Herbs for the Reproductive System and Adaptogens and Tonics

Question 1

Hormone modulators

Answer 1

Regulate and balance hormonal activity e.g., chaste berry.

Question 2

Emmenagogue

Answer 2

Promotes menstruation e.g., Dong quai.

Question 3

Galactagogue

Answer 3

Promotes breast milk production e.g., fennel seeds.

Question 4

Reproductive tonic

Answer 4

Promotes reproductive health and fertility e.g., shatavari.

Question 5

Anti-prostatic

Answer 5

Reduces symptoms from the prostate gland e.g., saw palmetto.

Question 6

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Answer 6

Emmenagogue
Oestrogen-modulating (isoflavone content), Uterine tonic
Antispasmodic, antirheumatic

Menopausal symptoms, spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, PMS, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cramps.

Question 7

Chaste berry (Vitex agnus castus)

Answer 7

Prolactin inhibitor and indirectly progesterogenic (binds to dopamine D2 receptors ↓ prolactin pituitary secretion -in turn ↑ progesterone through normal corpus luteal development)
Galactagogue;
PMS, luteal insufficiency, dysmenorrhoea, anovulation, hyperprolactinaemia, recurrent miscarriage (↓ progesterone), insufficient lactation, after OCP to regulate cycle.

Question 8

Dong quai(Angelica sinensis)

Answer 8

Uterine tonic (regulates the HPOaxis)
Anti-inflammatory
‘Blood building/tonic’, circulatory stimulant, anti-platelet, anti-arrhythmic, mild laxative;

Dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis; menopause, PMS, irregular or absent periods,weakness after the period, after giving birth or while breastfeeding.

Question 9

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa)

Answer 9

Aphrodisiac (attributable to the testosterone-like effects of key constituents)
Galactagogue
Adaptogen
Anti-inflammatory, demulcent;

Menopausal symptoms incl. vaginal dryness, infertility or low libido, male impotence, to promote lactation.

Question 10

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Answer 10

Anti-androgenic (↓ conversion of testosterone to DHT by inhibiting 5α-reductase)
Anti-inflammatory (inhibits COX and LOX; lowers TNF and IL-1)
Male tonic, antispasmodic

BPH (slows prostate cell proliferation, ↓ inflammation and oedema, ↓ smooth muscle spasm), prostatitis, cystitis.

Question 11

Adaptogens

Answer 11

Adaptogens increase resistance to physical, biological, emotional and environmental stressors. Effects are exerted via a range of mechanisms, mediated largely by the HPA axis.

Question 12

Tonics

Answer 12

Tonics refer to herbs that improve tone, vigour and body function

Question 13

Difference between Adaptogens and Tonics

Answer 13

• Adaptogens conserve energy, while tonics restore energy.
• A herb often has both properties.
• Adaptogens and tonics are used in a range of health scenarios including chronic stress, exhaustion, anxiety, chronic illness, post-viral syndrome, compromisedimmunity, autoimmunity.

Question 14

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Answer 14

Adaptogen
Tonic
Nervine (GABA agonist)
Mild sedative
Anti-inflammatory, immune modulating, anti-anaemic (blood building); impotence, infertility (e.g. in males ―↑ DHEA, serum LH and testosterone; improves semen and sperm quality), convalescence, anaemia, arthritis, insomnia (esp. those waking early with anxious thoughts), post-viral/CFS

Question 15

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Answer 15

Adaptogenic (supports HPA axis)
Tonic
Very stimulating (avoid at night!)
Immune modulating, cardiotonic, male tonic, cognition enhancing; debility, stress, impotence, low immunity (lung tonic), fatigue, male infertility, convalescence, to ↑ physical / mental performance, Type 2 diabetes(↑ insulin sensitivity).

Question 16

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Answer 16

Adaptogen
Immune modulating (↑ T and B Lymphocytes, T-helper cells andNK cells)
General debility, physical stress, fatigue, convalescence, mild depression, chronic immune deficiency, to ↑ physical & mental performance, tonic for the elderly, cancer during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.