Herbal Medicine I - Herb testing Flashcards
Herb testing: Senses
Herb testing using the senses reveals many of the therapeutic effects of herbs:
* Different tastes, aromas, textures, colours indicate the presence of plant chemicals with distinct therapeutic effects.
* For herbalists, using the senses is a helpful way to assess medicine quality.
Organoleptic:
The traditional name for evaluating herbs using the senses is ‘organoleptic’ testing. Organoleptic = ‘to stimulate a sense organ’.
Herb Testing:
Safety: Many herbs are unsafe if pregnant, breast feeding, and when taking certain medications:
* If this applies to you, don’t taste herbs (except small amounts of ordinary culinary herbs) without first speaking to your tutor or a qualified herbalist.
* The following tastes and textures are significant in herb testing and will be explored in the next few sides:
o Astringent
o Pungent
o Bitter
o Sweet
o Aromatic
o Demulcent
Herb testing Practicalities:
For herb tasting use herbal teas, fresh herbs from your garden or a shop, or dry herbs from your store cupboard:
* For each taste we will suggest a number of herbs.
* We recommend you try a variety to get a clear sense of the therapeutic qualities of different herbs.
* Safety: Do not taste a plant from your garden or from nature unless you are100% certain it is what you think it is!
Astringent:
- Phytochemicals known as tannins are responsible for the astringent effect.
- On contact with mucous membranes tannins crosslink proteins. This binds the mucosa more tightly (decreases permeability) and reduces secretions.
(Phytochemical = Plant chemical)
Astringent: Effects
- Increases protection from microbes and noxious irritants, decreases watery discharges (e.g. diarrhoea, runny nose), tones and heals skin and mucous membranes.
Astringent: Energetics
- Dry.
Astringent: Kitchen examples
- Green tea
- Cinnamon.
Astringent herbal medicines: Agrimony leaf
Agrimony leaf.
* A traditional remedy for diarrhoea, especially in children.
* The protective layer formed by tannins on the gut mucosa, decreases peristalsis by reducing stimulation of nerve endings by noxious agents.
Astringent herbal medicines: Meadowsweet leaf
Meadowsweet leaf.
* Forms a protective barrier; heals the stomach lining in GORD, gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Astringent herbal medicines: Witch-hazel leaf
Witch-hazel leaf.
* A topical treatment for healing wounds.
* If wounds are bleeding, tannins have a styptic effect, causing localised vasoconstriction to stem blood loss
Bitter
A wide range of plant chemicals taste bitter.
Collectively known as ‘bitter principles’.
Bitter: Effects
- Bitters stimulate taste bud receptors, increasing vagal activity to promote gastric acid and pepsin secretion and prime the pancreas and gallbladder.
- Small amounts increase digestive juices and digestive power (take a few drops before meals).
- Larger amounts stimulate liver detoxification, bowel elimination, kill microbes (anti-microbial).
Bitter: Energetics
- Cool
- Dry.
Bitter: Kitchen examples
- Chicory
- Rocket.
Bitter herbal medicines: Gentian root
Gentian root:
* A classic bitter taken in small amounts before meals to increase digestive power.
* Gentian further supports digestion by promoting release of bile from the gallbladder.
Bitter herbal medicines: Wormwood leaf
Wormwood leaf:
* A bitter digestive in small amounts.
* In larger doses it is anthelmintic (kills intestinal worms) and anti-parasitic.
Bitter herbal medicines: Dandelion root
Dandelion root:
* A bitter tonic and promotes production and flow of bile, improving digestive function and supporting gallbladder health.
Aromatic:
Herbs that have a distinctive and often pleasant aroma due to the presence of ‘volatile’ (essential) oils.
Aromatic: Effects
- Improve appetite and digestion, relieve GI pain, bloating and flatulence by relaxing intestinal smooth muscle and sphincters. Take as teas after meals to settle digestion.
- Open the airways in asthma and coughs (relax smooth muscle of the bronchioles).
- Have important anti-microbial properties.
- All ‘aromatic’ culinary herbs support digestion, but each has additional medicinal properties
