Neurology Herbs Flashcards
Abrupt withdrawal of this herb may increase the toxicity of lithium
Theobroma cacao (Cacao)
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Stimulant
ii. ) Vasodilator & Bronchodilator (smooth muscle relaxant)
iii. ) Diuretic
iv. ) Hypoglycemic
v. ) Hypotensive (long-term benefit, short term may increase blood pressure)
Theobroma cacao
Cacao
Theobroma cacao
Cacao
2a. ) Interactions
i. ) Contains tyramine therefore may cause hypertensive crisis with MAOI
ii. ) Abrupt withdrawal of caffeine may increase the toxicity of Lithium
iii. ) Estrogen & Cirpofloxacin inhibit caffeine metabolism
- ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Nervousness
ii. ) Insomnia
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Nervine
a. ) Migraines, Headaches
b. ) Hypertension
c. ) Stress (also good for children)
ii. ) Diaphoretic
iii. ) Peripheral Vasodilator
iv. ) Spasmolytic
v. ) Anticatarrhal
a. ) URTI with catarrh
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
I: may decrease iron absorption
Tilea europa
Linden Flower
What herb is known for being a keratolytic agent in addition to its nootropic effects?
Centella asiatica
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anxiolytic
ii. ) Nervine
SUPER SAFE!
Avena sativa
Oatstraw
This Nervine is often used for migraines and other types of headaches. It is also an anxiolytic that is safe in children.
Tilea europa (Linden Flower)
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anxiolytic
ii. ) Nervine
iii. ) Hypnotic
iv. ) Spasmolytic - ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) May cause daytime sedation
Valeriana officinalis
Valerian
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Hypnotic
ii. ) Nervine
iii. ) Phytoestrogenic (Menopausal symptoms)
Humulus lupulus
Hops
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anxiolytic
ii. ) Nervine
iii. ) Analgesic
Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap Leaf)
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anxiolytic & Nervine
Passiflora incarnata
(Passion flower) containing cyanogenic glycosides
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anticholinergic: Spasmolytic, Secretolytic, Analgesic
a. ) Urinary bladder, urethral spasms, Interstitial cystitis
b. ) Smooth muscle spasms of all sorts
c. ) Nervous debility
d. ) Tremors, Chorea - ) Contraindications & Interactions
i. ) Anticholinergic Contraindications:
a. ) BPH, Urinary Retention
b. ) Glaucoma
c. ) Tachycradia, Arrhythmias
d. ) Pulmonary Edema
e. ) Megacolon
f. ) Pregnancy/Lactation
g. ) Children - ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Anticholinergic Side Effects & Toxicity
a. ) Xerostomia, Dry Eyes
b. ) Mydriasis, Blurry Vision
c. ) Tachycardia
d. ) Loquaciousness, Giddiness
e. ) Hyperventilation
f. ) Dysphagia
g. ) Hallucination, Convulsion
ii. ) Significant risk of toxicity when dosed high or long term. This herb is the most toxic of all anticholinergic herbs
Hyoscyamus niger
(Black Henbane) leaf contains Tropane Alkaloids
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Topical Anti-HSV
ii. ) Anti-thyroid (theoretical) for Hyperthyroidism
iii. ) Spasmolytic
iv. ) Nervine (Anxiety, Insomnia)
v. ) Carminitive
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: Hypothyroidism (theoretical)
Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anxiolytic & Nervine
ii. ) Analgesic (Interstitial cystitis)
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: High doses long-term
- ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Hepatotoxic & Addictive
Piper methysticum
Kava
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anti-depressant
ii. ) Nervine
iii. ) Antiviral (CMV & EBV, HIV) - ) Interactions
i. ) Risk of Serotonin Syndrome with concomitant SSRI, MAOI use (rarely)
ii. ) Hypericum induces CYP3A4 (in intestines NOT liver)
iii. ) Reduces the following medications
a. ) HIV protease inhibitors
b. ) TCAs
c. ) Cyclosporine
d. ) Estrogens
e. ) Warfarin
f. ) Digoxin - ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Photosensitivity rash with prolonged dosing
Hypericum perforatum
(St. John’s Wort) contains Naphthodianthrones
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Anxiolytic & Nervine
ii. ) Spasmolytic & Mild Carminitive
a. ) Infantile colic, IBS, gastritis
iii. ) Antiemetic used in pregnancy
vi. ) Anti-inflammatory
vi. ) Diaphoretic
vii. ) Topical Vulnerary used in atopic dermatitis
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: High Fever
Matricaria chamomilla (recutita) (Chamomile)
This botanical is contraindicated in pregnancy/lactation and has a narrow therapeutic range for dosing. It may be lethal. Adverse symptoms include: miosis, chest pain, ventricular fibrillation, hypotension, and dyspnea
Aconitum napellus
Used as a topical vulnerary and analgesic. It is not given internally because it is cardiotoxic.
Arnica montana
Reduces the concentration of cyclosporine, estrogen, warfarin, digoxin
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) contains Naphthodianthrones
Reduces the concentration of HIV protease inhibitors & NNRTIs
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) contains Naphthodianthrones
This herb is used for trigeminal neuralgia because it has analgesic and anti-neuralgic properties
Aconitum napellus
Toxicity of this nervine results in a photosensitive rash
Hypericum perforatum
1.) What are the contraindications of anticholinergic herbs?
1.) Anticholinergic Contraindications: a.) BPH, Urinary Retention, b.) Glaucoma, c.) Tachycradia, Arrhythmias, d.) Pulmonary Edema, e.) Megacolon, f.) Pregnancy/Lactation, g.) Children
2.) What are the side effects of anticholinergic herbs?
2.) Anticholinergic Side Effects & Toxicity a.) Xerostomia, Dry Eyes, b.) Mydriasis, Blurry Vision, c.) Tachycardia, d.) Loquaciousness, Giddiness, e.) Hyperventilation, f.) Dysphagia, g.) Hallucination, Convulsion
Anxiolytic that is also beneficial in interstitial cystitis
Piper methysticum (Kava)
This nervine and hypnotic is also a phytoestrogenic herb used for menopausal symptoms
Humulus lupulus
This herb is a vasodilator and bronchodilator because it relaxes smooth muscle. It also has hypoglycemic and hypotensive properties
Theobroma cacao (Cacao)
Note: in the short term this herb may increase blood pressure, but long term it reduces BP
