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Nutrition 2 (Semester I) > 4. Herbal Medicine > Flashcards

4. Herbal Medicine Flashcards

1
Q

What effect do alkaloids have on the body?

A

Strong stimulatory effect on the NS

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2
Q

Example of an alkaloid

A

Berberine

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3
Q

What effect do anthraquinones have on the body?

A

Powerful evacuation

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4
Q

Example of an anthraquinone

A

Senna

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5
Q

What effect do flavonoids have on the body?

A

Antioxidant
Anti-viral

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6
Q

Example of a herbal flavonoid

A

Hawthorn berry

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7
Q

What effect do saponins have on the body?

A

Adaptogenic
Steroid like

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8
Q

Example of a saponin

A

Liquorice

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9
Q

What effect do herbal tannins have on the body?

A

Astringent
Dries out wounds

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10
Q

Example of a herbal tannin

A

Yarrow

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11
Q

What effect do terpenes have on the body?

A

Antispasmodic in the GIT and lungs
Antimicrobial

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12
Q

Example of a terpene

A

Lavender

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13
Q

Examples of internal applications for herbs

A

Infusions
Decoctions
Tinctures
Syrups
Powders
Capsules

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14
Q

Examples of external applications for herbs

A

Oils
Creams
Lotions
Ointments

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15
Q

What are infusions?

A

Used for preparing delicate/aromatic leaves and flowers

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16
Q

How should an infusion be prepared?

A

Place herbs in a cup or teapot
Add boiled water
Infuse for 10-15 mins
Strain

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17
Q

What is the adult dose of an infusion?

A

2 tsp dried
3 cups/day
2 bags per cup

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18
Q

Benefits of infusions

A

Extract water soluble phytochemicals
Hydrating
Good compliance

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19
Q

What are decoctions?

A

Used for preparing roots, fruits, bark

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20
Q

How should a decoction be prepared?

A

Place herbs in a pan
Cover with cold water
Bring to boil
Simmer for 15 mins
Strain

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21
Q

What is the adult dose of an decoction?

A

1 tsp dried herb per cup
3 cups/day

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22
Q

What are syrups?

A

Thick, sweet medicines for cough/throat remedies
Easy for children

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23
Q

How is a syrup prepared?

A

Make a decoction
Strain
Reduce on low heat until 1/2 water evaporated
Weigh decoction
Add sugar/honey in 2 parts sugar to 1 part decoction
Place in sterilised glass jar

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24
Q

What is the adult dose of a syrup?

A

2 tsp, 3/day

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25
Q

What is the child dose of a syrup?

A

1/2-1 tsp, 3/day

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26
Q

What are tinctures?

A

Made by steeping herbs in a mixture of water and alcohol to extract phytochemicals

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27
Q

Benefits of tinctures

A

Phytochemicals extracted in the alcohol are readily absorbed
Good compliance
Long shelf life
(up to 5 years)

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28
Q

What is the strongest tincture?

A

1:1

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29
Q

What is the adult dose of a tincture?

A

5ml in small glass of water
3/day before food

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30
Q

Who are tinctures not suitable for?

A

Recovering alcoholics
Some religions
Inflammatory conditions

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31
Q

What are glycerites?

A

Made by steeping herbs in glycerine
(sweet liquid derived from fats and oils)

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32
Q

Who are glycerites good for?

A

Clients should can’t consume alcohol or sugar

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33
Q

What conditions are glycerites good for?

A

Mouth
Throat
Chest

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34
Q

Why aren’t glycerites as good as tinctures?

A

Not as many phytochemicals extracted
Short shelf life
(3 months)

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35
Q

Benefits of powders

A

Whole herb is digested
Small particle size aids assimilation
Can be mixed into foods and drinks

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36
Q

Why are herbs high in mucilage best taken away from food?

A

May reduce absorption

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37
Q

Adult dose of powders

A

1 tsp
2/day

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38
Q

How are strong tasting powders best taken?

A

Capsules

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39
Q

Why do powders and capsules have a short shelf life?

A

High surface area increases oxidation

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40
Q

What are standardised extracts?

