Herbal Medicine (lecture 4) Flashcards
How do you prepare herbal infusions?
- Adult dose: 2 tsp of dried or fresh herb in a cup (or 2 teabags)
- Add boiling water and cover
- Infuse for 10-15 mins
- 2-3 cups daily
What is a decoction and which herbs are best prepared this way?
The herbs are boiled in a pan of water for 15 minutes to extract water soluble phytonutrients.
Best for woody herbs - barks and roots e.g. cinnamon or burdock
What are the benefits of herbal syrups
They are good for coughs and throat remedies.
An easy way for children to take herbal remedies
Give 3 benefits of a herbal infusion
- Infusions extract water-soluble phytochemicals
- They are hydrating
- They are good for compliance as many clients already drink herbal teas
Give 3 benefits of tinctures
Give 2 disadvantages of tinctures
- They are concentrated / stronger than other options
- They are fast-acting
- Good complicance as clients need to take less and they are easy to take.
- They have a long shelf life (up to 5 years)
- The alcohol halts microbial growth
Disadvantages:
- alcoholics, children and those with religious reasons can’t take them
- Those with inflammatory conditions (gastritis
What is the strongest strength of tincture and what is this called?
1:1 (1 part extracted herb to 1 part water/alcohol
Fluid extracts.
What is the minimum strength of alcohol for preservation?
What % of alcohol is requested for
a) essential oils and pigments
b) resins
25% minimum for preservation
a) 45% for essential oils
b) 90% for resins
What is a normal adult dosage for a tincture?
5ml (100 drops) 3 x per day before food
When might glycerites be an appropriate form of remedy?
- good for clients who cannot consume alcohol in tinctures or sugar in syrups
- Children enjoy the sweet taste and they have a gentle action
- syrupy texture makes them good for throat, mouth, chest remedies
- Gentle laxitive
Give 2 disadvantages of glycerites
- short shelf life (3 months)
- fewer phytochemicals extracted (complared to water/alcohol based remedies so may need higher dosage
Why are powders described as a ‘food form’ of herbal medicine.
What is the normal adult dose?
Because the whole herb is disgested and the small particle size aids assimilation
1 tsp 2 x daily
Give 4 disadvantages of standardised extracts
- Often made using unnatural solvents
- can be spiked with pure phytochemicals
- Don’t have a natural balance of phytochemicals
- Can resemble pharmaceuticals and more likely to cause side effects
Calendula:
2 uses
3 properties
Uses:
1. dry skin
2. wounds
Properties:
1. Antimicrobial
2. anti-inflammatory
3. tissue-healing
Comfry:
3 uses
2 actions
Uses:
1. Sprains
2. Strains
3. Arthritis
Actions:
1. Decreases inflammation
2. Increases cell proliferation/promotes healing
What are the properties of: ointments, creams and lotions and what are their different uses?
Oitments: Infused oils with beaswax/cocoa butter. Thick and greasy - used for dry, cracked skin
Creams: Infused oils mixed with water (using an emulsifyer). Moiturising texture - used for skin complaints and wounds
Lotions: Contain more water than creams, thin texture and cooling - used for hot, red, inflamed skin conditions
A herb that us used for skin inflammation, bruises, bites, stings.
How best used for the above?
Plantain leaf
In a poultice.
A cloth soaked in herbal infusion/decoction and applied to the skin is… give an e.g. of use
A compress
Calendula flower compress for skin conditions
Give 5 considerations when advising on dosage
- As an NT, always follow recommended doses on the product label
- Client age
- Body weight
- Degree of sensitivity
- acute condition/chronic condition?
Below what age should chjildren not be given herbal medicine?
At what age can a teenager usually be given an adult dose?
