Skin Herbs Flashcards
Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse chestnut. Astringent, vasoconstrictor and venous tonic.
Used for hemorrhoids, pruritus ani, varicose veins, DVT, edema, etc. Topically OR internally.
Unprocessed, it’s highly toxic- must process to use. Don’t inject via IM (hepatitis, renal failure). Don’t use in high dosage.
Calendula officinalis
ASTER. Promotes formulation of granulation tissue to speed healing.
Internally for PUD, or externally for wounds, acne, burns, lacerations during delivery.
Don’t use on extremely deep wounds. Too much use may cause skin irritation.
Which of the skin herbs are asters?
Calendula, Cineraria
Cineraria maritima
ASTER. Has PAs!! (pyrrolizidine alkaloids). Topical application for cataracts.
Do NOT take internally, use in combination with hepatotoxic herbs. Can cause hepatic-veno-occlusive disease, hepatic failure, and death.
Euphrasia officinalis
Astringent, vasoconstrictor, AI, and anti-catarrhal.
Used topically for allergies, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, blehpharitis, hordeolum, eye trauma.
Hamamelis virginiana
Witch hazel. Topical use as an astringent in hemorrhoids, bruises, and varicose veins.
Tannins mean don’t eat it. Eating a lot -> increased risk of esophageal cancer. May reduce drug absorption when taken with drugs.
Salvia officinalis
Sage. Astringent, antimicrobial, carminative, and AI.
Can gargle with EO for gingivitis, pharyngitis. Compress for wounds. Internally for dyspepsia.
Avoid in pregnancy and lactation- abortifaciant, stops the production of breast milk. Avoid large doses- will cause seizures.
Sambucus nigra
Flower: colds, flu, sinusitis, URI
Leaf: topically for bruises, sprains
Berry: joints
Symphytum officinale
Comfrey. Astringent, demulcent, expectorant.
Use topically for wounds, dermatitis, bruises, gingivitis.
Use internally for cough, PUD, UTI, URI
Contains PAs!! Side effects include HVOD, hepatotoxicity, and death. Illegal in Canada.
Trifolium pratense
Red clover.
Use for eczema, psoriasis, URIS, CA.
Phytoestrogen, so avoid in estrogen+ BRCA and bleeding disorders. May potentiate anti-coagulants.
Vaccinium myrtillus
Blueberry. AO, astringent, venous tonic, anti-diarrhea, hypoglycemic.
Leaf: diarrhea, UTI, DM, externally for burns and ulcers
Fruit: diarrhea, retinopathies (decreases vascular permeability in the retina!), varicose veins, mouth stuff (you can put blueberries in your eyes!)
Avoid long-term usage; can damage the kidneys and liver
Potentiates insulin. Tannins, which can prevent absorption of other drugs when used simultaneously.
Contraindications and major side effects of the skin herbs?
Asters: Cinernaria and Calendula
PAs: Cineraria and Symphytum
Unprocessed fruit of Aesculus is toxic (chestnut)
Vaccinium will damage liver, kidneys with long-term use
Trifolium is phytoestrogenic, so avoid in bleeding disorders and E+ BRCA
Sage is an abortifacient
Unsaturated PAs vs saturated PAs
Unsaturated (TOXIC!): Cineraria, Symphytum
Saturated: Echinacea, Eupatorium, Inula, Tussilage
