Nutritives

Question 1

what are characteristics of nutritives?

Answer 1

rich in vitamins and minerals
rich in array of phytonutrients
often used as longevity tonics or superfoods
have a wide array of beneficial effects on the body

Question 2

Alfalfa

Answer 2

Medicago sativa
Family: Fabaceae
Parts used: aerial parts
Energetics: cooling and moistening

Actions: nutritive, phytoestrogenic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective

Indications: poor nutrient status, chronic degenerative diseases, perimenopausal symptoms

CI: pregnancy, may interfere with fertility at large doses, vitamin K content may interfere with warfarin use, may exacerbate symptoms of lupus

Question 3

Horsetail

Answer 3

Equisetum arvense
Family: Equisetaceae
Part used: aerial parts
energetics: cooling and drying

Actions: nutritive used to strengthen bones and connective tissue, diuretic, styptic

Indications: osteoporosis, UTI, poor nutrient status, chronic degenerative diseases

CI: pregnancy

Question 4

Gotu Kola

Answer 4

Centella asiatica
Family: Apiaceae
Part used: whole plant
Energetics: cooling

Actions: nutritive, vulnerary, nervine, anti inflammatory, circulatory tonic, alterative, decreases excessive scarring, hepatoprotective

Indications: chronic venous insufficiency, memory and cognitive support, anxiety, scleroderma, longevity

Cautions/CI: may induce spontaneous abortion in pregnant women, may raise blood sugar and lipid levels, avoid in pregnancy due to emmenagogue effects

Question 5

Oatstraw

Answer 5

Avena sativa
Family: Poaceae
Part used: aerial parts harvested from immature milky seed
Energetics: cooling

Actions: nutritive, nervine

Indications: nervous exhaustion, nervous headache, cardiac weakness due to nervous depression or debility, opiate and nicotine withdrawal

CI: may antagonize antinociceptive effect of morphine

Question 6

Stinging Nettle

Answer 6

Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae
Part used: leaf, root, seed
Energetics: Drying

Actions:

leaf: alterative, nutritive, anti inflammatory, urinary tract tonic
root: astringent, anti-inflammatory

Indications:

leaf: chronic skin conditions- acne, psoriasis, eczema, allergic rhinitis
root: BPH, diarrhea

CI: allergy to nettle