Lesson 2 Correct Answer Key – A Brief History of Herbalism

Correct answers are indicated by an asterisk (*).

  1. It is likely that the use of plants as medicines dates as far back as
    *A. the origin of humankind
    B. Biblical times
    C. A.D., 1492
    D. 1,000 B.C.


  2. Before written records, herbal knowledge was passed from generation to generation by means of
    A. revelation
    *B. word of mouth (orally)
    C. cave drawings
    D. extrasensory perception
    E. genes


  3. The first written record of herbs used as medicines was made over five thousands years ago on tablets of clay made by the
    A. Egyptians
    B. Romans
    C. Greeks
    *D. Sumerians


  4. A book that lists and classifies herbs is known as a(n):
    A. encyclopedia
    B. catalog
    *C. herbal
    D. herb bible


  5. This plant, used by the Chinese for at least 5,000 years, is the herb from which Western scientists have derived the modern drug ephedrine:
    A. echinacea
    *B. ma huang
    C. ginseng
    D. melaleuca


  6. The ancient Indian system of herbal medicine is known as
    *A. Ayurveda
    B. Materia medica
    C. Hatha yoga
    D. Hinduism


  7. This Greek physician and herbalists, often referred to as the “Father of Modern Medicine,” is credited with having written, “Let your Foods be your medicines, and your medicines your food.”
    A. Euripides
    B. Pythagoras
    C. Galen
    *D. Hippocrates


  8. During the Middle Ages, knowledge of medicinal plants was furthered in Europe by _______, who also translated Arabic works on herbs.
    *A. Monks
    B. Druids
    C. Barbarians
    D. Noblemen
    E. Barons


  9. The early European settlers in America had little respect for the herbal wisdom of the Native Americans.
    True
    *False


  10. When Lewis and Clark made their famous expedition Westward from the Mississippi River, one of their goals was to learn as much as possible from the Indians about their beneficial herbs.
    *True
    False


  11. This herb from the Peruvian rain forests of Central America has recently become very popular in the United States as an immuno-stimulant (supports the immune system in its attempt to keep us well.)
    A. Ma huang or Ephedra
    *B. Uña de Gato or Cat’s Claw
    C. Ginkgo biloba or Maidenhair tree
    D. Noni or Morinda citrifolia


  12. From native Africans we discovered this herb, which has proven to be beneficial for the prostate gland:
    *A. Pygeum
    B. Saw palmetto
    C. Noni
    D. St. John’s Wort


  13. From the Australian Aborigines we discovered this herb, which was used by British soldiers during World War II as an antiseptic for wounds:
    A. Ma huang or Ephedra
    B. Uña de Gato or Cat’s Claw
    *C. Tea Tree oil or Melaleuca
    D. Kangaroo Claw


  14. From the South Pacific we discovered Noni (Morinda citrifolia), which has proven to have many health benefits including stimulation of the immune system.
    *True
    False


  15. The increased interest in herbs that we are seeing today will undoubtedly prove dangerous for an already overly-exploited environment.
    True
    *False


  16. Many cultures in less industrialized nations are discovering that there is great economic potential in protecting their rain forests for herb harvest.
    *True
    False

Continue to Lesson 3