Nervines Flashcards
Define a nervine.
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.
Define a nerve tonic.
A substance that improves the tone and vigor or function of the nervous system.
Define a sedative.
Decrease stimulation to the nervous system.
Define a hypnotic.
Often these are stronger sedatives that cause drowsiness, may alter mental status, and often have anodyne effects
Milk Oat Seed - Latin name, family, part used, energetics
Avena sativa Poaceae Immature milky seed Moistening
Actions of Milky Oat Seed
Nervine, nutritive to the nervous system, cerebral trophorestorative
Indications for Milky Oat Seed
Nervous exhaustion, nervous HA, cardiac weakness from depression or debility, opiate withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal
Contraindications for Milky Oat Seed
Antagonistic for antinociceptive effect of morphine
Skullcap - Latin name, family, part used, energetics
Scutellaria lateriflora Lamiaceae Aerial parts in bloom Cooling
Actions of Skullcap
Sedative, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, stomachic
Indications for Skullcap
Insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, teething, HA from exhaustion, chorea, seizures, neuralgia, muscular fasciculations, exhaustion from illness
Contraindication for Skullcap
May potentiate the effects of other sedative medications
Hops - Latin name, family, part used, energetics
Humulus lupulus
Cannabaceae
Strobile
Cooling, laxative
Actions of Hops
Sedative, digestive bitter, cholagogue, mild laxative, antimicrobial
Indications for Hops
Delirium tremens, restless leg syndrome, dyspepsia, nervous HA, generalized nervous tension, insomnia, increase lactation
Contraindications of Hops
Depression (excessive) and pregnancy
Valerian - Latin name, family, part used, energetics
Valeriana officinalis
Valerianaceae
Root
Warming, laxative
Actions of Valerian
Sedative, relaxant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, diuretic, diaphoretic, anticonvulsant
Indications for Valerian
Hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, benzodiazepene withdrawal, depression with nervousness, muscle spasms
Contraindications for Valerian
Potentiation of sleep inducing agents
Long-term use is associated with withdrawals (benzodiazepine-like)
Proposed mechanism of action for Valerian
Increased GABA which decreases CNS excitation - Valerenic acid inhibits enzymes that break down GABA
Decreased BP through vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation
Kava Kava - Latin name, family, part used, energetics
Piper methysticum
Piperaceae
Root
Warming
Actions of Kava Kava
Sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, analgesic, anesthetic, anxiolytic
Indications for Kava Kava
Anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, cholecystitis, ureteral spasm, interstitial cystitis, tension HA, neuralgia
Contraindications of Kava Kava
Pregnancy, lactation, liver disease, potentiates the effects of alcohol, benzodiazepenes
Lemon Balm - Latin name, family, part used, energetics
Melissa officinalis
Lamiaceae
Whole plant before flowering
Uplifting, cooling
Actions of Lemon Balm
Sedative, mild antidepressant, carminative, hypotensive, antiviral, antispasmodic
Indications of Lemon Balm
Nervous dyspepsia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines - particularly indicated where stress is the cause, hyperthyroidism, topical herpes simplex use
Contraindications of Lemon Balm
Hypothyroidism, pregnancy
