Week 1 Flashcards
What are the 3 keys to talking to the flowers according to George Washington Carver?
Love, humility, Faith/Wonder
Indications for alteratives
*Chronic dysfunction. Digestive/*eliminatory*/circulatory hypofunction. Maldigestion hypochlorhydria constipation/flatulence liver probs toxemia acne chronic infxn
Contraindications for alteratives
acute diarrhea cholecystitis cholelithiasis PUD UC extreme weakness/depletion/coldness other inflammatory conditions
Urtica dioica common name
Family
Stinging Nettles
Urticaceae
Urtica energetic qualities
*builder/destroyer (herbal construction crew)
queen nutritive alternative
stagnation
taking away toxins
drying/stimulating
liver blood spleen bone marrow lymph
Utica part used
leaf stem root
Urtica medicinal use
*Nutritional alterative* anti-allergy *diuretic *anti-arthritis *sinus support *liver support anti-inflammatory *mineral/protein source
Urtica constituents
*Chlorogenic acid
*caffeoylmalic acid
*flavonoids
essential oil
amino acids
minerals
Stinging hairs - acetylcholine histamine serotonin (all destroyed by drying herb)
Urtica tissue states
atrophy, stagnation, depression, toxicity
Urtica indications
low BP hair loss mucus diarrhea swelling edema anemia of pregnancy arthritis atrophy depletion weakness allergies with protein sensititivities
Urtica warnings/contraind
Contact = urticaria
long term use - membrane drying
Rumex crispus
Rumex obtusifolius
Rumex acetosa
common names and family
Yellow dock
Broad leaved dock
Sorrel
Fam: Polygonacea (buckwheat)
Rumex medicinal parts
Leaves - high in oxalic acid (sour flavor)
Roots - picks up heavy metals
Rumex spp constituents
**Emodin (laxative like what is in senna)
**Oxalic Acid & *Chyrosaphoric Acid - also laxatives
*Calcium
*Rumicin
*Flavonoids (stimulate immune sys)
also lapodin & tannins
Rumex spp indications
**Constipation
**Psoriasis, eczema, skin eruptions due to liver problems
**Anemia (raises HCT in 7-10d.)
Liver dz
Malabsorption/hypochlorhydria
Cough, chronic sore throat
Nervous dyspepsia
Rumex acetosella common name, family
Sheep Sorrel, Polygonaceae
Rumex acetosella parts used
Flowering herb, leafs, fresh and dried
Rumex acetosella indications
Diarrhea inflammation antioxidant *cellular regeneration* vascular d/o cleansing/detox/diuretic/laxative scurvy
Rumex acetosella constituents
Rutin Vit C,A,B,D,E,K,P,U Calcium Oxide, P, Mg, K, Si, Fe, Sulph, Cu, I, Mn, Zn Carotenoids, chlorophyll, organic acids Phytoestrogens Anthraquinones (emodin)
Rumex acetosella general energetics
Positive stimulant
Ulcers & cancers
Replacement of tissue
Arctium lappa common name and family
Burdock, gobo root. Asteracea (sunflower family). (arctium = bear, lappa = to seize)
Arctium lappa parts used
All. Roots & Seeds most potent
Arctium constituents
*inulin (20-40% of root in fall)
*Phytosteroids - stigmasterol & phytosterol
Sesquiterpene lactones
organic acids
tannins
mucilage
flavonoids
alkaloids
vit a
Ca, Na, macrominerals dependent on soil
Arctium lappa general actions/energetics
Nourishes liver, sweet then bitter, cooling
Alterative/hormone balancing diuretic/diaphoretic demulcent nervine/relaxant anti-bacterial/fungal incr glucose tolderance GI stimulant
Arctium lappa indications
Skin d/o - can be used topically menopause/pms arthritis/gout DM indigestion, especially 2ndary to *Liver congestion* Lymph congestion Kidney weakness UTI Cancer Fever & sore throat Preeclampsia
What would you use for feeble cutaneous circulation, dry scaly skin eruptions, aphthous ulcers, recurrent boils & styes, urinary irritation, and psoriasis?
Arctium lappa
Arctium contraindications
pregnancy
Mahonia aquafolium/nervosa common name & family
Oregon grape/Small oregon grape. Berberidaceae
Mahonia energetic qualities/taste
bitter, astringent
drying, cooling
Mahonia parts used
Root, berries
Mahonia chemistry
Isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, jatrorhizine, berbamine) Tannins (more than berberine - berries sour, seeds bitter)
Mahonia tissue states
dry, atrophy, stagnation
moistening, moving, stimulating
Mahonia actions
alterative tonic digestant detergent antiemetic antimicrobial
Pt has poor anabolism with wasting dry skin, tends to constipation, lack of mucosal secretion. Loves carbs, stimulants, and drugs (has a syphilitic constitution). Scaly skin. Hepatitis/jaundice. Has DM and just came down with giardia. What herb to use?
Mahonia aquafolium
Mahonia contraindications
Pregnancy/lactation
Too much = diarrhea
Better in chronic/subacute infections with poor discharge than active
