Iverview Of Selected Herbals

Question 1

What’s an herbal product

Answer 1

Any form of plant or plant products in raw form or extract
Contain multiple bioactive

• ginkgo balboa, St. John’s wort, ginseng, echinacea, saw palmetto, kava

Question 2

Ginkgo biloba

Answer 2

Traditional Chinese medicine

Active constituents
- terpenoids
- flavonoids

• improve memory
• reduce risk of dementia
• improves blood flow
  (All brain oriented)

Question 3

St. John’s wort

Answer 3

Perennial plant with bright yellow flowers
Aka hypericum perforatum

Active constituents
- hypericin
- hyperforin

Primarily used as an anti depressant
- selective reputable inhibition of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine (similar to SSRI drugs)

Question 4

Ginseng

Answer 4

Three types
- Asian (panax) ginseng
- American ginseng
- Siberian ginseng

Active constituents
Ginsenosides

Increases well being, reduces glycemic response, immunity

Question 5

Echinacea

Answer 5

Purple coneflower

Too many active constituents to know

Products vary due to diff plant parts used
- mainly stimulation of immune system

Question 6

Saw palmetto

Answer 6

Fruit of American palm tree

Inhibits 5 alpha reductase
- 5 AR converts testosterone to more potent DHT
- treats benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) without side effects

Question 7

Kava

Answer 7

Plant native to western pacific islands

Active constituents
- kavalactones

Anti anxiety, muscle relaxation
- banned in Canada 2002 for hepatotoxicity