FINAL Flashcards
History – What were the guiding principles of the Eclectic physicians?
- Safe use of botanical remedies, moderation in the use of drugs and surgery, and exclusions of chemical poisons
- Pulse diagnosis, tongue, complexion evaluation, temperature, nervous tone, elimination, and nutrition
What are some of the obstacles, past and present, to the promotion and preservation of the practice of herbalism in our society?
- Male-dominated
* Herbalism was associated with witchcraft
What features define the Naturopathic Herbalist?
- Educated in the biomedical sciences
- Gather knowledge of plants used globally
- Incorporate recent scientific evidence
- Whole plant medicine – not individual constituents
- Holistic medicine when treating the patient
- Prevention
What is an “Action”?
class of herb it belongs too
What is an “Indication”?
when used of the herb would be beneficial because of it’s action
What are “Specific indications”?
are the qualities of a remedy that separate it from others in it’s class of medicinal action
Define doctrine of signatures.
Physical characteristics of a plant is related to it’s medicinal action
What is organoleptic testing?
Using the senses to evaluate an herb for taste, smell, appearance, texture, energetics, quality, and identity
Identify the tissue state associate with the following herbal energetic:
• Resins
Dry
Identify the tissue state associate with the following herbal energetic:
• Astringents
Tense
Identify the tissue state associate with the following herbal energetic:
• Circulatory stimulants
Hot
Identify the tissue state associate with the following herbal energetic:
• Demulcents
Damp
Identify the tissue state associate with the following herbal energetic:
• Antispasmodics
Lax
Identify the tissue state associate with the following herbal energetic:
• Bitters
Cold
Define alterative.
An herb that alters the body in a non-specific but broadly beneficial way
How is a depurative different from an alterative?
Depuratives have a more specific action of cleansing a particular organ or system compared to the broader action of alteratives
What are the indications for using an alterative?
- Generalized and chronic dysfunction
- Digestive, eliminatory and circulatory hypofunction
- Maldigestion
- Hormonal imbalance
- Toxemia
- Acne
- Chronic infxn
- Chronic inflammation
Alterative:
Trifolium pratense - Red Clover
- Used in issues of hormonal balancing in women (phytoestrogenic)
- Cough properties – spasmodic coughs, TB, inflammation of the lungs
- Used in the Hoxsey formula
Alterative:
Rumex spp - Yellow Dock, Curly Dock
- Specificity of seat: Liver, GI, larynx
- Astringent qualities that tone the gut lining
- Promotes motility
- Chronic skin conditions
- Leaves are toxic! Only use the root*
Alterative:
Mahonia spp - Oregon Grape, Barberry, Mahonia
- Specificity of seat: Liver
* Contains berberine
Alterative:
Smilax spp. - Sarsaparilla
- Specificity of seat: Endocrine balance
- The alterative for the sex hormones
- C/I: May increase absorption of digitalis and in higher doses*
Alterative:
Arctium lappa – Burdock
- Supports the skin (mainly as an emunctory organ)
* Good for psoriasis, eczema, mastitis, cystitis
Alterative:
Curcuma longa – Turmeric
- Specificity of seat: Liver and circulatory system
- Balancing of the 3 dosha’s
- Anti-inflammatory through it’s action on TNFa
Alterative:
Urtica dioica - Stinging Nettles
Very anti-inflammatory and very nourishing
How are nutritive herbs different from synthetic multivitamins?
Because they have phytonutrients such as polyphenols, saponins, flavonoids, etc
Nutritive:
Medicago sativa – alfalfa
o Very nourishing
o Phytoestrogenic
o C/I: Warfarin (high vit. K); lupus
Nutritive:
• Equisetum arvense – horsetail
o High in Silica
o Tonifying and strengthening of connective tissue (bone in particular)
o Diuretic
Nutritive:
Centella asiatica – Gotu Kola
o Sri Lanka – Kola Kenda drink to support nutrition
o Vulnerary and nervine
o Trophorestorative for the connective tissues
o Modulates deposition of collagen
Nutritive:
Avena sativa – Oat Straw
o Milk oat seed is used typically for nervine
o Straw is used as a nutritive
o C/I: Morphine
Nutritive:
Urtica spp. – Nettle
o Alterative, anti-inflammatory, high in vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients
o Used for allergies and arthritis
o Leaf – main nourisher and anti-inflammatory
o Root – astringent and used for BPH b/c it’s testosterone modulating qualities
What is a lymphagogue?
Moves the lymph through various actions. Used to relieve edema and move nutrients around
What are the general indications for the use of lymphagogues?
