Herbology wk 1 Flashcards
Alteratives are:
an herb that alters the body in a non-specific, broadly beneficial way; a “blood purifier”; “tonics”
Depuratives are:
agents which increase secretions of toxins from the body; may act on kidneys, lymph, liver; “blood cleansers”; sometimes used interchangeably with alterative.
Adaptogens are:
substance that non-specifically increase the body’s
1) ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and
2) promotes / restores normal physiological functioning
3) non-toxic
Alteratives - wk 1:
Red Clover Yellow Dock Oregon Grape Burdock Nettles
Indications for alteratives:
digestion - malabsorption elimination - constipation, flatulence hypochlorhydria liver dysfunction - "toxemia" chronic infection acne
Toxemia is:
a condition produced by accumulation of putrefactive and toxic waste products. (different from toxemia of pregnancy)
Contraindications of alteratives:
acute diarrhea cholecystitis cholelithiasis ulcerative colitis peptic ulcers extreme weakness/depletion/coldness inflammatory conditions
Nettles - tissue states:
atrophy
stagnation
toxicity
depression
Nettles - parts used:
leaf, stem, root
Nettles - indications:
anti-inflammatory diuretic - swelling, edema liver support sinus support - dries up mucus, allergies low BP hair loss
Yellow Dock - parts used:
leaf, root
Yellow dock - indications:
constipation liver dz malabsorption / hypochlorhydria skin eruptions - eczema, psoriasis anemia cough
Sheep Sorrel - parts used:
leaf, flower
Sheep Sorrel - indications:
anti-diarrhea anti-inflammatory antioxidant cleansing / detox cellular regeneration vascular disorders
Burdock - parts used:
root & seeds most potent
all parts can be used
Burdock - constituents:
Inulin sesquiterpene lactones organoacids phytosteroids tannins mucilage flavonoids
Burdock - indications:
alterative GI stimulant derm conditions - psoriasis, scaling, dry scaling, acne endocrine - PMS, menopause, blood sugar inflammatory d/o - gout, rheumatism, diuretic, choleretic nervine - relaxant anti-bacterial anti-fungal
Oregon Grape - constituents:
berberine (isoquinoline alkaloids)
tannins
Oregon Grape - parts used:
root, berries
Oregon Grape - tissue states:
dry
atrophy
stagnation
Oregon Grape - indications:
alterative tonic digestant detergent antiemetic antimicrobial skin - chronic dz, dry, scale, eczema, acne, dandruff liver - hepatitis, jaundice, choleretic lymph - congestion, dryness blood sugar regulation GI - giardia, constipation, diarrhea syphilitic dyscrasia
Oregon Grape - precautions:
stimulates uterine contraction - avoid in pregnancy/lactation
stimulated bile flow -> diarrhea
best to use in subacute/chronic, not acute infection
Nettles - constituents:
chlorogenic acid caffeoylmalic acid flavonoids essential oil amino acids minerals Hairs: acetylcholine histamine serotonin
Rumex (yellow dock, sorrel) - constituents:
emodin (laxative) oxalic acid chyrosaphoric acid calcium rumicin lapodin tannins flavonoids
