Herbal Medicine

Question 1

What the difference between herbs and food

Answer 1

Cultural - depends how it is viewed.
Herbs are used in more concentrated forms and small amounts give benefit

Whereas food is usually considered for its nutritional content.

Question 2

What is phytochemisrty

Answer 2

The study of chemicals derived from plants including primary and secondary metabolites.

Question 3

What are primary metabolites and name them

Answer 3

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

Starch
Chlorophyll
Cellulose
Lignin

Question 4

What are secondary metabolites and give an example

Answer 4

Compounds that assist with the plants survival within its environment.

Tannins in plants (green tea) protect the woody part of the plant from decomposition and insects.

Question 5

Examples of phytochemicals

Answer 5

Flavonoids - antioxidant
Tannins - astringent drys out wounds
Alkaloids - stimulate on nervous system

Question 6

Who regulates herbs in the uk

Answer 6

Medicines and healthcare regulatory agency

Question 7

Type of internal herbal applications

Answer 7

Infusions
Decoction
Syrup
Tinctures

Question 8

Types of external herbal applications

Answer 8

Cream
Oil
Lotions
Ointments

Question 9

Examples of infusions

Answer 9

Usually herbal teas
Peppermint
Liquorice
Chamomile

Question 10

Example of decoctions

Answer 10

Woody / bark type roots
Boil for 15 mins then strain

Dandelion
Burdock

Question 11

What are tinctures

Answer 11

Herbs steeped in mix or water and alcohol to extract wide range of chemicals

Question 12

Dose of tinctures

Answer 12

Adult - 5ml in water 3 x per day

Question 13

What are standardised extracts

Answer 13

Manufactured active constituents. Often made with unnatural solvents and no natural balance

More like pharmaceuticals

Question 14

What are infused oils, name 2 examples and use

Answer 14

Made by sterling or cooking herbs in oil

Calendula - for dry skin and wounds

Comfrey - for sprains and strains

Question 15

What classes of herbs are used in the digestive system

Answer 15

Bitters - stimulates digestive juices

Aromatic digestive - promotes digestion

Carminative - relaxing muscle

Demulcent - soothes mucous membranes

Antiemetic - reduces nausea

Question 16

Actions and uses of Aloe Vera

And dosage

Any cautions

Answer 16

Anti inflammatory for wounds and burns ,GI inflammation and ulceration.

Inhibits COX

25-100ml a day of juice or gel

Avoid in pregnancy

Question 17

Chamomile action and uses

Dosage

Safety

Answer 17

Anti inflammatory inhibits COX 2 and NF-Kb, carminative, mild sedative anti oxidant

Use for - gastritis, peptic ulcer, IBS/IBD, stress, sleep

Inflation tea - 2 tsp dried herb

Caution - allergy to Asteraceae family

Question 18

Slippery elm - action, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 18

Demulcent soothes the GI and upper respiratory tract.

Use for gastritis, peptic ulceration GORD, IBD, constipation, dry cough, sore throat.

2-3 tap daily in water 250ml

Safety - take 2 hours away from other meds may reduce absorption.

Question 19

Class of herbs for the liver

Answer 19

Hepatoprotective - protects liver

Choleretic - increase bile from liver

Cholagogue - increase bile stored in gallbladder

Question 20

Dandelion root actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 20

Bitter tonic, choleretic & cholagogue, mild laxative.

Dyspepsia, constipation, appetite loss, gall stones

Dosage 1-2 tsp dried herb per cup 3 tokens a day

Allergies asteracease family and avoid in bile duct blockage

Question 21

Milk thistle action, uses and safety

Answer 21

Hepatoprotective / restorative, anti oxidant against phase 1 metabolites, choleretic.

Fatty liver, nausea, dyspepsia (indigestion) cirrhosis

Dosage 2 tsp daily

Safety allergy to asteraceae

Question 22

Types of herbs for respiratory system

Answer 22

Anticatarrhal - reduces catarrh and phlegm

Diaphoretic - promotes sweating / fever

Expectorant - facilitates removal of catarrh

Anti microbial- kills micro organisms

Anti spasmodic - relaxes smooth muscle spasm.