Edema, congestion
Lymphagogue:
Ceanothus americanus – Red Root
o Specificity in the lungs – used for URI
o Astringent
Lymphagogue:
Gallium aparine – Cleavers
o Specificity in the urinary tract – used for UTI
Lymphagogue:
Phytolacca americana –Poke Root
o In higher doses, it is toxic!*
o Pharyngitis – hard, painful, glandular swellings
Lymphagogue:
Calendula officinalis – Calendula
o Specificity in the breast tissue
o Chest, axilla and inguinal creases
Lymphagogue:
Styllingia sylvatica – Queen’s Root
o Specificity in the pharynx/larynx/upper bronchus – red, dry, irritated mucous membranes
o Laryngitis
Lymphagogue:
Echinacea spp. – Echinacea
o Immunostimulant as well
o Really a lymph mover
Lymphagogue:
Trifolium pratense – Red Clover
o Alterative as well
o Specificity for the liver
What is the difference between immunomodulators and immunostimulants?
Immunomodulators TONIFT the immune system, while immunostimulants INCREASE the activity of the immune system
Immunomodulatory:
Echinacea spp.
o Immunostimulant
o Dose-dependent (900mg root/day is effective)
o Safe in pregnancy
Specific Species:
o E. angustifolia – most valued by eclectics for severe infections
o E. purpurea – lymphagogue
o E. pallida – best vulnerary
Immunomodulatory:
Eupatorium perfoliatum – Boneset
o Viral infections where pain has set into the bones (aches from flu)
Immunomodulatory:
Astragalas membranaceaus
o Legume
o Immune system builder - broad
o Stabilize tissues after radiation
o Useful in kiddos because of it’s mild taste
Immunomodulatory:
Andrographis paniculata
o Immunostimulating but very bitter/cooling
o Used to help resolve cold and flu faster
Immunomodulatory:
Sambucus nigra – Elder
o Flowers and berries are used
o Antiviral and immunostimulant –> Excellent flu treatment
o Flowers are more diaphoretic and more used for coughs (expectorant) –> Calming
Immunomodulatory:
Baptisia tinctora – Wild Indigo
o Strongly antimicrobial and immunostimulant
o Low-dose botanical*
o Often combined with Echinacea for acute viral infxn
Immunomodulatory:
Trametes versicolor – Turkey Tail
o Immunostimulator
o Anti-CA properties
o Helps support bone marrow
Immunomodulatory:
Grifola frondosa – Maitake
o Antiviral, cancer, diabetic properties
Immunomodulatory:
Ganoderma lucidum – Reishi
o Immunomodulatory
o Triterpines lead to an anti-allergic quality
o Used in heart related conditions – dec. cholesterol levels, protects against angina, protects against radiation
What are the defining features of an adaptogen?
- Produces NON-SPECIFIC RESPONSE in an organism that can INC in the power of RESISTANCE OF MULTIPLE STRESSORS including physical, chemical, and biological
- SAFE, well-tolerated medicine
- ERGOGENIC – increase capacity to do work
ADAPTOGEN:
Eletherococcus senticosis – Siberian Ginseng
- More stimulating
* For the type of person who gets recurring infections
ADAPTOGEN:
Panax ginseng – Asian Ginseng
- More stimulating
- Helpful for increasing stamina
- Works for increasing sexual function
ADAPTOGEN:
Panax quinquifolium – American Ginseng
- Less stimulating
- More nervine type actions
- Nervous dyspepsia
- Mental exhaustion
ADAPTOGEN:
Withania somnifera - Ashwaganda
- Build stamina, but not necessarily a stimulant
- May help reduce cortisol excess
- Helps with insomnia from anxiety
- Trophorestorative
- Preventing stress induced ulcers
- Supports mitochondrial health – hence it’s ability to increase physical stress endurance (rat swimming study)
ADAPTOGEN:
Rhodiola rosea – Golden Root
- Helps with overwhelming stress
- Fatigue, burnout, increases learning ability and memory
- Environmental stressors – cold, altitude
- C/I: sleep disorders, bipolar disorder, TCA use
ADAPTOGEN:
Schisandra chinensis
• CV protective, hepatoprotective, tissue protectors, neuroprotective
ADAPTOGEN:
Occimum sanctum – Holy Basil
- Nourishing, aromatic
- Increases physical and mental endurance (ergogenic)
- More calming
- C/I: blood thinning effect, T2D b/c hypoglycemic effect
ADAPTOGEN:
Glycyrrhiza glabra – Licorice Root
- Demulcent, tonifying
- Maintaining proper cortisol levels
- C/I: HTN, hypokalemia, kidney failure, cardiac glycosides
ADAPTOGEN:
Cordyceps sinensis – Caterpillar Fungus
- Improves stamina and increases cellular function
- Aphrodisiac
- Supports the mitochondria
- Tonifies Qi
ADAPTOGEN:
Oplopanax horridus – Devil’s Club
- Energetic adaptogen
* Supports emotional well-being (self-esteem)
What is a nervine?
