L4 - Herbal medicine

Question 1

What is photochemistry & its primary & secondary metabolites?

Answer 1

The study of plant derived chemicals

Primary = plant compounds needed for plant to grow/function

Secondary = compound plant produces in response to environment to assist its survival - active in humans & central in herbal medicine!

Question 2

4 primary metabolites in plants?

Answer 2

Starch = energy storage

Chlorophyll = carb production

Cellulose = withstand cellular pressure - shape

Lignin = structural support- skeleton

Question 3

2 examples of secondary metabolites?

Answer 3

Coffee beans - caffeine (an alkaloid) is a natural pesticide & stimulates human NS

Tannins - protect woody part of plant from decomposition/insects - reduce watery mucous in humans eg green tea

Question 4

What’s an infusion & when to use?

Answer 4

2tsp/cup x 3

Extract water soluble photochemicals

Delicate plants leaves/flowers

Question 5

What’s a decoction & when to use?

Answer 5

Roots/barks that need ‘cooking’ to extract water soluble photochemicals

Simmer for 15mins

1tsp/cup x 3

Question 6

What’s a syrup & when to use

Answer 6

Decoction + sweetener (preserves)

Good; children or if need to hold in mouth/throat

Question 7

What’s a TINCTURE & uses?

Answer 7

Extracts FAT soluble photochemicals

Steep in alcohol or vinegar (preserves)

Concentrated & fast acting

Question 8

What are GLYCERITES & uses?

Answer 8

Stoped in glycerine (thick/sweet fat/oil)

If can’t consume alcohol - but reduced extraction & shelf life

Question 9

What is a POULTICE & examples?

Answer 9

Crushed herbs applied directly to skin & held with bandage

COMFREY - knit bone, fractures

PLANTAIN- skin bruises, bites, inflammation

Question 10

5 Herbal actions for digestion

Answer 10

Bitter (stimulate excretion), dandelion

Aromatic (strong digestion), cardomon

Carminative (relax), peppermint

Demulcent (mucous), slipper elm

Antiemetic (< nausea), ginger

Question 11

6 PHYTOCHEMICAL examples?

Answer 11

ALKALOIDS - stimulate NS, berberine

ANTHRAQUINONES - evacuation, senna

FLAVONOIDS- anti oxidant/viral

SAPONINS - adaptogenic, steroid effect, liquorice

TANNINS- astringent, dries, green tea

TERPENES- antispasmodic GI & lungs & antimicrobial, lavender

Question 12

What is CHOLERETIC & CHOLAGOGUE?

Answer 12

CHOLERETIC - increases bile, dandelion

CHOLAGOGUE - stimulates gallbladder to release stored bile, artichoke

Question 13

What is a DIAPHORETIC?
(Note; respiratory)

Answer 13

Promotes sweating/fever eg cinnamon

Question 14

What do the following mean in relation to the NS?

Nootropic
Nervine
Thymoleptic
Sedative
Anxiolytic

Answer 14

Nootropic = enhance brain
Nervine = relaxes
Thymoleptic = mood lifting
Sedative = sleep
Anxiolytic = anxiety relief

Question 15

What is meant by Emmenagogue?

Answer 15

Promotes menstruation

Question 16

What is meant by galactagogue?

Answer 16

Promotes breast milk production

Question 17

What is an adaptogen vs a Tonic?

Answer 17

Adaptogens:
> stress resilience, exerted by processes mediated by HPA
CONSERVE energy

Tonics:
>vigour & function
RESTORE energy

Question 18

REPRO - Dong Quai

Answer 18

HPO regulator
Absent/Irregular cycle
>circulation
<inflammation

Endometriosis, PMs, Menopause

Question 19

REPRO - Chaste Berry

Answer 19

Low progesterone
(< ovulation, fertility, lactation)
(>miscarriages)
Regulate post OCP

Question 20

REPRO - Shatavri

Answer 20

She who has 100 husbands!

