A new economic potential for the flowering plant Spanish needle (Bidens pilosa L.) is described by Windward Community College Professor Ingelia White in her recently published book titled Ethnopharmacognosy Series IV: Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Values of Spanish Needle–Plant-Based Products and Recipes.
White’s BOT 205 (ethnobotanical pharmacognosy) and BOT 299 (independent study) students have identified the medicinal and nutritional values of the Spanish needle plant. Medicinal products such as tooth cleaning powder, gargle, chewing gum, pills, lozenges, fruit bites, lollipops, teas and soaps are introduced in the pharmaceutical products section of the booklet, while BOT 105 (ethnobotany) students prepare delicious Spanish needle dishes as well as recipes that are shared in the food pharmacy section.
White is also the coordinator of the Agripharmatech Program at Windward CC. The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical research was conducted by her agripharmatech-ethnopharmacognosy students at the natural sciences labs in Hale ʻImiloa and the Bioprocessing Medicinal Garden Complex at Windward CC from January 2011 to May 2013.
“The goals of the Agripharmatech Program is to provide knowledge and skills for students to transfer to higher degree institutions and to enter a workforce in plant biological science-related fields including medicinal botany, plant biotechnology, horticulture, biology, nutraceuticals—and to promote agribusiness/plant-based product entrepreneurships,” said White.
“Students learn why certain plants are valued medicinally in Hawaiian and other cultures and what basis there is for their use in such practices…Spanish needle has been traditionally used for ulcers, diabetes, skin disorders, colds and other ailments,” said Ardis Eschenberg, Windward CC vice chancellor for student affairs. “Investigating the potential basis for medicinal values of this plant, students found that Spanish needle inhibits three oral pathogens and reduces bacteria which causes peptic ulcers. As a result, students developed a chewing gum and tooth cleaning powder to control the pathogens orally. In this publication they provide the experimental protocol, associated data, medicinal products and healing food recipes for Spanish needle.”
The Ethnopharmacognosy Series IV booklet containing research protocols, laboratory exercises and recipes to be used in future botany classes, is also available to the public for $13 at the Windward CC Bookstore. Proceeds from booklet sales will be used for student internship and travel to attend and present research at national and international scientific conferences.
The series is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) and sponsored by Windward Community College.
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Windward CC Publishes Student Research on Spanish Needle,