A

Manufactured to contain a quantified amount of active constituents

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41
Q

Benefit of standardised extracts

A

Stronger than traditional extracts

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42
Q

Disadvantages of standardised extracts

A

Often made using unnatural solvents
Don’t have a natural balance of phytonutrients
Can resemble pharmaceuticals so more likely to cause side effects

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43
Q

How are infused oils prepared?

A

Steeping herbs in oil using a double burner

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44
Q

How are essential oils prepared?

A

Extracting the volatile phytochemicals from the herbs using steam distillation

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45
Q

What shouldn’t you do with essential oils?

A

Take them internally
Apply neat to the skin

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46
Q

Adult dosage for essential oils

A

Max 20 drops per 100g

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47
Q

What is an ointment?

A

Infused oils mixed with beeswax or cocoa butter
Thick, greasy texture for dry, cracked skin

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48
Q

What is a cream?

A

Infused oils mixed with water using emulsifying wax
Moisturising texture

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49
Q

What is a lotion?

A

Infused oils mixed with more water than in a cream
Cooling effect

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50
Q

Dosage for a 14 year old

A

Adult dose

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51
Q

Dosage for a 12 year old

A

3/4 adult dose

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52
Q

Dosage for a 9 year old

A

1/2 adult dose

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53
Q

Dosage for a 6 year old

A

1/4 adult dose

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54
Q

Dosage for a 4 year old

A

1/8 adult dose

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55
Q

Dosage for a 2 year old

A

1/16 adult dose

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56
Q

Why should seniors be given lower doses?

A

Liver and immune functions decline with age

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57
Q

Dosage for 80 year old

A

3/4 adult dose

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58
Q

Why is it important to check for herb drug interactions, especially with seniors?

A

Many are taking a range of prescribed medications

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59
Q

Examples of herbs for the digestive system

A

Aloe vera
Cardamom
Chamomile
Fennel
Ginger
Liquorice
Oregano
Peppermint
Slippery elm

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60
Q

What is a bitter?

A

Stimulates digestive secretions

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61
Q

What is an aromatic digestive?

A

Promotes strong digestion

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62
Q

What is a carminative?

A

Relaxes digestive smooth muscle

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63
Q

What is a demulcent?

A

Soothes mucous membranes

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64
Q

What is an antiemetic?

A

Reduces nausea and vomiting

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65
Q

Actions and uses of aloe vera

A

Local anti-inflammatory for wounds, burns
Inhibits COX
Wound healing
Collagen synthesis

66
Q

Key constituents of cardamom

A

Volatile oil
Flavonoids

67
Q

Actions and uses of cardamom

A

Weak digestion
Flatulence
Bloating

68
Q

Dosage of cardamom

A

1/2-1 tsp/day

69
Q

Energetics of chamomile

70
Q

Key constituents of chamomile

A

Volatile oil
Flavonoids

71
Q

Actions and uses of chamomile

A

Anti-inflammatory (COX, NF-kB inhibition)
Carminative
Antispasmodic

72
Q

Key constituents of fennel

A

Volatile oils
Flavonoids

73
Q

Actions and uses of fennel

A

Antispasmodic
Carminative
Indigestion
Flatulence
Bloating

74
Q

Key constituent of ginger

A

Volatile oil

75
Q

Actions and uses of ginger

A

Antiemetic
Carminative
Anti-inflammatory (inhibits LOX, COX)
Weak digestion
Nausea

76
Q

Dosage of ginger

A

3 tsp fresh/day
1/2 tsp dry/day

77
Q

Energetics of liquorice

78
Q

Actions and uses of liquorice

A

Anti-inflammatory
Mucoprotective
Demulcent
Expectorant
Ulcers
H. pylori
Coughs

79
Q

Why can liquorice be mildly oestrogenic?

A

Isoflavone content
Antagonises exogenous oestrogen
Inhibits CYP1B1

80
Q

Dosage of liquorice

A

1-2 tsp/day

81
Q

When should liquorice be avoided?

