Hepato-biliary system

Question 1

1. Bupleurum

Answer 1

Bupleurum falcatum
Umbelliferae
Root

Actions:
Antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitussive, diaphoretic

Indications:
Chronic inflammatory disorders, ferverish conditions, influenza, common cold
Poor liver function

Contraindications:
TCM- deficient yin cough or liver fire acending to head (headach or hypertension)
Can cause nausea & vomiting
sedative effects in some pts

Question 2

2. Barberry

Answer 2

Berberis vulgaris
Berberidaceae
Root, stem bark

Actions:
Antimicrobial, cholagogue, coloretic, antiemetic, mild laxative, bitter tonic

Indications:
Acute infectious diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcer (invlolving H.pylori), giardiasis, hypertyraminemia
Jaundice
Adjuvant for T2DM

Contraindications:
Pregnancy & jaundiced neonates
May increase effects of drugs that displace protein of bilirubin

Question 3

3. Greater celandine

Answer 3

Chelidonium majus
Papaveraceae
Aerial parts

Actions:
Cholagogue, choleretic, spasmolytic, antiviral, vulnerary (topically)
Mild laxative, antiinflammatory

Indications:
Biliary dyskinesia, cholangitis, gallstones, cholecystitis without gallstones
Increasing bile flow & pancreatic secretion
Liver disease, cramping pain of the GIT & gall ducts, jaundice
Bilious dyspepsia, bilious headache, migranes

Contraindications:
None known
Long term not recommended (alkaloids)

Question 4

4. Tumeric

Answer 4

Curcuma longa
Zingiberaceae
Rhizome

Actions:
Antiinflammatory, choleretic, antiplatelet, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, carminative, depurative

Indications:
Dyspepsia, stomach ulcer
Adjuvant for precancerous conditions
Liver dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia

Contraindications:
Biliary tract obstruction, caution & monitoring in gallstones
Care if wanting to concieve & those complaining of hair loss
Antiplatelets or anticoagulants and high doses (>15g/d) avoided

Question 5

5. Globe artichoke

Answer 5

Cynara scolymus
Compositae
Leaf

Actions:
Hepatoprotective, hepatic
Trophorestorative, choleretic
Cholagogue, bitter tonic
Hypocholesterolemic, antiemetic
Diuretic, depurative

Indications:
Hyperlipidemia, conditions requiring increased bile flow
Dyspepsia, constipation, nausea, abdo pain vomiting, flatulence
Non-ulcer dyspepsia, IBs, biliary fistula, jaundice, gout

Contraindications:
Closure of gallbladder
Allergy (Asteraceae)
Professional supervision in cholelithiasis (gallstones)

Question 6

6. Gentian

Answer 6

Gentiana luteum
Gentianaceae
Roots

Actions:
Bitter tonic, gastric stimulant, sialogogue, cholagogue

Indications:
stimulating gastric secretions, bile release from gallbladder, bile production by liver
Loss of appetite, dyspepsia, asthenia, coated tongue, postprandial bloating
Constipation, flatulence, abdo fullness, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdo pain
stimulating pancreatic enzyme secreation

Contraindications:
Gastric & duodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, gastric inflammation

Question 7

7. Goldenseal

Answer 7

Hydrastis canadensis
Ranunculaceae
Root & rhizome

Actions:
Antihaemorrhagic, anticatarrhal, choleretic
Mucous membrane trophorestorative, antimicrobial, antibacterial, bitter tonic, antiinflammatory, depurative, vulnerary

Indications:
Catarrhal states of the mucous membranes w no acute inflammation, acute infectious diarrhoea, giardiasis, hypertyraminemia
Adjuvant for T2DM, Hepatic symptoms

Contraindications:
Pregnancy
Jaundiced neonates
?hypertensive conditions
Toxic large doses
May increase effects of other drugs that displace protein binding of bilirubin

Question 8

8. Katuka

Answer 8

Picrorrhiza kurroa
crophulariaceae
Root

Actions:
Bitter tonic, choleretic, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, hepatoprotective

Indications:
Liver infections, toxic liver damage
Acute & chronic infections, weakened immunity
Asthma
Treatment for allergies & autoimmune disorders

Contraindications:
Pregnancy
sensitive people may get - diarrhoea, flatulence & griping

Question 9

9. silybum marianum

Answer 9

Milk thistle
Compositaw
Fruit (seed)

Actions:
Hepatoprotective, choleretic, hepatic trophorestorative, antioxidant

Indications:
Hepatitis, nonalcoholic & alcoholic liver damage or disease
Fatty liver, exposure to chemical pollutants & convertional drugs
skin conditions invloving liver dysfunction
Dyspeptic complaints, gallbladder problems

Contraindications:
None known

Question 10

10. Dandelion root

Answer 10

Taraicum officinale radix
Asteraceae
Root

Actions:
Choleretic, diuretic, appetite stimulant, bitter, mild laxative, cholagogue, hepatic

Indications:
Disturbances in bile flow, stimulation of diuresis
Loss of appetite, dyspepsia
Rheumatic conditions

Contraindications:
Closure of bile ducts, cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction
Known allergy