Urology and Male GU Herbs Flashcards
This herb may cause nausea from its tannin content, but in large doses (overdose) it may cause tinnitus, delirium, convulsions, and potentially death
Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
Due to the mild diuretic effect of this herb, it may potentiate lithium dosage (preventing its excretion), and cause hypokalemia
Equisetum arvense
Used for nephritis, urolithiasis, CVA tenderness, urethritis, BPH, and prostatitis
Hydrangea arborescens
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Urinary antimicrobial
a. ) UTIs with alkaline pH (acidic pH prevents the formation of hydroquinone from arbutin/glucuronide)
Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
Bearberry
Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
(Bearberry)
CI, SE, Toxicity
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: pregnancy & use over 10 days (chronic use is carcinogenic)
I: Don’t take with large doses of vitamin C or Vaccinium because they may acidify the urine
- ) Side Effects
i. ) Nausea (from tannins) - ) Toxicity
i. ) Tinnitus
ii. ) Delirium & Convulsions
iii. ) Death
This herb should not be taken for more than 10 days because it may be carcinogenic with prolonged use. It also shouldn’t be used during pregnancy
Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
UTI antimicrobial that contains arbutin. The arbutin is converted into glucuronide and eventually dissociated into the antimicrobial hydroquinone. The dissociation can only occur in alkaline urine. If the urine is acidic this herb will not possess urinary antimicrobial actions. Therefore it should not be taken with high doses of vitamin C or vaccinium as these agents may lower the pH of the urine.
Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
This alterative eliminates uric acid and is therefore useful in the treatment of gout. It is also an anti-rheumatic herb used for rheumatism
Smilax spp. (Sarsaparilla)
The leaf of this plant is used as a diuretic and for allergic rhinitis
Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) Leaf
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Alterative (eliminates uric acid)
a. ) Gout
b. ) Chronic skin conditions
ii. ) Antirheumatic
iii. ) Diaphoretic
Smilax spp.
Sarsaparilla
Smilax spp.
(Sarsaparilla)
CI, SE
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: GERD
I: Increases the absorption of cardiac glycosides
- ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Exacerbates GERD
unsaturated pyrrolizidine alakloids
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Antilithic (urolithiasis)
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
C: Chronic use (d/t hepatotoxicity), liver damage
I: Concomitant use with hepatotoxic medications may potentiate toxicity
- ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Chronic use may lead to hepatotoxicity
Eupatorium purpurea
(Gravel Root) contains
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Diuretic
a. ) UTI, urolithiasis
ii. ) Antiinflammatory
iii. ) Antiallergenic (rhinitis)
iv. ) Nephroprotective (if using the seed)
Urtica dioica LEAF
(Stinging Nettle) Leaf
Antilithic used for urolithiasis. This herb may also contain unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause hepatotoxicity
Eupatorium purpurea (Gravel Root) contains unsaturated pyrrolizidine alakloids
Actions & Indications
i. ) Alterative
a. ) Acne, Chronic skin conditions
ii. ) Mild Aquaretic
a. ) Diuresis
b. ) Edema
iii. ) Antilithic (Urolithiasis)
Equisetum
Equisetum
CI and Interactions and SE
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
I: Lithium toxicity may occur (d/t diuretic sparing of the drug)
- ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) May lead to thiamine deficiency (long-term use) however Canadian products are required to be free of thiaminase containing constituents
ii. ) Horsetail may cause hypokalemia (when dosed very high) because of its diuretic effect
Long-term dosing of this herb may cause thiamine deficiency due to thiaminase activity. In Canada, the herb must be free of any constituents that contain thiaminase activity
Equisetum arvense
Beneficial for urolithiasis and diuresis
Somewhat contradicting, this herb is used for edema and diuresis
Equisetum arvense
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Antilithic (Urolithiasis)
ii. ) Diuretic
a. ) Prostatitis, BPH
b. ) Dysuria, Urethritis
c. ) Nephritis, CVA Pain
iii. ) Antipsoriatic
2.) Contraindications & Interactions
I: May reduce the clearance of lithium (d/t diuretic effect)
Hydrangea
This antirheumatic and alterative is contraindicated in GERD because it may potentiate reflux. It also increases the absorption of cardiac glycosides
Smilax spp. (Sarsaparilla)
This herb may reduce the clearance of lithium because of its diuretic effect. This herb is used for BPH, prostatitis, dysuria, and nephritis
Hydrangea arborescens
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Inhibits 5-alpha-reductase & Antagonizes DHT receptors
a. ) BPH
ii. ) Male Reproductive System Tonic
Serenoa repens
Saw Palmetto
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Prostatic Agent use in symptomatic management of BPH
Urtica dioica ROOT (Stinging Nettle)
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Alpha-2 Adrenergic Antagonist
a. ) Aphrodisiac
b. ) Impotence
c. ) Appetite suppressant
d. ) Depression
Pausinystalia yohimbe (Yohimbe) containing indole alkaloids
Pausinystalia yohimbe (Yohimbe) containing indole alkaloids
CI, Interactions, SE, Tox
2a. ) Contraindications
i. ) Anxiety, PTSD
ii. ) CAD
iii. ) Severe Edema (b/c it is a mild antidiuretic)
iv. ) Renal Damage
2b. ) Interactions
i. ) Counteracts alpha agonists & phenytoin
- ) Side Effects & Toxicity
i. ) Dizziness
ii. ) Anxiety, mania, insomnia
iii. ) Mydriasis
iv. ) HTN
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (BPH)
Prunus (Pygeum) africanum
- ) Actions & Indications
i. ) Sex Hormone Tonic (Estrogenic & Androgenic)
a. ) Infertility
b. ) Impotence
c. ) Decrease Libido - ) Contraindications
i. ) Pregnancy/Lactation
ii. ) GERD
iii. ) Cholestasis (r/t altered cholesterol function)
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus
Used for impotence and infertility. This herb may exacerbate GERD and should not be used in cholestasis (because it alters cholesterol function)
Tribulus terrestris
This herb may cause the following side effects: Dizziness, Anxiety, mania, insomnia, Mydriasis, & HTN
Pausinystalia yohimbe containing indole alkaloids
Alpha-2 antagonist used to treat impotence and depression. It is also an appetite suppressant and may cause anxiety
Pausinystalia yohimbe containing indole alkaloids
