Final Exam Flashcards
1
Q
What were the guiding principles of the Eclectic physicians?
A
- Least harmful medicines possible
- Safe botanical remedies
- Holistic evaluation of patients
- Exclusion of chemical poisons
2
Q
What are some of the obstacles, past and present, to the promotion and preservation of the practice of herbalism in our society?
A
- Herbal medicine is equated with witchcraft
- Lots of religious prejudice (especially European)
3
Q
What features define the Naturopathic Herbalist?
A
- Physician, herbalist, botanist overlap
- Responsible for doing diagnostic workup, treatment plans, etc.
- Moving beyond wellness care to disease care
- More complicated cases
- Holistic thinking
- Combine subtler aspects of plant identification/knowledge with knowledge of physiology, disease, etc.
4
Q
Know the definition of all the herbal actions listed in the week 1 presentation.
A
- See cards from week 1 part 2
5
Q
What is an action?
A
- What herb does
- Ex - choleretic
6
Q
What is an indication?
A
- Condition herb is good for
- Ex - jaundice
7
Q
What is a specific indication?
A
- Condition herb is good for with more unique presentations
- Ex - indication with splitting frontal headache
8
Q
Define doctrine of signatures.
A
- Physical characteristics of a plant are related to their medicinal action
- Plant is good for what it looks like
- Action to human mind association
9
Q
What is organoleptic testing?
A
- Technique of using the senses to evaluate an herb for taste, smell, appearance, texture, energetics, quality, and identity
- Using senses to evaluate quality, identity, energetics, etc. of herbs
10
Q
Understand herbal energetics and tissue states.
A
- Hot, cold, wet, dry, tense, lax
11
Q
Define alterative.
A
- An herb that alters the body in a non-specific but broadly beneficial way
- Broadly beneficial, nourishing, mildly stimulates digestion
- Support slow and steady return to a healthy state
- Alteratives are really good for “toxemia” (accumulated wastes)
- Don’t have an allopathic counterpart
12
Q
Compare and contrast alterative and depurative.
A
- Alteratives are broad
- Depuratives have a very specific cleansing action on particular organs
- Ex - Parsley seed for kidneys because diuretic – particular cleansing action on kidneys, not very cleansing for liver/overall
13
Q
What are the indications for using an alterative?
A
- Generalized and chronic dysfunction
- Digestive, eliminatory, and circulatory hypofunction
- Maldigestion
- Hormonal imbalance
- Toxemia
- Acne
- Chronic infections
- Chronic inflammation
14
Q
Alterative - Trifolium pratense
A
- Red Clover
- Specificity of seat in skin
- Trifolium Compound was tincture-based Eclectic formula with other alteratives and lymphogogues (burdock, mahonia, stillingia, zanthoxylem, phytolacca, rhamnus persiana (laxative))
- Hoxsey used it for cancer
- For TB with very hard enlarged lymph nodes – “scrophula”
- High in phytoestrogens
- Caution with oral contraceptives and estrogen positive cancers
15
Q
Alterative - Arctium lappa
A
- Burdock, gobo root
- Specificity in skin
- Has phytoestrogens, though not as many as Trifolium
16
Q
Alterative - Mahonia spp.
A
- Oregon Grape
- Specificity of seat in liver
- Tonifying to the liver
- Contains berberine
- C/I in pregnancy
17
Q
Alterative - Rumex crispus
A
- Yellow Dock
- Skin
- Specificity of seat in liver, GI, and larynx
- C/I in oxalate kidney stones, kidney disease, iron overload, and pregnancy
- Don’t eat the leaves - very high in oxalic acid
18
Q
Alterative - Urtica dioica
A
- Stinging nettle
- Also very nutritive
- Long-term use may cause mucus membrane drying
19
Q
Alterative - Smilax spp.
A
- Sarsaparilla
- Specificity for hormone balance
- Large doses may cause GI irritation or ulceration due to the high saponin content
- C/I in pregnancy
- May increase absorption of digitalis glycosides
20
Q
Alterative - Curcuma longa
A
- Turmeric
- Anti-inflammatory
- Slightly warming (others are more cooling)
- Specificity of seat is liver and circulatory system
- C/I in large doses during pregnancy, and in bile duct obstruction
- Ayurvedic perspective - balance three doshas
21
Q
Plant Morphology – know your parts!
