Botanicals - CNS Flashcards
Which botanical herb:
Raises membrane permeability for sodium ions and slows repolarization. Initially stimulating, then causes paralysis in motor and sensory nerve endings. In smaller doses it triggers bradycardia and hypotension, but in larger doses can lead to tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
-Antifebrile, sensory and motor depressant, and sedative
Used for: neuralgia (trigeminal, intercostal), fever, chills
Side effects: HIGHLY TOXIC, tingling of mouth, fingers, toes (spreads), body temp dec. quickly then vomiting, diarrhea and urination
C/I: Pregnancy and lactation
Acontium napellus
Monkshood
Which botanical herb is:
Parasympatholytic depressant or anticholinergic. Antispasmodic, vasoconstrictor, smooth muscle inhibitor, bronchodilator. Can have relaxation of organs w/smooth muscle and relieve spastic conditions (GI tract and bile ducts).
-Used for: liver, GB, or any smooth muscle complaints
Side effects: hyperthermia, flushed face, dry mucous membranes, mydriasis, blurred vision, giddiness, loquacity, delirium, tachycardia, hyperventilation, sleepiness, hallucinations, dysphagia, convulsion, coma, death.
“Hot as hare, red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter”
C/I: long term use or high dose, BPH, urinary retention, prostate CA, tachycardia, arrhythmia, closed-angle glaucoma, GI stenosis, megacolon, pregnancy/lactation, kiddos
Potentiates anticholinergic drugs and tricyclic antidpressants
Atropa belladonna (Belladonna or Devil's cherries)
Which botanical herb is:
Nutritive, nervine, and mild sedative
Internally used for: nervousness, acute/chronic anxiety, nicotine/opiate withdrawal, rheumatism, insomnia
Externally used for: anodyne for irritated or inflamed skin, eczema
C/I: Pt’s w/ Celiac Dz
May impair absorption and effectiveness of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Administer herb 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking a statin)
Avena sativa
Oats
Which botanical herb is:
Antioxidant and neuroprotective
Used for: cognition, anxiety, epilepsy, and poor memory
Side effects: possible palpitations, nausea, dry mouth, thirst
Bacopa monnieri
Which botanical herb is:
Anti-tumor, antimicrobial, stimulant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant
Used as a cancer and dental caries preventative, and may increase physical performance
Side effects: GI irritation, reduction of appetite, constipation/diarrhea (high doses)
C/I: weak cardiovascular system, renal dz, hyperthyroid, spastic d/o’s, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, vertigo. Pregnancy/lactation
Not to be used concurrently w/anticoagulants (may reduce effectiveness)
Camellia sinensis
Green tea
Which botanical herb is:
Nervine and anti-pyretic
-Used for: nervousness, poor memory, epilepsy, and venous insufficiency.
Externally used for: inflamed skin, ulcers, psoriasis, snake bite poultice
Side effects: skin irritation (topically), photosensitization, poss. infertility
Caution w/ DM and hyperlipidemia as it may slightly inc. blood glucose and lipids
C/I: Pregnancy
Centella asiatica
Gotu kola
Which botanical herb is:
Anticholinergic and parasympatholytic having sedative and antispasmodic actions.
This herb is NOT recommended for consumption d/t non-standardization of products
Historically used for: asthma, convulsive cough, pertussis, bronchitis, flu, severe catarrh and as an expectorant
Side effects: hyperthermia, flushed face, dry mucous membranes, mydriasis, blurred vision, giddiness, loquacity, delirium, tachycardia, hyperventilation, sleepiness, hallucinations, dysphagia, convulsion, coma, death.
“Hot as hare, red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter”
C/I: Glaucoma, pregnancy, anticholinergic and tricyclic antidepressant medications
Datura stramonium
Jimson weed
Which botanical herb is:
Nervine, hypnotic, antispasmodic, an anodyne
Used for: sedative, hypnotic (esp. for kiddos in cases of overexcitement and sleeplessness)
Side effects: addictive
C/I: Pregnancy/lactation
Potentiates: MAOIs and SSRIs
Eschscholzia californica
California poppy
Which botanical herb:
Inhibits cholinesterase, vasodilation and hypotensive, stimulates then depresses neural function, antispasmodic, cardio-sensitive
Used for: ovarian cyst pain, topically on OS to induce labor, insomnia, fever, nervous unrest, HA, convulsions, neuralgia, dysmenorrhea, and asthma
Side effects: double vision, dry mouth, dysphagia, vomiting. Can progress to HA, dizzy, loss speech, mydriasis, trembling limbs, muscle paralysis, cyanosis, SOB, and coma.
Primarily used homeopathicallynow.
C/I: hypotension, myasthenia gravis, pregnancy, respiratory or cardiac dz
May potentiate aspirin
Gelsemium sempverirens
Yellow jasmine
Which botanical herb is:
Sedative nervine, digestive bitter, cholagogue, and mild laxative
Used for: mood disturbances, agitation, anxiety, nervousness and restlessness, insomnia, bitter to stimulate appetite, menopause
Side effects: nausea, HA
C/I: depression, pregnancy
Potentiates sedative-hypnotic effects of barbiturates
Humulus lupulus
Hops
“Hot as a hare, red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter” applies to the side effects of which 2 herbs?
- Atropa belladona
2. Datura stramonium
Which botanical herb is:
-Parasympatholytic, anticholinergic, sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic
Used for: dyspeptic complaints, spasms, cough, nervous irritability, unrest, insomnia, and delirium
Side effects: dryness, nausea, rapid pulse w/tachycardia, vertigo, mydriasis, hallucinations, coma, salivation, death by asphyxiation.
C/I: tachycardiac arrhythmia, prostatic adenoma, angle-closure glaucoma, mechanical stenoses in GI tract, megacolon
Potentiates anticholinergic drugs or tricyclic antidepressants
Hyoscyamus niger
Henbane
Which botanical herb is:
Comparable to tricyclics and SSRIs (w/fewer side effects), antibacterial/antiviral, suppresses inflammation, astringent, vulnerary, nerving, antimicrobial,
Used for: depression, anxiety, inflammation of skin, wounds and burns, blunt injuries
Side effects: high doses w/ UV light causes photosensitivity rash, alopecia, diarrhea, indigestion, fatigue, depression, elevated liver enzymes
C/I: Suicidal ideation, pregnancy (high doses)
Similar action to benzos, TCAs, may cause serotonin syndrome with SSRIs
Potentiates anti-retrovirals and antagonizes theophylline, cyclosporine, digoxin, warfarin
Induces CYP450 3A4
Hypericum perforatum
St. John’s Wort
Which botanical herb is:
Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, dec. stomach ulcer healing time, relax smooth muscle, stimulates B-lymphocyte and macrophage activity
Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, vulnerary, anti-emetic, carminative, spasmolytic, diaphoretic, hypnotic, anxiolytic, nervine
Used for: atopic derm, skin ulcer, N&V in pregnancy, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea, infant colic, gas, gastritis, gastroenteritis, IBD, fever, periodontal dz, gingivitis, insomnia, anxiety, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis
C/I: pregnancy, allergy to the herb
May potentiate sedatives
Matricaria recutita
German chamomile
Which botanical herb is:
Limbic sedative, antispasmodic, carminative
Used for: nervousness and insomnia, herbal tranquilizer for ANS problems, cardiac problems assoc. w/ nervousness and depression (tachycardia and palpitations), dyspepsia from anxiety and depression, relieves spastic stomach, colic, skin irritation (topically)
Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm
