Low Dose Botanicals Flashcards
how do we scale toxicity with herbs?
from non-toxic (trophorestoratives for ex.) to toxic (belladonna for ex.)
what category of herbs are the least toxic?
trophorestoratives
highest class herbs are used as what?
to have a deep curative and tonifying action
taken over mos to yrs
action is slow and target the process
correspond to the spring and early summer
middle class herbs are used when?
for the treatment of a specific ailment
can be taken in small amounts over an extended period of time or in large amounts over a shorter period of time
lower class herbs are used how?
very forceful in their action in a particular direction
force can easily upset overall harmony of the organism, should only be used short-term
name a few low dose herbs
aconite belladonna baptisia bryonia convallaria stramonium ephedra gelsemium hyoscyamus niger iris versicolor lobelia lycopus phytolacca piper methysticum piscidia erythrina rauwolfia serpentina veratrum album, viride viscum album, flavescens
the more alcohol in tincture, the _____ the drop
smaller
therefore much more accurate to measure in mL’s
7 low dose herbs we talked about in class?
- aconitum napellus (aconite, monkshood, wolfsbane)
- gelsemium sempervirens (gelsemium)
- bryonia alba (bryonia)
- lobelia inflata (puke week, indian tobacco)
- atropa belladonna (belladonna)
- hyoscyamus niger (hyscyamus)
- datura stramonium (stramonium)
family: ranunculaceae
part used: fresh root
constituents: terpene alkaloids- aconitine, benzoylacinine, benzaconine, aconine, napelline, mesacontine, neoline, hypaconitine, ephedrine
aconitum napellus (aconite, monkshood, wolfsbane)
actions: sedative, anodyne, febrifuge
eclectic indications: small and frequent pulse, shock, fear and anxiety, useful for early stage of fevers w/or w/o restlessness, any condition that is sudden and violent invasion causing a fever, sudden loss of strength, first remedy for inflammation and fevers but probably of little use at later stages, specific for early stages of influenza
aconitum napellus (wolfsbane, monkshood, aconite)
how to dose aconite?
tincture 1:10, 1/30-1/2 drop
usu dose is 1-10 drops in four fluid ounces of water, mix, take one teaspoon every 1/2 to 2 hrs
keys to aconite? toxicity? therapeutic window? toxic constituent? how it is toxic? how to prepare tincture? lethal dose?
one of the most toxic herbs!
very narrow therapeutic window
toxic diterpene alkaloid: aconitine
reduces permeability of nerve cells to sodium
always dilute in water
never dispense undiluted bottles!!!
lethal dose is 5 mL (1 tsp) for adult (1:10 fresh root)
family: gelsemiaceae
part used: rhizomes
constituents: oxindole alkaloids- gelsemine, gelsemicine, sempervirine, gelsidine, hydroxygelsemicine
gelsemium sempervirens (gelsemium)
actions: febrifuge, sedative, anodyne, antispasmodic, relaxant
indications: bright eyes, flushed face, contracted pupils, high fever, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, excitation and hysteria, convulsions, dryness, spasms, nerve pain, pain with nervous tension, head pain, near specific for trigeminal neuralgia
C/I: cardiac weakness, sedative or antidepressant drugs or in PG, possible individual sensitivity
gelsemium sempervirens (gelsemium)
how to dose gelsemium sempervirens?
tincture: 1-10 to 5-15 drops in 4 oz water, 1 tsp taken every 1-3 hours until effects noticed; max dose 0/25 mL (1:10) TID
family: cucurbitacaea
part used: root
constituents: curcurbitacin glycosides- bryonin, byonidin, bryonicine, bryomarid glycosides
bryonia alba
actions: febrifuge, anodyne, sedative
indications: inflammation of serous membranes and associated organs
C/I: PG
very narrow therapeutic window
berries are toxic!!! lethal dose is 1-5 berries in children and 40 berries in an adult
bryonia alba
eclectic indications: if lungs or bronchi have a sharp, hard, short, quick cough which induces pain and soreness; quick pulse; if in serous membranes they are quick acute pains, diffuse soreness and tendency toward effusion; acute synovitis w/pain on movement and threatened exudation
bryonia alba