Roots, stems, leaves, flowers
A
- Use cards from week 2 - plant morphology
- Basics like rhizome vs root, raceme vs solitary inflorescence, compound leaves vs simple leaves
22
Q
How are nutritive herbs different from synthetic multivitamins?
A
- Phytonutrients are just as important, but maybe haven’t been identified yet
- Synthetics are pure substances, but don’t have the phytonutrients
> When we put people on just synthetics and are not paying attention to smaller parts of herbs/foods, they don’t do as well as when they take the complete herb
> There’s more to nutrition than just the active constituents
23
Q
Nutritive - Medicago sativa
A
- Alfalfa
- High in phytoestrogens
- C/I in pregnancy
- May interfere with fertility
- Vit K content may interfere with warfarin
- May exacerbate symptoms of lupus
24
Q
Nutritive - Equisetum arvense
A
- Horsetail
- Used to strengthen hair, nails, bones, and CT
- High in silica
25
Q
Nutritive - Centella asiatica
A
- Gotu Kola
- Indicated for chronic venous insufficiency
- Sri Lankan food called Kola Kenda given to children to bolster nutrition
- May induce SAB
- Caution with diabetics and hyperlipidemia
- Some say use should not exceed 6 weeks (then 2 week break)
- C/I for pregnancy due to emmenagogue effects
26
Q
Nutritive - Avena sativa
A
- Oatstraw
- Very nutritive
- Mild, very good in tea
- Tastes mineral-salty
- Indicated for nervous exhaustion/depression/headache
- Indicated for opiate/nicotine withdrawal
- C/I for use with morphine because it may antagonize the antinociceptive effects
- Straw for nutritive value; tops for nervine qualities
27
Q
Nutritive - Urtica dioica
A
- Stinging Nettle
- Very nutritive w/ full array of amino acids
- Indicated for skin conditions, allergies, BPH, diarrhea
28
Q
What is a lymphagogue?
A
- Move lymph and relieve congestion and edema; accelerate the removal of waste products
- Don’t exactly know how they move lymph, but some have an irritant action and some have a stimulant action
- Don’t have an allopathic counterpart
- Can help resolve infection or inflammation
- Generally cooling and stimulating
- Some are potentially toxic or irritating
29
Q
What are the general indications for the use of lymphagogues?
A
- Edema
- Infection
- Commonly placed in anti-infection formulas (antimicrobials, lymphagogues, and immunomodulator)
30
Q
Lymphagogue - Ceanothus americanus
A
- Red Root
- Specificity of seat is lung and spleen
- C/I potentially with anticoagulents (in lg doses)
- Historically used for gonorrhea and dysentery, respiratory conditions, and mouth/throat
31
Q
Lymphagogue - Gallium aparine
A
- Cleavers
- Specificity is urinary tract
- Use fresh aerial parts
- Don’t need cleavers if sluggish, cold, and slow-moving because it’s cooling and drying
32
Q
Lymphagogue - Phytolacca americana
A
- Poke Root
- Specificity of seat is throat
- Historically used for breasts (topically for mastitis)
- Also used for GI tract
> Complex action there – lymphogogue, cholegogue, and motility qualities - Hard, pale swellings
- Very stimulating
- C/I for breastfeeding, lactation, kids
- Potentially toxic, low-dose; narrow therapeutic window
> Toxicity is decreased with heating and drying
> Less than 2g of root is toxic to adults
> 10 or fewer berries fatal to children - Caustic - wear gloves when handling
33
Q
Lymphagogue - Calendula officinalis
A
- Pot Marigold
- Specificity of seat is breast and axilla
- Studied for post-radiation
- C/I in pregnancy
- Used locally for wounds and injuries
34
Q
Lymphagogue - Stillingia sylvatica
A
- Queen’s Root
- Specificity of seat is larynx
- Chew/suck on piece of root for laryngitis or bronchitis
- Low-dose, potential toxicity
35
Q
Lymphagogue - Echinacea spp.
