Nervines Flashcards
what is a nervine?
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
Definition of a nerve tonic?
a substance that improves the tone and vigor or function of the nervous system
Definition of a sedative?
also called relaxants, these medicines decrease stimulation to the nervous system. The overall effect is calming
Definition of a hypnotic?
often, these are stronger sedatives that cause drowsiness, may alter mental status, and often have anodyne effects.
What are some indications for nervines?
anxiety depression exhaustion shock/trauma stress modulation pain modulation
avena sativa common name
milky oat seed
avena sativa part used
immature milky seed
avena sativa energetics
moistening
avena sativa action
nutritive trophorestorative (specific for a particular tissue) for the nervous tissue
avena sativa indication
nervous exhaustion (nervous headache, cardiac weakness due to nervous depression or debility, opiate withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal)
avena sativa contraindications
post surgery
avena sativa clinical pearl
Dr Weiman used it on a patient with hypertension and her systolic bp dropped 20 points!
Scutellaria lateriflora
common name
skullcap
scutellaria lateriflora
energetics
cooling
Scutellaria lateriflora
action
nervine tonic
(sedative, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, stomachic)
scutellaria lateriflora
indication
nervous excitability
(insomnia, restlessness, , anxiety, agitation, teething, headache from exhaustion, chorea, siezures, neuralgia, muscular fasciculations, exhaustion due to illness)
commonly used in children
scutellaria lateriflora
contraindications
may potentiate the effects of other sedative medications
scutellaria lateriflora
clinical pearl
Dr Weiman used skullcap for a patient with angelman syndrome and it helped a lot with the seizures (they decr from 2 per week to 2 per month)
Humulus lupulus
common name
Hops
Humulus lupulus
part used
strobile (looks like the flower part of plant)
Humulus lupulus
action
sedative nervine
(digestive bitter, cholagogue, mild laxative, antimicrobial)
Humulus lupulus
indication
delirium tremens (alcohol withdrawal)
(restless legg syndrome, dyspepsia, nervous headache, generalized nervous tension, insomnia, increase lactation)
Humulus lupulus
contraindications
depression
pregnancy
Valeriana officinalis
common name
valerian
Valeriana officinalis
part used
root
valeriana officinalis
energetics
warming
valeriana officinalis
action
sedative
(relaxant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, diuretic, diaphoretic, anticonvulsant)
valeriana officinalis
indication
depression
