BM -1 bitters Flashcards
What is a herbal bitter
any plant that tastes bitter
what do herbal bitters do
stimulate bitter receptors that stimulate appetite, digestive juices, bile release, pancreatic hormone release and detox. They are often tonic
What is the bitter reflex in general?
Mediated by gastrin a gastric hormine, it results in the overall stimulation of digestive functions that eventually strengthes the structure and function of all digestive organs.
What happens in response to bitter in the stomach?
An increase in HCL that helps break down proteins, and inhances the bioavailability of many minerals like calcium and kills microbes
What are general indications for a bitter?
Loss of appetite, all evidence if indigestion, malabsorption, weakness, mood disorders and digestion problems that come from ageing
what are bitters ususally combined with in general
aromatic and carminative herbs to lessen the bitters ability to cause cramping
What are specific herbs combined with bitters
mints, fennel, anise, calamus, ginger, or aromatic bitter herbs
what is the common name for gentiana lutea
gentian or bitter root
what part of gentiana lutea is used
root and rhizome
How is the gentian root prepared
Dried root is decocted or powdered, dried and fresh may be tinctured
What herb is concidered a pure peptic biter with very little tannins
gentiana lutea
What are the actions of gentiana
promotes flow of bile (cholagogue), bitter tonic, stimulate digestive organs, mucoal tissues and portal circulation
Indicaions for gentiana lutea
Portal congestion, low motility, Malaria, GI debility, low HCL
Felter indications;;overall
sense of epigastric depression with physical and mental weariness. Imperfect digestion and atony of bowles
Why use gentiana lutea after prolonged illness or fever
Recover can depend on increased power to assimilate foods, and gentiana can help improve gastric digestion
Why is gentiana lutea especially usefull in anorexia
because it stimulates appetite (the just not being hungry part)
2 main functions of gentiana lutea
to improve digestion and increase appetite
nature of gentiana lutea
Cold nature and drying
what is noticable on the bitter formulas
they are mixed with something to mellow out the taste like zingiber officianalis, or anise seed.
interesting thing about bitters and asthma
there are bitter receptors in airway that dialate when they come inconcate with bitter so bitter can help releave asthma attack
what is the common name for centaurium umbellatum or centaurium erythraea?
century or fever wart.
what part of centaurium umbettatum used
only the foliage, not the root
nature of centaurium umbettatum /erythraea
cold and dry - similar to gentiana lutea
actions of centaurium umbellatum
bitter, hepatic, mild nervine, gastric stimulation, circulatory stimulant
Indications for centaurium umbellatum or erythraea
anorexia (lack of appetite) dyspepsia (low HCL) and sluggish digestion
Centuary Bach flower remedy for who
kind people, overanxcious to serve who overtax themselves to serve others . Do more than their fair share, and may neglect their own life
artemisia absinthium is for what in general
sluggish digestion, gas and inactivity
Common name for artemisia absinthium
wormwood or green fairy
What are the importain volitile oils in artemisia absinthium
Volitle oils: thujone, chamazulene, monoterpene,
what are the importaint bitter parts of artemisia absinthium
sequiterpene lactones: absinthin
What are the toxic effects of thujone a component of artemisia absinthium
hallucinations, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and psycotic behavior
how does thujone work?
it blocks GABA receptors in brain
traditional clinical uses for artemisia absinthium
digestive problems, gas, loss of tone, then balance physical, emotional and spiritual problems, also choleretic, anthelmintic, antiparisitic, bitter, stimulates appetite
what do some say artemisia absinthium is helpfor because of its bittersweet property
to promote balance, integration of physical and emotional, and breaking cycles of destructive behavior
what is the difference between a true bitter like artemisia absinthium and centaurium umbellatum and an aromatic bitter.
generally more gentle on the digestive system and also have a carminative action.
what is the common name for achillea millefolium
yarrow
what part of achillea milleforlium uses
herb, flowers and root
what is speciall about the achillea millefolium
the leaf has tons of tips, millefolium
character of achillea millefolium
neutral then cool and drying like gentiana lutea and centarium umbellatum
what is the volitile oil of achillea millefolium
azulene, thujol, eujenol - its blue
medical actions of achillea millefolium
Tonic bitter, anti inflammatory, increase bile, anti hemorrhagic, and anti spasmatic, also alteratie
What GU conditions for achillea millefolium
Urinary irritation, tone for system, Urinary incontinence, kidney irritation
What gyneocological conditions for achillea millefolium
Regulatory or female reproductive dunction - remove pelvic gongestion, uterine stimulant, hemostatic for dysfunctional bleeding.
GI uses of achillea milefolium
atonic stomach, anorexia, dyspeptic, GI infections
Respiratory uses of achillea milefolium
bronchitis, cold/flu, fevers
yarrow flow essence
for those who are vulnerable to others energy and for disturbances by pollution
Keys of yarrow
deep cuts to stop bleeding, heat in blood, infections
the aromatic bitter humulus lupulus is also known as what?
hops
character of humulus lupulus
bitter, anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, phyto estrogen
parts of humulus lupulus used
female strobile - the flower
importaint chemicals in humulus lupulus
Luptin (volitile oils and the bitter resins), estrogenic stubstances.
effects of humulus
setative, hypnotic, diuretic and topical batericidal
specific indications of humulus lupulus
Nervous irritability, insomnia, impairment of digestive organs, incontinene of urin
