Herbs and the GI Flashcards
Tones or benefits the function of the stomach; increases appetite:
Stomachic
Tastes bitter; stimulates digestion:
Bitters
Prevents formation of/relieves gas:
Carminative
Facilitates bowel movement:
Laxative
Evacuates the colon:
Purgative
Cathartic
Causes vomiting:
Emetic
Relieves nausea; stops vomiting:
Antiemetic
Kills parasitic worms in the GI tract:
Antihelminthic
Digestive processes in the mouth:
- Mastication
- Saliva - amylase
- Taste - stimulates brain reflex to trigger digestion
Digestive processes in the stomach:
- Protein digestion - HCl & pepsin
- Gastrin - stimulates HCl prodxn
- Gustducin - transduces bitter/sweet/umami
- Ghrelin - inc hunger/motility/mucosal cell proliferation; mucosal AI
- Churns food
Digestive processes in the duodenum:
- CCK - prodxn/release of pancreatic enzymes/bile d/t fat & amino acids
- Secretin - dec. gastric emptying; stim pancreatic juices
- GIP - dec. gastric emptying
Digestive processes of the liver:
Gall bladder:
Liver - produces bile -> emulsifies fat
Gall bladder - stores & excretes bile
Digestive processes of the pancreas:
- H2CO3 - Neutralizes acids
* Enzymes - lipase, nuclease, phospholipase, trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, elastase, amylase, sterol esterase.
Digestive processes of the intestines:
- Assimilation (absorption?)
* Elimination
Where do bitters work? How?
In the mouth; Receptors on the tongue / oral mucosa stimulate the production of saliva, transmit signals to the brain -> stimulates digestive processes through vagal efferents
Bitters stimulate what processes?
- Inc ghrelin (inc hunger, satiety cycle)
- Inc CCK (bile secretion, pancreatic enzymes)
- Stimulates motility
- Anti-inflammatory to GI mucosa
- Stimulates proliferation of mucosal cells
What is the “quintessential” digestive bitter:
Gentiana lutea (gentian)
Name some alterative bitters:
- Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)
- Cynara scolymus (artichoke)
- Rumex crispus (yellow dock)
- Mahonia sp (Oregon grape)
Name some bitter carminatives:
- Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
* Angelica archangelica (angelica)
Gentian - actions:
- Bitter (stim digestion)
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cholagogue
Gentian constituents:
- Secoiridoid glycosides (amarogentin, gentiopicrin, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin)
Citrus peel constituents:
- Flavonoid glycosides (neohesperidin, naringin)
- Non-bitter flavonoids (hesperidin, rutoside, sinensetin, nobiletin, tangeritin)
- Essential oil (limonene)
- Pectins
- Furanocoumarins
- Phenols (polymethoxylated flavones, hydroxycinnamates)
Citrus peel is classically used as a bitter tonic for:
dyspepsia
loss of appetite
Name some aromatic bitters:
- Zingiber officinale (ginger)
- Citrus sinensis (sweet orange)
- Citrus aurantium (bitter orange)
- Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)
Bitter orange contains ____________ (mainly bergapten) that are ______________ in fair-skinned people.
furanocoumarins
photosensitizing
not found in sweet orange
D-limonene is used in the tx of ____________ because it is a solvent of _____________.
It is also used to treat ________ because it promotes __________.
gallstones
cholesterol
GERD
peristalsis
Citrus peel - energetics:
sour
bitter
dry
cool or warm (depends on individual)
Bitters - indications:
- dyspepsia
- intestinal atony
- hypochlorhydria
- malabsorption
Bitters - contraindications:
- hyperchlorhydria
- acute gastritis
- acute diarrhea
- acute IBD flare
- acute peptic ulcer
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- concomitant acid blocker drug therapy
Carminative herbs have mild _____________ effects, largely due to the ______________ they contain.
