Nervous system

Question 1

Oats

Answer 1

Avena sativa
Graminea/Poaceae
Mature seeed

Actions:
Antidepressant, thymoleptic, nervine tonic, anxiolytic

Indications:
Ns depression during nicotine withrawal, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, feverish conditions, general debility, convalescence, depression, post-menopausal neurasthenia

Contraindications:
Coeliac (intolerances should tolerate ethanol extract)

Question 2

Bacopa, Brahmi

Answer 2

Bacopa monniera
Scrophulariaceae
Aerial

Actions:
Cognition enhancing, nervine tonic, mild sedative, anxiolytic, mild anticonvulsant, adaptogenic

Indications:
Improving concentration in healthy, improving mental performance & memory, nervous disorders, nervous debility, insomnia, epilepsy, anxiety

Contrindications:
None known

Question 3

Lavender

Answer 3

Lavendula angustifolia
Labiatae
Flower

Actions:
Carminative, antidepressant, anxiolytic

Indications:
NS- restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, to elevate mood, depression, headache, irritability

Contraindications:
None

Question 4

St. John’s Wort

Answer 4

Hypericum perforatum
Guttiferae
Aerial

Actions:
Antidepressant, nervine tonic, antiviral, vulnerary, antimicrobial

Indications:
Mild to mod depression, depression in alcoholics
Herpes
Anxiety, nervousness, restlessness
Enhancing mood - stress
spinal injuries, neuralgia, siatica
Requiring increased nocturnal melatonin - circadian rhythm-associated sleep disorders
seasonal affective disorder, psychologic symptoms of menopause, pms

Contraindications:
SSRI’s (effects on serotonin)
OCP (break through bleeding)
serious depression or physcosis or suicide risk
Druf interactions- immune suppressants (cyclosporin), cardiac glycosides (digoxin), HIV protease inhibitors (indiniavir), chemo (camptosar), anticoagulants (warfarin), phenprocoumon.

Question 5

Passion flower

Answer 5

Passiflora incarnata
Passifloraceae
Aerial

Actions:
Anxiolytic, spasmolytic, mild sedative, hypnotic

Indications:
NS- insomnia, nervous stress, restlessness, epilepsy, neuralgia, anxiety

Contraindications:
None

Question 6

Rosemary

Answer 6

Rosemarinus officinalis
Lamiaceae
Leaf

Actions:
Carminative, spasmolytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, circulatory stimulant

Indications:
Increasing mental alertness & memory, enhancing liver detox, circulatory weakness, hypotension, headache, depression, debility

Contraindications:
Caution in women trying to concieve (cineole VO)
Interaction w iron absorption
Contact allergy

Question 7

Skullcap

Answer 7

Scutellaria lateriflora
Lamiaceae
Aerial

Actions:
Nervine tonic, spasmolytic, mild sedative

Indications:
Nervous excitability, restlessness, wakefulness, anxiety
Physical or mental tiredness, headache, depression
Epilepsy, neuralgia, tremor

Contraindications:
None

Question 8

Damiana

Answer 8

Turnera diffusa
Turneraceae
Leaf

Actions:
Nervine tonic, tonic, mild laxative

Indications:
Nervousness, anxiety, depression
sexual inadequacy, impotence, frigidity
Nervous dyspepsia, constipation

Contraindications:
None

Question 9

Vervain

Answer 9

Verbena officinalis
Verbenaceae
Aerial

Actions:
Nervine tonic, mild antidepressant, mild diaphoretic, astringent

Indications:
Infantile colic, anorexia, GI irritation, jaundice
Depression, nervous breakdown, epilepsy

Contraindications:
Caution in pregnancy
Vervain tea reduce absorption of iron

Question 10

Withania

Answer 10

Withania somnifera
Solanaceae
Root

Actions:
Tonic, adaptogen, mild sedative, antiinflammatory, immune modulator, antianenemic, antitumour

Indications:
Debility, nervous exhaustion (esp due to stress), improve aging conditions
Improve athletic stamina, male sexual inadequacy, insomnia, arthritis

Contraindications:
Allergy to solanaceae
Pregnancy

Question 11

11. Californian poppy

Answer 11

Eschscholzia california
Papaveraceae
Aerial parts

Actions:
Anxiolytic, mild sedative, analgesic, hypnotic

Indications:
Painful conditions
Disturbed sleep, anxiety

Contraindications:
None known

Question 12

12. Hops

Answer 12

Humulus lupulus
Cannabaceae
strobile

Actions:
Hypnotic, mild sedative, spasmolytic, bitter tonic

Indications:
sleep disorders, mood disturbances, anxiety, restlessless, neuralgia, headache, indigestion, dyspepsia

Contraindications:
Depression (traditionally)
Oestrogenic effect in women harvesting it by hand

Question 13

13. Kava

Answer 13

Piper methysticum
Piperaceae
Root

Actions:
Anxiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, mild sedative, spasmolytic, local anaesthetic, antipruritic

Indications:
Anxiety, stress, insomnia, mild depression
Menopausal symptoms
Muscle tension, headache, neuralgia, general debility
Improving cognitive performance

Contraindications:
Pregnancy, lactation, endogenous depression
Caution in elderly, esp Parkinsons (dopamine antagonism)
synergistic effect w CNs substances (alcohol, barbiturates, psychopharmalogical agents)

Question 14

14. Valerian

Answer 14

Valeriana officinalis
Valerianaceae
Root, rhizome

Actions:
Anxiolytic, mild sedative, hypnotic, spasmolytic

Indications:
Insomnia, depression, stress
Anxiety, migrane, nervous headache, cramps, intestinal colic
Dysmennorrhoea, rheumatic pains, chorea, mild spasmodic movements, epilepsy

Contraindications:
None known
May increase CNs depressants or alcohol effects

Question 14

14. Valerian

Answer 14

Valeriana officinalis
Valerianaceae
Root, rhizome

Actions:
Anxiolytic, mild sedative, hypnotic, spasmolytic

Indications:
Insomnia, depression, stress
Anxiety, migrane, nervous headache, cramps, intestinal colic
Dysmennorrhoea, rheumatic pains, chorea, mild spasmodic movements, epilepsy

Contraindications:
None known
May increase CNs depressants or alcohol effects

Question 15

15. Zizyphus

Answer 15

Zizyphus jujuba
Rhamnaceae
seed

Actions:
sedative, antihydrotic, hypnotic, hypotensive

Indications:
Insomnia due to nervous exhuastion & anxiety
Palpitations, irritability
Hypertension & excessive sweating, night sweats

Contraindications:
None known