A
- Echinacea
- Echinacea purpurea is indicated for lymphogogue, but not antimicrobial
- Specificity of seat is gut (herbal community doesn’t agree)
- Also good for the throat
- Has a numbing effect (soothing for raw throat)
- Caution with inflammatory AI conditions
- Echinacea angustifolia is a helper herb that gives a vitality boost
- Has a wide therapeutic window
36
Q
Lymphagogue - Trifolium pratense
A
- Red Clover
- Specificity of seat is liver
37
Q
Know the difference between immunostimulants and immunomodulators.
A
Immunostimulators
- Increase macrophage activity
- Increase inflammatory cytokines
- Good for when infection is setting in
- Use caution with cancer and autoimmune conditions
- Many are heating, stimulating, and drying
> Baptisia
> Echinacea
> Eupatorium
Immunomodulators
- Use long-term to build immune system, support bone marrow
- Better for autoimmune and cancer because you don’t want to stimulate the immune system, just help it
- Builders to use over long-term
- Action is very complicated; not one mechanism
- Tonifying effect on immune system
- Gradual in action
- Can cool or downregulate immune hyperfunction
> Mushrooms
> Astragalus
38
Q
Immunostimulant - Echinacea spp.
A
- Echinacea
- Infection, sepsis, prevention of URIs, snake bites
- Avoid with inflammatory AI diseases
Echinacea purpurea
- Compared to Stillingia
- Most active in 30% alcohol tincture
Echinacea angustifolia
- Eclectics used for septicemia
- Most active in 80% alcohol tincture
Echinacea pallida
- Used for influenza infection
39
Q
Immunostimulant - Eupatorium perfoliatum
A
- Boneset
- For pain that sets into bones
- C/I in pregnancy
- Can cause allergic hypersensitivity resulting in contact dermatitis
40
Q
Immunomodulator - Astragalus membranaceus
A
- Astragalus
- “Augments the protective qi and stabilizes the exterior”
- Good for those with low vitality, prone to frequent infections, and weak tissues/poor digestion
- Good for kids
- C/I for use with cyclosphosphamide
41
Q
Immunostimulant - Sambucus nigra
A
- Elder
- Good for onset of flu-like symptoms
- Relaxing
- Unripe fruit, seeds, bark, leaves, and root can cause diarrhea, N/V, dizziness, tachycardia, and convulsions
42
Q
Immunostimulant - Baptisia tinctora
A
- Wild Indigo
- C/I with pregnancy
- Large doses are toxic (30g)
- Indicated for protracted fever with severely depressed vital force
43
Q
Immunostimulant - Andrographis paniculata
A
- Andrographis
- Super bitter and cooling
- Many of its Ayurvedic roots look similar to Echinacea
- Stimulates immune action, even though it’s cooling
- Known for lactones
- C/I with pregnancy
- Indicated for URIs, dysentery, snake bites
44
Q
Immunomodulator - Trametes versicolor
A
- Turkey Tail mushroom
- Sweet and warming, clears dampness
- Increases chance of survival in cancer patients
- Helps stabilize WBC counts in chemo patients
- Decreases side effects of chemo
- Unknown effects in pregnancy and lactation
45
Q
Immunomodulator - Grifola frondosa
A
- Maitake mushroom
- Bland, mild
- Anticancer
- Antiviral
- Immune support during chemo
- Indicated for diabetes, HTN
46
Q
Immunomodulator - Ganoderma lucidum
A
- Reishi mushroom
- Increases immune function and treats fatigue in cancer patients
- Indicated for insomnia, HTN, and hepatitis
- Potential allergy to spores
47
Q
What are the defining features of an adaptogen?
