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dHA 2nd year - Botanical medicine > Herbs and the GI > Flashcards

Herbs and the GI Flashcards

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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
Bitter orange contains ____________ (mainly bergapten) that are ______________ in fair-skinned people.
furanocoumarins photosensitizing not found in sweet orange
26
D-limonene is used in the tx of ____________ because it is a solvent of _____________. It is also used to treat ________ because it promotes __________.
gallstones cholesterol GERD peristalsis
27
Citrus peel - energetics:
sour bitter dry cool or warm (depends on individual)
28
Bitters - indications:
* dyspepsia * intestinal atony * hypochlorhydria * malabsorption
29
Bitters - contraindications:
* hyperchlorhydria * acute gastritis * acute diarrhea * acute IBD flare * acute peptic ulcer * Zollinger-Ellison syndrome * concomitant acid blocker drug therapy
30
Carminative herbs have mild _____________ effects, largely due to the ______________ they contain.
antispasmodic | volatile oils
31
Carminative herbs:
* Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) * Pimpinella anisum (anise) * Mentha piperita (peppermint) * Mentha spicata (spearmint) * Zingiber officinale (ginger) * Matricaria recutita (chamomile) * Angelica archangelica (angelica) * Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)
32
Fennel - actions:
* antispasmodic * anti-inflammatory * carminative * galactogogue * bitter
33
Fennel - energetics:
warming aromatic bitter sweet
34
Fennel - constituents:
* 50-70% trans-anethole (sweet) | *
35
Chamomile - actions:
* Carminative * stomachic * antiemetic * antispasmodic * anti-inflammatory * sedative * nervine * anti-ulcerogenic * bitter
36
Chamomile - constituents:
sesquiterpenes (alpha-bisabolol & chamazulene, matricin, apigenin)
37
Chamomile - indications:
* nervous manifestations of dentition * otitis media * rheumatic / neuralgic pain * abdominal neuroses * hysteria * infantile convulsion
38
Ginger - actions:
* ANTIEMETIC * carminative * stomachic * anti-inflammatory * analgesic * diaphoretic * diuretic * antimicrobial * expectorant * antitussive * decreases platelet aggregation * increases digestive enzyme activity
39
Ginger - constituents:
* monocyclic sesquiterpenes (zingiberene, zingiberole, gingerol, shogoal, phellandrene, borneol, cineole, citral) * resins * mucilage
40
Ginger - energetics:
warming stimulating draws energy to center
41
Ginger - indications:
* anorexia * flatulence * borborygmus * spasmodic gastic/intestinal contractions * painful menses * acute colds * cool extremities
42
Yellow dock - energetics:
bitter cooling contracting
43
Yellow dock - constituents:
* tannins * anthraquinone glycosides (small amt) * oxalic acid (mostly in leaves) * iron
44
Yellow dock - actions:
* astringent * nutritive * alterative * lymphagogue
45
Yellow dock - indications:
* syphilis * necrosis * mucosal ulceration * TB
46
Geranium - constituents:
* gallic acid * tannic acid * gum * pectin * starch * resin
47
Geranium - energetics:
contracting
48
Geranium - actions:
* astringent * styptic * GI tract atony
49
Marshmallow - constituents:
* mucilage (25-35%) * polysaccharides * flavonoids * phenolic acids * altheacoumarin glycoside * lanosterol * β-sitosterol
50
Marshmallow - energetics:
cool | moist
51
Marshmallow - actions:
* soothing to mucous membranes * stimulates cell regeneration * anti-inflammatory
52
Slippery elm - constituents:
* mucilage * soluble / insoluble fibers * phytosterols * tannins
53
Slippery elm - energetics:
cool | moist
54
Slippery elm - actions:
* soothing to mucous membranes | * anti-inflammatory
55
Aloe - constituents:
* polysaccharides * phytosterols * chromones * enzymes * anthraquinone glycosides (small amt)
56
Aloe - energetics:
cool | moist
57
Aloe - actions:
* soothing to mucous membranes * vulnerary * anti-inflammatory * immunomodulating
58
Name some GI anti-inflammatories:
* Achillea millefolium (yarrow) * Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense) * Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) * Curcuma longa (turmeric) * Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) * Matricaria recutita (chamomile)
59
Name some GI antispasmodics:
* Ammi visnaga (Khella) * Dioscorea villosa (wild yam) * Lobelia inflata (lobelia) * Matricaria recutita (chamomile) * Mentha piperita (peppermint) * Viburnum opulus (cramp bark) * Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw)
60
Khella - constituents:
* coumarins * furanochromones * Khellin * visnagin
61
Khella - energetics:
cool | moist
62
Khella - actions:
