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
Aromatic: Energetics
- Warm
- Dry
Aromatic: Kitchen examples
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
Aromatic herbal medicines:
Sage leaf
Sage leaf:
* An antimicrobial and astringent and used to treat infections and inflammation of the mouth and throat.
* Alleviates excess sweating associated with menopause and supports mood and cognitive function.
Aromatic herbal medicines: Rosemary leaf
Rosemary leaf:
* A circulatory stimulant, improving delivery of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues including the CNS.
* Improves memory and concentration.
Aromatic herbal medicines: Thyme leaf
Thyme leaf:
* An anti-microbial, reduces bronchial spasm and assists in the removal of mucus providing benefit for respiratory issues including coughs, bronchitis and asthma.
Pungent:
‘Hot’, spicy taste due to phytochemicals such as volatile oils, oleo-resins and alkaloids.
Pungent: Effects
- Stimulates digestion, promotes circulation, raises body temperature and metabolism, promotes sweating (helps manage a fever).
- Counteracts cold, mucus and ‘dampness’.
- All ‘pungent’ herbs increase circulation, digestion and metabolism, but each has additional medicinal effects
Pungent: Use
- Use externally as a rub for cold stiff joints.
- Has a warming effect and improves blood flow and nutrient supply e.g., cayenne.
Pungent: Energetics
- Hot
- Dry.
Pungent: Kitchen examples
- Chili
- Cumin seeds
Pungent Herbal Medicines:
Ginger rhizome
Ginger rhizome:
* Anti-emetic (reduces nausea and vomiting)
* Anti-inflammatory (inhibits synthesis of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, TNF-α).
* Commonly used for rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
Pungent Herbal Medicines: Cinnamon bark
Cinnamon bark:
* Anti-diabetic —increases insulin receptor sensitivity aiding the transport of glucose into the cells.
Pungent Herbal Medicines: Black pepper seed
Black pepper seed:
* Rich in the phytochemical piperine, which increases bioavailability of certain nutrients such as beta carotene and curcumin from turmeric.
Sweet:
Due to phytochemicals including saponins and polysaccharides, often found in higher concentrations in plant roots.
Sweet: Effects
- Nourishing and building for tissues, increase energy and stamina, grounding.
- Many adaptogens(energising) tonics have a sweet taste.
Sweet: Energetics
- Neutral
- Moist
Sweet: Kitchen examples
- Honey
- Root vegetables.
Sweet herbal medicines:
Liquorice root:
* Heals mucous membranes
* Anti-inflammatory
* Expectorant (helps eliminate respiratory mucus)
* Adrenal tonic (cooling).
Sweet herbal medicines:
Korean ginseng root:
* Stimulating adaptogen for exhaustion,
* ‘Yang deficiency’,
* (heating).
Sweet herbal medicines:
Ashwagandha root:
* Increases stamina, relaxes the nerves in anxiety and insomnia, increases weight gain in debilitated states (warming).
Demulcent:
- ‘Slimy’ texture in the mouth, due to indigestible sugar chains called mucilage.
- Often found in roots and seed coatings.
Demulcent: Effects
- Used for irritated and inflamed tissues —soothes, coats, protects and promotes healing of mucous membranes and skin.
- Some demulcents have gentle laxative properties (bulk & soften the stool).
Demulcent: Energetics
- Moist, cool.
Demulcent:
Kitchen examples
- Okra
- Linseeds
Demulcent herbal medicines:
Marshmallow root:
* For inflamed mucous membranes; dry coughs, pharyngitis, laryngitis, gastritis, GORD
* Constipation.
Demulcent herbal medicines:
Slippery elm bark:
* For inflamed mucous membranes, leaky gut, constipation / diarrhoea.
* Is prebiotic to support a healthy microbiome.
Demulcent herbal medicines:
Comfrey leaf:
* Anti-inflammatory
* Contains allantoin, a phytochemical that promotes cell proliferation to speed the healing of fractures, strains and sprains (external use).
Herb Testing senses: Smell
Aromatic herbs = volatile oils (smooth muscle relaxant, anti-microbial) e.g. lavender.
Herb Testing senses: Colours
Colours indicate specific plant chemicals.
* Red / blue / purple = flavonoids (antioxidant, antiviral, blood vessel integrity) e.g. elderberry.
* Yellow / orange = carotenoids e.g. basil, coriander; curcuminoids i.e. turmeric (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant).
Herb Testing senses: Strong taste
Strong taste, aroma and colour indicate high potency and herbal medicine quality
