Herbs and the GI Flashcards

1
Q

Tones or benefits the function of the stomach; increases appetite:

A

Stomachic

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2
Q

Tastes bitter; stimulates digestion:

A

Bitters

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3
Q

Prevents formation of/relieves gas:

A

Carminative

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4
Q

Facilitates bowel movement:

A

Laxative

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5
Q

Evacuates the colon:

A

Purgative

Cathartic

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6
Q

Causes vomiting:

A

Emetic

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7
Q

Relieves nausea; stops vomiting:

A

Antiemetic

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8
Q

Kills parasitic worms in the GI tract:

A

Antihelminthic

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9
Q

Digestive processes in the mouth:

A
  • Mastication
  • Saliva - amylase
  • Taste - stimulates brain reflex to trigger digestion
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10
Q

Digestive processes in the stomach:

A
  • Protein digestion - HCl & pepsin
  • Gastrin - stimulates HCl prodxn
  • Gustducin - transduces bitter/sweet/umami
  • Ghrelin - inc hunger/motility/mucosal cell proliferation; mucosal AI
  • Churns food
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11
Q

Digestive processes in the duodenum:

A
  • CCK - prodxn/release of pancreatic enzymes/bile d/t fat & amino acids
  • Secretin - dec. gastric emptying; stim pancreatic juices
  • GIP - dec. gastric emptying
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12
Q

Digestive processes of the liver:

Gall bladder:

A

Liver - produces bile -> emulsifies fat

Gall bladder - stores & excretes bile

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13
Q

Digestive processes of the pancreas:

A
  • H2CO3 - Neutralizes acids

* Enzymes - lipase, nuclease, phospholipase, trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, elastase, amylase, sterol esterase.

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14
Q

Digestive processes of the intestines:

A
  • Assimilation (absorption?)

* Elimination

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15
Q

Where do bitters work? How?

A

In the mouth; Receptors on the tongue / oral mucosa stimulate the production of saliva, transmit signals to the brain -> stimulates digestive processes through vagal efferents

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16
Q

Bitters stimulate what processes?

A
  • Inc ghrelin (inc hunger, satiety cycle)
  • Inc CCK (bile secretion, pancreatic enzymes)
  • Stimulates motility
  • Anti-inflammatory to GI mucosa
  • Stimulates proliferation of mucosal cells
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17
Q

What is the “quintessential” digestive bitter:

A

Gentiana lutea (gentian)

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18
Q

Name some alterative bitters:

A
  • Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)
  • Cynara scolymus (artichoke)
  • Rumex crispus (yellow dock)
  • Mahonia sp (Oregon grape)
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19
Q

Name some bitter carminatives:

A
  • Matricaria recutita (chamomile)

* Angelica archangelica (angelica)

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20
Q

Gentian - actions:

A
  • Bitter (stim digestion)
  • Analgesic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Cholagogue
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21
Q

Gentian constituents:

A
  • Secoiridoid glycosides (amarogentin, gentiopicrin, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin)
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22
Q

Citrus peel constituents:

A
  • Flavonoid glycosides (neohesperidin, naringin)
  • Non-bitter flavonoids (hesperidin, rutoside, sinensetin, nobiletin, tangeritin)
  • Essential oil (limonene)
  • Pectins
  • Furanocoumarins
  • Phenols (polymethoxylated flavones, hydroxycinnamates)
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23
Q

Citrus peel is classically used as a bitter tonic for:

A

dyspepsia

loss of appetite

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24
Q

Name some aromatic bitters:

A
  • Zingiber officinale (ginger)
  • Citrus sinensis (sweet orange)
  • Citrus aurantium (bitter orange)
  • Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)
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25
Q

Bitter orange contains ____________ (mainly bergapten) that are ______________ in fair-skinned people.

A

furanocoumarins
photosensitizing
not found in sweet orange

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26
Q

D-limonene is used in the tx of ____________ because it is a solvent of _____________.
It is also used to treat ________ because it promotes __________.

A

gallstones
cholesterol

GERD
peristalsis

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27
Q

Citrus peel - energetics:

A

sour
bitter
dry
cool or warm (depends on individual)

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28
Q

Bitters - indications:

A
  • dyspepsia
  • intestinal atony
  • hypochlorhydria
  • malabsorption
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29
Q

Bitters - contraindications:

A
  • hyperchlorhydria
  • acute gastritis
  • acute diarrhea
  • acute IBD flare
  • acute peptic ulcer
  • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
  • concomitant acid blocker drug therapy
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30
Q

Carminative herbs have mild _____________ effects, largely due to the ______________ they contain.

