Khalsa Generals and Female Repro Materia Medica Flashcards
What are the three most common energetic herbal classifications according to Khalsa?
o Temperature - Hot vs. cold
o Moisture – wet vs. dry
o Weight - heavy (nutritive) and light (stimulating)
What are the MC herb preparation methods from Western, Chinese, Ayurveda herbal medicine?
Western - Tinctures
Ayurvedic - Powders
Chinese - Decoctions
What are the +/- of Western tinctures?
+ pull out a lot of constituents that are not hydrophilic; alcohol pre-digests
What are the +/- of ayureveda powders
+ whole herb preparations
- relies of digestion: if someone has weak digestion, slower digestion and onset of effects
What are the +/- of chinese decoctions
preserve certain constituents and driving off others that may be unwanted; heat stable
Whare are the basic differences between bell curve & individual formulating, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
For a given condition, the bell curve will help us determine a standard treatment
individual formulations can be shifted to meet the needs of wherever someone falls on the bell curve
How are herbs categorized as superior, tonic and acute Tx and how does that effect dosing/duration?
Superior category: herbs effective for multiple diseases, mostly maintaining, restoring body balance, almost no unfavorable side effects
Tonics/boosters: consumption not prolonged
Acute: substances that must usually be taken small doses, & treatment of specific diseases only
What is the definition and role of a female reproductive tonic herb?
Generally considered to be a uterine tonic or hormonal. Gently supportive of the female reproductive system
Ex: Asparagus root, Vitex dioscorea – balancing to hormones
What is the use of emmenagogue herbs?
Bring on menstruation (amenorrhea)
What herbs are typically used for dysfunctional uterine bleeding?
Hemostats: Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Geranium spp. (Cranesbill root), Schisandra chinensis (5-Flavor Berry), Quercus spp. (Oak Bark)
Rubus spp. (Rasberry leaf) - astringent
Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort) hormonal and emotional balance
Dong quai - circulatory stimulant of the pelvis
Describe the regulatory controversy regarding Rubus.
Decades-old study that showed that rodent uterine cells in vitro were stimulated to contract from Rubus spp. Concern about use in pregnancy and inducing premature contractions.
Herbs for dysmenorrhea
Cinnamon Viburnum opulus/prunifolium (Cramp bark/Black Haw) Vitex dioscorea (Chaste Berry) Piscidia Zingiber officinale (Ginger)
Herbs for vascular instability (hot flashes) in menopause
Caulophyllum thalictroides – Blue Cohosh
Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racesmosa – Black Cohosh
Salvia officinalis – Sage
Mentha x piperita – Peppermint
Achyranthes bidentate – Ox knee
Dioscorea villosa – Wild Yam
3 edge (?), Vitamin E, Evening Primrose Oil
What are the galactagogue herbs?
Taraxacum officinale – Dandelion Root Foeniculum vulgare – Fennel Seed Anethum graveolens – Dill Seed Daucus carota – Carrots Trigonella foenum-graecum – Fenugreek Seed Papver somniferum – Poppy Seed
Which herbs treat both PMS and hot flashes?
Evening primrose oil
Dioscorea villosa – Wild Yam
Wieman: vitex, chitavarri
Common Name and Use of Angelica sinensis
Angelica sinensis - Dong Quai Root
Uses: reduces pain, inflammation, promotes menstruation, general tonic for women, menstrual regulator and tonic
Common Name and Use of Asparagus racemosus -
Asparagus racemosus - Shatavari
Uses: Uterine tonifying
Common Name, Use and MOA of Vitex Dioscorea
Vitex Dioscorea – Chaste Berry
Uses: menstrual irregularities and mastodynia; balances out PMS symptoms
MOA: increases secretion of LH; improves “progesterone deficiency”; inhibits prolactin; anti-androgenic?
Common Name, Use and MOA of Rubus
Rubus – Red Raspberry
Uses: Metrorrhagia; prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage
MOA: alkaloid tonifies uterine muscle
Common Name of Capsella bursa-pastoris
Capsella bursa-pastoris – Shepherd’s Purse
Common Name and Use of Viburnum opulus and prunifolium
Viburnum opulus/prunifolium – Cramp Bark/Black Haw
Uses: dysmenorrhea
Common Name and Use of Actaea racemosa
Actaea racemosa – Black Cohosh
Uses: Hot flashes
MOA: probably not estrogenic
Common Name and Use of Taraxacum officinale
Taraxacum officinale – Dandelion Root
Uses: Galactagogue, cysts
Common Name and Use of Foeniculum vulgare
Foeniculum vulgare – Fennel Seed
Uses: antispasmodic, galactagogue
MOA: anethole inhibits spasms; phytohormone source that increases lactation
Common Name and Use of Trigonella foenum-graecum
Trigonella foenum-graecum – Fenugreek Seed
Uses: galactagogue, used in cases of inadequate milk supply
MOA: phytohormone source
Common Name and Use of Viola tricolor
Viola tricolor – Wild Pansy
Uses: eczema, psoriasis and acne
MOA: Salicylates and rutin
When an herb is described as being “hot”, a more modern way to describe that energy would be…?
Hypermetabolic
