L3 Herbal Actions: Nervine, antispasmodic Flashcards
Nervine, antispasmodic
What are the various actions of nervines?
- Relaxing
- Sedating
- Hypnotic (sleep-inducing)
- Occasionally stimulating (Cola vera)
- Occasionally pain-relieving (analgesic)
Nervine, antispasmodic
What are nervines indicated for ?
- Calming the spirit
- Relieving nervous tension
- Relieving anxiety
Nervine, antispasmodic
What physical problems can be caused by nervous tension?
- Inhibiting circulation
- High BP (hypertension)
- Aggravating irritable bowel
- Menstrual cramping
- Asthma/eczema
Nervine, antispasmodic
Wild oat seed and tops
Seeds : also adaptogenic and nuritive
Tops : good for anxiotytic conditions, depression, addictions esp. tobacco
Avena sativa
Nervine, antispasmodic
Chamomile
Also antiseptic (particulary in digestive tract), carminative, warming.
MatriCARia recuTIta
Chamomilla spp
Nervine, antispasmodic
Black cohosh
Principally for menstrual pain. Very good for musculoskeletal system, ligament strengthening and antirheumatic.
Cimicifuga racemosa
Nervine, antispasmodic
Wild Yam root
Particulary dysmenorrhea, also quick acting for irritable bowel (griping, colicky pain)
Dioscorea villosa
Nervine, antispasmodic
Hops
Stress-relieving, phytooestrogenic
Humulus lupulus
Nervine, antispasmodic
Lobelia
Combined with Avena sativa excellent for tobacco addiction
“Indian tobacco”
Lobelia inflata
Nervine, antispasmodic
Passionflower
Relieves the stress of being incarnated! Anxiolytic
For sleep
PassiflorA incarnARta
Nervine, antispasmodic
Skullcap
Trophorestorative to nerves, tonic
Anxiolytic and hypnotic
Scutellaria laTERiflora
Nervine, antispasmodic
Wood betony
Anxiety, depression (stimulating), anti-inflammatory
Stachys betonica
Nervine, antispasmodic
Lime blossom
Good for high BP (esp with Yarrow and Hawthorn flowers), acts on blood vessels.
Helps reduce cholesterol levels (antihyperlipidemic)
Tilia europea
Nervine, antispasmodic
Valerian root
Warming (but for some constitutions has heating effect), cerebral stimulant
Valerian officinalis
Nervine, antispasmodic
(Blue) Vervain
Also bitter tonic. Trophorestorative. Relaxes and strengthens. ‘Female character’
Verbena officinalis
Nervine, antispasmodic
Cramp bark
Known for dysmenorrhea. Also colic, IBS, asthma
Viburnum opulus
Nervine, antispasmodic
Mistletoe stems
For BP
Viscum album
Nervine, antispasmodic
Ashwagandha
Primarily adaptogen. Strengthens. Nootropic. Also a sexual tonic. Combines well with Passionflower in a sleep tonic.
Withania somnifera
St Johns Wort
Also improves liver detoxification (for drugs). Also vulnerary
Hypericum perforatum
List herbs with nervine action (16)
Passionflower
St John’s Wort
Skullcap
Ashwagandha
Mistletoe
Crampbark
Vervein
Valerian
Lime blossom
Wood betony
Lobelia
Hops
Wild yam
Wild oat seed
Black cohosh
Chamomile