* antispasmodic | * diuretic
63
Wild yam - constituents:
* steroidal saponins | * dioscoretin
64
Wild yam - energetics:
cool | dry
65
Wild yam - actions:
* antispasmodic * anti-inflammatory * diaphoretic
66
Wild yam - indications:
* Bilary colic | * N/V
67
Robert's formula is equal parts of these 5 herbs:
* Echinacea * Phytolacca (poke) * Althea (marshmallow) * Hydrastis (goldenseal) * Geranium
68
Other words that mean constipation:
costiveness dyschezia dyssynergic defecation
69
Definition of constipation:
Refers to bowel movements that are infrequent (
70
What are some common causes of constipation:
``` dehydration low fiber diet stress decreased physical activity meds congenital hypothyroid structural issues psychological colorectal cancer/tumor ```
71
Constipation treatments:
``` stool habits position/sitting parasympathetic tone hydration epsom salts bulk fiber * soluble/insoluble irritant laxatives ```
72
What are some bulk fibers/laxatives:
cereals - bran, oat, rice chondrus crispus (Irish moss) plantago spp. (psyllium) linum usitatissimum (flax)
73
T/F: Whole grains are high in fiber.
True, but they're higher in sugar!! | Vegetables are a better source of fiber.
74
Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol by:
attaching to bile salts so that they are excreted.
75
Psyllium - action:
* longer transit time in diarrhea * shorter transit time in constipation, inc volume of stool * lowers serum cholesterol * reduces post-prandial blood glucose elevations
76
Psyllium - indications:
* anal fissures * hemorrhoids * post anal/rectal surgery * during pregnancy * IBS * constipation d/t duodenal ulcer/diverticulitis * hyperlipidemia
77
Psyllium - contraindications:
* stenosis of the GI tract * obstruction * poorly controlled DM
78
Flaxseed - indications:
* chronic complications * laxative damage * irritable colon * diverticulitis * mucilage for gastritis/enteritis
79
Flaxseed - contraindications:
ileus of any origin
80
Bastyr B formula - indications:
* bowel infx * ulceration w/bleeding * chronic bowel problems * IBS * diverticulitis * UC
81
Irritant laxatives:
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
Irritant laxatives - cautions:
* pregnancy (malabsorption) * active diarrhea * children under 12 (mb) * cause habituation
83
Rhamnus - actions:
* irritant laxative | * stimulates peristalsis
84
Rhamnus - indications:
* constipation * atonic conditions of intestine * chronic hemorrhoids d/t atony * mb used for elderly/debilitated (in proper formulation) * nursing mom to tx child
85
Rhamnus - contraindications:
* lack of constipation * intestinal obstruction * acute intestinal inflammation - crohn's - UC - appendicitis - abd pain of unknown origin - children
86
Rhamnus - toxicity:
chronic use can cause pigmentation of distal bowel - melanosis coli (unknown significance)
87
Two medicines in aloe:
* aloe gel - bulking agent, immune stimulating polysaccharide * bitter aloe resin - strong laxative, yellow anthraquinone glycoside
88
By-products of incomplete digestion:
* carbs - ferment * proteins - rot * fats - rancidify
89
Carminatives main action:
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
Carminatives - cautions:
* GERD (relax LES) * kidney dz * don't treat underlying condition of gas/bloating
91
Causes of hemorrhoids:
* Hereditary factors/structural weakness of veins - - anatomical - - partial congestion - - chronic constipation * sphincteric relaxation * toilet habits/position
92
Aesculus - actions:
* venous tonic * reduced capillary permeability * protects & regulates CT * anti-edemic * anti-inflammatory * astringent
93
Aesculus - indications:
* chronic venous insufficiency * decreasing cranial pressure * topical - - blunt trauma - - hematoma - - post-op swelling - - hemorrhoids
94
Ruscus - actions:
* anti-inflammatory * vasoconstrictor * anti-hemorrhagic * vasotonic
95
T/F: Ruscus has been studied in pregnant women and found to be safe.
True! | Shown improved sx of pregnancy-related varicosities (hemorrhoids)
96
Stone root - actions:
* diuretic * tonic * astringent * hepatic tonic * lithotrophic * anti-lithic * carminitive * anti-inflammatory * alterative * stimulant
97
Stone root - indications:
* constipation * indigestion * irritative dyspepsia * chronic gastritis * diarrhea * dysentery * colic * spasmodic GI conditions * tenesmus * anal fistula * rectal ulcers * hemorrhoids
98
Witch hazel - actions:
* astringent * anti-inflammatory * hemostatic * wound healing
99
Witch hazel - indications:
* passive hemorrhages * varicosities * venous stasis * sore throat * muscle soreness

dHA 2nd year - Botanical medicine (57 decks)

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