A
- Resistance against multiple stressors, including physical, chemical, or biological agents
- Produces non-specific response in organism
- Normalizing effect on physiology
- Safe and well-tolerated; non-toxic
- Many adaptogens make good aphrodisiacs
- Good for either hyper or hypo
- Good for managing stress and neurasthenia
48
Q
Adaptogen - Eleutherococcus senticosis
A
- Eleuthero, Siberian ginseng (not an actual ginseng)
- Immunomodulatory qualities
- Especially if been sick for a long time and got weakened and keep getting sick
- Tissue protective
> Take before drinking, protects liver, helps with hangovers - Mild CNS stimulant
- Used for herpes (immunosupportive action)
- Prevents bone resorption
- Has a lot of normalizing actions, but also distinct immune stimulation action
- On stimulating side of middle of spectrum
- Caution with diabetics and hypoglycemia
- Ergogenic
49
Q
Adaptogen - Panax ginseng
A
- Asian Ginseng, Red Ginseng
- Some argue that it’s just for GI tonic, but it’s not…
> Specifically indicated for people who have gotten so sick that they can’t nourish – tonic for the stomach - Aphrodisiac
- More warming (than P. quinquifolium)
- Middle of stimulating side
- Indicated for weakened state d/t chronic illness/stress
- If used long-term with caffeine, may cause HTN
- C/I with MAOIs - case report of mania
- Recommend 1 month on, 2 months off
- Stimulates appetite; used in chronic diarrhea
- Benefits the heart qi and calms the spirit - palpitations with anxiety
- OD leads to headache, insomnia, palpitations (treats these conditions with lower doses)
50
Q
Adaptogen - Panax quinquifolium
A
- American ginseng
- Nervous dyspepsia***
- Loss of appetite
- Mental exhaustion
- More cooling (than P. ginseng)
- Middle of the calming side
- Effective at low doses - can add into other formulas
- Tonic for nerve centers
- Given in cerebral anemia
- Indicated in exhaustion from overwork
51
Q
Adaptogen - Oplopanax horridus
A
- Devil’s Club
- Energetic adaptogen
- Energetic protection
- Help develop/feel self-esteem
- Anti-cancer actions
- Respiratory and GI
- Blood sugar regulation
- Native to PNW
- Poke-y, prickly, large leaves, grows in moist areas with dappled sunlight
- C/I in pregnancy
- Tend towards using lower doses
- Asthma and emotional healing - fear and shame
52
Q
Adaptogen - Withania somnifera
A
- Ashwaganda
- Imparts the power of a horse
- Nightshade family
- Use root
- Warming
- Balances energies of vata and kapha
- More sedative end
> Classically infused in milk to drink before bed as calming restorative tonic - Neuroregenerative
> Parkinson’s
> Huntington’s
> MS
> Alzheimer’s - On calming end
- Indicated for chronic inflammatory diseases, high stress causing fatigue, nervous exhaustion, insomnia
53
Q
Adaptogen - Rhodiola rosea
A
- Golden Root
- Anxiolytic
- Too much over too long can give jitters and heart palpitations – watch for these
- Enhances resistance to high-altitude and cold
> Found in Siberia, Scandinavia, Himalayas - May inhibit sleep, cause vivid dreams
- C/I in bipolar disorder
- Used in small amounts in formulas (don’t need high amounts to be effective)
- Used for depression and anxiety
> In Deproloft - For neurasthenia
- Research done on night-shift workers found that they were more functional at the end of their shifts when taking rhodiola
- On stimulating end
- Astringent
- Ergogenic
- Synergistic effect with TCAs
- Effective for GAD and mild-moderate depression
54
Q
Adaptogen - Schisandra chinensis
A
- Five-Flavor Berry
- Depression, irritability, stress, forgetfulness, hepatitis
- Energetic centering
- Nourishing
- Tonifying
- Reserves qi
- Stops diarrhea
- Quiets spirit, calms heart
- Insomnia
- In the middle of calming/stimulating spectrum
- C/I in pregnancy
- May occasionally cause heartburn
- Tissue protective
> Cardio
> Neuro
> Hepato
55
Q
Adaptogen - Ocimum tenuiflorum
A
- Holy Basil, Tulsi
- Good for everything
- Nutritive
- Nootropic
- Rats swam the longest
- Caution with blood thinners, diabetics, hypoglycemia
- Makes things taste good
- High in volatiles and antimicrobials
