Constituent Actions Flashcards
1
Q
What is a Mucilage?
A
A group of polysaccharides that form a gel-like consistency when combined with water.
2
Q
what are the actions of mucilage?
A
- demulcent.
- emollient.
- anti-inflammatory.
- vulnerary
- bulking laxative.
- soothing expectorant.
- anti-spasmodic.
3
Q
what are some examples of mucilage?
A
- Althea off (Marshmellow).
- Ulmus Fulvus (Slippery Elm).
- Plantago Lanceolata (plantain).
- Aloe Vera (aloe gel).
- Chia/flax/Psyllium.
4
Q
what are emollients?
A
- one of the mucilage’s functions.
- soften, soothe and protect the skin (topical use only).
- form a protective barrier for the skin that will soothe and moisten any inflammation, irritation or burn.
- applied as a gel, salve, oil, cream, lotion or poultice.
5
Q
what are some examples of emollients?
A
- aloe barbadensis.
- Plantago major.
- Stellaria media (Chickweed).
- Symphytum off (Comfrey).
6
Q
What are Demulcents?
A
- mucilage action.
- soothe and protect irritates or inflamed internal tissue.
- cooling, soothing and relaxing to raw, hot, irritated or inflamed membranes of the digestive, respiratory and genitourinary tracts.
- some have a soothing effect distal to the site of contact due to reflex response initiated in the gut.
7
Q
what are some demulcents used for soothing GI tract?
A
- Althea off (Marshmellow).
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice).
- Ulmus Fulva (slippery elm).
8
Q
what are some herbs for soothing the respiratory tract?
A
- Verbascum thapsus (Mullein).
- Tussilago sp (Coltsfoot)
9
Q
what are some herbs for soothing the genitourinary tract?
A
- corn silk (Zea mays).
10
Q
what is a vulnerary action?
A
- mucilage action.
- helps with healing wounds- speeds up the natural wound healing process to reach resolution faster.
- used both topically and internally.
- promotes the laying down of granulation tissue to form a scab or eschar sooner.
- Allantoin also is another constituent that has this action found in plantain and comfrey.
11
Q
what are some herbal examples of vulnerary action?
A
- Calendula off.
- Symphytum off (comfrey).
- Plantago lanceolata/ major (plantain).
12
Q
what are bulking laxatives?
A
- herbs that contain mucilage can pull water into the colon to soften and add bulk to the stool.
- Bulking the stool enhances the body’s reflex signalling pathway to evacuate the stool.
13
Q
what are some bulking laxative examples?
A
- Aloe barbandensis.
- Plantago psyllium.
- Linum usitatissimum. flax seed.
- Althea off. marshmellow root.
14
Q
what are soothing expectorants?
A
- mucilage action.
- removes excess mucous from the lungs and soothes irritated lung tissue.
- very helpful for dry, sticky mucous that is difficult to cough up.
- very helpful for unproductive and irritable coughs.
- relax bronchial tissues and loosen mucus to be expelled.
15
Q
what are some herbal examples of soothing expectorants?
A
- plantago lanceolata.
- Tussilago farfara. coltsfoot.
- Verbascum thapsus. mullein.
16
Q
what is the constituent Tannins?
A
- they have a toning and tightening effect due to the ability to precipitate proteins and reduce secretions. usually found in parts of the plant that are shed. leaves, fruits and bark.
17
Q
what are some actions of tannins?
A
- astringent.
-hemostatic. - vulnerary.
- anti-diarrheic.
- dry up secretions.
18
Q
what are some examples of plants with tannins constituents?
A
Condensed:
- Camellia Sinensis (green/black tea).
- Rubus Ideaus (red raspberry leaf).
- Salix alba (White willow).
Hydrolysable; use caution.
- Aesculus Hippocastanum (horse chestnut).
- Hamamelis Virginicus (witch hazel).
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (uva-ursi/bear-berry).
19
Q
What do astringents do?
A
- the action of tannins.
- binding, tightening and drying effect on tissues.
- reduce secretions and diarrhea via toning and tightening effect.
- reduce mucous membrane irritation, inflammation and swelling.
