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CNH Nutrition 2 S3 > Herbal Medicine > Flashcards

Herbal Medicine Flashcards

1
Q

What is a herbal medicine?

A

Plants or plant parts used for medicinal purposes

Estimated 30k medicinal herbs

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2
Q

When do the earliest records of herbal medicines date from?

A

Ancient Egyptionals - garlic and myrrh
Neanderthal man archaeological evidence as herbs
Animals also use plant medicine

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3
Q

3 cultures that traditionally use herbal medicines?

A

Ayurvedic medicine
Chinese medicine
Western herbal medicine

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4
Q

What is the origin of modern medicine - give 2 examples?

A

Modern medicine grew out of herbal medicine

GArlic was the principal topical antibiotic in WW1
Metformin is derived from goat’s rue
Asperin’s origins are from willow bark

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5
Q

What’s the difference between a herb and a food?

A

Sometimes cultural
Foods normally considered for their macro and micros and consumed in large amounts
Herbs are primarily used for the phytochemicals - small amounts offer therapeutic benefits

“poison is in the dose”

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6
Q

What is the difference between primary and secondary metabolites?

*common exam question

A

Primary - compounds needed for the plant to grow and function e.g. starch, chlorophyll, cellulose
Secondary - assist a plants survival in within its environment - pharmacologically active in humans and central to the benefits of herbal medicine.

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7
Q

What is phytochemistry?

A

The study of chemicals derived from plants

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8
Q

Two examples of secondary metabolites

A

Caffeine in coffee - natural pesticide for plant / CNS stimulant
Tannins in tea - protect plant from insects / astringe mucous membranes

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9
Q

4 key beneficial actions of herbs

think - SPINS Ulcers

A

SPINS Ulcers

anti-SPasmodic - for the digestive system
anti-Infalmmatory
relax the central Nervous System
anti-ulcers

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10
Q

6 examples of phytochemicals and their benefits

think - SAT FAT

A

SAT FAT

Saponins - steroid like adaptogenic - liquorice
Alkaloids - NS stimulent - berberine
Tannins - astringent (bind to proteins) - yarrow

Flavonoids - anti-oxidant / anti-viral - hawthorn
Anthraquinones - cause evacuation - senna
Terpenes - antispasmodic - lavender

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11
Q

Who regulates herbal medicines in the UK?

A

THR - Traditional Herbal Registration
MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

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12
Q

What are the different ways to use herbal medicines?

A

Infusions
Decoctions
Syrups
Tinctures
Glycerites
Powders
Capsules
Lozenges
Oils
Creams
Lotions
Ointments
Poultices
Compresses

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13
Q

Infusions
Use?
How to make?
Benefits?

A

Use - preparing delicate / aromatic leaves and flowers

How to Make - 2 teaspoons of dried herbs / 2 tea bags - boiled water and cover. Strain if herbal tea. 3 cups daiily.

Benefits - infusions extract water-soluable phytochemicals, hydrating and good compliance

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14
Q

Decoctions
Use?
How to make?

A

Use - preparting roots, fruits and bark that need to be cooked

How to Make - place herbs in a pan, bring to the bowl, simmer for 15 mins until reduced by 30%. 1 teaspoon dried herbs per cup / 3 cups daily.

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15
Q

Syrups
Use?
How to make?

A

Use - thick, sweet medicines for cough and throat remedies. Easy for children

How to Make - make a decoction, reduce until 1/2 water has evaporated.
Add sugar or honey in ration of 2 parts sugar to 1 part decoction.
2 teaspoons / 3 x daily - kids 1/2-1 teaspoon

Caution - sugar

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16
Q

Tinctures
Use?
Strengths?

A

Use? Alcohol used to extract a wider range of phytochemicals - concentrated and fast-action. Good compliance, long self-life due to alcohol (up to 5 years).

Strength: 1.1 strongest. Shops often sell 1:10
Alcohol strengths vary - 25% min for preservation.

17
Q

What is the standard dose for a tincture?

A

5ml / 100 drops in a small glass of water 3 x per day before food.
Always check product labels

18
Q

Who are tinctures not suitable for? x 3

A

Alcoholics, some religions and some inflammatory conditions such as gastritis.

