Resins

Question 1

Solvents best used to dissolve/extract resins

Answer 1

Alcohol, fixed oils, volatile oils

Question 2

Subclasses of resins

Answer 2

Pure resins 
Oleo-resins
Oleo-gum-resins
Balsam
Resin acids
Resinotannins
Glycoresin

Question 3

Pure resin

Answer 3

Solid complex

Question 4

Oleo-resin

Answer 4

Resin + volatile oil

Question 5

Oleo-gum-resin

Answer 5

Resin + gum + volatile oil

Question 6

Balsam

Answer 6

Cinnamic or Benzoic acids or esters

Question 7

Resinacids

Answer 7

Diterpenoid acids

Question 8

Resinotannins

Answer 8

Complex alcohols

Question 9

Glycoresin

Answer 9

Sugars, resinacids

Question 10

What do resins do for plants

Answer 10

Protect plant from attack by insects or fungi

Question 11

What part the plant is used from each resin herb

Answer 11

Boswellia serrata- resin

Piper methysticum - dried root

Commiphora myrrha- oleo-gum resin (stem)

Apis mellifera- propolis resin

Question 12

Adverse reactions of resin herbs

Answer 12

Boswellia serrata - nausea and epigastric pain, contact dermatitis, mild diarrhoea, urticaria

Piper methysticum- kava dermopathy, dermatitis

Commiphora myrrha - short term burning sensation of skin and mucus membranes

Apis mellifera - slight burning of the skin or mucus membranes, known bee allergies

Question 13

Phytochemicals in resin herbs

Answer 13

B. serrata - Alpha-keto-boswellic acid

P. methysticum - pipermethystine, kavain

C. myrrha - Cuminaldehyde and acetic acid

Question 14

Piper methysticum cautions and contraindications

Answer 14

Pregnancy, lactation, endogenous depression, elderly, Parkinson’s patients.
Kava dermopathy - dry scaly pigmented skin
Synergistic effect on CNS agents eg alcohol, barbiturates, psychopharmacological agents