Cardiac Herbs (Final)

Question 1

Cardiotonic herbs

Answer 1

Beneficial for heart and blood vessels but do not contain cardiac glycosides
Crataegus spp.
Tilia
Allium sativa
Leonarus cardiaca

Question 2

Circulatory stimulant herbs

Answer 2

Improves blood flow through body, generally warming
Capsicum
Rosmarinus officinalis
Zingiber

Question 3

Peripheral vasodilator herbs

Answer 3

Dilates peripheral blood vessels and improves circulation
Tilia
Crataegus
Gingko biloba

Question 4

Herbs for hyperlipidemia

Answer 4

Allium spp.
Commiphora mukul
Cynara scolymus
Trigonella foenum
Monascus purpureus
Glycine max

Question 5

Herbs for hypertension

Answer 5

Reduces blood pressure
Crataegus
Rauwolfia 
Coleus forskolii
Viscum 
Tilia

Question 6

Cardiovascular glycosides mechanism

Answer 6

Positive inotropic: increase force of heart contraction
Negative chronotropic: decrease rate and rhythm
Reduces sympathetic overdrive

Question 7

Allium spp

Answer 7

Garlic, etc

Tx hyperlipidemia

Question 8

Commiphora mukul

Answer 8

Guggul resin
Tx hyperlipidemia
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Reduce platelet aggregation

Question 9

Trigonella foenum - graecum

Answer 9

Fenugreek
Decrease cholesterol production
Soluble fiber binds up cholesterol
Caution: contains coumarin - may inhibit iron absorption and increase blood thinning

Question 10

Crateagus monogyna

Answer 10

Hawthorn
Trophorestorative of heart
Ionotropic agent
Non-toxic, can use long-term in CHF
Energetic protector of heart
Berries have high OPC (oligomeric procyanidins)
Flowers have high flavonoids

Question 11

Tilia spp

Answer 11

Linden
Tx HTN
Sedative (nervine actions)
Diaphoretic
Immune modulator
Vasodilator

Question 12

Leonarus cardiaca

Answer 12

Motherwort
Sedative
Tx nervous irritability, palpitations, post-partum depression

Question 13

Lycopus virginicus

Answer 13

Tx tachycardia, hyperexcitable states
Acts on vascular structures and sympathetic NS
Similar to digitalis but does not accumulate

Question 14

Viscum album

Answer 14

Mistletoe
Vasodilator
Strong hypotensive
Tx weak, irregular heart action with dyspnea, cardiac hypertrophy, and valvular insufficiency

Question 15

Beta vulgaris

Answer 15

Beets

Powerful NO stimulator

Question 16

Low Dose Cardiac Herbs

Answer 16

Rauwolfia serpentina
Veratrum virde
Digitalis purpurea
Convallaria majalis
(Cactus grandiflora???)

Question 17

Rauwolfia serpentina

Answer 17

Decreases sympathetic tone
Acts in CNS
Reserpine - can cause mental depression

Question 18

Rauwolfia drug interactions

Answer 18

Digotoxin: bradycardia, angina, arrhythmias
Beta-blockers: enhanced drug effect dt similar mechanism of action
Levo-dopa: causes extrapyramidal motor sxs of Parkinson’s syndrome

Question 19

Veratrum viride

Answer 19

Indicated for “full and frequent pulse” (HTN)

Powerful circulatory depressant

Question 20

Digitalis spp.

Answer 20

Foxglove
LOW DOSE
Source of digoxin and digitoxin
Accumulates in body: lipophilic (closely resembles bile acids, Vit D, and sex hormones)
Tx CHF (weak, rapid, irregular heart action)

Question 21

Convallaria majalis

Answer 21

Lily of the Valley
LOW DOSE
Poor absorption
Poisonous berries
Hydrophilic
Tx bradycardia forms of heart failure

Question 22

Cactus grandiflorus

Answer 22

Use fresh

Eclectics’ favorite for cardiac insufficiency, weak heart