Under 2
14 years (less mature 14 year old - 3/4 dose)
List 5 herbal actions for the digestinve system with 1 herb e.g. for each
- Bitter (dandelion)
- Aromatic digestive (Cardamom)
- Carminative (fennel)
- Demulcent (slippery elm)
- Antiemetic (ginger)
Aloe Vera
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Polysaccharides
- local anti-inflammatory (COX-inhibitor) / speeds healing via collagen synthesis
- wounds, burns, GI inflammation
- Safe
Cardamom
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volitile oil / flavonoids
- Carminative; LOX-inhibiting
- weak digetion; flatulence; bloating; hypertension
- Avoid high dose in pregnancy and GORD
Chamomile
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Volitile oil; flavonoids
- Anti-inflammatory; caminative; antispasmodic; antioxidant; mild sedative (COX and NF-Kb inhibitor); anxiolytic
- Gastritis; peptic ulcers; IBS/IBD; teething; stress, insomnia; anxiety
- Asteraceae plant family allergy
Fennel
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volitile oil; flavonoids
- Antispasmodic; caminative, expectorant; galactagogue
- indigestion; flatulence; bloating; colic; IBS, support lactation; bronchitis
- GORD (relaxes LOS) and avoid high dose in pregnancy
Ginger
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Volitile oil (rhizome used)
- Antiemetic; caminative; aromatic digestive; anti-inflammatory (LOX, COC, TNF-a; cirulatory stimulant; prokinetic
- weak digestion; nausea/morning sickness; poor circulation; dysmenorrhoea; OA/RA.
- Caution: peptic ulcers; additive effect with anti-coagulants
Liquorice
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Glycyrrhetinic acid; glycyrrhizin
- Anti-inflammatory; cortisol mimic; mucoprotective, demulcent; hepatoprotective; anti-viral
- Adrenal fatigue; GORD, gastritis, ulcers; coughs, sore throat; PCOS (inhibits testosterone production)
Avoid: hypertension, oedema
E.g. of a mildly oestrogenic herb, it’s action and uses
Liquorice:
isoflavone content - takes up the oestrogen binding site and inhibits the CYP 1B1 pathway which produces the 4-OH metabolite.
Useful for oestrogen dominance and for breat cancer
Oregano
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Esssential oils
- Antispasmodic; antifungal; antibacterial; anti-parasitic; antioxidant
- GI infections incl. candidiasis, Ew.coli; flatulence and bloating
- Avoid high doses in pregnancy/breastfeeding. Avoid long-term use - too powerful
Peppermint
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Volitile oils
- Antispasmodic; caminative; antimicrobial; antiemetic
- nausea; colic; flatulence; IBS; topical analgesic - headaches
- avoid in GORD (relaxes LOS)
Slippery elm
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Polysaccharides (mucin)
- Demulcent
- gastritis; peptic ulcer; GORD; IBD; coughs; prebiotic
- Take 2 hours away from medicines - may decrease absorption. Ensure plenty water
3 key herbal actions for the liver with 1 e.g. for each
- Hepatoprotective (milk thistle)
- Choleretic (dandelion root)
- Cholagogue (artichoke)
Globe Artechoke (cynara)
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Bitter
- Hepatoprotective, choleretic and cholagogue
- Poor bile production/flow; liver disease, sliggish digestion, high cholesterol/TGs
- Avoid in pregnancy. Additive with statins
Dandelion root
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Lactones
- bitter tonic, choleretic, cholegogue, mild laxitive; mild diuretic
- Dyspepsia; contipation; appetite loss, flatulence, gall stones; cholecystitis
- Avoid: bile duct obstruction / asteraceae allergy
Milk thistle
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- silymarin
- hepatoprotective (protects against toxins); antioxidant (protects against phase I metabolites and increases glutathione and SOD), choleretic
- Cirrhosis; hepititis, fatty liver;
- Asteraceae allergy
5 herbal actions for the respiratory system and 1 e.g. for each
- Anticatarrhal (eye bright)
- Diaphoretic (cinnamon)
- Expectorant (liquorice)
- Antimicrobial (thyme)
5 Antispasmodic (aniseed)
What is the difference between an anticatarral and an expectorant herb?