A

antispasmodic

volatile oils

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31
Q

Carminative herbs:

A
  • Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)
  • Pimpinella anisum (anise)
  • Mentha piperita (peppermint)
  • Mentha spicata (spearmint)
  • Zingiber officinale (ginger)
  • Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
  • Angelica archangelica (angelica)
  • Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)
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32
Q

Fennel - actions:

A
  • antispasmodic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • carminative
  • galactogogue
  • bitter
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33
Q

Fennel - energetics:

A

warming
aromatic
bitter
sweet

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34
Q

Fennel - constituents:

A
  • 50-70% trans-anethole (sweet)

*

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35
Q

Chamomile - actions:

A
  • Carminative
  • stomachic
  • antiemetic
  • antispasmodic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • sedative
  • nervine
  • anti-ulcerogenic
  • bitter
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36
Q

Chamomile - constituents:

A

sesquiterpenes (alpha-bisabolol & chamazulene, matricin, apigenin)

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37
Q

Chamomile - indications:

A
  • nervous manifestations of dentition
  • otitis media
  • rheumatic / neuralgic pain
  • abdominal neuroses
  • hysteria
  • infantile convulsion
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38
Q

Ginger - actions:

A
  • ANTIEMETIC
  • carminative
  • stomachic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • analgesic
  • diaphoretic
  • diuretic
  • antimicrobial
  • expectorant
  • antitussive
  • decreases platelet aggregation
  • increases digestive enzyme activity
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39
Q

Ginger - constituents:

A
  • monocyclic sesquiterpenes (zingiberene, zingiberole, gingerol, shogoal, phellandrene, borneol, cineole, citral)
  • resins
  • mucilage
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40
Q

Ginger - energetics:

A

warming
stimulating
draws energy to center

41
Q

Ginger - indications:

A
  • anorexia
  • flatulence
  • borborygmus
  • spasmodic gastic/intestinal contractions
  • painful menses
  • acute colds
  • cool extremities
42
Q

Yellow dock - energetics:

A

bitter
cooling
contracting

43
Q

Yellow dock - constituents:

A
  • tannins
  • anthraquinone glycosides (small amt)
  • oxalic acid (mostly in leaves)
  • iron
44
Q

Yellow dock - actions:

A
  • astringent
  • nutritive
  • alterative
  • lymphagogue
45
Q

Yellow dock - indications:

A
  • syphilis
  • necrosis
  • mucosal ulceration
  • TB
46
Q

Geranium - constituents:

A
  • gallic acid
  • tannic acid
  • gum
  • pectin
  • starch
  • resin
47
Q

Geranium - energetics:

A

contracting

48
Q

Geranium - actions:

A
  • astringent
  • styptic
  • GI tract atony
49
Q

Marshmallow - constituents:

A
  • mucilage (25-35%)
  • polysaccharides
  • flavonoids
  • phenolic acids
  • altheacoumarin glycoside
  • lanosterol
  • β-sitosterol
50
Q

Marshmallow - energetics:

A

cool

moist

51
Q

Marshmallow - actions:

A
  • soothing to mucous membranes
  • stimulates cell regeneration
  • anti-inflammatory
52
Q

Slippery elm - constituents:

A
  • mucilage
  • soluble / insoluble fibers
  • phytosterols
  • tannins
53
Q

Slippery elm - energetics:

A

cool

moist

54
Q

Slippery elm - actions:

A
  • soothing to mucous membranes

* anti-inflammatory

55
Q

Aloe - constituents:

A
  • polysaccharides
  • phytosterols
  • chromones
  • enzymes
  • anthraquinone glycosides (small amt)
56
Q

Aloe - energetics:

A

cool

moist

57
Q

Aloe - actions:

A
  • soothing to mucous membranes
  • vulnerary
  • anti-inflammatory
  • immunomodulating
58
Q

Name some GI anti-inflammatories:

A
  • Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
  • Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense)
  • Calendula officinalis (pot marigold)
  • Curcuma longa (turmeric)
  • Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
  • Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
59
Q

Name some GI antispasmodics:

A
  • Ammi visnaga (Khella)
  • Dioscorea villosa (wild yam)
  • Lobelia inflata (lobelia)
  • Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
  • Mentha piperita (peppermint)
  • Viburnum opulus (cramp bark)
  • Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw)
60
Q

Khella - constituents:

A
  • coumarins
  • furanochromones
  • Khellin
  • visnagin
61
Q

Khella - energetics:

A

cool

moist

62
Q

Khella - actions:

A
  • antispasmodic

* diuretic

63
Q

Wild yam - constituents:

A
  • steroidal saponins

* dioscoretin

64
Q

Wild yam - energetics:

A

cool

dry

65
Q

Wild yam - actions:

A
  • antispasmodic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • diaphoretic
66
Q

Wild yam - indications:

A
  • Bilary colic

* N/V

67
Q

Robert’s formula is equal parts of these 5 herbs:

A
  • Echinacea
  • Phytolacca (poke)
  • Althea (marshmallow)
  • Hydrastis (goldenseal)
  • Geranium
68
Q

Other words that mean constipation:

A

costiveness
dyschezia
dyssynergic defecation

69
Q

Definition of constipation:

A

Refers to bowel movements that are infrequent (

70
Q

What are some common causes of constipation:

A
dehydration
low fiber diet
stress
decreased physical activity
meds
congenital
hypothyroid
structural issues
psychological
colorectal cancer/tumor
71
Q

Constipation treatments:

A
stool habits
position/sitting
parasympathetic tone
hydration
epsom salts
bulk fiber
* soluble/insoluble
irritant laxatives
72
Q

What are some bulk fibers/laxatives:

A

cereals - bran, oat, rice
chondrus crispus (Irish moss)
plantago spp. (psyllium)
linum usitatissimum (flax)

73
Q

T/F: Whole grains are high in fiber.

