Week 1 - Part 2 Flashcards
Herbalist
- Medicinal actions
- Herbal energetics
- Therapeutic indications
- Organ systems
- Constituents
- Dosage
- Preparations
Physician
- Knowledge of biomedical sciences
- Approach to the patient
- Diagnosis
- Disease management
- Herb, nutrient, drug interactions
Botanist
- Plants in their natural habitat
- Physical characteristics of the plant
- Relationship of plants in families
- Latin binomial: genus and species
Latin Binomial
- Genus is listed first and is capitalized
- Species is listed second and is lower case
- Examples: Echinacea angustifolia; Ginkgo biloba
Major Medicinal Plant Families
- Alliaceae
- Apiaceae
- Araliaceae
- Asphodelaceae
- Asteraceae
- Fabaceae (ex. alfalfa)
- Gingkoaceae (ex. Ginkgo biloba)
- Hypericaceae
- Lamiaceae
- Liliaceae
- Palmaceae
- Papaveraceae
- Pinaceae
- Piperaceae
- Poaceae
- Rhamnaceae
- Rosaceae
- Rubiaceae
- Rutaceae
- Solanaceae
- Urticaceae
- Zingiberaceae
Plant Morphology
- Refers to the shape of the plant and plant parts, such as the type of leaf, parts of the flower, etc.
Plant Anatomy
- Refers to the parts of the cells of plants
Plant Physiology
- Refers to the molecular processes of the plant
Constituents
- Chemical compounds that are naturally occurring within each herb
- Thousands of constituents within each herb
- Some constituents are common to many herbs
Ex - berberine
Alterative
- A gentle nutritive eliminative agent that alters function gradually towards health
- Slow-acting cleanser
- Nourishing qualities that help digestion and elimination
Analgesic
- Diminishes pain
- Interchangeable with “anodyne”
Anodyne
- Relieves pain
- Interchangeable with “analgesic”
Anthelminthic
- Expels/destroys intestinal helminths (worms)
Antibiotic
- Destroys or arrests the growth of bacteria or protozoa
Antiemetic
- Relieves nausea and vomiting
Antipyretic
- Prevents or reduces fever
Antiseptic
- Inhibits the growth of bacteria
Antispasmodic
- Reduces the intensity of spasticity, tremor, or cramps
Antitussive
- Relieves coughing
Aperient
- Gentle stimulation to the bowels
- Mild laxative
Aphrodisiac
- Stimulates sexual desire or arousal
Astringent
- Contracts tissue, reducing bleeding or fluid exudate
Balsam
- Healing or soothing agent
- Usually made from a tree resin
Bitter
- Stimulates gastric, pancreatic, and gallbladder juices as well as motility due to its bitter taste
Cardiac
- Exerts and effect on the heart
Carminative
- Soothes digestive upset and helps to expel gas
Cathartic
- Very strong laxative
Cholagogue
- Increases the flow of bile into the intestines
Choleretic
- Increases the production of bile
Corringent
- A substance added to modify a medicinal preparation, usually by adding flavor
Demulcent
- A mucilaginous substance the soothes tissue, particularly mucous membranes
Depurative
- Cleanses and purifies the system, particularly the blood
Diaphoretic
- Promotes perspiration
Diuretic
- Increases the output of urine
Emetic
- Induces vomiting
Emmenagogue
- Promotes menstrual flow
Emolient
- Moisturizes the skin
Expectorant
- Promotes discharge of mucous from the lungs
Galactogogue
- Activity of the production of milk by the mammary glands
Hemostatic
- Stops bleeding
Hypnotic
- Promotes sleep
Hepatic
- Affects the liver
Laxative
- Promotes defecation
Narcotic
- Relieves pain and induces sleep (generally has higher toxicity)
- Now, “narcotic” refers specifically to opioids
Nervine
- Calming or soothing to the nerves
Purgative
- Strong laxative
Restorative
- Restores normal physiological activity
Rubefacient
- Local irritant that increases circulation, and, thus, erythema
Sedative
- Calming to the nerves with reduced alertness
Stimulant
- Enhances a physiologic process
Stomachic
- Has an effect on the function of the stomach
Styptic
- Astringent that stops bleeding
Tonic
- Strengthens an organ, organ system, or the whole organism
Vermicide
- Destroys helminths
Vermifuge
- Stimulates the expulsion of helminths
Vulnerary
- Heals wounds
Specific Therapeutic Indications
- Qualities of a remedy that separate it from others in its class of medicinal actions
- Describe the symptom picture for which that remedy is most indicated
Doctrine of Signatures
- Concept that the physical characteristics of a plant are related to their medicinal action
Ex - The yellow flower of Cheladonium majus relates to the yellow color of bile, thus indicating its use as a cholegogue
> Does not mean that all plants with yellow flowers are related to bile
Organoleptics
- Technique using the senses to evaluate and herb for taste, smell, appearance, texture, energetics, quality, and identity