GU System Flashcards
Achillea millefolium - actions
Alterative Vulnerary Anti-microbial Astringent (hemostatic) Diaphoretic Anti-inflammatory Vascular tonic Diuretic (possibly resulting from alterative action) Maybe: anti-spasmodic, hepatic
Achillea millefolium - Indications
Fevers Hypertension Hepatic congestion Hemorrhoids Menorrhagia Cystitis (and other UTIs)
Achillea millefolium - Cautions
Non-toxic
Possible asteracea/compositae sensitivity/allergy
Preg B3, Lac CC
Agathosma (Barosma) betulina - actions
Anti-septic (d/t EO content)
Diuretic (mild)
Agathosma (Barosma) betulina - Indicaitons
Inflammation and infections of the lower urinary tract: Urethritis, cystitis, prostatits
Dysuria
Agathosma (Barosma) betulina - Cautions
None
A/E: GI irritation (if taken on empty stomach). Urine may turn brown and develop a new odor (d/t VO diosphenol)
Preg B2, Lac CC
Agrimonia eupatoria - actions
Astringent Diuretic GU tonic Bitter (GIT) Anti-spasmodic Possible: Anti-microbial, immunomodulator, immunostimulatory activity
Agrimonia eupatoria - Indications
Cystitis Urinary incontinence Renal calculi Diarrhea (esp children) Gastroduodentitis (Chronic) Mucous colitis Appendicitis Pharyngitis (gargle) Chronic nasopharyngeal catarrh Cutaneous porphyria
Agrimonia eupatoria - Cautions
May cause hypotension in high doses and hypertension in low doses
AE: none
Interactions: Hypertensive, hypotensive medications. Anti-coagulant therapy. Alkaloid containing substances.
Pregnancy: possibly safe; Lactation possibly safe
Agropyron repens - actions
Diuretic (soothing, weak)
Urinary demulcent
Possibly: AI, anti-microbial, prostatic tonic
Agropyron repens - indications
UTI Irritable bladder Prostatitis BPH Urinary calculi May be beneficial for early nephritis
Agropyron repens - Cautions
Cautions: Use with potassium depleting diuretics (risk is theoretical)
Preg B2, Lactation C
Althea officinalis - actions
demulcent
AI
Diuretic (mild)
Topically: emollient, vulnerary
Althea officinalis - indications
Gastritis peptic ulceration cough inflammation of the upper respiratory tract Cystitis Urinary gravel
Althea officinalis - Cautions
Interaction: may slow absorption of other drugs/botanicals if taking simultaneously
Preg B2, Lac C
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Actions
Urinary anti-septic Astringent Diuretic (actually aquaretic) Anti-inflammatory Anti-lithic? GU sedative Demulcent
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Indications
Acute/recurrent infections
Other infectious conditions: BPH, renal calculi
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - CI
KI dz pregnancy lactation use in children B/c high levels of tannins: constipation, iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition Preg C, Lac SD
Arcotstaphylos uva-ursi - Cautions
Long term use (tannins)
Inflammed or ulcerated conditions of GIT
A/E: Irritation of mouth and GIT
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Interactions
Take away from oral thiamine, metal ions, alkaloids
May increase effectiveness of certain antibiotics. May also augment AI activity of steroid meds
Chimaphila umbellata - actions
Anti-microbial
Renal tonic
Diuretic
Chimaphila umbellata - Indications
GU irritation
Cystitis with catarrh/mucous or catarrh of the bladder/urine with offensive urine, dysuria
Prostatic irritation (chronic) with discharge, catarrh
Chimaphila umbellata - cautions
CI/Cautions/AE/Interactions: see A. uva-ursi
Preg possibly safe, Lac possibly safe
Collinsonia canadensis - actions
Anti-lithic, litholytic
Diuretic
Diaphoretic (mild)
Demulcent?
