Herbs for the Liver and Respiratory Flashcards
Hepatoprotective
Protects the liver e.g., milk thistle.
Choleretic
Increases bile production by the liver e.g., dandelion root.
Cholagogue
Increases release of stored bile from the gallbladder e.g., artichoke.
Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
Hepatoprotective (increases antioxidants), Choleretic
Cholagogue
Reduces cholesterol
Enhances digestion and absorption.
Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale):
Bitter tonic
Choleretic
Cholagogue
Mild laxative
Mild diuretic;
dyspepsia, constipation, appetite loss, flatulent colic, gall stones, cholecystitis. Increases liver AO enzymes.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
Hepatoprotective/restorative (binds with hepatocellular membranes and protects against toxins and carcinogens)
Antioxidant (protects against phase I metabolites —increases glutathione and SOD)
Choleretic;
cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver, nausea, dyspepsia, flatulent colic.
Anticatarrhal
Reduces the formation of catarrh or phlegm (drying it out) e.g., eyebright.
Diaphoretic
Promotes sweating to relieve a fever e.g., cinnamon.
Expectorant
Facilitates the removal of catarrh e.g., liquorice.
Anti-microbial
Destroys infectious micro-organisms e.g., thyme.
Anti-spasmodic (broncho-spasmolytic)
Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle spasm e.g., aniseed.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Actions and uses:
Expectorant,
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Anti-microbial (bacterial, fungal, viral —shown to ↑bacterial cell membrane permeability)
Anti-inflammatory (inhibits NF-κB, Il-1/6) colds, sore throat, acute and chronic bronchitis /coughs, asthma; oral and GI dysbiosis, dyspepsia.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Warming diaphoretic
Antiseptic
Carminative
Blood sugar regulating
Weak digestion, nausea, poor circulation, Raynaud’s, diabetes mellitus (increases insulin receptor sensitivity), H. pylori (inhibits urease —combine with liquorice), parasites, high cholesterol (reduces TGs and LDL), low mood.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Anti-spasmodic
Antimicrobial
Anti-cancer (anti-proliferative, angiogenic), Anti-hyperhydrotic
antioxidant; gingivitis; respiratory infections e.g., tonsillitis; ↑ cognition (↓ breakdown of acetylcholine) —Alzheimer’s; menopausal sweats/flushes (cold tea).
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Anti-parasitic
Immune-boosting(↑ NK cells and interferons)
Mucolytic, antioxidant, ↓cholesterol, hypotensive (↑ nitric oxide), antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory (inhibits LOX, COX and NF-kB); colds, flu, chronic bronchitis, bacterial / fungal infections incl. dysbiosis, atherosclerosis,hypertension, ↑ cholesterol, liver support (↑ GST).