A

True, but they’re higher in sugar!!

Vegetables are a better source of fiber.

74
Q

Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol by:

A

attaching to bile salts so that they are excreted.

75
Q

Psyllium - action:

A
  • longer transit time in diarrhea
  • shorter transit time in constipation, inc volume of stool
  • lowers serum cholesterol
  • reduces post-prandial blood glucose elevations
76
Q

Psyllium - indications:

A
  • anal fissures
  • hemorrhoids
  • post anal/rectal surgery
  • during pregnancy
  • IBS
  • constipation d/t duodenal ulcer/diverticulitis
  • hyperlipidemia
77
Q

Psyllium - contraindications:

A
  • stenosis of the GI tract
  • obstruction
  • poorly controlled DM
78
Q

Flaxseed - indications:

A
  • chronic complications
  • laxative damage
  • irritable colon
  • diverticulitis
  • mucilage for gastritis/enteritis
79
Q

Flaxseed - contraindications:

A

ileus of any origin

80
Q

Bastyr B formula - indications:

A
  • bowel infx
  • ulceration w/bleeding
  • chronic bowel problems
  • IBS
  • diverticulitis
  • UC
81
Q

Irritant laxatives:

A

Called stimulant/contact laxatives

  • contain anthraquinone glycosides ->
    • cause mild irritation of the intestinal walls
    • increase fluid electroytye accumulation
    • increase peristalsis of the large bowel
82
Q

Irritant laxatives - cautions:

A
  • pregnancy (malabsorption)
  • active diarrhea
  • children under 12 (mb)
  • cause habituation
83
Q

Rhamnus - actions:

A
  • irritant laxative

* stimulates peristalsis

84
Q

Rhamnus - indications:

A
  • constipation
  • atonic conditions of intestine
  • chronic hemorrhoids d/t atony
  • mb used for elderly/debilitated (in proper formulation)
  • nursing mom to tx child
85
Q

Rhamnus - contraindications:

A
  • lack of constipation
  • intestinal obstruction
  • acute intestinal inflammation
  • crohn’s
  • UC
  • appendicitis
  • abd pain of unknown origin
  • children
86
Q

Rhamnus - toxicity:

A

chronic use can cause pigmentation of distal bowel - melanosis coli (unknown significance)

87
Q

Two medicines in aloe:

A
  • aloe gel - bulking agent, immune stimulating polysaccharide
  • bitter aloe resin - strong laxative, yellow anthraquinone glycoside
88
Q

By-products of incomplete digestion:

A
  • carbs - ferment
  • proteins - rot
  • fats - rancidify
89
Q

Carminatives main action:

A

to soothe the gut wall
easing griping pains
reduce the production of gas in the digestive tract.

usu d/t volatile oils -> local anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antimicrobial effects

90
Q

Carminatives - cautions:

A
  • GERD (relax LES)
  • kidney dz
  • don’t treat underlying condition of gas/bloating
91
Q

Causes of hemorrhoids:

A
  • Hereditary factors/structural weakness of veins
    • anatomical
    • partial congestion
    • chronic constipation
  • sphincteric relaxation
  • toilet habits/position
92
Q

Aesculus - actions:

A
  • venous tonic
  • reduced capillary permeability
  • protects & regulates CT
  • anti-edemic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • astringent
93
Q

Aesculus - indications:

A
  • chronic venous insufficiency
  • decreasing cranial pressure
  • topical
    • blunt trauma
    • hematoma
    • post-op swelling
    • hemorrhoids
94
Q

Ruscus - actions:

A
  • anti-inflammatory
  • vasoconstrictor
  • anti-hemorrhagic
  • vasotonic
95
Q

T/F: Ruscus has been studied in pregnant women and found to be safe.

A

True!

Shown improved sx of pregnancy-related varicosities (hemorrhoids)

96
Q

Stone root - actions:

A
  • diuretic
  • tonic
  • astringent
  • hepatic tonic
  • lithotrophic
  • anti-lithic
  • carminitive
  • anti-inflammatory
  • alterative
  • stimulant
97
Q

Stone root - indications:

A
  • constipation
  • indigestion
  • irritative dyspepsia
  • chronic gastritis
  • diarrhea
  • dysentery
  • colic
  • spasmodic GI conditions
  • tenesmus
  • anal fistula
  • rectal ulcers
  • hemorrhoids
98
Q

Witch hazel - actions:

A
  • astringent
  • anti-inflammatory
  • hemostatic
  • wound healing
99
Q

Witch hazel - indications:

A
  • passive hemorrhages
  • varicosities
  • venous stasis
  • sore throat
  • muscle soreness