Strep throat Flashcards
Antimicrobial:
destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms (ex: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic)
Lymphatic:
Promotes the proper functioning of the lymphatic system
Immunostimulant:
activates the immune system to help fight infections
Antipyretic:
syn. febrifuge
reduces fever
Traditional formula for infections including strep throat:
H.E.M.P
Hydratis (goldenseal)
Echinacea (purple cone flower)
Myrrh
Phytolacca (poke root)
Materia medica herbal remedies:
-Goldenseal
-Echinacea
-Myrrh
-Usnea
-Pokeroot
-Garlic
-Essential oils
Goldenseal:
Latin: Hydratis canadensis
Family: Ranunculaceae
Part: Root
Drug: Hydratis rhizoma
Main indications:
“king of the mucous membranes” inflammation and infections:
-Respiratory tract
-Gastrointestinal tract
Actions:
-Antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic)
-Digestive bitter
Phytochemicals:
-Isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, hydrastine)
-Flavonolignans
Safety:
-Contraindications: gastritis & stomach ulcers, obstructed gallbladder
-Side effects: may cause GI irritation leading to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
-Pregnancy & lactation-unsafe
Echinacea:
Latin:
-Purple cone flower; Echinacea purpurea (herb-approved): supportive therapy for colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract and lower urinary tract
-Narrow leaved purple coneflower; Echinacea angustifolia (herb and root not approved)
-Pale purple coneflower; Echinacea pallida (root-approved) (herb not approved): supportive therapy for influenza-like infections.
Family: Asteraceae
Part used: Root & Herb
Main indications:
-Strep throat
-Prevent and treat the common cold, flu, and upper respiratory tract infections (URIs)
-Vaginal candidiasis
-Urinary tract infections
Actions:
-Immunostimulant
Phytochemicals:
-Alkylamide
-Phenolics: Caffeic acid derivatives (Echinacoside)
-Polysaccharides
-Ketoalkenes
Safety:
-Caution: auto-immune disease (Theorectical)
-Pregnant & lactation: safe
Myrrh:
Latin: Commiphora myrrh
Synonyms: Commiphora molmol
Family: Burseraceae
Part: Resin
Drug: Myrrha
Main indications:
-Tonsilitis
-Gingivitis
Actions:
-Antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic)
-Analgesic
-Expectorant
-Astringent
Phytochemicals:
-Oleoresin
-Sesquiterpenes (Furanosesquiterpines)
Safety:
-Pregnancy: not recommended
Pokeweed:
Latin: Phytolacca americana
Family: Phytolaccaceae
Part: Root
Drug: Phytolaccae radix
Main indications:
Lymphadenopathy;
-infections associated with swollen lymph nodes (ex: strep throat, mumps)
-Cancer
Actions:
-Lymphatic
-Emetic
-Purgative
Phytochemicals:
-Triterpenoid glycosides (ex: phytolaccosides)
-Lectins
-Pokeweed antiviral protein (Pap)
-Alkaloid (Ex: phytolaccine)
Safety:
-Toxic: may cause violent emesis, catharsis, convulsions and possibly death
-Pregnancy: not recommended
Usnea:
Latin: Usnea barbata
Family: Usneacea
Part: Lichen
Drug: Usnea
Main indications:
-Infections:
-respiratory (including strep throat)
-Topical skin infections
Actions:
-Antimicrobial
-Antibacterial
-Antiviral
-Antifungal
-Antiparasitic
Phytochemicals:
-Usnic acid
Safety:
-Pregnancy & lactation: not recommended
-Hepatoxic: may cause drug-induced hepatitis via mitochondrial uncoupling
Garlic:
Latin: Allium sativum
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Part: Clove
Main indications:
-Infections
-Heart disease
Actions:
-Antimicrobial
-Antibacterial
-Antiviral
-Antifungal
-Antiparasitic
-Stimulant
-Expectorant
-Rubefacient
Phytochemicals:
-Organosulfur compounds (allicin)
Safety:
-Generally considered safe
-Pregnancy & lactation-safe
Thyme:
Latin: Thymus vulgaris
Family: Lamiaceae
Drug: Thymi herba
Main indications:
-Colds and flu
-Spastic cough
Actions:
-Expectorant
-Antitussive
-Antispasmodic
-Antimicrobial
-Carminative
-Anto-inflammatory
Phytochemicals:
Essential oils: Monoterpenes (Thymol, Carvacrol)
Polyphenols: Flavonoids
Safety:
Safe-generally considered safe
Toxicity: high amounts of pure essential oils may be toxic
Pregnancy & lactation: unknown
Essential oils:
Thyme & Oregano:
steam distillation: extraction process that allows one to obtain pure essential oils from a plant
Note: Essential oils do not contain larger non-volatile compounds (ex: polyphenols) that may impart some medical benefits
In general, essential oils have an antiseptic effect and disrupt
Both oregano and thyme essential oils are rich in monoterpenes (thymol, carvacrol) that inhibit streptococcus pyogenes.
Research:
no clinical trials exist
In vitro trials show herbal constituents possess antibacterial activity
