Last year, our Chile Chapter Head, Tomás Bórquez, started research work on developing a school phyto-first-aid kit that he is hoping to implement in the school's infirmary. So far, he and his team have been able to successfully build a greenhouse to cultivate medicinal plants, transforming it into an outdoor education space, while understanding the process of innovation through scientific exploration. Below are his project details that has motivated many others around him.
Through his experience, Tomás encountered two main challenges: first, bioethical research guidelines prohibit testing natural and cosmetic products on humans or animals; second, we lack the sterilization equipment necessary to control the microbial load of the medicines we prepare. Another unresolved issue from last year was managing the entire process of extracting natural medicines—from cultivating and harvesting medicinal plants to processing, preparing, and properly labeling the final products.
This year, his focus shifted toward studying medicinal plants through agriculture. He aim to explore the best cultivation methods and, through outdoor education, develop techniques using trial and error with the tools available in his school environment.
Hypothesis
The creation of a suitable school greenhouse will enable the successful cultivation of medicinal plants under controlled conditions, facilitating the preparation of optimal aqueous extracts for the development of a school phyto-first aid kit.
Background
- Continuing research on the effectiveness of our natural medicines was not feasible, so we sought an alternative way to study botany.
- Our team grew significantly, so we will continue preparing medicines with the processed plants we already have while training new members.
- We hold weekly outdoor education sessions to explore the best cultivation techniques—or at least attempt to refine them.
Research Question
Are there significant differences in the preparation of natural medicines when infusions are made using plants cultivated in a controlled environment versus store-bought plants?
General Objective
To develop a suitable school greenhouse for growing medicinal plants to produce aqueous extracts for a school phyto-first aid kit.
Specific Objectives
- Identify an ideal location for the greenhouse.
- Design and construct a greenhouse with minimal requirements.
- Cultivate and care for medicinal plants in the greenhouse.
- Determine the best conditions for preparing herbal teas from cultivated plants for the phyto-first aid kit.
Methodology
1. Literature Review – Selection of medicinal plants to study (2023).
2. Medicinal Plant Workshop – Training in herbal medicine techniques (teas, macerations, and hydrolates) in 2023 and the first semester of 2024.
3. Land Preparation – Choosing and organizing a designated area in the school for cultivation.
4. Gathering Horticulture Materials – Acquiring soil, seed trays, shovels, and sprayers.
5. Seed Germination & Planting – Sowing medicinal plants and vegetables for practice.
6. Greenhouse Construction – Purchasing materials and learning to build a greenhouse.
7. Transplanting – Moving mature plants from seed trays to the greenhouse.
8. Pest Control – Developing natural remedies for seasonal pests (whiteflies, aphids, and mildew).
9. Processing – Harvesting, drying, grinding, and testing the best infusion concentrations.
10. Chemical Analysis – Using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay to evaluate phenolic compounds at different temperatures to determine the best extraction method.
Results
Our research yielded valuable theoretical and practical knowledge.
We started by identifying medicinal plants best suited to our environment based on the MHT document from the Chilean Ministry of Health (MINSAL). We selected:
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
This year, we added:
- Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
In 2023, we learned how to process plants for potential implementation, but we never tested them due to bioethical restrictions and uncontrolled microbial loads.
This year, we aimed to oversee the entire production cycle, selecting a growing space based on sunlight exposure, isolation, and restricted access.
While initially planning a greenhouse made entirely of PVC pipes, we opted for a more stable structure—using PVC for the roof and wood for the frame, covered with nylon to retain heat and humidity.
We cultivated both medicinal plants and various vegetables but encountered challenges in germination. We quickly realized that *laboratory work is vastly different from agricultural fieldwork*. We had to establish an organized system, focusing on our two most critical variables: watering, temperature, and pest control.
We chose herbal teas (aqueous infusions) for their low concentration, making them safer for pediatric use.
Using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, we determined that the best extractions occur at **80-100°C with a 0.5g concentration**, optimizing the release of anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic phenolic compounds.
Contributions & Learning Outcomes
- We built a greenhouse to cultivate medicinal plants, transforming it into an outdoor education space.
- We refined preparation and extraction techniques for natural medicines.
- Due to bioethical guidelines, we focused the phyto-first aid kit on herbal infusions, the only viable prototype for pediatric use.
- We cultivated plants in the greenhouse specifically for this purpose.
- We evaluated the best methods for preparing infusions and visited the Natural Products Laboratory at the Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile.
- We developed scientific skills, metacognition, and a sense of community.
- We also gained practical experience in construction, planting, and harvesting.
- We shared our work on the Qué Sucede? program on NTV
Future Perspectives
In 2025, we plan to:
- Compare the phenolic compound content in store-bought vs. homegrown plants.
- Develop our own tea bags, controlling the entire process from cultivation to extraction.
Transversal Competencies: Learning collaboratively, understanding the process, and innovating through scientific exploration.
Conclusions
- Over the past year, we built and maintained a greenhouse to cultivate medicinal plants.
- We refined different techniques for preparing and extracting natural medicines.
- We focused the phyto-first aid kit on herbal infusions due to bioethical guidelines.
- We successfully grew medicinal plants in the greenhouse for future applications.
- We evaluated the best infusion preparation methods.
Looking ahead, we plan to preserve our plants and refine our infusion techniques for future use in the school infirmary.
Next Steps:
- Implement our greenhouse-grown plants in future infusions.
- Explore selling our herbal products to responsible adults.