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Nut 2 Sem 1 > Herbal Medicine > Flashcards

Herbal Medicine Flashcards

1
Q

What is a primary metabolite?

A

Compounds in plants that are needed for the plant to grow and function.

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2
Q

What are the components of a primary metabolite?

A

Starch (energy), Chlorophyll (carb production), Cellulose (pressure), Lignin (structure)

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3
Q

What is a secondary metabolite?

A

Assists the plants survival within environment (defence, protection)

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4
Q

What does aspirin deplete?

A

Glutathione

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5
Q

What do coffee beans contain?

A

Alkaloids (stimulating)

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6
Q

Name 4 benefits of chamomile

A
  1. Relax the CNS
  2. Antispasmodic in the digestive system
  3. Anti-inflammatory for skin and digestive tract
  4. Anti-ulcer
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7
Q

What is an alkaloid?

A

A phytochemical with strong stimulating effects on the CNS (Berberine)

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8
Q

What is an anthraquinone?

A

A phytochemical causing powerful evacuation (Senna)

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9
Q

What is a flavonoid?

A

A phytochemical with anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties (Hawthorn Berry)

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10
Q

What is a saponin?

A

A phytochemical with adaptogenic and steroid effects (Liquorice)

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11
Q

What is a tannin?

A

A phytochemical, astringent and dries wounds (Yarrow)

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12
Q

What is a terpenes?

A

A phytochemical with antispasmodic properties in the GIT and lungs. (Lavender)

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13
Q

Who regulates herbs in the UK?

A

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

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14
Q

Name 9 internal applications of herbs

A

Infusions, decoctions, syrups, tinctures, glycerites, powders, capsules, lozenges, standard extracts.

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15
Q

Name 6 external applications of herbs

A

Oils, creams, lotions, ointments, poultices, compresses.

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16
Q

What are infusions used for?

A

Preparing delicate or aromatic leaves and flowers

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17
Q

What are decoctions used for?

A

Preparing roots, fruits and barks that need to be cooked to extract water-soluble phytochemicals.

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18
Q

Name two decocted herbs

A

Dandelion root (liver support) and burdock root (detox).

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19
Q

What are syrups used for?

A

Cough and throat remedies

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20
Q

What are tinctures?

A

Concentrated, fast-acting with good compliance and long shelf-life.
Phytochemicals are extracted in ethanol so readily absorbed.

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21
Q

Who should not take a tincture?

A

Recovering alcoholics, inflammatory conditions (gastritis)

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22
Q

What are glycerites?

A

Made by steeping herbs in glycerine, good for people who can’t have alcohol or sugar. But glycerine doesn’t extract as many phytochemicals as water/alcohol and it has a short shelf-life. Great for children.

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23
Q

How is a powder used?

A

The whole herb is digested and the small particle size aids assimilation. Short shelf life because high surface area increases oxidation.

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24
Q

What are standard extracts?

A

Contain a quantified amount of active constituents so that medicines are consistent and reproducible (milk thistle for silymarin content).