An anticatarrhal reduces the formation of catarrh by drying it out whereas an expectorant facilitates the removal of catarrh (brings it up via productive coughing)
Thyme
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volatile oils e.g. thymol
- Expectorant; antispasmodic; diaphoretic; antimicrobial; anti-inflammatory (x NFkB and IL1 and IL6)
- colds; sore thoat; bronchitis; asthma; dysbiosis
- considered safe as an infusion
Cinnamon
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volatile oil; tannins
- diaphoretic (warming); anticeptic; carminative; blood sugar regulating
- weak digestion; poor circulation; Raynaud’s; T2DM (increases insulin receptor sensitivity); H.pylori
- additive with anti-diabetic drugs
Sage
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volatile oil
- anti-spasmodic; anti-microbial; anti-cancer (anti-proliferative); reduces high temperature; antioxidant
- gingivitis; respiratory infections e.g. tonsilitis; increases cognition; meno sweats (cold tea)
- X pregnancy and lactation (also reduces milk production) and no long-term use.
Garlic
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Sulphur compounds - allicin
- antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic; immune boosting (increases NK cells and interferons); antioxidant; reduces cholesterol, increases NO (reduces BP); anti-platelet; anti-inflammatory (x LOX and COX and NFkb)
- colds and flu; chronic bronchitis; bacterial/fungal inferstions; dysbiosis; atherosclerosis; hypertension
- Caution: anticoagulent drugs, anterhypertensives and in pregnancy
3 herbal actions for the immune system (e.g. of a herb for each)
- Immunomodulator (Astragalus)
- Immune-enhancing ( Echinacea)
- Anti-inflammatory (Turmeric)
Astragalus
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- triterpinoid saponins
- immune modulating/enhancing; adaptogen; cardio tonic; anti-cancer (anti-proliferative)
- recurrent infections; preventative; leukopenia; post-viral syndrome; mild heart failure
- Avoid in acute phases of infection (it’s adaptogenic)
Echinacea
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- polysaccharides
- Immune enhancing/modulating (bind to eCB receptors); anti-inflammatory (x LOX and COX)
- accute infections - bacterial and viral; arthritis
- caution with immunosuppressant drugs
Turmeric
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Curcumin
- Anti-inflammatory
5 key herbal actions for the nervous system/brain (e.g. of a herb for each)
- Nootropic (rosemary)
- Nervine (lavender)
- Thymoleptic (St John’s Wort)
- Sedative (Valerian)
- Anxiolytic (Passionflower)
Gingko
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- flavonoids; diterpenes
- antioxidant; neuroprotective; nootropic; circulatory stimulent
- memory and concentration; Alzheimer’s; vascular dementia; erectile dysfunction
- Caution with anti-clotting drugs and astop 1 week pre-surgery
Lavender
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volitile oils
- nervine; anti-depressant (increases SERT); anxiolytic (limbic system interaction); antispasmodic; carminative; antimicrobial
- anxiety; depression; insomnia; PMS; stress headaches
- Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Passionflower
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Flavanoids; alkaloids
- Anxiolytic (GABA; inhibits MAO-A); antispasmodic; mild sedative; hypnotic
- Insomnia; anxiety with circular thinking; agitiation; tension headache; nervous tachycardia; drug/alcohol withdrawal
- avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Rosemary
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- volatile oils; flavonoids
- circulatory stimulent; cardio-tonic; nootropic; carminative; anti-spasmodic; antioxidant; antimicrobial; hepatoprotective;
- improve memory; concentration; tension headache
- avoid high doses in pregnancy
St John’s Wort
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- flavonoids
- antidepressant (MAO inhibitor); nervine tonic; antiviral
- Mild-moderate depression; anxiety; irritability; herpes simplex; shingles; HIV
- Not for sole use in severe depression; sun explosure - poss. photosensitivity. Avoid with antidepressents
How many different medicinal herbs are there estimated to be in use globally?
30,000
How much of the adult’s dose of herbal medicine would you give to a 4 year old?
1/8 adult dose
How much of the adult’s dose of herbal medicine would you give to a 2 year old?
1/16 adult dose
How much of the adult’s dose of herbal medicine would you give to a 6 year old?
