Anodyne, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic Herbs Flashcards
Salicylate containing herbs
Salix spp. – Willow
Filipendula ulmaria – Meadowsweet
Actea racemosa – Cimicifuga
* Also, wintergreen (topical)
Common Name, MOA, Energetics and CIs to Salix spp.
Salix spp. – Willow
MOA: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, febrifuge, astringent – salicin is the active constituent
Energetics: cooling and drying
Contraindications: allergy to salicylates, G6PD deficiency, blood thinners
Common Name, MOA, Energetics and CIs of Filipendula ulmaria
Filipendula ulmaria – Meadowsweet
MOA: anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, antibacterial
Energetics: cooling and drying
Contraindications: salicylate allergy
Common Name, MOA, and Dist. Characteristics of Actea racemosa
Actea racemosa – Cimicifuga
MOA: antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, alterative, nervine, hypotensive, good for uterine cramps or pain
Distinguishing characteristics: sometimes referred to as an “estrogenic” herb because it is therapeutic in conditions associated with low estrogen; neuralgic pain, SM spasm pain, referral to loins
Common Name, MOA, and Energetics of Curcuma longa
Curcuma longa – Tumeric
MOA: alterative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, lowers cholesterol, hepatoprotective
Energetics: cooling to warming, stimulating, moves stagnation
CIs and Dist. Characteristics of Curcuma longa
Contraindications: pregnancy or bile duct obstruction
Distinguishing characteristics: used for inflammations of all kinds; may have issues with absorption - best absorbed with fat
+ trials to arthritic, post-exercise pain and inflamm
MOA, CIs and Dist. Characteristics of Boswellia serrata
Boswellia serrata
MOA: anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant, analgesic astringent
Contraindications: large doses may cause GI distress
Distinguishing characteristics: Resin is used; used in IBD and arthritic dz, lipoxygenase activity
Common Name, MOA, energetics and Dist. Char of Zingiber officinale
Zingiber officinale – Ginger
MOA: antiemetic, carminative, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, expectorant, antitussive, decreases platelet aggregation, increases digestive enzyme activity
Energetics: warming, draws energy to center, stimulating
Dist. Char: great circ stimulant, warming but anti-inflamm; COX2 inhib
Common Name, MOA and energetics of Tanacetum parthenium
Tanacetum parthenium - Feverfew
MOA: reduces secretion of inflammatory mediators, inhibits PG synthesis, vascular stabilizer, prevents dilation and contraction, inhibits histamine release; for migraines – inhibits CGRP release within the trigeminovascular system
Energetics: drying and warming
CIs and Dist. Characteristics of Tanacetum parthenium
Contraindications: none
Distinguishing characteristics: inhibits 5-lipooxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase
+ migraine HA, studied in RA pain
Common Name, MOA, energetics and CI of Rosmarinus officinale
Rosmarinus officinale – Rosemary
MOA: circulatory stimulant, nervine, stimulates hair follicles
Energetics: stimulating
Contraindications: pregnancy
* rosmarinic acid constituent is of note - very anti-inflamm (highest conc found in lemon balm)
Name the Topical Herbs!
Capsicum annuum – Cayenne
Arnica spp.
Gaultheria procumbens EO – Wintergreen
Mentha EO
Common Name, MOA, energetics and CI of Capsicum annuum
Capsicum annuum – Cayenne
MOA: circulatory stimulant, mucolytic, diaphoretic, cholesterol reducing, gastric stimulant, depletes substance P, anodyne
Energetics: hot
Contraindications: avoid contact with eyes or direct contact with extracts on mucosal membranes
MOA and energetics Arnica spp.
MOA: stimulates circulation and macrophage activity, helps resolve edema and echymosis
Energetics: stimulating
CIs and Dist. Characteristics of Arnica spp.
Contraindications: LOW DOSE HERB
Distinguishing characteristics: tissue trauma is main indication
Common Name, MOA, energetics and CI of Gaultheria procumbens
Gaultheria procumbens EO – Wintergreen
MOA: volatile oil, methyl salicylate is converted to salicylic acid and absorbed
Energetics: cooling?
Contraindications: toxic to kidney
Valeriana officinalis
Valeriana officinalis – Valerian
MOA: sedative, relaxant, *antispasmodic, hypotensive, diuretic, anticonvulsant
Energetics: warming, lax
Contraindications: may potentiate other sleep inducing agents, long-term use is not recommended due to GABA activity
Stachys betonica
antispasmodic
Viburnum opulus
Viburnum opulus – Cramp Bark
MOA: *antispasmodic, astringent, nervines, hypotensive, beta-2 receptor agonist
Energetics: drying
Contraindications: none
Distinguishing characteristics: used for dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, bronchoconstriction, skeletal muscle spasms, pelvic congestion, bladder spasms
2 common sources of proteolytic enzymes
Ananas cosmosus – Pineapple
Carica papaya – Papaya
Ananas cosmosus
Ananas cosmosus – Pineapple
Carica papaya
Carica papaya – Papaya
MOA: increases serum fibrinolytic activity, reduces plasma fibrinogen levels, decreases bradykinin levels, reduces edema and pain, mediates PG levels, modulates some immune cell surface adhesion molecules
Distinguishing characteristics: for the anti-inflammatory effect, both must be at very high dosages away from food
Escholzia California
To be filled in
What is the importance of understanding the origin of pain, and how would you prescribe differently?
Nerve – reduce mm spasm around Nn
Nociceptive- focus on anti-inflamm