A

Hypertension
Oedema

82
Q

Key constituent of oregano

A

Essential oil

83
Q

Actions and uses of oregano

A

Antispasmodic
Antifungal
Antibacterial
GI infections
Flatulence
Bloating

84
Q

Dosage of oregano

A

1-2 tsp/day

85
Q

Key constituents of peppermint

A

Volatile oils
Flavonoids

86
Q

Actions and uses of peppermint

A

Antispasmodic
Carminative
Antimicrobial
Nausea
Flatulence
IBS

87
Q

Dosage of peppermint

A

1 tsp per cup

88
Q

When should peppermint be avoided?

89
Q

Actions and uses of slippery elm

A

Demulcent
Gastritis
Peptic ulceration
GORD
IBS

90
Q

Dosage of slippery elm

A

2-3 tsp/day
Mix into water
Take away from medicines

91
Q

What is a choleretic?

A

Increases bile production by the liver

92
Q

What is a cholagogue?

A

Increases release of stored bile from gallbladder

93
Q

Examples of herbs to support the liver

A

Globe artichoke
Dandelion root
Milk thistle

94
Q

Actions and uses of globe artichoke

A

Hepatoprotective
Choleretic
Cholagogue
Sluggish digestion
Nausea
High cholesterol

95
Q

Dosage of globe artichoke

A

1/2-1 tsp, 3/day

96
Q

Actions and uses of dandelion root

A

Bitter
Choleretic
Cholagogue
Mild laxative
Dyspepsia
Constipation

97
Q

Dosage of dandelion root

A

1-2 tsp dried per cup, 3/day

98
Q

Actions and uses of milk thistle

A

Hepatoprotective
AO
Choleretic
Nausea
Dyspepsia

99
Q

Dosage of milk thistle

100
Q

What is anti-catarrhal?

A

Reduces formation of catarrh or phlegm

101
Q

What is diaphoretic?

A

Promotes sweating to relieve a fever

102
Q

What is expectorant?

A

Facilitates the removal of catarrh

103
Q

Energetic of thyme

104
Q

Key constituent of thyme

A

Volatile oils

105
Q

Actions and uses of thyme

A

Expectorant
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Anti-inflammatory
Colds
Sore throat
Bronchitis

106
Q

Dosage of thyme

A

3-12g dry/day

107
Q

Key constituents of cinnamon

A

Volatile oil
Tannins

108
Q

Actions and uses of cinnamom

A

Diaphoretic
Carminative
Blood sugar regulating
Weak digestion
Nausea
Poor circulation
H. pylori

109
Q

Dosage of cinnamon

A

1-2 tsp/day

110
Q

Key constituent of sage

A

Volatile oil

111
Q

Actions and uses of sage

A

Antispasmodic
Antimicrobial
AO
Respiratory infections
Increased cognition
Menopausal sweats

112
Q

Dosage of sage

A

3-12g dry/day

113
Q

Actions and uses of garlic

A

Antibacterial
Antifungal
Immune boosting
AO
Anti-inflammatory
Colds/flu
Fungal infections
Dysbiosis

114
Q

When should garlic be avoided in high doses?

A

Anti-coagulants
Anti-hypertensives
Pregnancy

115
Q

What is an immunomodulator?

A

Balances and strengthens immunity
(tries to keep colds away)

116
Q

What is immune enhancing?

A

Increases immune responses
(tries to keep the cold short and mild)

117
Q

Examples of herbs to support the immune system

A

Astragalus
Echinacea
Turmeric

118
Q

Actions and uses of astragalus

A

Immune modulating
Chronic/recurrent infections
Infection preventative

119
Q

Dosage of astragalus

A

9-30g/day dried root

120
Q

Actions and uses of echinacea

A

Immune enhancing
Anti-inflammatory
Acute infections
Arthritis

121
Q

Key constituent of turmeric

122
Q

Actions and uses of turmeric

A

Anti-inflammatory
AO
Anti-inflammatory conditions
Liver support
Eczema
Psoriasis

123
Q

What is nootropic?

A

Enhances brain function

124
Q

What is nervine?

A

Relaxes the NS

125
Q

What is thymoleptic?

A

Lifts the mood

126
Q

What is anxiolytic?

