Botanical Medicine (general) Flashcards
What is the common name for Aconitum Napellus?
Aconite (AKA monkshood, wolfsbane)
What is the toxic constituent of Aconitum Napellus and how does it lead to toxicity?
terpene alkaloids (aconitine); reduces permeability of nerve cells to sodium, slows respiration
What is the latin name for Gelsemium?
Gelsemium Sempervirens
What are the toxic constituents in Gelsemium sempervirens and how do they lead to toxicity?
oxindole alkaloids (gelsemine);
What are common uses for Aconitum napellus?
acute, severe pain (neuralgia, ovarian cysts)
initial stages of fever
What are common uses for Gelsemium sempervirens?
acute pain; ovarian cysts, trigeminal neuralgia
insomnia
pain with nervous tension
induction of labor
What are cautions/contraindications for Gelsemium sempervirens?
cardiac or respiratory weakness
with sedative/antidepressant drugs
myastenia gravis
hypotension
pregnancy and lactation
What are the actions of Gelsemium Sempervirens?
febrifuge
sedative
anodyne
antispasmodic
relaxant
What are common actions of Aconitum napellus?
antineuralgic
sedative
anodyne
febrifuge
depressant
How to dose Aconitum napellus?
diluted in water;** LOW DOSE HERB**
How to dose Gelsemium sempervirens?
diluted in water; LOW DOSE HERB
What is the latin name for Bryonia?
Bryonia Alba
Constituents of Bryonia Alba
Cucurbitacin glycosides (bryonin, byonidin)
Common actions for Bryonia Alba
cathartic
rubefacient
immunomodulating
febrifuge
anodyne
sedative
What are common indications for Bryonia Alba?
sharp, stitching pains especially due to serous membrane inflammation (e.g. pericarditis), pleurisy, ovarian cysts, infxn
What are symptoms of toxicity related to Bryonia Alba?
the fresh root can cause blisters with skin contact and causing serious GI inflammation when taken internally
symptoms of toxicity include
colic, vomiting, profuse diarrhea, gasteroenteritis
cardiac depression with weak thready pulse
temperature drop, dizziness, delirium, death
What is Turska’s formula used for? What herbs is it comprised of?
aconitum, bryonia, gelsemium, phytolacca
used in conditions to regulate blood/circulation/lymph:
- uterine/ovarian/mammary cycts
- CHD, angina
- respiratory and neuromuscular conditions
Contraindications for Turska’s formula?
pregnancy, cardiac weakness
Indications for turska’s formula
circulation and acute pain (aconite)
stitching tearing pains worse with motion (bryonia)
irritability (gelsemium)
need for lymphagogue (phytolacca)
What is the common name for Pulsatilla vulgaris?
Pasque flower
What constituents are present in Pulsatilla vulgaris?
alkaloids (anemonin), saponins
Actions and indications for Pulsatilla vulgaris
nervine, sedative, emmenagogue, anodyne
indication: nervous anxiety, gynecological pain (dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, PMS), insomnia
How to dose Pulsatilla vulgaris?
LOW DOSE!!
How to dose Bryonia?
LOW DOSE!!
What is the common name for Lobelia inflata?
puke weed, indian tobacco
What constituents are present in Lobelia inflata?
piperidine alkaloids (lobeline)
What are common actions of Lobelia inflata?
stimulating expectorant
lung tonic
nervine
diffusive
relaxant/spasmolytic
What are common indications for Lobelia inflata?
asthma
muscle spasm
angina
smoking cessation (has a high affinity for nicotinic ach receptors)
wet/spasmotic cough, URI, chronic lung disease
Dosing for Lobelia inflata
low dose (overdose = severe nausea and vomiting)
What is the common name for Ephedra sinica?
Ma Huang
What part of Ephedra sinica is typically used?
Stems
What constituents are present in Ephedra sinica?
alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, N-methylephedrine)
What are actions of Ephedra sinica?
alpha and beta adrenergic agonist
releases norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons
decongestant
antitussive
anti-inflammatory
bronchodilator, vasoconstrictive
mast cell stabilizing
increases HR
diaphoretic
diuretic
What are cautions/CI for Ephedra sinica?
Low dose
HTN
glaucoma
MAOis
bupropion
achyarryhtmias or ventricular fibrillation
pregnancy
dehydration
What part of Aconitum napellus is typically used?
fresh root
What part of Gelsemium sempervirens is typically used?
rhizomes
What part of Bryonia alba is typically used?
root
What part of Pulsatilla vulgaris is typically used?
whole herb
What part of Lobelia inflata is typically used?
aerial parts at the end of flowering
What are CI for aconitum napellus?
pregnancy and lactation
What are CI for bryonia alba?
pregnancy and lactation
What are indications for Ephedra sinica?
sinusitis, ashtma, COPD
allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis
urinary incontinence
CI for Lobelia inflata
pregnancy and lactation
dry cough
bulimia
infants
nausea may be potentiated by other meds with this SE