antispasmodic
volatile oils
Carminative herbs:
- Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)
- Pimpinella anisum (anise)
- Mentha piperita (peppermint)
- Mentha spicata (spearmint)
- Zingiber officinale (ginger)
- Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
- Angelica archangelica (angelica)
- Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)
Fennel - actions:
- antispasmodic
- anti-inflammatory
- carminative
- galactogogue
- bitter
Fennel - energetics:
warming
aromatic
bitter
sweet
Fennel - constituents:
- 50-70% trans-anethole (sweet)
*
Chamomile - actions:
- Carminative
- stomachic
- antiemetic
- antispasmodic
- anti-inflammatory
- sedative
- nervine
- anti-ulcerogenic
- bitter
Chamomile - constituents:
sesquiterpenes (alpha-bisabolol & chamazulene, matricin, apigenin)
Chamomile - indications:
- nervous manifestations of dentition
- otitis media
- rheumatic / neuralgic pain
- abdominal neuroses
- hysteria
- infantile convulsion
Ginger - actions:
- ANTIEMETIC
- carminative
- stomachic
- anti-inflammatory
- analgesic
- diaphoretic
- diuretic
- antimicrobial
- expectorant
- antitussive
- decreases platelet aggregation
- increases digestive enzyme activity
Ginger - constituents:
- monocyclic sesquiterpenes (zingiberene, zingiberole, gingerol, shogoal, phellandrene, borneol, cineole, citral)
- resins
- mucilage
Ginger - energetics:
warming
stimulating
draws energy to center
Ginger - indications:
- anorexia
- flatulence
- borborygmus
- spasmodic gastic/intestinal contractions
- painful menses
- acute colds
- cool extremities
Yellow dock - energetics:
bitter
cooling
contracting
Yellow dock - constituents:
- tannins
- anthraquinone glycosides (small amt)
- oxalic acid (mostly in leaves)
- iron
Yellow dock - actions:
- astringent
- nutritive
- alterative
- lymphagogue
Yellow dock - indications:
- syphilis
- necrosis
- mucosal ulceration
- TB
Geranium - constituents:
- gallic acid
- tannic acid
- gum
- pectin
- starch
- resin
Geranium - energetics:
contracting
Geranium - actions:
- astringent
- styptic
- GI tract atony
Marshmallow - constituents:
- mucilage (25-35%)
- polysaccharides
- flavonoids
- phenolic acids
- altheacoumarin glycoside
- lanosterol
- β-sitosterol
Marshmallow - energetics:
cool
moist
Marshmallow - actions:
- soothing to mucous membranes
- stimulates cell regeneration
- anti-inflammatory
Slippery elm - constituents:
- mucilage
- soluble / insoluble fibers
- phytosterols
- tannins
Slippery elm - energetics:
cool
moist
Slippery elm - actions:
- soothing to mucous membranes
* anti-inflammatory
Aloe - constituents:
- polysaccharides
- phytosterols
- chromones
- enzymes
- anthraquinone glycosides (small amt)
Aloe - energetics:
cool
moist
Aloe - actions:
- soothing to mucous membranes
- vulnerary
- anti-inflammatory
- immunomodulating
Name some GI anti-inflammatories:
- Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
- Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense)
- Calendula officinalis (pot marigold)
- Curcuma longa (turmeric)
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
- Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
Name some GI antispasmodics:
- Ammi visnaga (Khella)
- Dioscorea villosa (wild yam)
- Lobelia inflata (lobelia)
- Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
- Mentha piperita (peppermint)
- Viburnum opulus (cramp bark)
- Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw)
Khella - constituents:
- coumarins
- furanochromones
- Khellin
- visnagin
Khella - energetics:
cool
moist
Khella - actions:
- antispasmodic
* diuretic
Wild yam - constituents:
- steroidal saponins
* dioscoretin
Wild yam - energetics:
cool
dry
Wild yam - actions:
- antispasmodic
- anti-inflammatory
- diaphoretic
Wild yam - indications:
- Bilary colic
* N/V
Robert’s formula is equal parts of these 5 herbs:
- Echinacea
- Phytolacca (poke)
- Althea (marshmallow)
- Hydrastis (goldenseal)
- Geranium
Other words that mean constipation:
costiveness
dyschezia
dyssynergic defecation
Definition of constipation:
Refers to bowel movements that are infrequent (
What are some common causes of constipation:
dehydration low fiber diet stress decreased physical activity meds congenital hypothyroid structural issues psychological colorectal cancer/tumor
Constipation treatments:
stool habits position/sitting parasympathetic tone hydration epsom salts bulk fiber * soluble/insoluble irritant laxatives
What are some bulk fibers/laxatives:
cereals - bran, oat, rice
chondrus crispus (Irish moss)
plantago spp. (psyllium)
linum usitatissimum (flax)
T/F: Whole grains are high in fiber.
