Herbal Actions Flashcards
What are the 2 effects a herbal action can have?
Systemic effect on the whole body
Specific effect on a particular tissue or organ system
What are the 2 categories of herbal actions?
Tonics or effectors
What are the further classification of herbal actions?
Stimulating, relaxing, tightening, soothing, restorative, nourishing
What do normalizers/tonics do?
Nourish the body. Support natural processes of growth, health and renewal
ex: nettle
What do effectors do?
Treatment of specific illnesses. Observable impact on the body
ex: echinacea
What are lymphatic effectors?
Stimulate the lymph node activity
What are Hepatic Effectors?
Choleretics- they add bile
What are laxative effectors?
Stimulate colon. Direct peristalsis
What are Lymphatic tonics?
Help with with lymphatic flow
What are laxative tonics?
Osmotic, bulking. Reflex peristalsis
Is a bitter a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
Stimulant
Is a hepatic a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
Stimulant
Is a choleretic a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
Stimulant
Is a cholagogue a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
Stimulant
Is a laxative a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
Stimulant
Is a nervine tonic a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
Relaxant
Is a carminative a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
relaxant
Is an alterative a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
stimulant or relaxant
Is a demulcent a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
relaxant
Is an anti-emetic a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
relaxant
Is an antispasmodic a digestive stimulant or relaxant?
relaxant
Name 3 respiratory system actions.
expectorant, anticatarrhals, antitussives
Name 6 digestive system actions.
cholagogue, choleretic, bitters, demulcents, carminative, antiemetic, emetics
Name 9 adrenal & nervous system actions.
adaptogens, nervine tonics, nervines relaxants, sedatives, hypnotics, nervine stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, nootropics
Name 7 cardiovascular actions.
cardiotonics, hypotensives, blood vessel tonics, antioxidants, hypolipidemics, hypoglycemics, circulatory stimulants.
Name 2 urinary system actions.
Diuretics, antilithics
What is an antilithic?
Prevent calcification. Prevent the formation of stones in the urinary system and remove previously formed stones.
Name 5 actions for the reproductive system.
emmenagogues, galactogogues, uterine tonics, female reproductive tonics, male reproductive tonics
Name 6 actions for the immune system
antimicrobials, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antihelmintics, deep immune tonics.
Name 7 MSK System and connective tissue actions.
Connective tissue tonics, rubefacients, vulneraries, analgesics, antispasmodicss, antiinflammatories, antirhematics
Name 6 actions of the skin and mucus membranes.
emollients, demulcents, astringents, styptics, vulneraries, rubefacients
Name 5 herbal cleansers.
Alteratives, diuretics, laxatives/aperients, lymphatics, diaphoretics
True or False. A herb can have an affinity for certain tissues or body systems
True. It will have a specific action on that area.
True or False. Adding a herb with an affinity to a certain tissue or organ can help deliver a formula to the affected area that needs to be treated or supported.
True.
Herbs with tissue affinities? Do we need to know?
What is an expectorant?
Help the body to remove excess mucous from the lungs
What is an anticatarrhal?
Help the body to remove excess mucous from the sinuses. Thin mucous
What is an antitussive?
A cough SUPPRESSANT. Helps prevent coughing by working on a part of the brain that controls the action
What do cholagogues do?
Stimulate the release and secretion of bile from the gall bladder. They also have a laxative effect on the digestive system since they increase the amount of bile in the duodenum. STIMULATES FLOW of bile.
What is a choleretic?
Increase the volume of secretion of bile from the liver. STIMULATES PRODUCTION of bile.