Nervines

Question 1

Define a nervine.

Answer 1

A term that broadly defines a category of botanical medicines that act on the nervous system. This category of herbal therapeutics can be further divided into nerve tonics, sedatives, and hypnotics.

Question 2

Define a nerve tonic.

Answer 2

A substance that improves the tone and vigor or function of the nervous system.

Question 3

Define a sedative.

Answer 3

Decrease stimulation to the nervous system.

Question 4

Define a hypnotic.

Answer 4

Often these are stronger sedatives that cause drowsiness, may alter mental status, and often have anodyne effects

Question 5

Milk Oat Seed - Latin name, family, part used, energetics

Answer 5

Avena sativa Poaceae Immature milky seed Moistening

Question 6

Actions of Milky Oat Seed

Answer 6

Nervine, nutritive to the nervous system, cerebral trophorestorative

Question 7

Indications for Milky Oat Seed

Answer 7

Nervous exhaustion, nervous HA, cardiac weakness from depression or debility, opiate withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal

Question 8

Contraindications for Milky Oat Seed

Answer 8

Antagonistic for antinociceptive effect of morphine

Question 9

Skullcap - Latin name, family, part used, energetics

Answer 9

Scutellaria lateriflora Lamiaceae Aerial parts in bloom Cooling

Question 10

Actions of Skullcap

Answer 10

Sedative, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, stomachic

Question 11

Indications for Skullcap

Answer 11

Insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, teething, HA from exhaustion, chorea, seizures, neuralgia, muscular fasciculations, exhaustion from illness

Question 12

Contraindication for Skullcap

Answer 12

May potentiate the effects of other sedative medications

Question 13

Hops - Latin name, family, part used, energetics

Answer 13

Humulus lupulus

Cannabaceae

Strobile

Cooling, laxative

Question 14

Actions of Hops

Answer 14

Sedative, digestive bitter, cholagogue, mild laxative, antimicrobial

Question 15

Indications for Hops

Answer 15

Delirium tremens, restless leg syndrome, dyspepsia, nervous HA, generalized nervous tension, insomnia, increase lactation

Question 16

Contraindications of Hops

Answer 16

Depression (excessive) and pregnancy

Question 17

Valerian - Latin name, family, part used, energetics

Answer 17

Valeriana officinalis

Valerianaceae

Root

Warming, laxative

Question 18

Actions of Valerian

Answer 18

Sedative, relaxant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, diuretic, diaphoretic, anticonvulsant

Question 19

Indications for Valerian

Answer 19

Hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, benzodiazepene withdrawal, depression with nervousness, muscle spasms

Question 20

Contraindications for Valerian

Answer 20

Potentiation of sleep inducing agents

Long-term use is associated with withdrawals (benzodiazepine-like)

Question 21

Proposed mechanism of action for Valerian

Answer 21

Increased GABA which decreases CNS excitation - Valerenic acid inhibits enzymes that break down GABA

Decreased BP through vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation

Question 22

Kava Kava - Latin name, family, part used, energetics

Answer 22

Piper methysticum

Piperaceae

Root

Warming

Question 23

Actions of Kava Kava

Answer 23

Sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, analgesic, anesthetic, anxiolytic

Question 24

Indications for Kava Kava

Answer 24

Anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, cholecystitis, ureteral spasm, interstitial cystitis, tension HA, neuralgia

Question 25

Contraindications of Kava Kava

Answer 25

Pregnancy, lactation, liver disease, potentiates the effects of alcohol, benzodiazepenes

Question 26

Lemon Balm - Latin name, family, part used, energetics

Answer 26

Melissa officinalis

Lamiaceae

Whole plant before flowering

Uplifting, cooling

Question 27

Actions of Lemon Balm

Answer 27

Sedative, mild antidepressant, carminative, hypotensive, antiviral, antispasmodic

Question 28

Indications of Lemon Balm

Answer 28

Nervous dyspepsia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines - particularly indicated where stress is the cause, hyperthyroidism, topical herpes simplex use

Question 29

Contraindications of Lemon Balm

Answer 29

Hypothyroidism, pregnancy