GI Herbs Flashcards by Constance Ohlinger

What is a stomachic?

tones or benefits the function of the stomach, increases appetite

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What is a bitter?

tastes bitter, stimulates digestion

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What is a carminative?

prevents formation of/relieves gas

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What is a laxative?

facilitates a bowel movement

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What is a purgative?

evacuates the colon

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What is a cathartic?

evacuates the colon

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What is the quintessential digestive bitter herb?

Gentiana lutea

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What are some alterative bitters?

Taraxicum off., cynara scolymus, rumex crispus, mahonia sp

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What are some Aromatic bitters?

zingiber off., citrus sinensis, elettaria cardamomum

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What are some bitter carminatives?

Matricaria recutita, Angelica archangelica

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Gentiana lutea

Bitter root/bitterwort
Cooling
classic bitter, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue
secoiridoid glycosides–> bitter

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Citrus sinensis

orange peel
Sour, Bitter, Cooling/Warming
flavanoid glycosides, (hesperidin, rutoside, sinensetin, tangeretin, limonene in essential oils) pectins, furanocoumarins…..
Indications: dyspepsia, loss of appetite, GERD, gallstones (limonene dissolves cholesterol), hypochlorhydria, malabsorption
Cautions: photosensitizing secoiridoid glycosides
CI: hyperchlorhydria, gastritis, IBD flare, ulcer flare, Z-E syndrome, PPI drugs

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What plants are carminatives?

What tends to cause their carminative behavior?

largely dt volatile oils that are easily absorbed for local effects
Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)
Pimpinella anisum (anise)
Mentha piperita/spicata (mint)
Zingiber off
Matricaria recutitia (chamomile)
Angelica archangelica (Angelica)
Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
Lavendula off

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Foeniculum vulgare

fennel
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, galactogogue, bitter
warming, aromatic, bitter, sweet
specificity: hollow tubes

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Matricaria recutita

Chamomile
carminative, stomachic, antiemetic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, nervine, anti-ulcerogenic, bitter
Specificity: GI, Nervous, Children

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Zingiber Officinale

Ginger
carminative, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, expectorant, ANTIEMETIC, COX-2 inhibitor
Specificity: circulatory, digestive, respiratory
Energetics: warming, stimulating, draws energy to center

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How might you differentiate the warming properties of ginger from the warming properties of capsaicin?

Ginger: brings warmth to center
Capsaicin: brings warmth to periphery

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Rumex crispus

Yellowdock
GI astringent, nutritive, alterative, lymphagogue
bitter, cooling, contracting
tannins, iron (anemia!)
Specificity: GI mucosa, respiratory tract
USE ROOT (leaves have oxalic acid, mb toxic)
Indications: ulcerative stomatitis, syphilis, nursing sore mouth, anemia

Geranium maculatum

Geranium
GI astringent, styptic, used for lack of tone in GI
Energetics: contracting
Indications: leaky gut, eczema, HA, atony wo inflammation, chronic diarrhea

Althea officinalis

marshmallow
GI demulcent
cool, moist, soothing to mucus membranes, stimulates cell regeneration, anti-inflammatory

Ulmus fulva

slippery elm
GI demulcent
soothing to mucus, anti-inflammatory
cool moist mucilage, nutritive

Aloe barbadensis

Aloe (GEL)
GI demulcent, cooling, moist
soothing, anti-inflammatory, immune modulatory
polysaccharides, phytosterols…..

Which herbs are significantly anti-inflammatory to the GI tract?

Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
Boswelia serrata (Indian Frankincense)
Calendula off. (Pot marigold)
Curcuma longa (turmeric)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
Matricaria recutita (chamomile)

Which herbs are significantly anti-spasmodics in the GI tract?

Ammi visnaga (Khella)
Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)
Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)
Mentha piperita (peppermint)
Viburnum opulus (cramp bark)

Ammi visnaga

Khella cool, moist antispasmodic, diuretic

Dioscorea villosa

Wild Yam cool, dry antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic specificity: smooth muscle

Plantago ovata

Psyllium Caution: take with sufficient fluids! Indications: chronic constipation, high cholesterol when easy BMs are desired (Anal fissures, hemorrhoids, IBS, pregnancy, post-rectal surgery...) Contraindications: GI stenosis, obstruction, DM (poorly controlled) reduced post-parandial glucose elevations

Linum usitatissimum

Flaxseed Indications: chronic constipation, gastritis, enteritis (mucilage), diverticulitis, irritable colon, laxative abuse Contraindications: Ileus

What are some irritant laxative herbs?

``` Podophyllum (toxic root) Rhamnus purshiana (cascara) Cassia senna Aloe vera (yellow latex, NOT gel) Rheum off Ricinus communis Juglans spp ```

Rhamnus purshiana

cascara sacred root (bark) Contains: anthraquinone glycosides, resins, volatile oil.. Stimulates peristalsis, irritant laxative Indications: constipation, atonic intestine, chronic hemorroids dt atony, via mother for nursing infant Contraindications: intestinal obstruction, acute inflammation (Crohns, IBD, Appendicitis....) *may cause melanosis coli)

What are the two types of medicine found in Aloe vera?

Gel: bulking agent (immune modulating polysaccharides) | Bitter resin: strong laxative (yellow anthraquinone glycoside)

What are some cautions with Carminative use?

may lower esophageal pressure, aggravating GERD carminatives dont treat the underlying condition of chronic gas, they just soothe use caution with kidney disease pts

Glyconda (neutralizing cordial)

Mixture of: Turkey rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), Kbicarb, cinnamom, goldenseal, peppermint, glycerin, alcohol, water Indications: upset stomach, dyspepsia, nausea, gas, bloating, diarrhea

What are 3 topical herbs that are indicated in hemorrhoids as astringents?

Quercus Agrimonia Hammamelis

What are some generic topical treatment for hemorroids?

black tea bag applied, arnica oil, chamomile/quercus tea, calendula

What are some vascular enhancer herbs that might be used in treating hemorroids?

Hammamelis, Hypericum, Ruscus, Collinsonia, Aesculus

What are some pelvic decongestants that might be used in treating hemorroids?

collinsonia, achillea, rosmarinus

What are some demulcents that might be used in treating hemorroids?

Symphytum, Althea, Cinnamomum

What are some liver support herbs that might be used in treating hemorroids?

Siybum, Taraxacum

Aesculus hippocastanum

horse chestnut Leaves used in bronchitis/whooping cough venous tonic, reduces capillary permeability, protect CT, Anti-edemic, anti-inflammatory, astringent Indications: traumas, hematomas, postop swelling, hemorrhoids Cautions/toxocity: acute renal failure

Ruscus aculeatus

``` Butchers Broom Indications: varicose veins, hemorrhoids anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor, anti-hemorrhagic, vasotonic steroidal saponins SAFE IN PREGNANCY ```

Collinsonia canadensis

stone root diuretic, tonic, astringent, hepatic, lithotropic, anti-lithic, carminative, anti-inflammatory alterative, tonic, stimulant, diuretic Indications: colic pain, atonic bowels, facilitate digestions, apetite, rectal pain, gastritis, indigestion, constipation... sensation of congestiong, pooling of blood in center, hemorrhoids w/ sensation of painful constriction of the rectal sphincter

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch hazel Astringent, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, wound healing Indications: venous debility with relaxation, fullness, pale tissues, hemorhoids

Agrimonia eupatoria

Agrimony pure astringent, mild antimocrobial mental tension, caught in a bind, cheerfully tortured