Herbal Basics Flashcards
What are herbs?
Herbs are any part of a plant considered to have therapeutic uses - includes leaves, flowers, buds, stems, roots, bark, berries, seeds, rhizomes, and even mushrooms (not technically a plant)
How is homeopathy different from herbalism?
Homeopathy uses dilute, minute amounts of substances (not always plants) for therapeutic purposes. Herbalism is one of the oldest forms of healing, with evidence dating back 60,000 years and written Sumerian evidence 6,000 years old , and aims to extract plant properties as naturally as possible.
How did people develop these herbal practices?
- observations of the natural world
- visions and divine revelations
- intuitive connections with plants
- trial and error
How do holistic, traditional practices differ from modern Western medicine?
They look to address underlying deficiencies, correct imbalances within the context of a whole body and lifestyle, and adapt to the uniqueness of each individual and their state of health.
What is the Doctrine of Signatures?
In Western Herbalism, it is the idea that there is a connection btwn plant appearance and habitat and the body part/ ailment it could influence.
ex: red color = blood; watery habitat = bladder.
* It’s NOT always accurate and is oversimplified, but is a handy mnemonic.
What are the Four Humors?
In Western Herbalism, a system developed by Galen, a 2nd c Greek physician. Based on Hippocratic theory of 4 bodily “humors” (fluids) and their relationship with the four seasons. Illness was viewed as a sign of disharmony and imbalance, while herbs were given “cooling” “warming” “dry” or “damp” characteristics that could be used to balance the body.
While modern medicine has disproved a literal interpretation of the four humors, the idea of balancing energies is still used in modern herbalism.
What are the origins of Chinese Medicine?
It was recorded in “Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine”, between 200 BCE and 100 CE.
These practices provided a way to not only bring BALANCE to the human body, mind, and spirit, but also to understand humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Includes Acupuncture, dietary changes, complex herbal soups, cupping, exercise, and massage.
What are qi, yin, and yang?
In Chinese Medicine, qi is described as energy.
Yin is a feminine energy, Yang is a masculine energy, but prescriptions of these energies is relational to the context you’re talking about. Compared to one thing, it could have yin energy, but compared to another thing, a more yang energy.
Basically, yin energy is earth energy that flows upward to heaven, while yang energy is heaven energy that flows down to earth.
What organs are associated with yin energy?
Liver*, Heart, Spleen, Kidneys, and Lungs. They are solid, deep, and associated with fluids.
(*though note that these conceptions of “organs” are not always directly analogous to our modern definitions.)
What organs are associate with yang energy?
Stomach, gall bladder, Large + Small intestines, and Bladder. They are hollow, superficial, and concerned with functions like excretion and dividing.
What is Five Element Theory?
In Chinese medicine, it incorporates concepts of yin and yang and views humanity as a microcosm of nature, associating organs, emotions, seasons, and elements.
What is Ayurveda?
Indigenous to India and Nepal, an earth-based system that views humanity as a microcosm of nature. Includes diet, herbs, massage, and yogic exercises.
Doshas, Prakruti, and Vikruti
In Ayurveda, these are basic energies within each person.
Prakruti = inherent constitution or balance of doshas. Vikruti = current balance of doshas. Stage of life, seasonal changes, diet, and lifestyle impact vikruti.
When doshas are out of balance, then you have health issues.
What are the three doshas?
Vata = kinetic energy; nervous system and movement; cool, dry, light, irregular; lighter-boned, dry skin, irregular appetite, nervousness and anxiety; travel and creative pursuits; adaptable but have trouble seeing things through.
Pitta = digestion and metabolism of food and information. Unctuous, hot, sharp, liquid, pungent. Intensity. Capacity to digest large amounts of food and information. Articulate and dignified, good leaders. Warm body temp, robust circulation, prone toward anger, impatience, rashes, inflammation.
Kapha= cool, soft, unctuous, sweet, immobile, slimy. Fluids and protective lining. Protector and stabilizing force. Heavyset, slower digestion and metabolism, can thrive with less food. Can be strong natural athletes, great stamina and endurance. Strong bones, teeth, and nails, lustrous hair. Calm, patient, and forgiving when balanced; lethargy, attachment, and greed in excess.
What are herbal energetics?
Definitions can vary, but conceptually energy is considered important in navigating the broad spectrum of body types, conditions, and herbal qualities that exist.
Includes language like “excess”, “deficient”, “dry”, “warming”, “moist”, and “cooling.”
Because energetics exist on a continuum, they can change based on time of year, stage of life, and current state of health.
