural support.
What are glycosides?
Compounds made of two molecules joined by a glycosidic bond
What are the two parts of glycoside?
Glycone (sugar unit) and Aglycone (non-sugar compound).
What are phenolic glycosides?
A sugar unit (glycone) attached to a phenolic compound (aglycone) — often tannins, flavonoids, or salicylates
Which part of a glycoside is usually biologically active?
The aglycone.
How are glycosides often activated in the body?
By gut flora cleaving the sugar unit.
Why does adding a sugar unit matter in glycosides?
It makes the compound more water-soluble
True or False: Every solvent (extraction medium or “menstruum”) has varying affinities for different groups
of phytochemicals
Truebg
What types of constituents are extracted by water-based solutions?
Water-soluble ones like mucilage, polysaccharides, and tannins.
What types of constituents are extracted by fat-based solutions (alcohol, vinegar, glycerin, oil)?
Fat-soluble ones like alkaloids, resins, and volatile oils.
What factors influence constituent solubility in plants (Small Plants Stay Truly Perfectly Strong”
1.Structure & size of the phytochemical molecule
2.Polarity of its molecular skeleton and attached functional groups
3.Synergistic and companion compound content
4.Temperature of extraction solvents
5.Plant matrix
6.Type of solvent & solution pH (ionization)
Why do these factors matter in herbalism?
They determine how well different solvents extract specific plant constituents.
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BOT TERM 1: Class 1: An introduction to Western Herbalism & The History of Herbal Practices106
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BOT TERM 1: Class 2: Herbal Pharmacy70
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BOT TERM 1: Class 3: Herbal Monographs10
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BOT TERM: Class 3A: Phytochemistry20
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BOT TERM 1: Class 3B: Herbal Actions35
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BOT TERM 1: Class 4: Herbal Ethics & Safety31
