Botanical Medicine

Question 1

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi action

Answer 1

(Antimicrobial)

Action: Antimicrobial, astringent, tonify

Question 2

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi indications

Answer 2

Indications: UTI, oozing tissues, urinary tract with pain and bloody/mucous secretions. Weight and dragging in the loins and perineum. Chronic irritation of the bladder, with pain, tenesmus, and catarrhal discharge.

Question 3

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi contraindications

Answer 3

Pregnancy

Long term use (high tannins)

Toxic in high doses

Question 4

Usnea barbata actions

Answer 4

(Antimicrobial)

• Moderate astringent and hemostatic
• Mild relaxant to smooth muscle immunomodulating
• Breaks down biofilms
• Synergistic potentiation of clarithromycin

Question 5

Usnea barbata indications

Answer 5

Microbial infections

Question 6

Usnea barbata contraindications

Answer 6

• CI: Pregnancy
• Caution: May cause contact dermatitis.
• Absorbs heavy metals, should only be collected in pristine areas
• *Toxicity**: Purified usnic acid found to be hepatotoxic

Question 7

Juniperus communis actions

Answer 7

(Antimicrobial)

• Diuretic (irritating)
• Carminative
• Antispasmodic
• Tussive

Question 8

Juniperus communis indications

Answer 8

GU: Stimulating urinary antimicrobial. Historically used to treat chronic, atonic conditions. Stimulating volatile constituents makes it a diuretic. Most indicated in atonic, chronic congestive states. In renal insufficiency as long as inflammation is not present. Nephritis to restore normal kidney functions.

GI: Volatile oils create a carminative and antiseptic effect. Volatile oils + tannins exert anti-inflammatory actions. Anti-inflammatory + carminative + bitter actions good for stimulating appetite.

Question 9

Juniperus communis contraindicaitons

Answer 9

Long term use (limit 4-6 weeks)

Question 10

Chimaphila umbellata

Answer 10

Pipsissewa

(Lymphagogue)

Action: Astringent, alterative, tonic, diuretic, antibacterial, analgesic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, antiseptic, lymphagogue

Indication: Remove “congealed fluids” (pus, catarrh, sediment in urine). Moves fluids, clears lymph congestion. More alterative and lymphatic effect than uva-ursi.

Question 11

Gallium aparine

Answer 11

Cleavers

(Lymphagogue)

Action: Lymphagogue, Diuretic, Nutritive, Vulnerary, Refrigerant

Indication: Hot irritant, lymphadenopathy, tonsillitis, nodular growths under the skin, painful urinary tract conditions, kidney and bladder inflammation

Question 12

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Answer 12

Cranberry

(Anti-inflammatory)

Action: Urinary antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, prevents adhesion of bacteria to the urinary epithelium, astringent

Indication: UTI prevention and treatment

Contraindication: May increase blood thinning effects of warfarin

Question 13

Hibiscus sabdariffa

Answer 13

(Anti-inflammatory)

Action: Urinary tract anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial/anti-biofilm invitro, hypotensive, reduces cholesterol

Indication: Urinary tract inflammation or infection, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, recurrence of UTI

Contraindication: Large doses in early pregnancy

Question 14

Solidago spp.

Answer 14

Goldenrod

(Diuretic)

Action: Hemostatic, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, nutriative

Indication: Cystic irritation; tenesmic urging to urinate; nocturnal urinary incontinence; renal calculi.

Contraindication:

• Do not confuse with Marsh Horsetail (E. palustris). Similar, much larger, with toxic alkaloids
• Use caution in harvesting, it can concentrate toxins (lead) from moist environments
• Use with caution in kidney disease over 6 weeks use
• Caution as silica nature may be irritating to kidney long term (over 6 weeks)

Question 15

Calendula officinalis

Answer 15

(Diuretic)

Action: Vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic

Indication: Lymphatic congestion with a predilection for the chest, axilla, and inguinal crease.

Contraindication: Pregnancy, allergy to Asteraceae family

Question 16

Phyllanthus nururi

Answer 16

Chanca Piedra (Stone Breaker)

(Antilithic)

Action: Diuretic, antilithic - prevents stone formation, antispasmodic

Indication: Nephrolithiasis

Question 17

Hydrangea arborescens

Answer 17

(Antilithic)

Action: Diuretic, sedative, prevents stone formation

Indication: Nephrolithiasis, urinary catarrh and mucosal irritation

Question 18

Ginkgo biloba

Answer 18

(Nephroproctive)

Action: increases blood flow to brain/periphery, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, benefits cognition.

