Herbal Flashcards
What is phytochemistry?
The study of chemicals derived from plants. It includes primary and secondary metabolites
4 benefits of chamomile
- Relax the CNS (stress, anxiety)
- Antispasmodic in digestive system (pain, bloating, gas)
- Anti-inflammatory (skin & digestive)
- Anti- ulceration (protects against peptic ulcers)
Alkaloid effect and herb
Nervous system stimulant
Berberine
Anthraquinone effect and herb
Powerful evacuation
Senna
Flavonoid effect and herb
Antiox and antiviral
Hawthorn Berry
Saponin
Adaptogenic and steroid like effect
Liquorice
Tannin effect and herb
Drys out wounds
Yarrow
Terpenenes
Antispasmodic in the GIT and lungs
Antimicrobial
Lavender
How to prepare an infusion (herbal tea)
2tsp of dried of fresh herbs in boiling water and infuse for 10-15 mins then strain. 3 cups a day
If using teabags 2 bags per cups is a medicinal dose
Peppermint tea is useful for…
IBS
Liquorice root tea is useful for…
Adrenal Fatigue
Aloe vera part, energetics and intake
Inner leaf
Cool & moist
25-100ml of juice or used topically
Aloe vera uses
Anti-inflammatory (inhibits COX) : burns, wounds (collagen synthesis), GIT inflammation and ulceration
Cardamom part used, energetics, intake
Seeds
Warm, dry
1/2 to 1tsp daily
Cardamom usage
Weak digestion, flatulence, bloating
Circulation, hypertension
Chamomile part, energetics and intake
Flowers
Neutral
2tsp in tea
Chamomile uses
Antispasmodic
Sedative
Stress
Insomnia
Diabetes
Fennel part, energetics, intake
Seeds
Warm
1-2 tsp crushed daily in 10 mins hot water
Fennel uses
IBS - gas, bloating
Galactagogue - increases breast milk
Bronchitis - expectorant
Ginger part used, energetics, intake
Rhizome
Warm, hot
1/2 tsp dried or 3tsp fresh
Ginger uses
Inflammatory joint pain (OA and RA)
Antiemetic - nausea, motion sickness
Weak digestion or circulation
Liqourice part used, energetics, intake
Root
Neutral
1-2 tsp daily
Liquorice uses
Antagonises exogenous oestrogen - oestrogen dominance, breast cancer
Coughs - expectorant
Adrenal fatigue - an adrenal tonic
Oregano part used, energetics, intake
Leaves
Warm
1-2tsp daily or oil capsules
Oregano uses
GI infections - E-coli or salmonella
Flatulence, bloating
Peppermint part used, energetics, intake
Leaves
Neutral
1 tsp per cup or as oil capsules
Slippery elm part used, energetics, intake
Inner bark,
cool, moist
2-3tsp daily
Slippery elm uses
Soothes the GI and upper respiratory tract
Peptic ulcers, IBS, gastritis, GORD
Constipation
Coughs, sore throat
Key herbal actions for the liver
Hepatoprotective: protects the liver: milk thistle
Choleretic: increases bile production: dandelion root
Cholagogue: increases release of bile from gallbladder: artichoke
Globe artichoke part used, energetics, intake
Leaves
Cool, bitter
1/2 to 1 tsp infused 3x daily
Globe artichoke uses
High cholesterol or triglycerides
Sluggish digestion (esp from rich fatty foods)
Enhances digestion and absorption
Dandelion root part used, energetics, intake
Root,
cool/bitter
1-2 tsp daily, 3x