Collinsonia canadensis - Indications
Treatment and prevention of urinary gravel
Collinsonia canadensis - Cautions
Preg ND, Lac ND
Dioscorea villosa - actions
Anti-spasmodic AI Anti-rheumatic Nervine relaxant Osteogenic Diaphoretic (mild) Cholagogue Possibly hepatic, hepatoprotective
Dioscorea villosa - indications
Bilious colic Spasmodic conditions of GIT RA (acute phase) Dysmenorrhea Ovarian neuralgia Possibly PMS, perimenopause, fibroids GU conditions (where AS indicated) Possibly anti-proliferative with certain cancers
Dioscorea villosa - cautions
Long term use in those with pre-existing renal dz, pregnancy (except during labour)
A/E: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Echinacea spp - actions
Immunomodulator Immunostimulator Depurative AI Vulnerary Lymphatic sialogogue
Echinacea spp - Indications
RTI infections septicemia boils abscesses Syphilis (root)
Echinacea spp - cautions
CI: immunosuppressed patients
Cautions: autoimmune dz, contact dermatitis
Preg A, Lac C
Echinacea spp - A/E
GI upset, unpleasant taste, increased salivation, tingling of tongue, contact dermatitis, leucopenia, erythema nodosum (rare)
Echinacea spp - Interactions
Immunosuppressant medications
Equisetum arvense - actions
Diuretic
Astringent (urinary)
May be vulnerary
Equisetum arvense - indications
Nocturnal enuresis BPH Prostate inflammation Edema UB irritation Cystitis Hematuria Rheumatism Wounds (topically)
Equisetum arvense - Cautions
Hypertension, CV disease b/c it may increase K+ excretion (b/c diuretic action)
Chronic use may l/t B1 def
Preg Safe, Lac likely safe
Eupatorium purpureum - Actions
Possibly AI Diuretic Anti-lithic Anti-rheumatic Astringent?
Eupatorium purpureum - Indications
UB incontinence (dysuria with frequency) and irritation
May help to dissolve stones in urine (hematuria may also be present)
Dropsy (edema) with renal insufficiency due to diuretic action
Historically used for threatened abortion
Eupatorium pupureum - catuions
Belongs to asteracea/compositae family.
Preg likely safe, Lac likely safe
Hydrangea arborescens - actions
anti-lithic
Diuretic
Possibly demulcent?
renal sedative
Hydrangea arborescens - Indications
Inflammation of the UB, urethra
Renal calculi, inflamed/enlarged prostate
TCM: helps to resolve damp in GU system
Hydrangea arborescens - Cautions
Preg B2, Lac C
Hydrastis canadensis - actions
Anti-hemorrhagic Anti-catarrhal Anti-microbial Bitter tonic AI Depurative Vulnerary Choleretic Oxytocic?
Hydrastis canadensis - Indications
Dermatitis (incl psoriasis) Dyspepsia Gastritis GI infections Pepetic ulcer Colitis Anorexia Menorrhagia Dysmenorrhea Sinusitis Mucosal inflammations Possibly UTI
Hydrastis canadensis - Cautions
CI: Preg (except to induce labour), hypertension (berberine), jaundiced neonates
Cautions: Chronic use may deplete B vitamins (decrease absorption)
Preg C, Lac SD
Hydrastis canadensis - Interactions
Drugs which displace the protein binding of bilirubin
Hydrastis canadensis - OD
Mouth throat and gastric irritation –> convulsions
Berberine: Dizziness, n,v, epitaxis, dyspnea, skin, eye, GI, GU (nephritis), irritation/inflammation
Juniperus communis - actions
Anti-microbial (bacteriostatic, anti-septic, affinity for GU) Diuretic u-sedative Possibly anti-lithic action Carminative?
Juniperus communis - indications
Cystitis (any UTI)
Renal atonia
Others: flatulence
Juniperus communis - Cautions
CI: quite stimulating to kidney nephrons TF avoid use with compromised kidney function. Pregnancy Lactation
Cautions: Avoid use >6 wks
Preg X, Lac X?
Juniperus communis - AE
AE: topical irritant
Interactions: Lithium
Toxicity: Pain near kidneys, urgency, dysuria, diuresis, albuminuria, hematuria, purplish urine, tachycardia, HTN, convulsions (rare), menorrhagia abortion
Piper methysticum - actions
anxiolytic (nervine relaxant) hypnotic (strong) Sedative (mild) Skeletal muscle relaxant Local anaesthetic Mild analgesic Antipruritic (topically)
Piper methysticum - Indications
Anxiety
Others: depression, anxiety of menopause
Piper methysticum - cautions
Cautions: Parkinson’s dz (b/c possible dopamine antagonism). Caution with depression, insomnia (if associated with increased restlessness during early hours of the am). Not for long term use (limit < 6weeks). D/c >24 hours before surgery - may potentiate anesthesia
Preg B1, Lac CC
Piper methysticum - A/E
A/E: Feelings of intoxication, nausea. Others include skin reactions, GI complaints, headache, dizziness, rare cases of hepatoxicity (largely disproven) and associated sxs
Interactions: Alcohol (high doses), central dopamine agonists or antagonists (CI with L-dopa and other meds for parkinson’s), BZ.
