Garden coordinator Elizabeth Leibovitz demonstrates distilling witch hazel at the Heber W. Youngkin, Jr. Medicinal Garden
At the semester鈥檚 first meeting of the Pharmacognosy Club, a natural products research club, students made witch hazel hydrosol, a solution of water and witch hazel.
Club members gathered witch hazel from trees in the 鈥檚 Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden, overseen by Elizabeth Leibovitz, garden coordinator.
鈥淭he gallotannins and other constituents of witch hazel have been distilled for hundreds of years,鈥� says Leibovitz. 鈥淭hey were an important antiseptic during the Civil War.鈥�
A copper alembic still is used to heat witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and distilled water to near-boiling. 鈥淎s the steam rises up the swan neck, the piping reaches the cold water in the condenser and liquifies, yielding a solution of water and volatile oils,鈥� Leibovitz says. 鈥淭he modern separation flask could be used to separate out essential oils.鈥�
This exercise is meant to demonstrate how to gather plants safely and to instill in students an appreciation of the history of separation science as well as show the connection of modern chemical techniques to the traditional practices of artisans, perfumers, and healers.
Courses in medicinal plants and techniques in medicinal chemistry always have a medicinal garden component, and College of Pharmacy classes held there are popular with students. Also, first-year pharmacy students enjoy scavenger hunts in the garden as part of 911爆料 101, a half-year course that acclimates students to 911爆料.