Botanicals - Immune System

Question 1

Which botanical herb is:
Anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, antineoplastic, bitter
Used for: malaria, parasitic INFXN, CA (leukemia and colon CA)
SE: allergies and contact dermatitis
C/I: Pregnancy/lactation
Interact: iron

Answer 1

Artemisa annua

Annual wormwood

Question 2

Which botanical herb is:
Immune stimulant, antimicrobial, anti-catarrhal, alterative
Used for: URI w/ catarrh, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, mastitis, delirium w/ fever, chronic fatigue
SE: GI irritation (N&V)
C/I: long term use, high dose, pregnancy/lactation

Answer 2

Baptisia tinctoria

Wild indigo

Question 3

Which botanical herb is:
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antitussive
Used for: inflammation for the mouth and pharynx (topically), expectorant for cough (internally)
C/I: pregnancy/lactation
Interaction: may potentiate insulin and hypoglycemic drugs

Answer 3

Commiphora myrrh

Myrrh

Question 4

Which botanical herb is:
Bronchodilator, antibiotic, anti-CA
Used for: acute INFX, anemia, protects bone marrow, fatigue, asthma, impotence, chronic cough, debility
SE: (At toxic doses) - constipation, abdominal distention, irregular menses, amenorrhea
Interaction: potentiates epinephrine

Answer 4

Coryceps sinensis

Caterpillar fungus

Question 5

Which botanical herb is:
Anti-inflammatory, astringent, vulnerary, nervine, antimicrobial
Used for: depression, anxiety, inflammation of skin, wounds, burns, blunt injuries
SE: (High dose) - UV light = photosensitivity rash, alopecia, diarrhea, indigestion, fatigue, depression, elevated liver enzymes
C/I: suicidal ideation, high doses in pregnancy
Similar action to benzos, TCAs, and may cause serotonin syndrome w/ SSRIs
Potentiates retrovirals
Antagonizes theophylline, cyclosporine, digoxin, and warfarin
Induces CYP450

Answer 5

Hypericum perforatum

St. John’s wort

Question 6

Which botanical herb is:
Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antineoplastic, antispasmodic, expectorant
Topical: herpes simplex, respiratory problems (poultice), skin complaints (wash)
Internal: allergic rhinitis, CA, INFX (bacterial, yeast, larvae, viruses, parasites)
SE: strong taste, N&V, jaundice, poss hepatotoxicity or contact dermatitis
C/I: liver dz, areas of broken skin, pregnancy/lactation, high dose, long-term use
Caution w/ hepatotoxic drugs, inhibits CYP450

Answer 6

Larrea tridentata

Chaparral

Question 7

Which botanical herb is:
Antimicrobial (INFX of resp. tract), antiviral, antiseptic, stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative (similar to Lomatium dissectum)
Used for: upper and lower resp. tract INFX, incl. bronchitis, laryngitis, viral INFX (flu, fever, cold), induces sweating
C/I: Pregnancy

Answer 7

Ligusticum porteri

OSHA

Question 8

Which botanical herb is:
Antiviral, antibacterial, fungicidal, immune stimulant, antitussive, expectorant
Used for: viral respiratory infx, cough, cold, bronchitis, flu, pneumonia, TB
SE: photosensitization, self-limiting measles like rash caused by resin
C/I: pregnancy, concurrent UV tx

Answer 8

Lomatium dissectum

Indian balsam

Question 9

Which botanical herb is:
Antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, immune stimulant
Topical: dermatophytosis (athlete’s foot), onychomycosis, acne, thrush, vaginitis, Staphylococcal skin infx, wounds, insect bites
SE: burning sensation
C/I: large areas of broken skin, internal use

Answer 9

Malaleuca alternifolia

Tea tree

Question 10

Which botanical herb is:
Oil: cardioprotective, hypotensive, hypocholesterolemic, vasodilator, emollient, cholagogue, mild laxative, nutritive
Leaves: antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-fungal, hypotensive, hypoglycemic
SE: GI distress (take after eating)
C/I: gallstones
Potentiates hypoglycemic drugs and warfarin

Answer 10

Olea Europaea

Olive tree

Question 11

Which botanical herb is:
Antimicrobial, anti fungal, antibacterial, bitter
Used for: INFX
SE: hepatotoxicity

Answer 11

Usnea barbata

Old man’s beard

Question 12

Which botanical herb is:
Diaphoretic, expectorant, galactagogue, emmenagogue, anti periodic (prevention of commonly recurring symptoms)
Used for: fever w/ cold or flu, ailments of oral and pharyngeal mucosa (sore throat and dz of resp. tract), external gargle for cold s/sxs
Antipruretic tx of skin dz and minor topical burns, arthritis, rheumatism, dislocation, contusions
C/I: pregnancy

Answer 12

Verbena officinalis

Vervain

Question 13

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, immune modulator, antibacterial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic
Used for: deep immune system, allergies, resp. infxn, CA
SE: may inc. fibrin formation
C/I: autoimmune dz
Potentiates acyclovir, interferon -1 and -2
Antagonize corticosteroids