19
Q

What is a glycerite?
Who is it most suitable for?

A

Herbs steeped in glycerine - a thick sweet liquid. Does not extract as many phytochemicals as tinctures.

Good for children and those who cannot consumer alcohol.
Syrupy texture is good for mouth, throat and chest remedies

Shorter shelf life

20
Q

Powders
What is a powder?
Benefits?
Normal dose?
Limitation?

A

Food form of a herbal medicine

Small particles aid assimilation

1 teaspoon, 2 x daily

Short shelf life - 1 year

21
Q

What is a standardised extract and what are its limitations?

A

Manufactured to contain a quantified amout of active constituents

Stronger (than traditional extracts) but often
- made using solvents
- ‘spiked’ with phytochemicals
- lack natural balance of phytochemicals
- more likely to cause side effects

22
Q

How are infused oils made?
Give 3 examples and their usage?
What caution needs to be considered?

A

Seeping herbs in oil using a double burner

Calendula - dry skin - antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, tissue-healing
Comfrey - sprains, strains and arthritis. Anti-infrmmationry - increases cell proliferation
Garlic - antimicrobial - fungal skin infections

Caution - do not apply hot oil to inflamed skin

23
Q

How are essential oils made? What is the maximum dose?
Cautions with essential oils

A

Made - extracting volatile phytochemicals by steam distillation
Max - 20 drops per 100g
Don’t take internally
Don’t apply neat to skin (except lavender and tea tree)

24
Q

How are ointments, creams and lotions made and what are their uses?

A

Ointments - oils mixed with beeswax or cocoa butter. Thick for dry, cracked skin.
Creams - oils with emulsifying wax. Moisturising for skin complaints and wounds
Lotions - more water than creams so thinner - cooling properties for inflamed skin.

25
Q

What is a poultice? Give two examples?

A

Crushed herbs held against the skin with a bandage

Comfrey leaf - musculoskeletal inflammation - traditionally called ‘knit-bone’
Plantain leaf - soothes and promotes healing

26
Q

What is a compress? Give an example?

A

Cloth soaked in a herbal infusion or decoction and applied to the skin
Calendula flower for skin conditons

27
Q

What factors need to be considered when choosing a dosage of a herbal medicine?

A

A clients age, bodyweight, degree of sensitivity, allergies, acute or chronic condition?

27
Q

What to consider with seniors or children for doses?

A

Seniors are normally given a lower dose
Check drug herb interactions

Children under 2 are not normally given herbal tinctures.
Full adult dose from 14 unless not adult height

28
Q

What to consider with culinary herbs?

A

Culinary herbs are herbal medicine
Minimise heat exposure to retain phytonutrients
Best use regularly - 2-3 times per day

28
Q

What are the 5 actions of herbs in the digestive system

think BAD CAD

A

Bitter
Aromatic Digestive

Carminative
Antiemetic
Demulcent

29
Q

What does demulcent mean - give an example?

A

Soothes and heals mucus membranes - slippery elm

30
Q

What does antiemetic mean - give an example?

A

Reduces nausea and vomiting - ginger

31
Q

What does carminative mean - give an example?

A

Relaxes digestive smooth muscles - peppermint / fennel

32
Q

Given an example of a bitter and aromatic digestive?

A

Bitter - dandelion root
Gentian

Aromatic digestive - cardamom

33
Q

Benefits and usage of aloe vera? think COW POL

A

COx - inhibition
COllagen synthesis
Wound healing

POLysaccharides

Moist, cooling
Wounds, burns, GI inflammation

25-100ml juice or gel

Caution - some products laxative
Pregnancy

34
Q

Benefits and usage of cardamom - thin CaP WeD HT

A

CArminative
gastro-Protective
Weak Digestion &
Hypertension

1/2-teaspoon daily

Caution - pregnancy
GORD

35
Q

Benefits and usage of Chamomile
“mother of the gut”

Carm GAB SpaG

A

CARMinative
GABa - binds to receptors
anti-SPAsmodic
Gluconeogenesis inhibition

Caution - allergy to Asteraceae family

CNH Nutrition 2 S3 (3 decks)

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