Neurology Herbs

Question 1

Abrupt withdrawal of this herb may increase the toxicity of lithium

Answer 1

Theobroma cacao (Cacao)

Question 2

1. ) 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)

Answer 2

Theobroma cacao

Cacao

Question 3

Theobroma cacao

Cacao

Answer 3

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

3. ) Side Effects & Toxicity
   i. ) Nervousness
   ii. ) Insomnia

Question 4

1. ) 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

Answer 4

Tilea europa

Linden Flower

Question 5

What herb is known for being a keratolytic agent in addition to its nootropic effects?

Answer 5

Centella asiatica

Question 6

1. ) Actions & Indications
   i. ) Anxiolytic
   ii. ) Nervine

SUPER SAFE!

Answer 6

Avena sativa

Oatstraw

Question 7

This Nervine is often used for migraines and other types of headaches. It is also an anxiolytic that is safe in children.

Answer 7

Tilea europa (Linden Flower)

Question 8

1. ) Actions & Indications
   i. ) Anxiolytic
   ii. ) Nervine
   iii. ) Hypnotic
   iv. ) Spasmolytic
2. ) Side Effects & Toxicity
   i. ) May cause daytime sedation

Answer 8

Valeriana officinalis

Valerian

Question 9

1. ) Actions & Indications
   i. ) Hypnotic
   ii. ) Nervine
   iii. ) Phytoestrogenic (Menopausal symptoms)

Answer 9

Humulus lupulus

Hops

Question 10

1. ) Actions & Indications
   i. ) Anxiolytic
   ii. ) Nervine
   iii. ) Analgesic

Answer 10

Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap Leaf)

Question 11

1. ) Actions & Indications

i. ) Anxiolytic & Nervine

Answer 11

Passiflora incarnata

(Passion flower) containing cyanogenic glycosides

Question 12

1. ) 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
2. ) Contraindications & Interactions
   i. ) Anticholinergic Contraindications:
   a. ) BPH, Urinary Retention
   b. ) Glaucoma
   c. ) Tachycradia, Arrhythmias
   d. ) Pulmonary Edema
   e. ) Megacolon
   f. ) Pregnancy/Lactation
   g. ) Children
3. ) 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

Answer 12

Hyoscyamus niger

(Black Henbane) leaf contains Tropane Alkaloids

Question 13

1. ) 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)

Answer 13

Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm

Question 14

1. ) Actions & Indications
   i. ) Anxiolytic & Nervine
   ii. ) Analgesic (Interstitial cystitis)

2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: High doses long-term

3. ) Side Effects & Toxicity
   i. ) Hepatotoxic & Addictive

Answer 14

Piper methysticum

Kava

Question 15

1. ) Actions & Indications
   i. ) Anti-depressant
   ii. ) Nervine
   iii. ) Antiviral (CMV & EBV, HIV)
2. ) 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
3. ) Side Effects & Toxicity
   i. ) Photosensitivity rash with prolonged dosing

Answer 15

Hypericum perforatum

(St. John’s Wort) contains Naphthodianthrones

Question 16

1. ) 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

Answer 16

Matricaria chamomilla (recutita)
(Chamomile)

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Aconitum napellus

Question 18

Used as a topical vulnerary and analgesic. It is not given internally because it is cardiotoxic.

Answer 18

Arnica montana

Question 19

Reduces the concentration of cyclosporine, estrogen, warfarin, digoxin

Answer 19

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) contains Naphthodianthrones

Question 20

Reduces the concentration of HIV protease inhibitors & NNRTIs

Answer 20

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) contains Naphthodianthrones

Question 21

This herb is used for trigeminal neuralgia because it has analgesic and anti-neuralgic properties

Answer 21

Aconitum napellus

Question 22

Toxicity of this nervine results in a photosensitive rash

Answer 22

Hypericum perforatum

Question 23

1.) What are the contraindications of anticholinergic herbs?

Answer 23

1.) Anticholinergic Contraindications: a.) BPH, Urinary Retention, b.) Glaucoma, c.) Tachycradia, Arrhythmias, d.) Pulmonary Edema, e.) Megacolon, f.) Pregnancy/Lactation, g.) Children

Question 24

2.) What are the side effects of anticholinergic herbs?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Anxiolytic that is also beneficial in interstitial cystitis

Answer 25

Piper methysticum (Kava)

Question 26

This nervine and hypnotic is also a phytoestrogenic herb used for menopausal symptoms

Answer 26

Humulus lupulus

Question 27

This herb is a vasodilator and bronchodilator because it relaxes smooth muscle. It also has hypoglycemic and hypotensive properties

Answer 27

Theobroma cacao (Cacao)

Note: in the short term this herb may increase blood pressure, but long term it reduces BP