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