True, but they’re higher in sugar!!
Vegetables are a better source of fiber.
Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol by:
attaching to bile salts so that they are excreted.
Psyllium - action:
- longer transit time in diarrhea
- shorter transit time in constipation, inc volume of stool
- lowers serum cholesterol
- reduces post-prandial blood glucose elevations
Psyllium - indications:
- anal fissures
- hemorrhoids
- post anal/rectal surgery
- during pregnancy
- IBS
- constipation d/t duodenal ulcer/diverticulitis
- hyperlipidemia
Psyllium - contraindications:
- stenosis of the GI tract
- obstruction
- poorly controlled DM
Flaxseed - indications:
- chronic complications
- laxative damage
- irritable colon
- diverticulitis
- mucilage for gastritis/enteritis
Flaxseed - contraindications:
ileus of any origin
Bastyr B formula - indications:
- bowel infx
- ulceration w/bleeding
- chronic bowel problems
- IBS
- diverticulitis
- UC
Irritant laxatives:
Called stimulant/contact laxatives
- contain anthraquinone glycosides ->
- cause mild irritation of the intestinal walls
- increase fluid electroytye accumulation
- increase peristalsis of the large bowel
Irritant laxatives - cautions:
- pregnancy (malabsorption)
- active diarrhea
- children under 12 (mb)
- cause habituation
Rhamnus - actions:
- irritant laxative
* stimulates peristalsis
Rhamnus - indications:
- constipation
- atonic conditions of intestine
- chronic hemorrhoids d/t atony
- mb used for elderly/debilitated (in proper formulation)
- nursing mom to tx child
Rhamnus - contraindications:
- lack of constipation
- intestinal obstruction
- acute intestinal inflammation
- crohn’s
- UC
- appendicitis
- abd pain of unknown origin
- children
Rhamnus - toxicity:
chronic use can cause pigmentation of distal bowel - melanosis coli (unknown significance)
Two medicines in aloe:
- aloe gel - bulking agent, immune stimulating polysaccharide
- bitter aloe resin - strong laxative, yellow anthraquinone glycoside
By-products of incomplete digestion:
- carbs - ferment
- proteins - rot
- fats - rancidify
Carminatives main action:
to soothe the gut wall
easing griping pains
reduce the production of gas in the digestive tract.
usu d/t volatile oils -> local anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antimicrobial effects
Carminatives - cautions:
- GERD (relax LES)
- kidney dz
- don’t treat underlying condition of gas/bloating
Causes of hemorrhoids:
- Hereditary factors/structural weakness of veins
- anatomical
- partial congestion
- chronic constipation
- sphincteric relaxation
- toilet habits/position
Aesculus - actions:
- venous tonic
- reduced capillary permeability
- protects & regulates CT
- anti-edemic
- anti-inflammatory
- astringent
Aesculus - indications:
- chronic venous insufficiency
- decreasing cranial pressure
- topical
- blunt trauma
- hematoma
- post-op swelling
- hemorrhoids
Ruscus - actions:
- anti-inflammatory
- vasoconstrictor
- anti-hemorrhagic
- vasotonic
T/F: Ruscus has been studied in pregnant women and found to be safe.
True!
Shown improved sx of pregnancy-related varicosities (hemorrhoids)
Stone root - actions:
- diuretic
- tonic
- astringent
- hepatic tonic
- lithotrophic
- anti-lithic
- carminitive
- anti-inflammatory
- alterative
- stimulant
Stone root - indications:
- constipation
- indigestion
- irritative dyspepsia
- chronic gastritis
- diarrhea
- dysentery
- colic
- spasmodic GI conditions
- tenesmus
- anal fistula
- rectal ulcers
- hemorrhoids
Witch hazel - actions:
- astringent
- anti-inflammatory
- hemostatic
- wound healing
Witch hazel - indications:
- passive hemorrhages
- varicosities
- venous stasis
- sore throat
- muscle soreness
