Low Dose Botanicals

Question 1

Aconitum napellus

Answer 1

Aconitum napellus – Monkshood/Wolfsbane

Indications: shock, anxiety, small and frequent pulse; severe pain, high fever, delirium, sudden onset of fever, fear of something unk is often assoc

MOA: diterpene alkaloid, aconitine, reduces permeability of nerve cells to sodium
**1 drop = max dose

Question 2

What are the deadly nightshades (solinaceous plants), their indications and MOA?

Answer 2

Deadly Nightshades: Atropa belladonna, Datura stromonium, Hyoscyamus niger

Indications: GI spasms (Atropa), UT spasms (Hyo), respiratory spasms (Datura)

MOA: compete for ACHr at muscarinic receptors (parasympatholytic)

Question 3

Gelsemium sempervirens

Answer 3

Indications: flushed face, contracted pupils, high fever, insomnia, hysteria, convulsions, dryness, spasms, nerve pain with nervous tension, trigeminal neuralgia; great irritation

Question 4

Bryonia alba

Answer 4

Indications: inflammation of the serous membranes and associated organs, often with effusion

Question 5

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Answer 5

Indications: nervous anxiety

Question 6

What are the emergency procedures with regard to overdose of this materia medica?

Answer 6

1) call poison control
2) Maintain basic respiration and circulation
3) Minimize absorption
Non-corrosive? Induce vomiting within an hour or less (Ipecac) (no longer standard of care - Wieman prefers activated charcoal to ipecac use!)
Corrosive? Gastric lavage with or without activated charcoal
Precipitations of alkaloidal toxins with tannins - Brew some strong-ass black tea (Uva ursi or oak bark) - Antidote for Alkaloid poisoning is Physostigmine 2mg IV