1/4 adult dose
How much of the adult’s dose of herbal medicine would you give to a 9 year old?
1/2 adult dose
How much of the adult’s dose of herbal medicine would you give to a 12 year old?
3/4 adult dose
Suggest a herb that has antispasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties
Oregano
What is the effect of an alkaloid phytochemical found in a plant?
Strong stimulant effects on the nervous system e.g. berberine
What is the effect of a flavanoid phytochemical found in a plant?
Anti-oxidant and anti-viral e.g. Hawthorn berry
what phytochemical causes powerful evacuation, give an e.g. of a herb containing this
Anthraquinones (Senna)
Which phytonutrient has an adaptogenic and steroid-like effect (e.g. of a herb containing this)
Saponins (liquorice)
What are the effects of tannins. Give an eg. of a herb containing these
Astringent (bind to proteins) and dry out wounds (yarrow).
What is the effect of terpenes and give an e.g. of a herb containing these
Antispasmodic in the GIT and lungs, antimicrobial (lavender)
Which herb would you need to be cautious with if your client has a peptic ulcer?
Ginger
Essential oils are made by extracting the volatile phytochemicals from herbs by which method?
Steam distillation
Name a herb that has adaptogenic properties, is energetically warming and can be used to protect against the side effects of radiotherapy in cancer treatments:
Siberian Ginseng
Which medication has an additive effect with cinnamon?
Metformin or other anti-diabetic medication
5 herbal actions for the reproductive system with e.g.s
- Hormone modulators (chaste berry)
- Emmenagogue (Dong quai)
- Galactagogue (fennel seeds)
- Reproductive tonic (shatavari)
- Anti-prostatic (saw palmetto)
A herb that promotes/induces mentruation is called a….
emmenagogue (e.g. dong quai)
What is a reproductive tonic, give an e.g.
A herb that promotes reproductive health e.g. shatavari
Black cohosh
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
Chaste Berry
- latin name
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Vitex angus castus
- Flavanoids and iridoid glycosides
- Prolactin inhibitor, increases progesterone, galatagogue
- PMS, luteal insufficiency, dysmenorrhoea, anovulation, recurrent misscarriage
- Avoid with HRT or progesterone drugs
Vitex angus castus / Chaste Berry - dosage
1 tsp dried berries decocted 1-2-x daily
Dong quai
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- ferulic acid
- Uterine tonic, HPO axis regulation, blood-builder, anti-inflammatory, cirulatory stimulent, anti-platelet
- Dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, menopause, PMS, irregular/absent menstruation
Shatavari
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- steroidal glycosides, alkaloids
- increases libido (both genders), galactogogue, adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, demulcent
- Menopause (vaginal dryness), infertility/low libido, male impotence, milk production
- Caution - pregnancy
Saw Palmetto
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
- Fatty acids, phytosterols (beta-sitosterol)
- Anti-androgenic (reduces conversion of testosterone to DHT - inhibits 5-alpha-reductase
- BPH, prostatitis
- Caution - Warfarin and avoid in pregnancy
What is the difference between an adaptogen and a tonic?
An adaptogen conserves energy, a tonic restores energy.
Definition of an adaptogen. By what axis are the mechanisms of adaptogens mainly mediated?
Adaptogens increase resistance to stressors , effects are mediated mainly by the HPA axis.
Ashwagandha
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
Korean ginseng
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
Siberian ginseng
- key constituents
- actions
- uses
- safety
Give 3 examples of adverse effects of herbs
- Sensitivity to salicylates (Willow Bark)
- photosensitivity skin reactions (St John’s Wort)
- GIT disturbances/diarrhoea (Schisandra )
What would the advice be if a client experiences minor disturbances from taking herbal medicine?
Stop taking, wait until the effect has passed, try again at 1/2 the dose. if effect happens again, discontinue.
7 herbs considered safe pregnancy in tea form/small doses
- Billberry
- German chamomile
- Cranberry
- Echinacea
- Garlic
- Ginger
- peppermint (not in 3rd Tri - GORD)