Libido, Vag dryness, ED, infertility

Question 21

REPRO - Black Cohosh

Answer 21

Phyto oestrogen
Menopause
Dysmenorrhea
Cramps (pms)
OA, RA

Question 22

ADAPTOGENS/TONICS

Aswaghanda

Answer 22

Comforts not whips up
Sedation, Insomnia, night thoughts
>GABA, nervine
Blood building
Immune/autoimmune
ED, >sperm quality

Question 23

ADAPTOGENS/TONICS

Korean Ginseng

Answer 23

K for Kick!
Stimulating!
Like double espresso
Energy, fatigue
> mental/physical performance

Question 24

ADAPTOGENS/TONICS

Siberian Ginseng

Answer 24

S = soothing

Convalescing
Immune modulating
Chronically low immune
General debility, fatigue, low mood

Question 25

DIGESTIVE Aloe Vera

Answer 25

Anti inflammatory callogen

Question 26

DIGESTIVE Chamomile

Answer 26

Mother of Gut! Anti inflammatory Carmative,

Question 27

DIGESTIVE Green Cardamon

Answer 27

Increase digestive fire Farting, bloating Carmative Hypertension

Question 28

DIGESTIVE Fennel

Answer 28

>lactation Baby colic Indigestion IBS Appetite stimulate

Question 29

DIGESTIVE Peppermint

Answer 29

Anti-spasmodic - blocks Ca channels Antiemetic (nausea) Colic, flactulance, IBS Tension headache Relaxes LOS - avoid with GORD

Question 30

DIGESTIVE Oregano

Answer 30

Anti bacterial/fungal GI infections- candida, e-coli, h-pylori Flactulance, bloating

Question 31

DIGESTIVE Ginger

Answer 31

Antiemetic Carmative Anti inflammatory Prokinetic - >digestive fire & Mmr > circulation (raynauds) Expels gas

Question 32

DIGESTIVE Liquorice

Answer 32

Anti inflammatory (like cortisol) adrenal tonic (spares cortisol) Demulcent, thins mucous Expectorant Liver protection Antivirals, EBV Protects mucosa- >blood & mucous - h pylori, gord, gastritis, PCOS < ovarian testosterone Oestrogen dominance- <4-OH Avoid: HBP, odema

Question 33

LIVER Globe Artichoke

Answer 33

Stimulates gall bladder Choloretic (> bile production) Modulates LDL:HDL

Question 34

LIVER Dandelion

Answer 34

CHOLERETIC - stimulates bile production CHOLAGOGUE - stimulate bile discharge from gallbladder Sluggish digestion Low appetite Gallstones Flactulance Colic

Question 35

LIVER Milk Thistle

Answer 35

Regenerating liver cells post detox Binds to cell membranes protecting from toxins Modulates phase 1:2 > glutathione production by liver Cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver

Question 36

4 Herbs that support respiratory

Answer 36

Thyme - ur time is up microbes! Expectorant Sage - anti spasmodic, microbial, < heat & sweating, sore throat Cinnamon - warming, > circulation, > IS Garlic - natures antibiotic- > immune, NO,

Question 37

IMMUNE 3 herbs & uses

Answer 37

Astragalus- post viral; ME, Lyme, anti cancer, cardiotonic Turmeric- anti-inflammatory, anti cancer (induces adiposis), neuro-protective, anti-platelets Echinacea- immune modulation, flu/virus, anti inflammatory

Question 38

Nervous System herbs x 5

Answer 38

GINKGO BILOBA - Nootropic, neuro-protective , memory/concentration, >circulation LAVENDER- nervine, spasms, anti-depressant > serotonin, anti-candida, stress headaches PASSION FLOWER- Anxiety, stimulates GABA, nervousness, racing heart, agitation ROSEMARY- > circulation, cardio tonic, >memory/concentration, mental performance, nootropic, supports phase 1:2 ST. JOHNS WART - inhibits COMT & MAO, increases GABA, helps; anxiety, irritability Antiviral - herpes, HIv, Shingles Insomnia