Nervine: botanical medicines that act on the nervous system
What is a tonic?
Tonic: improves tone, vigor, and function
What is a sedative?
Sedative: decreases stimulation of the nervous system
What is a hypnotic?
Hypnotic: stronger sedatives that cause drowsiness
Nervines:
Avena sativum- Milky Oat Seed
- Trophorestorative of the nervous system
- Mental alertness and cognitive fx/decline
- Nervous stability
- Energize from nervous exhaustion
- C/I: Morphine use
Nervines:
Scutellaria lateriflora –Skullcap
- Sedative, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, stomachic
- Used in children’s formulas
- C/I: sedative medications
Nervines:
Humulus lupulus- Hops
• Sedative, hypnotic, sleep formulas, antimicrobial
Nervines:
Valeriana officinalis – Valerian
- Helps with sleep
- Antispasmodic
- Used in HTN
- GABA receptor activity
- Helpful in benzo withdrawal
Nervines:
Piper methysticum- Kava
- Traditionally chewed and spit into a bowl
* Useful for acute anxiety/social anxiety
Nervines:
Melissa officinalis- Lemon Balm
- Sedative, antidepressant, antiviral, neuroprotective
- Nervousness, anxiety, depression, insomnia
- Radiation protection
- Ecstasy overdose or age-induced neurocognitive decline
Nervines:
Leonurus cardiaca –Motherwort
- Very strong sedative
* Use with tachycardia, swelling – kind of hyperthyroid picture
Nervines:
Hypericum perforatum - St. John’s Wort
- Antiviral, vulnerary, antidepressant
- Shingles
- Nerve trauma
- Photosensitive
Nervines:
Passiflora incarnata - Passion Flower
- Anxiolytic, sedative
* Useful for long-term treatment of nervous dyspepsia
Nervines:
Matricaria recutita – Chamomile
- Useful in nervousness, impatience, insomnia
- Useful in children
- High doses can cause GI upset*
Nervines:
Eschscholtzia californica- California Poppy
- Anodyne, antispasmodic
- Great for children with nervousness or anxiety
- ADHD
Describe the complex actions of bitters and how bitter herbs can be used therapeutically.
Receptors on the tongue and oral mucosa stimulate the production of saliva. Receptors transmit signals to brain to stimulate digestive process → Inc. ghrelin which inc hunger, inc. CCK which stimulates bile and pancreatic secretion, inc. motility, inc. cellular proliferation
• Used in dyspepsia, intestinal atony (weak digestion), hypochlorhydria, and malabsorption
Define carminative, and understand how carminatives are used therapeutically.
Carminatives prevent the formation of or relieves gas and helps prevent spasms
Define demulcent, and understand how demulcents are used therapeutically.
High in polysaccharides that coat and soothe the mucosal membranes
BITTER:
Gentiana lutea – Gentian
o BITTER – basically the standard bitter
o Used as a carrier in a lot of formulas
Citrus spp. – Citrus Peel
o Not the essential oil, flavonoid contained in the rind
o More drying and uplifting
Bitter:
Artemesia vulgaris – Mugwort
o Bitter
Artemesia absinthum – Wormwood
o Good anthelminthic
o High doses can be toxic*
Mahonia spp. – Oregon Grape
o Gentle digestive bitter
o Alterative
Foeniculum vulgare – Fennel
o Aromatic carminative
o Modulates spasms related to purgative use
Pimpinella anisum – Anise
*
Mentha piperita/spicata – Peppermint/Spearmint
o Antispasmodic, carminative
o Cephalic – brings a lot of blood to the head, used for HA
Zingiber officinale – Ginger
o Circulatory stimulant carminative
o More warming
Matricaria recutita - Chamomile
•
Angelica archangelica – Angelica
o Inflamed mucosal membranes
Althea officinalis – Marshmallow
o Soothing to mucosal membranes
o Stimulates cellular regeneration
Ulmus spp. – Slippery Elm
•
Glygyrrhiza spp. – Licorice Root
•
Aloe spp. – Aloe Gel
o Polysaccharides
o Vulnerary
o Gastritis and ulcers
Trigonella foenum-greacum – Fenugreek
o Develop a mucilage
Define cholegogue
Cholagogue – increasing secretion of bile
Define choleretic.
