HERBAL ACTIONS Flashcards
ADAPTOGEN
ADAPTOGENIC HERBS ENABLE THE BODY TO ADAPT MORE EFFICIENTLY TO STRESS AND TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS THROUGH STRESSFUL SHIFTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT, IMPROVING RESISTANCE TO AND RECOVERY FROM STRESSORS. ADAPTOGENS TEND TO HAVE A BODY-WIDE EFFECT, RATHER THAN TARGETING ONE AREA OF THE BODY, AND ARE GENERALLY SAFE FOR MOST PEOPLE.
ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA) root
ADAPTOGEN
ASTRAGALUS (ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS) root
ADAPTOGEN
ELEUTHERO (ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSUS) root
ADAPTOGEN
BITTER
SIMPLY PUT, BITTER HERBS TASTE BITTER AND THUS HAVE A DIRECT EFFECT ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE GUT BY STIMULATING THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AND INCREASING DIGESTIVE SECRETIONS.
ANGELICA (ANGELICA ARCHANGELICA) root
BITTER
BLUE VERVAIN (VERBENA HASTATA) aerial parts
BITTER
BURDOCK (ARCTIUM LAPPA) root
BITTER
DEMULCENT/EMOLLIENT
DEMULCENT HERBS SOOTHE AND PROTECT IRRITATED INTERNAL TISSUES, WHILE EMOLLIENTS ARE USED TOPICALLY TO SOOTHE IRRITATED EXTERNAL TISSUE. WHEN EXPOSED TO WATER, THESE HERBS BECOME SLIPPERY AND SLIMY DUE TO A SUBSTANCE CALLED MUCILAGE THAT COASTS TISSUES.
CHIA (SALVIA HISPANICA) seed
DEMULCENT/EMOLLIENT
CINNAMON (CINNAMOMUM SPP.) bark
DEMULCENT/EMOLLIENT
COMFREY (SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE) root
DEMULCENT/EMOLLIENT
IMMUNE STIMULANT
IMMUNE STIMULANT HERBS STIMULATE THE FUNCTION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND ARE ESPECIALLY HELPFUL WHEN TAKEN AT THE ONSET OF A COLD OR THE FLU OR WHEN VIRUS EXPOSURE IS HIGH.
BONESET (EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM) aerial parts
IMMUNE STIMULANT
ECHINACEA (ECHINACEA SPP.) root
IMMUNE STIMULANT
