Bot Med - Nervous System Flashcards
what results because of stress?
- antimicrobial
- vulnerary
- anodyne
what herbal actions are good for stress treatment?
adaptogen
immunostimulant / immunomodulants
nervines
caution with regards to stress?
Infection: stress increases the risk of contracting various infection (e.g.
colds and flus)
what does an adaptogenic do?
increases the ability of the body to cope with stress.
when would one use an adaptogenic?
stress fatigue athletic training poor immune function cancer
what herbs have adaptogenic properties;
steroidal saponins?
phenylpropenes?
Steroidal saponins • ginseng • astragalus • withania Phenylpropenes • rhodiola
what does an aphrodisiac do?
helps restore normal sexual function and improves sexual desire.
when would one use an aphrodisiac?
erectile dysfunction
what herb has aphrodisiac properties?
Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng)
what herbal action is used to treat erectile dysfunction?
aphrodisiac
what herbs are used to treat erectile dysfunction;
botanicals?
specific food?
Botanicals • Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) • gingko (Ginkgo biloba) Specific food • Celery • Pomegranate juice
actions of korean ginseng (panax ginseng)?
tonifies qi and nourishes yang aphrodisiac adaptogen immunomodulator anticancer
when would one use korean ginseng?
- stress
- adrenal fatigue
- exhuastion
- diabetes mellitus type 2
- sexual dysfunction
- impotence
- chemotherapy and radiation (adjunct)
phytochemicals of korean ginseng?
- Terpenoids
* Steroidal glycosides (ginsenosides)
cautions regarding korean ginseng?
Contraindications: Acute infection.
Side effects: Increased blood pressure.
Caution: Use with anticoagulants (e.g. coumadin); may potentiate effects.
Hypertensive patients; monitor BP.
Pregnancy and lactation: Korean ginseng deemed safe.
Actions of Ashwagandha (withania somnifera)?
adaptogen sedative nootropic sexual tonic immunomodulator
when would one use ashwagandha?
- overstimulated states
- insomnia
- fatigue
- nervous exhaustion
- poor cognition, concentration
- poor memory
- erectile dysfunction
comment on ashwagandha and Ayurvedic medicine?
Used as an adaptogen in Ayurvedic medicine; however unlike Panax ginseng it is calming rather than stimulating.
actions of roseroot (rhodiola roasea)?
adaptogen sedative nootropic antidepressant anxiolytic
when would one use roseroot?
- stress
- adrenal fatigue
- insomnia
- mood disturbances
- depression
- anxiety
- sexual dysfunction
phytochemical of rosewood?
Phenylpropanoid glcyosides (salidoside, rosavin)
caution regarding rosewood?
Side effects: Insomnia (rare) if taken in the evening.
action of licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra)?
adrenal tonic
adaptogenic (depends on source)
phytochemical of licorice?
Triterpenoid saponin (Glycyrrhizin)
comment on the uniquiness of licorice?
Licorice helps the body cope to stress but through a different mechanism
than other adaptogens.
• inhibits the conversion of cortisol to cortisone
what is insomnia?
The inability to fall or stay asleep.
herbal actions to help treat insomnia?
sedative
hypnotic
herb to treat insomnia?
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
what does a nervine do?
Benefits the nervous system and generally is considered to have a calming
or nouriousing effect.
when would one use a nervine?
stress
insomnia
herbs containing nervine properties?
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea)
what does a hypnotic (soporific) do?
induces or promotes sleep.
when would one use a hypnotic?
insomnia
herbs that contain hypnotic properties?
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Actions of valerian (valeriana officinalis)?
sedative
nervine
anxiolytic
when would one use valarian?
insomnia
anxiety
seisures
phytochemicals of valerian?
- Sesquiterpenes (valerenic acid)
* Iridoid (valepotriates)
what does valerian interact with in the body, and what effect does it have?
Interacts with GABA system and some serotonin receptors to have a
calming effect.
caution regarding valerian?
Benzodiazepines - may potentiate their action.
herbal action useful in treating anxiety?
sedative
herbs useful for treating anxiety?
Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea)
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
what does an anxiolytic do?
Decreases anxiety.
herb with anxiolytic property?
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
herbal actions useful to help treat poor cognition?
nootropic
adaptogen
stimulant
herbs useful to treat poor cognition?
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
* Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea)
phytochemicals to treat poor cognition?
triterpenoids
steroidal soponins
lignans
What does a nootropic do?
Enhances cognition and memory.
when would one use a nootropic?
learning
poor memory
herb containing nootropic properties?
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
actions of Brahmi (bacopa monnieri)?
nootropic nerve tonic nervine neuroprotective adaptogen
when would one use brahmi?
- poor memory
- poor concentration
- nervous exhaustion
- stress
phytochemical of brahmi?
Triterpenoid saponins (e.g. Bacosides)
herbal actions useful to treat depression?
antidepressant
serotonergic
dopanergic
MOA inhibitor
herbs useful to treat depression?
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
* Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
what does an antidepressant do?
Improves mood and decreases depression.
when would one use an antidepressant?
depression
low moods
what do antidepressants do in the body with regard to neurotransmitters? which ones?
Many antidepressants enhance the availability of various
neurotramsmitters involved in mood, including:
• serotonin
• dopamine
• GABA
actions of St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum?
antidepressant
nervine
when would one use St. john’s wort (hypericum perforatum)?
- depression (mild to severe)
- anxiety
- nervous exhaustion
- neuropathic pain
phytochemicals in st. john’s wort?
- Hyperforin
* Hypericin (anthraquinone-derivative)
what does hyperforin, phytochemical in st. john’s wort, do?
Hyperforin inhibits the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters: norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and GABA.
what are actions of shaministic ritual?
entheogen
serotonergic
anticholinergic
dopanergic
phytochemicals in shaministic ritual?
indole alkaloids
What is entheogem?
Psychoactive substance typically used in shamanic or spiritual rituals to
alter the state of consciousness
what herbs contain entheogen?
San Pedro cactus (Trichocereus pachanoi) Magic mushrooms Ayahuasca Diviners sage Devil's trumpet
what is ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca, also called yage, is a mixture of herbs used widely by
indigenous people of the Amazon basin
actions of ayahuasca?
- entheogen
- emetic
- laxative
- cathartic
- purgative
when would one use ayahuasca?
- Shamanistic rituals
- Drug addiction
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
herbs in ayahuasca?
- Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi)
* Chacruna (Psychotria viridis)
phytochemicals in ayahuasca?
Indole alkaloids (harmaline, DMT)