Answer 13

Astragalus membranaceus

Huang-Qi

Question 14

Which botanical herb is:
Immune stimulant, anti-inflam, anti-microbial/bacterial/viral
Stimulates phagocytosis, activates macrophages
Vulnerary (healing wounds), alterative
Used for: flu, URT INFX, pharyngitis, tonsilitis, staphylococcus skin infxn, vaginitis, mastitis, wounds skin ulcer, acne, chronic skin dz, CA, mycobacterial infx
C/I: TB, MS, AIDS, HIV, auto-immune dz, long term use
May antagonize immune suppression tx

Answer 14

Echinacea species

Purple cone flower

Question 15

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, immune modulator, adrenal support
Used for: pharyngitis, tonsillitis, infxn, fatigue, hypoadrenocorticism, lack of stamina
C/I: long term use, acute infxn, HTN (above 180/90)
Antagonize immune suppression tx

Answer 15

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Siberian ginseng

Question 16

Which botanical herb is:
Deep immune activation, adaptogen, nervine, hypotensive, anti-allergenic, antibacterial, anti-CA, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic
Used for: allergies, bronchial asthma, sinus issues, HTN, insomnia, atherosclerosis,
SE: darkened stool, diarrhea (alleviated by co-administration of Vit C)
C/I: organ transplants and auto-immune d/o
Antagonizes immunosuppressants, increases sleeping time induced by sedative medications
Caution w/ anticoagulants and statins

Answer 16

Ganoderma lucidum

Reishi

Question 17

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, phytoestrogen, hepatoprotective, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, antiviral, antibacterial (H. pylori)
Used for: cough/bronchitis, catarrh of URT, gastric/duodenal ulcers, sore throat, chronic gastritis, appendicitis, constipation, increased milk production, adrenocorticoid insufficiency, insomnia
SE: psoeudaldosteronism and reduces thyroid activity
C/I: HTN, hyperaldosteronism, cirrhosis, hepatits, CHF, DM, pregnancy, long-term use
Potentiates cardiac glycosides, corticosteroids,
Avoid hypokalemic drugs
Protects against mucosal damage from aspirin

Answer 17

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice

Question 18

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, immune modulator, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic
Used for: INFXN, hypercholesterolemia, hepatitis, adjunct to chemo (protects marrow)
Antagonize immune suppression tx (esp. corticosteroids)

Answer 18

Ligustrum lucigum

Chineses privet

Question 19

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, vulnerary, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, phytoestrogen, yin and yang tonic
Used for: pharyngitis, tonsillitis, CA, INFXN, auto-immune dz, male infertility, fatigue, stress, DM, hyper-estrogenism, opiate withdrawal
SE: mastalgia, post-menopausal bleeding
C/I: HTN, hemorrhage, asthma, anxiety, depression, psoriasis, long-term use, high doses, pregnancy
Potentiates caffeine, MAOIs, immune drugs
Antagonize warfarin and immune suppression tx

Answer 19

Panax ginseng
(Korean ginseng)
Panax quinquefolius
(American ginseng)

Question 20

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, hepatoprotective, stimulant, sedative, expectorant, antitussive, sexual tonic
Used for: chronic hepatitis, liver damage fatigue, physical stress debility, depression, insomnia, liver detox, withdrawal from benzos and opiates
C/I: epilepsy, severe HTN, intercranial pressure
Potentiates barbiturates, decreases acetaminophen hepatotoxicity,
Inhibits CYP450

Answer 20

Schisandra chinensis

Schisandra

Question 21

Which botanical herb is:
Adaptogen, immune modulator, hypotensive, sedative, enhances cognition
Used for: chronic stress, chronic inflammation, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, asthma, bronchitis, INFXN, anxiety, low libido due to exhaustion, opiate withdrawal,
C/I: pregnancy
Potentiates barbiturates, epileptics
Antagonize immune suppression tx

Answer 21

Withania somnifera

Ashwagandha

Question 22

Which botanical herb is:
Astringent, antispasmodic, splenic tonic, hypotensive, sedative, expectorant
Used for: fatty liver, hepatitis, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, bronchitis, asthma, cough, dysentery, GI bleeding, skin irritation/sores
Antagonizes anticoagulants

Answer 22

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey tea

Question 23

Which botanical herb is:
Diuretic, anti-nodular
Used externally for: ulcers, festering glands, lumps in breast and skin rashes, lower UTI, urolithiasis, lymphadenitis

Answer 23

Galium aparine

Cleavers

Question 24

Which botanical herb is:
Lymphatic alterative, cholagogue
Used for: skin dz (eczema/psoriasis), liver detox, enlarged thyroid, lymphatic enlargement that is soft w/out pain

Answer 24

Iris versicolor

Blue flag

Question 25

Which botanical herb is:
Alterative, lymphatic, antiviral, emetic effect
Used for: cleansing lymphatic glands, remedy for INFX of URT (catarrh, tonsillitis, laryngitis, swollen glands and mumps)
Topically for mastitis
SE: large doses - powerful emetic and purgative
C/I: pregnancy, long-term use during lactation, high doses

Answer 25

Phytolacca Americana

Poke root