- improve mucous membrane integrity and form a barrier against infectious agents.
- speeds wound healing ( Vulnerary effect).
20
Q
what are some herbal examples of astringents?
A
- Achillea millefolium (yarrow).
- Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet).
- Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel).
- Rubus idaeus (red raspberry leaf).
21
Q
What is some plant/tannin that is good for the GI tract?
A
- Filipendula ulmaris (meadowsweet).
- Camellia sinesis (green/black tea).
22
Q
What is some plant/tannin that is good for the CV system
A
- Aesculus hippocastanum (horse-chestnut).
- Achillea millefolium (yarrow).
- Vaccinium spp (blueberry/bilberry).
23
Q
What is some plant/tannin that is good for the female reproductive system?
A
- Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherds purse).
- Rubus ideaus (Red raspberry).
24
Q
What is some plant/tannin that is good for the skin and connective tissue?
A
Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut).
Hamamelis virfginicus (witch hazel).
25
What is some plant/tannin that is good for the kidneys?
Equisetum arvense (horsetail).
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva Ursi/ Bearberry).
26
What is some plant/tannin that is good for the lungs
Plantago lanceolata/major (plantain).
27
what are some safety concerns for tannins?
tannins may be inappropriate in the following conditions.
- constipation.
- iron deficiency and malnutrition.
should not be taken with other medications or supplements.
- hydrolyzable tannins should be used only topically due to their hepatotoxic effects.
28
what are the Salicylates constituent?
they ease pain and reduce inflammation, a group of simple phenolics with salicin, methyl salicylate and salicylic acid.
29
what are some salicylate actions?
- anti-inflammatory.
- analgesic.
- antipyretic/febrifuge.
- Anti-septic.
30
what are some salicylate examples?
- Filipendula ulmaria. meadowsweet.
- salix alba. white willow.
-Viburnum opulus. cramp bark.
31
what is the anti-inflammatory action of salicylates?
- helps the body modulate inflammation (not suppress or promote).
- supports and balances our own chemical mediators responsible for infammation.- cytokines, interleukins, prostaglandins leukotriene.
32
what is the analgesic action?
- salicylate action.
- soothe and relieve pain.
- usually salicylate, alkaloid and resin constituents.
- lesson neural sensitivity and pain signals within the nervous system ( inhibit the cell sodium-dependent channels to reduce action potentials transduction along nerve fibres, stimulate and deplete substance P).
- used in low doses for long periods of time.
33
what are some herbal examples of analgesics?
Capsicum spp (cayenne).
Eschscholzia californica (califonia poppy).
Viburnum spp (Cramp bark).
Salix alba (white willow).
34
what is the antipyretic/febrifuge action?
- controls or reduces fever.
- fever is a natural healing process and should only be interfered with if the fever gets too high.
35
What are some herbal examples of antipyretics/ febrifuge?
- Filipendula ulmaria (meadowsweet).
- Mentha Piperita (peppermint).
- Salix alba (white willow).
36
What are some safety concerns of salicylates?
- high doses can be ototoxic and may induce transient hearing loss in zinc-deficient individuals
- toxic overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, tinnitus and dizziness ( salicylism).
- avoid in cases of salicylate allergy.
37
what is the bitter constituent?
bitter, digestive stimulant, a bunch of constituents brought together by their bitter taste.
38
what are the actions of bitters?
- hepatic.
- alternative.
- stimulates appetite.
- aids in liver detoxification.
- regulates blood sugars.
- stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.
- mild laxative.
- stimulates the release of digestive enzymes acid and bile.
39
what are herbal examples of bitters?
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood).
Gentiana lutea (gentian).
Berberis sp (Oregon grape).
Taraxacum off (dandelion).
Bitter greens.
40
What is hepatics' action?
- cholagogues and choleretics
cholagogues: increase the volume of bile produced by the liver.
Choleretics: increase the volume of bile produced by the liver.
- aid in the digestion of food and break down of dietary fats.
- supports healthy liver cells.
- hepatoprotective; tumeric.
- hepatotrophorestorative; milk thistle