Indication: Cerebrovascular insufficiency, migraines, tinnitus, vertigo, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, intermittent claudication, Raynaud’s Phenomena, diabetic ulcers, varicose veins, erectile dysfunction, altitude sickness, nephropathy

Contraindication: Pregnancy, hemophilia, blood thinning meds

Question 19

Vaccinium myrtillus

Answer 19

Billberry

(Nephroproctive)

Action: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective, inhibits platelet aggregation, inhibits collagenase and elastase

Indication: Vascular damage and inflammation, uremic bruising

Question 20

Silybum marianum

Answer 20

Milk Thistle

(Nephroproctive)

Action: hepatoprotective, hepatotonic, antihepatotoxic (particularly against aminita phalloides), nephroprotective**, bitter, galactagogue, antifibrotic effect

Indication: Liver diseases, jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism with fatty liver, diabetic nephropathy

Question 21

Urtica dioica seed

Answer 21

(Nephroproctive)

Action: Trophorestorative

Indication: Glomerulonephritis, chronic nephritis with degeneration, chronic kidney disease

Question 22

Panax ginseng

Asian Ginseng

Answer 22

(Nephroproctive)

Action: Adaptogen, tonic, stimulant, hypoglycemic, antitoxic

Indication: Weakened state due to chronic illness or chronic stress

Contraindication: Buy organic, long term use with caffeine can cause HTN, CI with MAO inhibitors

Question 23

Cordyceps sinensis

Answer 23

Caterpillar Fungus

(Nephroproctive)

Action: Adaptogen, immunostimulant, antitumor, antihyperlipidemic, cardiotonic, increases endurance, nephroprotective when coadministered with aminoglycoside antibiotics, antiviral, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, circulatory stimulant, anti-asthma

Indication: Excessive tiredness, persistent cough, impotence, anemia (supports marrow)

Contraindication: Adulteration, fumigation and misidentification are a problem in the global marketplace.

Question 24

Cordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar Fungus) - Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo

Chinese medicine actions

Answer 24

Augments the Kidney and tonifies the yang: for impotence and sore and weak lower back and lower extremities from Kidney yang deficiency.

Tonifies Kidney yang, augments Lung yin

It tonifies both yin and yang in different channels

It can be used long-term

Question 25

*Salvia miltiorrhiza*

Answer 25

Red Sage Root, Dan Shen ## Footnote (Nephroproctive) **Action**: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, microcirculatory protectant and regenerator **Indication**: Liver inflammation and cirrhosis, nephroprotectant **Contraindication**: Some may experience pruritis, stomachache and reduced appetite from tincture3, potentiates warfarin4

Question 26

*Salvia miltiorrhiza* Red Sage Root, Dan Shen Chinese Medicine Actions

Answer 26

Invigorates the blood Breaks up blood stasis Clears heat and soothes irritability Calms the spirit

Question 27

*Rheum officinale*

Answer 27

(Nephroproctive) **Action**: Astringent, laxative, lowers triglycerides and cholesterol, increases GFR **Indication**: Constipation, renal compromise **Contraindication**: Pregnancy, lactation. Leaves should not be eaten due to high oxalic acid content. Long-term use can cause electrolyte imbalance due to laxative effect.

Question 28

*Rheum officinale* ## Footnote * Da Huang* * Rheum spp.* *(*Chinese perspective)

Answer 28

Drains heat Purges accumulations Cools blood Invigorates and dispels blood stasis

Question 29

*Astragalus mongolicus* Chinese Name*: Háung Qí*

Answer 29

(Nephroproctive) **Action**: Augments the protective qi and stabilizes the exterior. Immunomodulating, promotes tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, cardiotonic, helps preserve WBC counts in chemotherapy, hepatoprotective. **Indication**: Gentle builder for those with low vitality, prone to frequent infections, weak tissues, and/or poor digestion. A good herb for children. **Contraindication**: Autoimmune conditions, transplant rejection meds

Question 30

*Puereria spp.*

Answer 30

Kudzu ## Footnote (Nephroproctive) **Action**: Down regulates NF-kappa B IL-6, TNF-alpha, and ROS production. Increased MnSOD and catalase and ameliorates mitochondrial damage. **Indication**: Diabetic nephropathy

Question 31

Antimicrobial herbs (3)

Answer 31

1. *Arctostaphylos uva-ursi* 2. *Usnea barbata* 3. *Juniperus communis*

Question 32

Lymphagogue herbs (2)

Answer 32

1. *Chimaphila umbellata (*Pipsissewa) 2. *Gallium aparine (*Cleavers)

Question 33

Anti-Inflammatory/Anti-adhesion herbs (2)

Answer 33

1. *Vaccinium macrocarpon (*Cranberry) 2. *Hibiscus sabdariffa*

Question 34

Diuretic herbs (4)

Answer 34

1. *Solidago spp. (*Goldenrod) 2. *Equisetum arvense (*Horsetail) 3. *Calendula officinalis* 4. *Petroselinum crispum (*Parsley)

Question 35

Demulcent herbs (3)

Answer 35

1. *Althea officinalis (*Marshmallow) 2. *Glycyrrhiza glabra (*Licorice Root) 3. Zea mays (Corn Silk)

Question 36

Antilithic herbs (2)

Answer 36

1. *Phyllanthus nururi (*Chanca Piedra/Stone Breaker) 2. *Hydrangea arborescens*

Question 37

Nephroprotectives and Restoratives (10)

Answer 37

1. Ginko 2. Vaccinium myrtillus (billberry) 3. Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) 4. Urtica dioica seed 5. Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) 6. Cordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar Fungus) 7. Salvia miltiorrhiza (Red sage root, Dan Shen) 8. Rheum officinale (Da Huang Rheum) 9. Astragalus monolicus 10. Puereria spp (Kudzu)