Week 6 - Nervines Flashcards
Nervine
- Term that broadly defines a category of botanical medicines that act on the nervous system
- Can be further divided into nerve tonics, sedatives, and hypnotics
Nerve Tonic
- Substance that improves the tone and vigor or function of the nervous system
Sedative
- Also called relaxant
- Decrease stimulation to the nervous system
- Overall effect is calming
Hypnotic
- Often stronger than sedatives
- Cause drowsiness
- May alter mental status
- Often have anodyne effects
Indications for Nervines
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Exhaustion
- Shock/trauma
- Stress modulation
- Pain modulation
Nervines
- Avena sativum (Milky Oat Seed)
- Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap)
- Humulus lupulus (Hops)
- Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
- Piper methysticum (Kava)
- Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
- Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
- Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)
- Passiflora incarnata (Passion Flower)
- Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)
- Eschscholtzia californica (California Poppy)
Avena sativa - Family
- Poaceae
Avena sativa - Parts Used
- Immature milky seed
Avena sativa - Energetics
- Moistening
Avena sativa - Indications
- Nervous exhaustion
- Nervous headache
- Cardiac weakness due to nervous depression or debility
- Opiate withdrawal
- Nicotine withdrawal
Avena sativa - Contraindications
- May diminish effect of opiates
Avena sativa - Other
- Trophorestorative of nervous system
- In “kick juice” formula to stop smoking
Scutellaria lateriflora - Family
- Lamiaceae
Scutellaria lateriflora - Parts Used
- Aerial parts in bloom
Scutellaria lateriflora - Energetics
- Cooling
Scutellaria lateriflora - Indications
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Teething
- Headache from exhaustion
- Chorea
- Seizures
- Neuralgia
- Muscular fasciculations
- Exhaustion due to illness
Scutellaria lateriflora - Contraindications
- May potentiate the effects of other sedative medications
Scutellaria lateriflora - Other
- Gentle
- Very effective
- Great for kids
- Some consider it trophorestorative of nervous system
Humulus lupulus - Family
- Cannabaceae
Humulus lupulus - Parts Used
- Strobile (its flowering body; like soft pinecones)
Humulus lupulus - Energetics
- Cooling
- Lax
Humulus lupulus - Indications
- Delirium tremens (alcohol withdrawal)
- Restless leg syndrome
- Dyspepsia
- Nervous headache
- Generalized nervous tension
- Insomnia
- Increase lactation
Humulus lupulus - Contraindications
- Depression
- Pregnancy
Humulus lupulus - Other
- Can be put into a pillow
- Non-alcoholic beer study for sleep in stressed population
Valeriana officinalis - Family
- Valerianaceae
Valeriana officinalis - Part Used
- Root
Valeriana officinalis - Energetics
- Warming
- Lax
Valeriana officinalis - Indications
- Sleeping formulas
- Musculoskeletal formulas
- General relaxation
- Nervousness
- Mental depression and despondency
- Hysteria and hypochondria
- Nervous headache
- Hemicrania
- Chorea