What is a sedative? A nervine? A hypnotic (soporific)?
Sedative: substance that reduces activity, particularly in the nervous system, and decreases nervous tension.
Nervine: substance that improves the tone and vigor/fxn of the nervous system; “food for the nervous system”
Hypnotic: an agent that induces drowsiness and sleep; strong hypnotics induce coma & pain relief, called narcotics.
Hypericum (St John’s wort) - parts used:
aerial parts
fresh undried flowers & tops
Hypericum - constituents:
dianthrones * hypericin * pseudohypericin phloroglucinols flavonoids essential oils
Hypericum - actions:
antiviral anti-inflammatory anticancer antibacterial antidepressant * inhibits serotonin/dopamine/GABA uptake wound healing spasmolytic MAO inhibition antimicrobial astringent detoxifying nervine vulnerary sedative
Hypericum - indications:
pain burns injuries trauma - skin, nerves HSV 1 & 2 CMV
Hypericum - cautions:
drug interactions
eliminates Rx from blood (fast elimination)
high doses lead to photosensitivity (mostly animal)
Oats - part used:
aerial parts
Oats - actions:
antidepressant nervous system trophorestorative nerve tonic motor stimulant (RAM upgrade) adrenal tonic sex tonic antispasmodic
Oats - indications:
nervous exhaustion * & 2° d/o's - spermatorrhea, cardiac weakness, convalescense, debilitation anorexia chronic fatigue paralysis/weakness d/t aging
Lemon balm - part used:
herbal
Lemon balm - actions:
carminative sedative diaphoretic febrifuge antiviral antithyroid choleretic antispasmodic mild analgesic
Lemon balm - constituents:
volatile oil monoterpenes sesquiterpenes flavonoids polyphenolic compounds triterpenic acids rosmarinic acid chlorogenic & caffeic acid tannins
