06_Herbal Detoxification Flashcards
What is the primary goal of herbal detoxification?
To develop a broad understanding of the rationales for herbal detoxification.
Define homeostasis.
Maintaining a stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes in the body.
Define metabolism.
The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life, or the sum of all anabolic and catabolic processes in the body.
What factors does homeostasis depend on?
- Temperature
- Pressure
- pH (acid/alkaline balance)
What are toxins?
A poison of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and acting as an antigen in the body.
What stimulates natural defense mechanisms in the body?
Toxins.
List some sources of toxins.
- Natural byproducts of metabolism
- Processed and refined foods
- Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine
- Poor quality air and water
- Environmental pollutants and heavy metals
- Microbial pathogens
- Stress and emotional negativity
What are some catalysts of toxaemia?
- Constipation
- Dysbiosis
- Liver congestion
- Kidney weakness
- Lymph congestion
- Poor circulation
- Nervous exhaustion
- Poor sleep
- Chronic infection
- Acidosis
- Stress and trauma
What is toxaemia?
Blood poisoning caused by the presence of toxins in the bloodstream.
Identify symptoms indicating the need for detoxification.
- Frequent infections
- Fatigue
- Skin complaints
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Digestive problems
- Obesity
- Arthritic and rheumatic complaints
- Hypertension
- Water retention
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Autoimmune disease
Who are some key theorists and practitioners in herbal medicine?
- Ayurveda
- Ibn Butlan
- The Natural Hygienists
- Antoine Béchamp
- Claude Bernard
- Max Gerson
- Dr Bernard Jensen
- Dr Robert O Young
True or False: Germ Theory states that bacteria are responsible for disease.
True.
What does Terrain Theory propose?
It holds that the internal environment is responsible for disease, not the bacteria themselves.
What are Koch’s Postulates?
- The microorganism must be found in abundance in all organisms suffering from the disease
- The microorganism must be isolated and grown in pure culture
- The cultured microorganism should cause disease when introduced into a healthy organism
- The microorganism must be re-isolated and identified as identical to the original causative agent.
List the channels of detoxification and elimination.
- The large intestine (colon)
- The urinary system (kidney/bladder)
- The biliary system (liver/gall bladder)
- The lymph system (lymph channels and nodes)
- The skin
- The respiratory system
What are some methods to assess the need for detoxification?
- Symptoms
- Medical and lifestyle history
- Tongue examination
- Pulse assessment
- Iridology
Name a key herb used for stimulating peristaltic motion in the colon.
Rhubarb root.
Fill in the blank: The Bowel Cleanse Protocol typically includes a drawing powder and a _______.
laxative herbal formula.
What is the function of Dandelion root in liver detoxification?
Dredges the liver and acts as a cholagogue.
What does the ‘Liver Flush’ protocol include?
- Juice of a whole lemon or lime
- Fresh pressed apple juice
- Tablespoon virgin cold pressed olive oil
- Garlic clove
- Small piece of grated fresh ginger
What is the first thing to do every morning for 10 days in the detox protocol?
Drink cold pressed olive oil, 1 garlic clove, small piece of grated fresh ginger, and optionally a pinch of cayenne powder.
Which herbs can be used to make detox tea?
- Dandelion root and leaf
- Burdock root
- Yellow dock root
- Nettle leaf
- Red clover flowers
- Uva ursi leaf
- Liquorice root
- Cardamom pod
- Fennel seed
- Fenugreek seed
- Clove buds
- Cinnamon inner bark
- Pau d’Arco bark
- Juniper berries
- Citrus peel
- Dried Ginger root
What is the recommended preparation method for the detox tea?
Place 1 Tbsp of the herb mix into a pan, add 1 pint water, bring to the boil, simmer for 10 minutes with lid on, then strain.
What is the primary action of Dandelion root and leaf?
Diuretic; prevents hypokalaemia associated with pharmaceutical diuretics.