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25
How are infused oils made?
By steeping or cooking herbs in oil using a double burner.
26
What oil would you use for dry skin?
Calendula
27
What oil would you use for sprains, strains and arthritis?
Comfrey (it increases cell proliferation to promote healing)
28
What oil would you use for fungal infections?
Garlic
29
How are essential oils made?
By extracting the volatile phytochemicals from the herbs by steam distillation.
30
How are ointments made?
By mixing infused oils with beeswax or cocoa butter
31
How are creams made?
By mixing infused oils with water using emulsifying wax.
32
How are lotions made?
The same way as cream but with more water.
33
What is a poultice?
An application of crushed herbs applied directly to the skin and held in place with a bandage. Comfrey for musculoskeletal Plantain leaf for skin inflammation, bruises or bites
34
What is a compress?
A cloth soaked in herbal infusion or decoction and then applied to skin.
35
How do herbal medicines differ from foods?
Culturally (used differently in different societies) Foods are considered fro macro/micro content whereas medicinal herbs are used for their concentration of phytochemicals.
36
How do herbal infusions differ from herbal decoctions?
Infusions are used for preparing delicate leaves/flowers. Decoctions are used for preparing roots, fruits and barks that need to be cooked to extract water-soluble phytochemicals.
37
Benefits of herbal infusions
Hydrating, compliant
38
Advantages and disadvantages of tinctures
A: Concentrated and fast acting, good compliance and shelf life D: Very potent, not suitable for recovering alcoholics, some religions and inflammatory conditions such as gastritis.
39
When would glycerites be appropriate?
For those who can't consume alcohol, children, mouth, throat and cough remedies.
40
Why are powders described as 'food form'
Because the whole herb is digested and small particle size aids assimilation.
41
What are key herbal actions for the digestive system?
Bitters: Stimulates digestive secretions (dandelion root) Aromatic digestive: Promotes digestion (cardamom) Carminative: Relaxes digestive smooth muscles (peppermint) Demulcent: Soothes and heals mucous membranes (slippery elm) Antiemetic: Reduces nausea (ginger)
42
Describe Aloe Vera
Local anti-inflammatory for wounds/burns/GI inflammation. Inhibits COX hence production of pro-inflammatory PG2 made from arachidonic acid. KEY CONSTITUENTS: Polysaccharides
43
Describe Cardamom
Carminative, gastro-protective, used for weak digestion, promotes circulation, positive effects on hypertension. LOX inhibiting properties. KEY CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil, flavonoids
44
Describe Chamomile
Anti-inflammatory, carminative, antispasmodic, antioxidant, mild sedative, IBS/IBD Anxiolytic (binds to GABA receptors). KEY CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil, flavonoids
45
Describe Fennel
Antispasmodic, carminative, indigestion, flatulence, bloating. KEY CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil, flavonoids
46
Describe Ginger
Carminative, anti-inflam (inhibits LOX/COX), circulatory stimulant, weak digestion, joint pain, arthritis KEY CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil
47
Describe Liquorice
Anti-inflam, mucoprotective, anti-viral, GORD, ulcers, H pylori, coughs, adrenal depletion. Mildly oestrogenic - antagonises exogenous oestrogen. Inhibits CYP1B1 KEY CONSTITUENTS: Glycyrrhetinic acid
48
Name three herbal actions for the liver.
Hepatoprotective: Protects liver (milk thistle) Choleretic: Increases bile production (dandelion root) Cholagogue: Increases release of stored bile from gallbladder (artichoke)
49
Describe Artichoke
Hepatoprotective, sluggish digestion, (especially from rich, fatty foods), liver disease, high cholesterol
50
Describe Dandelion Root
Dyspepsia, constipation, appetite loss, gallstones and cholecystitis. (Increases liver AO enzymes)
51
Describe Milk Thistle
Hepatoprotective/Restorative, antioxidant (protects against P1 metabolites. Increases glutathione), fatty liver, nausea, dyspepsia, flatulent colic.
52
Name 5 herbal actions for the respiratory system
Anticatarrhal: Reduces catarrh (eyebright) Diaphoretic: Promotes sweating/fever (cinnamon) Expectorant: Facilitates removal of catarrh (Liquorice) Anti-microbial: Destroys infectious microorganisms (Thyme) Antispasmodic: Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle (Aniseed)
53
Describe Thyme
Anti-microbial. Colds, sore throats, bronchitis, dysbiosis
54
Describe Cinnamon
Blood sugar reg, carminative, weak digestions, nausea, poor circulation (Raynauds) DB Mellitus - increases insulin receptor sensitivity, H.Pylori
55
Describe Sage
Antispasmodic. Gingivitis, respiratory infections, tonsillitis, menopausal sweats
56
Describe Garlic
Antibacterial/fungal/parasitic. Immune boosting (increases NK cells). Lowers cholesterol, anti-inflam, colds, flu.
57
Name 3 key herbal actions for the immune system
Immunomodulator: Balances and strengthens immune system (Astragalus) Immune-enhancing: Increases response (Echinacea) Anti-inflam: Reduces inflammation (Turmeric)
58
Describe Astragalus
Immune modulating/enhancing/adaptogen. Chronic/recurrent infections, fatigue, infection prevention. (Take it when you're healthy and stop if you start to get ill)
59
Describe Echinacea
Immune enhancing/modulating. Acute infections - bacterial, viral, flu, tonsils, UTIs, arthritis
60
Describe Turmeric
Anti-inflam, antioxidant, anticancer. OA/RA/SLE/UC, liver support, eczema, psoriasis.
61
Name 5 key herbal actions for the nervous system
Nootropic: Enhances brain function (Rosemary) Nervine: Relaxes the nervous system (Lavender) Thymoleptic: Lifts the mood (St John's Wort) Sedative: Relaxes the nerves and promotes sleep (Valerian) Anxiolytic: Alleviates anxiety (Passionflower)
62
Describe Ginkgo
Anti-oxidant, neuroprotective, nootropic. Increases memory and concentration.
63
Describe Lavender
Nervine, anti-depressant, anxiolytic. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, PMS, bloating and stress headaches.
64
Describe Passionflower
Anxiolytic, antispasmodic, mild sedative, insomnia, tension headaches, muscle pain/spasms.
65
Describe Rosemary
Circulatory stimulant, nootropic, carminiative, antioxidant. Improves memory, concentration/mental performance, tension headaches.
66
Describe St John's Wort
Antidepressant, nervine tonic. Depression, anxiety, anti-viral. Avoid with antidepressants.
67
Name 5 key herbal actions for the reproductive system
Hormone modulators: Regulate and balance hormone activity. (Chaste berry) Emmenagogue: Promotes menstruation (Dong Quai) Galactagogue: Promotes breast milk production (Fennel seeds) Reproductive tonic: Promotes reproductive health/fertility (Shatavari) Anti-prostatic: Reduces symptoms from prostate gland (saw palmetto)
68
Describe Black Cohosh
Emmenagogue and estrogen modulating. Menopausal symptoms, PMS, RA, cramps
69
Describe Chaste Berry
The PMS herb Prolactin inhibitor and galactagogue. PMS, dysmenorrhoea, miscarriages, insufficient lactation, after OCP to regulate cycle.
70
Describe Dong Quai
Uterine tonic, dysmenorrhoea, endo, menopause, PMS, irregular/absent periods.
71
Describe Shatavari
Aphrodisiac (testosterone), galactagogue, adaptogen, menopausal, vaginal dryness, low libido. infertility.
72
Describe Saw Palmetto
Anti-androgenic, anti-inflam. BPH, prostatitis, cystitis. (No.1 prostate herb)
73
What is an adaptogen?
Increases resistance to physical, biological, emotional and environmental stressor. Effects are exerted via mechanisms, mediated by the HPA axis.
74
What is a tonic?
Herbs that improve tone, vigour and body function
75
What's the difference between an adaptogen and a tonic?
Adaptogens conserve energy, whilst tonics restore energy.
76
Describe Ashwagandha
Adaptogen, tonic, nervine, mild sedative, anti-inflam. Impotence, infertility, anaemia, arthritis, insomnia.
77
What's the difference between Korean Ginseng and Siberian Ginseng?
KG: Very stimulating, use for stress, low immunity, male infertility and impotence, increase MENTAL performance. SG: Physical stress, fatigue, PHYSICAL (and mental) performance, chemo and radio.

Nut 2 Sem 1 (8 decks)

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