Herbal Actions Flashcards
To memorize the Herbal actions and associated herbs
What are Herbal Actions?
Herbal Actions are the effect Herbs have on the body
What is an Adaptogen?
Herbs that help the body adapt to more efficiently to stress in the environment, by maintaining homeostasis through stressful shifts. The improve resistance and recovery from stressors.
Are Adaptogens Safe?
Adaptogens are generally safe?
What organs to Adaptogens work on?
have non-specific activity (instead of affecting one area of the body, they have a general effect on increasing the resistance to stressors on the body as a whole)
When are Adaptogens indicated?
During times of increased stress, stressful changes and while recovering from stress
name 3 Adaptogenic herbs
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root
Asian Ginseng (Pinax ginseng) root
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root
What action do these herbs have in common?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root
Asian Ginseng (Pinax ginseng) root
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root
Adaptogen
Name the Action:
Herbs that help the body adapt to more efficiently to stress in the environment, by maintaining homeostasis through stressful shifts. The improve resistance and recovery from stressors.
Adaptogen
What is an Alterative?
herbs that work on a general level to tonify the systems, of the body involved in nutrient assimilation and waste removal. They may specifically promote the elimination of waste through the kidneys, liver, colon, skin, or lungs.
What are some specific indications for Alteratives?
Alteratives are indicated when the body needs to detox.
What is the action:
herbs that work on a general level to tonify the systems, of the body involved in nutrient assimilation and waste removal. They may specifically promote the elimination of waste through the kidneys, liver, colon, skin, or lungs.
Alterative
What organs to Alteratives work on?
Alterativess are generally non-specific, but some may have a specific channel for elimination like the kidneys, lungs, skin or colon
Name 3 Alterative herbs
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) root
What are Analgesic/Anodyne herbs?
Analgesic herbs, also known as anodynes, reduce the
sensation of pain perceived by the brain(nociception) or reduce the inflammation that causes pain. analgesic/anodyne herbs can be used internally or externally.
What is the herbal action?
herbs that reduce the sensation of pain perceived by the brain(nociception) or reduce the inflammation that causes pain. Can be used internally or externally.
Analgesic/Anodyne
When are Analgesic/Anodyne herbs indicated?
Anytime a person suffers from pain or inflamation
What organs do Analgesic herbs act on?
taken internally they act on they can act on the nervous system to reduce the sensation of pain and generally reduce inflamation.
Applied topically they act to reduce inflammation and pain locally at the site of application
Name three Analgesic/Anodyne herbs
clove (Syzygium aromaticum) bud
ginger (Zingiber officinale) root
catnip (Nepeta cataria) aerial part
What are Antibacterial herbs?
Antibacterial herbs aid the body in
destroying bacteria.
herbs that aid the body in
destroying microbes.
Antibacterial
Name 3 herbs that are antibacterial
goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) root,
hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) aerial parts,
spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) whole plant,
yarrow (Achillea millefolium) aerial parts
When are antibacterial herbs indicated?
For bacterial infections.
What are Anticatarrhal herbs?
Anticatarrhal herbs help the body remove excess
mucus, especially from the sinuses.
What is this herb’s actions?
herbs that help the body remove excess
mucus, especially from the sinuses.
Anticatarrhal
What organs do anticatarrhals act on?
lungs and sinuses
Name 3 herbs that are Anticatarrhals
black pepper (Piper nigrum) fruit, catnip (Nepeta cataria) aerial parts, ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome, goldenrod (Solidago spp.) aerial parts, red clover (Trifolium pratense) aerial parts, sage (Salvia officinalis) aerial parts, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) aerial parts
What are antifungal herbs?
Antifungal herbs aid the body in
destroying fungi.
What are the Action of these herbs?
herbs that aid the body in
destroying fungi.
Antifungal herbs aid the body in
destroying fungi.
Name 3 herbs that are antifungal
calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower,
cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seed,
spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) whole plant,
wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) aerial parts
What action do these herbs have in common?
calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower,
cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seed,
spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) whole plant,
wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) aerial parts
Antifungal
What are anti-inflammatory herbs?
Herbs that support the efficiency of the bodies inflammatory response
Which organs do anti-inflammatory herbs act on?
Some anti-inflammatory herbs have a local effect like mucilaginous herbs that soothes inflammation of the surface mucous membranes
Others, like willow, work directly on the certain receptor sites in the body to inhibit the production of inflammatory molecules
Name 3 Anti-inflammatory herbs
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower
Ginger (Zingeber officianale) rhizome
Turmeric (Circuma longa) rhizome
Which class of herbs are these:
Herbs that support the efficiency of the bodies inflammatory response
Anti-inflammatory
Which class of Actions do the following herbs belong to?:
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower
Ginger (Zingeber officianale) rhizome
Turmeric (Circuma longa) rhizome
Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) root
Anti-inflammatory
What are Anti-microbial herbs?
Aids the body in destroying pathogens such as Fungi, Bacteria, and Viruses.
Which organs to Anti-microbial herbs act on?
Unless applied locally, they are general in their action
Which herbs are Anti-microbial?
Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) aerial parts
Sage (Salvia Officinalis) aerial parts
Bee balm (Monarda spp.) aerial parts
What are Antioxidant herbs?
Herbs that inhibit oxidative damage to cells by scavaging the free radicals produced by metabolic waste
Which class of herbs are these?
Herbs that inhibit oxidative damage to cells by scavaging the free radicals produced by metabolic waste
Antioxidant
Which herbs are antioxidants?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome
Ginger (Zingeber officianale) rhizome
Ginko (Gingkgo biloba) leaf
What are antispasmodic herbs?
Herbs that relax the autonomic nervous system, reducing spasms in both the skeletal and smooth muscle systems, without causing drowsiness