Piscidia erythrina - actions
Analgesic
Anti-spasmodic
Sedative (mild)
Hypnotic
Piscidia erythrina - Indications
Neuralgia Migraine Insomnia (esp if due to pain) Dysmenorrhea (and other pain conditions) Anxiety
Piscidia erythrina - Cautions
CI: pregnancy, bradycardia, cardiac insufficiency Cautions: best avoided with depression and insomnia. Not for long term use. Concomitant use with analgesics, for pain in children, neurological dz, psychosis, liver and kidney dz, history of allergic or anaphylactic reactions Preg D (rotenone), Lac SD
Piscidia erythrina - AE
A/E: Nausea, vomiting, headache, possibly convulsions at much higher dosages
Salvia officinalis - actions
anti-spasmodic anti-septic/anti-microbial Anti-hydrotic (cooling) Astringent Carminative AO AI Anti-galactogogue Possible adaptogen (mild) Estrogen mimetic Diaphoretic?
Salvia officinalis - Indications
Inflammation of the mouth/pharynx/tonsils Excessive perspiration Menopause (hot flashes) Flatulent dyspepsia PMS To decrease milk production Others: URTI, UTI, General infections
Salvia officinalis - cautions
CI: preg and lac
Cautions: Don’t exceed recommended doses (esp of alcoholic extract b/c of thujone presence - unless low thujone product)
Preg C, Lac X
Salvia officinalis - A/E
A/E: allergic reactions from topical contact. Rare (at moderate doses)
Salvia officinalis - Toxicity
EO of salvia: vomiting, excessive salivation, epileptic spasms with cyanosis with each bout separated by atonicity
Solidago canadensis - actions
Diuretic/Aquaretic (strong) AI Anti-microbial GU tonic (esp renal) Diaphoretic Anti-catarrhal
Solidago canadensis - Indications
Urinary conditions: UTI (mainly lower UTI incl cystitis), possibly nephritis
Respiratory conditions: Upper respiratory tract inflammation with persistent catarrh, may also be used topically for infections of the nose and throat
Others: flatulent dyspepsia
Solidago canadensis - Cautions
CI: known asteraceae/compositae family allergy
Cautions: allergic reactions
Preg B2, Lac C
Thuja occidentalis - actions
Anti-microbial (moderate affinity for GU)
Astringent, diuretic, depurative
Thuja occidentalis - Indications
RTI, UTI
Other: Amenorrhea, psoriasis, rheumatism, uterine carcinoma, warts (topically and orally), urinary incontinence (d/t loss of muscle tone), prostatitis
Thuja occidentalis - Cautions
CI: Preg and lactation
Caution: avoid high doses and l/t use. Epilepsy and in those with defects in hepatic heme synthesis. Possible additive effect with other thujone containing plants
Preg category D, Lac X
Thuja occidentalis - AE
AE: HA (high doses d/t thujone) Contact allergy
Toxicity: GI irritation, convulsions, hypotension, coma, death (very high doses)
Vaccinium macrocarpon - actions
Anti-adhesion/bacteriostatic (with specificity for the urinary tract
Astringent
May be AI
Vaccinium macrocarpon - Indications
UTI (spec bacteriuria)
UTI prophylaxis
Poss benefit with infections of mouth, gastric H. pylori
Vaccinium macrocarpon - Cautions
CI: None
Cautions: contains moderate amounts of oxalates TF caution with a history of calcium oxalate renal calculi. Diabetes (juice). Renal insufficiency
Vaccinium macrocarpon - interactions
Warfarin, omeprazole, UA dipstick results
Valeriana officinalis - actions
sedative (mild), anxiolytic, anti-spasmodic, hypnotic (strong)
Valeriana officinalis - Indications
Insomnia
Anxiety and nervous tension
excitability
Restlessness
Valeriana officinalis - Cautions
Caution: best avoided with depression and insomnia with increased restlessness during early hours of morning after ingestion.
AE: vivid dreams
Interactions: may potentiate antiepileptic drugs, anesthetics, sedatives, anxiolytics
Toxicity: fatigue, abdominal cramping, chest tightness, lightheadedness, hand tremor, mydriasis
Preg B1, Lac CC
Viburnum opulus - actions
Anti-spasmodic Sedative (mild) Astringent Hypotensive Vasodilator (peripheral) Other: AI, nervine tonic (n. relaxant) analgesic?
Viburnum opulus - Indications
Partus preparator, threatened miscarriage Dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia Spasmodic muscular cramps HTN PMS
Viburnum opulus - Cautions
CI: eating the berries (especially raw and unripe) may cz GI upset
AE high doses may cause NS depression
Large doses and prolonged use may cause vertigo, vomiting, disturbances in speech, movement, dyspnea, dry mouth
Preg B2, Lac C
Zea mays - actions
Diuretic, urinary demulcent AI
Maybe anti-lithic
Maybe GU sedative (spasm, irritation)
Zea mays - indications
Inflammatory conditions of the prostate and urinary systems.
Renal calculi
Hypertension (diuretic)
Zea mays - Cautions
CI/Caution/AE: none
Preg B2, Lac C