Choleretic – increasing production of bile
Hepatics:
• Arctium lappa - Burdock
Hepatics:
Cichorium intybus – Chickory
- Root high in inulin – prebiotic
- Mild bitter
- Hepatoprotective quality
- Substitute for coffee
Hepatics:
Chelidonium majus – Greater Celandine
- Antispasmodic of the bile duct
* Potentially hepatotoxic*
Hepatics:
Chionanthus virginicus – Fringe Tree
- Cholagogue
- Diuretic and bitter in higher doses
- Used in the treatment of Jaundice – acute congestion in the liver
Hepatics:
Curcuma longa – Turmeric
•
Hepatics:
Cynara scolymus – Artichoke Leaf
- Tonifying effect, hepatic, antimicrobial
- Cholesterol reducing
- Digestive herb
Hepatics:
Mahonia spp. – Oregon Grape
•
Hepatics:
Taraxicum officinale – Dandelion
- Choleretic and cholagogue activity
- Mild laxative
- Anti-inflammatory qualities
- Major hepatic – root
- Kidney action - leaf
Hepatics:
Silybum marianum – Milk Thistle
- Trophorestorative of the liver
* Treatment of hepatitis
What are the factors that effect the safety of botanical medicines?
• Dose, duration, toxicity, potential additives, pesticide residues or heavy metal toxicity
What is the mechanism that is common to most herb/drug interactions?
• CYP450 detox pathways
What is an herbal adjunct to pharmaceutical treatment?
• A potentially beneficial combination of an herb with a drug
What are vulneraries, and how do they work?
• Help skin heal, internal tissues heal, increasing proliferation, angiogenesis, collagen formation, and tensile strength
Vulnerary:
Calendula officinalis – Calendula
- Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic
- Used for lacerations, abrasions, excoriations, ulcers, rashes, eczema
- COX-2 and prostaglandin synthesis inhibition
Vulnerary:
Centella asiatica – Gotu Kola
- Decreases excessive scarring, antioxidant
* Useful in scleroderma
Vulnerary:
Matricaria recutita - Chamomile
•
Vulnerary:
Symphytum officinale – Comfrey
- Reduces edema
- Useful in sprains and strains
- Do not use internally!*
Vulnerary:
Aloe spp. – Aloe Vera
•
Vulnerary:
Echinacea spp.
- Inhibits hyaluronidase
* Useful in potentially infected wounds, snake bites, ulcers
Vulnerary:
Hypericum perforatum – St. John’s Wort
• Excellent for burns
Vulnerary:
Stellaria media – Chickweed
- All around good vulnerary
* Antifungal
Vulnerary:
Plantago spp. – Plantain
• Used to soothe insect bites or stings, draws out splinters
Vulnerary:
Arnica spp.
- Low-dose herb*
- Useful for sprains, strains, bruises, arthritis (no broken skin!)
- C/I: Rheumatoid arthritis
Circulatory Stimulants:
Capsicum annuum – Cayenne
- Mucolytic, cholesterol reducing, gastric stimulant, depletes substance P
- Neuralgia, myalgia, joint pain, psoriasis, toothache, migraine
Circulatory Stimulants:
Zanthoxylum americanum – Prickly Ash
- Mild cardiac stimulant → inc HR, dec capillary engorgement
* Useful in edema, claudication, raynauds, uterine cramps
Circulatory Stimulants:
Ginkgo biloba – Ginkgo
- Increases blood flow to the brain and periphery
- Antithrombotic
- Cerebrovascular insufficiency, mental performance, tinnitus, vertigo, macular degeneration
- C/I: hemophilia, blood thinners
Circulatory Stimulants:
Piper nigrum – Black Pepper
- Stimulates digestion and absorption of nutrients
- Rubefacient, effects at the brush border
- May increase GI absorption at therapeutic doses → could increase therapeutic dose for pharmaceuticals
Circulatory Stimulants:
Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary
- Stimulates hair follicles
* Hypotension following stress or illness, poor memory
Circulatory Stimulants:
Zingiber officinale - Ginger
•
What is a trophorestorative?
A nourishing, tissue specific herb that is safe for long use and restores physical function to a debilitated organ or organ system
MATCH: Avena sativa – Oat Straw
Nervous system
MATCH: Urtica dioica seed – Stinging Nettle
The kidney
MATCH: Withania somnifera - Ashwaganda
The endocrine system
MATCH: Arctium lappa – Burdock
The skin
MATCH: Centella asiatica & Equisetum arvense – Gotu Kolla & Horsetail
The connective tissue
MATCH: Silybum marianum – Milk Thistle
The liver
MATCH: Crataegus spp. - Hawthorn
The heart, lungs
MATCH: Glycyrrhiza spp. – Licorice
The adrenals, lungs
MATCH: Vaccinium myrtillus – European Blueberry
The eyes
MATCH: Bacopa monnieri - Waterhyssop
The brain
MATCH: • Verbascum thapsus
The lungs
MATCH: Hydrastis canadensis, Anemopsis californica, Biden spp. – Goldenseal, Anemopsis, Bidens
The mucosal membranes
MATCH: Trametes versicolor & Astragalus membranaceus – Turkey tail & Astragalus
The immune system
MATCH: Rubus ideaus – Red Rasberry
The female reproductive tract
MATCH: Serenoa repens – Saw Palmetto
The male reproductive tract
