Hemostatic & Hepatic Herbs

Question 1

Achilliea millifollium (yarrow)

Answer 1

Hemostatic, bitter

Topically: burns, wounds, ulcers
Internally: GI complaints (increases motility), URIs, HMB, hemorrhoids

*ASTER, abortifacient
Don’t use in patients who have GERD or PUD, gravid, Gb dz
Inhibits PPIs and absorption of all drugs by speeding motility

Question 2

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Answer 2

Astringent, hemostatic
Tx for PMS, epistaxis, wounds, burns.
Avoid in gravid (abortifacient).
May potentiate anticoagulants.

Question 3

Geranium maculatum

Answer 3

Astringent and hemostyptic.
Tx for bleeding ulcers, hemorrhoids, wounds, HMB
Contains tannins- prevents Fe+ absorption, maybe other drugs too

Question 4

What are the three hemostyptic herbs?

Answer 4

Achillia (bitter; inhibits PPIs, abortifacient)
Capsella (AAA: Astringent; inhibits Anti-coagulants, Abortifacient)
Geranium (astringent; tx for PUD, hemorrhoids, etc)

Question 5

Berberis aquifolium

Answer 5

Oregon grape (root). Hepatoprotective, cholagogue, bitter.

Tx for skin disease like mastitis, acne, candida.
Tx for poor digestion, but avoid in GERD, GB infxn, gravid, gastritis, active PUD. Effective against H pylori.

Inhibits PPIs, can cause vaginal dysbiosis. Side effects include NV, hypotension, heart failure

Question 6

Berberis vulgaris

Answer 6

Barberry (fruit, root). Bitter, cholagogue, choleretic, antimicrobial.

Tx for poor digestion, gastritis, gallstones and H. pylori. Avoid in GERD, GB infxn, active PUD.

Inhibits PPIs, potentiates barbiturates.

Question 7

Chelidonium majus

Answer 7

Greater Celandine. Bitter, cholagogue & choleretic (increases bile), antimicrobial, antiviral (HPV), antitussive.

Tx: topically for warts, eczema.
Internally for asthma, pertussis; prevents gallstones

Avoid in pregnancy. Side effects at high doses are rare, but could include NV, coma and death

Question 8

Chionanthus virginicus

Answer 8

Bitter, cholagogue.

Tx for skin conditions, wounds, jaundice, HM, gallstones.

Like most liver herbs, don’t use in cases of acute inflammation or infection (hepatitis, biliary obstruction, cholelithiasis, bilirubin issues)

Question 9

Curcuma longa

Answer 9

Hepatoprotective, cholagogue, AI, antitumor, antibacterial, antiplatelet.

This one CAN be used in acute hepatitis, and other inflammatory conditions like IBS, OA, RA, skin disorders.

Anti-platelet; can prevent MI and stroke; but potentiates other anti-coagulants

Abortifacient, don’t use with hyperchlorhydria

Safe, but may cause stomach ache

Question 10

Cynara scolymus

Answer 10

Artichoke. Bitter, dyslipidemic.

Tx for poor digestion and dyslipidemia.
Same contraindications as all bitters (GERD, PUD, gastritis).
ASTER: can be allergic to it

Question 11

Which hemostatic and hepatic herbs are asters?

Answer 11

Achillea
Cynara (artichoke)
Silybum (milk thistle)
Taraxacum

Question 12

Which hepatic herbs are choleretic (stimulate bile)?

Answer 12

Berberis vulgaris
Chelidonium
Hydrastis
Taraxacum LEAF

Question 13

Hydrastis canadensis

Answer 13

Goldenseal. Bitter, choleretic, antimicrobial, “king of the mucus membranes”

Tx for poor digestion, catarrh on mm, infections, adjunctive in chemo.
Side effects: dysbiosis, replaces bilirubin in albumin, GI sx, heart sx, hallucinations
Don’t use in gravid, GERD
Inhibits anti-coagulants, B vitamin absorption, paclitaxel (chemo drug)
Potentiates DM drugs, barbiturates

Question 14

Leptandra virginica

Answer 14

Bitter, hepatotonic.
Tx for poor digestion.
This CAN be used in heptatitis and cholecystitis.
Avoid in GERD, PUD.

Question 15

Which herbs can be used in acute infection of the liver and GB (hepatitis, cholecystitis)?

Answer 15

Curcuma longa

Leptandra virginica

Question 16

Silybum marianum

Answer 16

Milk thistle. Hepatorestorative, cholagogue, AI.

modifies hepatocyte membranes to block entrance of toxins. Inhibits LT formation (antioxidant) and ROS. Increases glutathione. Increases regenerative ability through effects on RNA.

Tx for cirrhosis, fibrosis, toxic liver damage.

ASTER. protects against toxicity from acetaminophen, chemo drugs, drugs that damage the kidneys. 
Potentiates doxorubicin (chemo drug).

Question 17

Taraxacum official

Answer 17

Dandelion.
Leaf: bitter, antiviral, choleretic; use for UTI, stones, topically for warts
Root: bitter, hepatoprotective, AI; use for poor digestion

Avoid in GERD, gravid. Inhibits PPIs, potentiates lithium, DM drugs
Reduces B vitamin absorption, absorption of all drugs due to increase in motility

Question 18

Major contraindications of hepatic drugs?

Answer 18

Inhibits PPIs (Berberis aquifolium, Berberis vulgaris, Taraxacum)
Inhibits anti-coagulants (Curcuma, Hydrastis)
Interferes with chemo drugs (Hydrastis, Silybum, Taraxacum)
Abortifacients (Curcuma)

Herbs with the most interactions: Hydrastis, Taraxacum

Question 19

Which liver herb is hypolipidemic?

Which one is antiviral and can be used topically to treat warts?

Answer 19

Cynara scolymus

Chelidonium, Taraxacum

Question 20

Major contraindication for curcuma?

Answer 20

Abortifacient