Unit 1 Lesson 1 Flashcards
What are herbs
Herbs are any plant or part of a plant that is used in herbalism. Including mushrooms
What is herbalism
Herbalism is the practice of using plants, fungi and foods to support our body and health as a whole
Evidence suggests we used herbs as far back as? (How many years)
60,000
What are some examples of herbal energetics
Excess or deficient, dry or warming, moist or cooling
What are primary metabolites
Chemicals that plants use to maintain growth, including starches, proteins and lipids
What are secondary metabolites
Chemical used by plants to intervene with outside forces, including pollinators, bacteria, viruses and herbivores (and humans). It is most often through these that herbs work to affect human health although some can be toxic
What is salicin and what does it do
Salicin is a phenolic compound. When a human eats it the digestive tract converts it into salicylic acid which eases pain and is anti-inflammatory
What does abortifacient mean
An herb that may cause an abortion
What is a active constituent
A chemical molecule in a plant that can alter some biochemical process in the body
What is an adaptogen
A herb that aids the body in resistance to external stressor,supports the body’s ability to adapt to change, and may stimulate immunity.
What are aerial parts
The leaves and flowers of a plant
What is an alkaloid
A typically highly active plant constituent containing a nitrogen atom. Usaully in a ring shaped molecule
What is an alternative
An herb that works on a general level to tonify the systems of the body involved in nutrient assimilation and waste removal
What is an Amino acid
Any of the 20 molecules that are combined to form proteins in living organisms
What is an analgesic
An herb that eases pain also known as an anodyne
What does annual mean
A plant that goes through a complete life cycle in 1 year, dying after one growing year
What does antibacterial mean
An herb that destroys of inhibits the growth of bacteria
What does antiemetic mean
An herb that counterreacts or soothes nausea or vomiting
What does antihydrotic mean
An herb that slows the production of excessive sweat
What does antimicrobial mean
An herb that aids the body in destroying or resisting pathogens. A general term encompassing antibacterials, antifungal and antivirals
What does antioxidant mean
An herb that inhibits oxidation and and subsequent free radical damage of important chemicals, enzymes, membranes, cells and tissues in the body
What does antiparasitic mean
An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of parasites
Why do we use the whole herb
It’s safer and more effective than using isolated chemicals extracted from a plant
What does synergy mean
Synergy refers to the way multiple phytochemicals within a plant or multiple herbs within a formula work together to either enhance another constituent/herbs action or absorption or reduce the toxicity of a constituent/herb