Question 23

Thyme, actions uses, dosage and safety

Answer 23

Expectorant, antispasmodic diaphoretic, anti microbial, anti inflammatory

Colds, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, GI dysbiosis.

3-12g per day dried herb or a mouth wash

Safe

Question 24

Garlic actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 24

Antibacterial, anti fungal, anti parasitic, immune boosting, reduce cholesterol, anti plate and anti inflammatory

Colds, flu, bronchitis, fungal infections,
Dysbiosis, hypertension

1-2 cloves a day

Caution - anti coagulants and hypertensives, pregnancy high dosage

Question 25

Types of herbs for the immune system

Answer 25

Immunomodulator - balance and strengthening

Immune enhancing - increases
immune response

Anti inflammatory- reduces inflammation

Question 26

Echinacea - actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 26

Immune enhancing / modulating, anti inflammatory

Acute infections, bacterial or viral (UTIs tonsillitis, flu). Infection prevention, arthritis

Safety caution with immunosuppressants

Question 27

Turmeric- actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 27

Anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, anti cancer, anti platelet choleretic

Inflammatory conditions (RA OA ulcerative colitis) eczema, psoriasis.

1-2 tsp day

Safety- pregnancy, anticoagulants

Question 28

Herbs for the brain / nervous system

Answer 28

Nootropics- enhance brain function
Nervine - relaxes nervous system
Thymoleptic - lifts mood
Sedative - relaxes
Anxiolytic - alleviates anxiety

Question 29

Ginkgo - actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 29

Nootropic, circulatory stimulant, antioxidant and neuroprotective

Memory, concentration, Alzheimer’s, raynauds, asthma.

Dose - 2 tsp daily per label

Safety - caution with anti clotting drugs

Question 30

Passionflower actions, uses, dosage, safety

Answer 30

Anxiolytic, antispasmodic, mild sedative.

Insomnia, anxiety, tension headaches, nervous tachycardia, muscle pain, alcohol withdrawal.

1-2 tsp dried herb infusions 2 to 3 per day

Safety - avoid in pregnancy and lactation

Question 31

St John’s wort actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 31

Antidepressant, nervine tonic, antiviral

Mild to moderate depression, anxiety, sciatica, insomnia.

Dose - 2 tsp infused 3 x per day

Safety - avoid with antidepressants, not to be used I. Severe depression possible photosensitivity

Question 32

Types of herbs for the reproductive system

Answer 32

Hormone modulators - rebalance

Emmenagogue - promotes menstruation

Galactogogue - promotes breast milk

Reproduction tonic - promotes fertility

Anti- prostatic - reduces symptoms prostate gland

Question 33

Chaste merry (Agnus catnus) actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 33

Prolactin inhibitor and indirect progesterogenic, galactogogue

PMS, anovulation, recover from OCP, recurrent miscarriage, lactation.

Dose - 1 tsp tired decoction 1 to 2 times per day

Safety - avoid with HRT and progestognenic drugs

Question 34

Shatavari - actions, uses, dosage and safety

Answer 34

Aphrodisiac, adaptogen, anti inflammatory, Demulcent

Menopausal symptoms, virginal dryness, infertility, low libido, impotence, lactation.

Dose - 1-2 teaspoons powder 3–30gs per day

Safety- pregnancy

Question 35

What do Adaptogens do

Answer 35

Increase resistance to physical, biological and emotional stressors.

Via the HPA axis

Question 36

What do tonics do

Answer 36

Restore energy, and vitality

Question 37

Ashwagandha - actions, uses and dosage

Answer 37

Adaptogen, tonic, nervine, mild sedative, immune modulating, blood building and anti inflammatory

Impotence, infertility in males, anaemia, arthritis, insomnia, post viral.

Dose- 3-6g per day dried root decoction

Question 38

Herbs safe for pregnancy

Answer 38

Bilberry - vascular support

German chamomile- GIT spasm

Cranberry- UTI health

Echinacea- immunity

Garlic - cardiovascular/ respiratory

Ginger - morning sickness

Peppermint - morning sickness and GIT spasms