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
dosing of bryonia alba?
1:10 1-5 drops of tincture
how is bryonia toxic?
irritating whether applied externally or ingested (causing serious GI inflammation)
sxs of bryonic toxicity?
colic, vomiting, uncontrollable diarrhea, gastroenteritis, cardiac depression with weak, therady pulse, fall of temperature, mydriasis, congestive H/As, dizziness, delirium, cold perspiration, collapse, death
what is Turska’s formula used for?
to regulate blood, promote circulation, cleanse the blood, promote lymph movement
uterine cysts, ovarian cysts, mammary cysts, fibrocystic dz, CHD, angina, respiratory and neuromuscular conditions
what is in Turska’s formula and what is each herb for?
30 drops aconite: for circulation and acute pain
30 drops bryonia: for stitching, tearing pains, worse by motion
30 drops gelsemium: irritability, sedative
1 dram phytolacca: lymphagogue
4 ounces water
C/I to Turska’s formula?
PG
for skilled professional use only
family: campanulaceae
part used: aerial parts at end of flowering
constituents: piperidine alkaloids- lobeline, lobelanine, lobeaninidine, norlobelanine, isolobinine
lobelia inflata (puke weed, indian tobacco)
actions: diffusive, relaxant
indications: asthma, muscle spasm, angina, full, oppressed, sluggish, doughy pulse, oppression, thoracic pain, difficulty breathing, soreness or bruised feelings in chest, nausea w/tongue heavily coated at base, fullness of tissue
lobelia inflata (puke weed, indian tobacco)
dosing of lobelia inflata?
1:10 tincture, 2 mL TID ; 600 mg of dry herb daily
3 deadly nightshades? what do they all contain?
atropa belladonna
hyoscyamus niger
datura stromonium
all contain tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscyamine, hyoscine (scopalamine)
actions of the deadly nightshades?
parasympatholytic (competes for Ach receptors at muscarinic receptors)
in lg doses acts on CNS
in therapeutic doses effect on PNS
dilates pupils, dries secretions, increases HR, increases cardiac output and BP, reduces SM tone, dilates bronchioles, decreases peristalsis, hyoscine is antiemetic
C/Is to the deadly nightshades?
belladonna, hyoscyamus, stromonium
C/Is: tachycardia, arrhythmias, glaucoma, HTN, mechanical stenosis in GI, prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention
sxs of overdose of nightly deadshades?
initially hyperstimulation from sympathetic stimulation (happy, vivid imagination, hysterical laughing, loquacity)
loss of control, fits of rage and epileptic-like seizures
eyes lose accommodation leading to diplopia
increased BP by over stimulation of the heart
fibrillation and a significantly reduced cardiac efficiency
respiratory rate and depth will increase and the temperature will rise
flushing
ultimately central narcotic paralysis w/reduction in all sxs followed by coma and death
“mad as a hatter, hot as hell, dry as a bone, blind as a bat”
family: solanaceae
part used: leaves
constituents: trapane alkaloids, L-hyscyamine, mixture of D and L hyoscyamine
atropa belladonna
indications: GI spasms, incontinence, excessive secretions of sweat, tears, salvia or chronic mucous conditions
atropa belladonna
dosing of atropa belladonna?
tincture 1:10, 10 drops BID, increase dose by 1 drop every 3 d until dry mouth or eyes are felt, then decrease the dose until sxs disappear
family: solanaceae
part used: leaves, flowering tops
constituents: trapane alkaloids- hyoscyamine, scopalamine
hyoscyamus niger (henbane)
indications: urinary tract spasms, GI spasms, nausea, dizziness assoc w/motion sickness and Meniere’s disease
hyoscyamus niger (henbane)
dosing of hyoscyamus niger?
tincture 1:10, 10 drops BID, increase dose by 1 drop every 3 days until dryness felt, then decrease dos until sxs disappear
can be smoked to relieve bronchial spasms
family: solanaceae
part used: leaves, flowering tops, seeds
constituents: trapane alkaloids- hyoscyamine, scopalamine, atropine, mandragorine
datura stramonium (jimson weed)
indications: respiratory tract spasms, may reduce muscle spasm and tremor in Parkinson’s
datura stramonium (jimson weed)
dosing for datura stramonium?
tincture 1:10, 10 drops BID, increase dose by 1 drop every 3 d until dryness felt, then decrease the dose until sxs disappear, traditionally smoked to relieve bronchial spasm
BLS while waiting for ambulance if poisoned?
maintain patency of airways
CPR
minimize absorption of toxic substances: vomiting if non-corrosive w/in 1 hr or less, often vomit on their own
gastric lavage w/or w/o activate charcoal (hospital)
activated charcoal (30-50 g in water slurry)
saline cathartics may be advised in corrosive agents to prevent intestinal damage
precipitations of alkaloidal toxins w/tannins (black tea, uva ursi, oak bark)
when to use emetic agents with a poisoning?
syrup of ipecac
not appropriate for most situations
children: 6 mos to 1 yo, 10 mL; 1-11 yo 15 mL, one TBSP, followed by 8 oz water; adults 30 mL, 2 TBSP
what are some problems with ipecac?
shouldn’t be given to someone who has swallowed chemicals that cause burns on contact or medicines that can cause seizures very quickly
more and more people w/eating d/os are using ipecac to make themselves throw up
can sometimes make it so can’t keep down drugs that are intended to further tx the poisoning
what is actidose?
activated charcoal with sorbitol- absorbs alkaloidal substances
pharmaceutical antidote of aconite, belladonna and hyoscyamus?
physostigmine 2 mg IV