A

Alleviates anxiety

127
Q

Examples of herbs to support the NS

A

Gingko
Lavender
Passionflower
Rosemary
St John’s Wort

128
Q

Actions and uses of gingko

A

Neuroprotective
Nootropic
Circulatory stimulant
Memory/concentration
Raynaud’s

129
Q

Dosage of ginkgo

A

2 tsps/day

130
Q

Key constituents of lavender

A

Volatile oils

131
Q

Actions and uses of lavender

A

Nervine
Anti-depressant
Carminative
Insomnia
Anxiety
Stress headaches

132
Q

Dosage of lavender

133
Q

Actions and uses of passionflower

A

Anxiolytic
Mild sedative
Insomnia
Anxiety
Tension headache

134
Q

Dosage of passionflower

A

1-2 tsp/day

135
Q

Actions and uses of rosemary

A

Circulatory stimulant
Nootropic
Carminative
Antimicrobial
Memory/concentration
Tension headache

136
Q

Actions and uses of St John’s Wort

A

Antidepressant
Nervine
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia

137
Q

Why should St John’s Wort be used with caution

A

Additive effect with antidepressants
Increases liver clearance of a range of drugs

138
Q

What are hormone modulators?

A

Regulate and balance hormone activity

139
Q

What is an emmenagogue?

A

Promotes menstruation

140
Q

What is a galactagogue?

A

Promotes breast milk production

141
Q

What is a reproductive tonic?

A

Promotes reproductive health and fertility

142
Q

What is an anti-prostatic?

A

Reduces symptoms from the prostate gland

143
Q

Examples of herbs to support the reproductive system

A

Black cohosh
Chaste berry
Dong quai
Shatavari
Saw palmetto

144
Q

Actions and uses of black cohosh

A

Emmenagogue
Oestrogen modulating
Dysmenorrhoea
Menopausal symptoms
PMS

145
Q

Dosage of black cohosh

A

1 tsp per cup of water

146
Q

Actions and uses of chaste berry

A

Galactagogue
Insufficient lactation
PMS

147
Q

Dosage of chaste berry

A

1 tsp dried, 2/day

148
Q

Actions and uses of dong quai

A

Uterine tonic (regulates HPO axis)
Dysmenorrhoea
Endometriosis
Menopause
PMS

149
Q

Dosage of dong quai

A

4.5-9g/day

150
Q

Actions and uses of shatavari

A

Galactagogue
Aphrodisiac
Menopausal symptoms
Male impotence
Insufficient lactation

151
Q

Actions and uses of saw palmetto

A

Anti-androgenic (reduced conversion of testosterone to DHT)
Anti-inflammatory
BPH
Prostatitis

152
Q

Dosage of saw palmetto

A

1 tsp, 2-3/day

153
Q

What are adaptogens?

A

Increase resistance to stressors
Mediated largely by HPA axis
Converse energy

154
Q

What are tonics?

A

Improve tone, vigour and body function
Restore energy

155
Q

Actions and uses of ashwagandha

A

Adaptogenic
Nervine
Mild sedative
Anti-inflammatory
Immune modulating
Insomnia
Infertility/impotence

156
Q

Dosage of ashwagandha

A

3-6g/day dried root
1 tsp, 1-3/week in warm nut milk

157
Q

Actions and uses of Korean gingseng

A

Very stimulating
Cognition enhancing
Male tonic
Stress
Impotence
Fatigue

158
Q

Dosage of Korean ginseng

A

1-2g dried root/day

159
Q

Actions and use of Siberian gingseng

A

Adaptogen
Immune modulating
Physical stress
Fatigue
Female tonic

160
Q

Dosage of Siberian gingseng

A

2-3g dried root/day

161
Q

Which herbs are considered safe in pregnancy in small doses?

A

Bilberry (vascular support)
Chamomile (relaxation, GIT spasm)
Cranberry (urinary)
Echinacea (immune)
Garlic (CV, respiratory
Ginger (morning sickness, digestion)
Peppermint (morning sickness, GIT spasm)

Nutrition 2 (Semester I) (15 decks)

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