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