Medicinal Plant Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
About | Welcome to the Medicinal Plant Program (MPP) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Medicinal Plant Program is a consortium of faculty and staff at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is a part of the Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences. The program conducts education, research, and outreach related to all aspects of medicinal plants. CoursesThe Medicinal Plant Program has both undergraduate and graduate courses of study. Currently, a variety of courses are offered through the Program, encompassing the identification, production, use, manufacturing, and the marketing of herbal plants and products. These courses provide a well rounded view of the various disciplines related to medicinal plants. ResearchCurrent research in the Medicinal Plant Program is focused on the basic plant science necessary to establish specific medicinal plants as cultivated crops and to improve current medicinal plant production practices. MPP facilities include research laboratories with the equipment for essential oil extraction, plant monitoring, biological screening, constituent analysis, and tissue culture production. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy services are available for compound identification and quantification. Fields, greenhouses, and environmentally controlled chambers are available for growth of plant materials. The MPP has professional contacts throughout the world and can furnish both local and international service. OutreachThe MPP hosts presentations by local farmers, herbalists and researchers, local school enrichment programs, and the annual HerbFest celebration. The Program also publishes the Journal of Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants , and has produced several guides for growing medicinal and aromatic plants. We also collaborate with other colleges, schools, companies and organizations to provide research internships and real world experiences for students who want more hands-on learning with medicinal plants.
AffiliationsThe MPP is a member of: American Herbal Products Association Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts MPP faculty and staff maintain memberships in several professional organizations including: American Society for Horticultural Science Herb Society of America International Society for Horticultural Science
© 2011 University of Massachusetts Amherst
This site is maintained by the College of Natural Sciences |
Courses | |
Current Research | |
Faculty and Staff | |
Outreach | |
Recent Publications | |
Contact Us | |