Lecture 4 Western Herbal Energetics

Question 1

Which element governs the lungs?

Answer 1

Air

Question 2

Which element governs bones and hard structures in the body?

Answer 2

Earth

Question 3

Which element is responsible for lubricating tissues?

Answer 3

Water

Question 4

Which element might you draw on if you were an athlete keen to enhance performance?

Answer 4

Fire- governs muscular action and heat generating actions of the body

Question 5

Which element is described as cold and dry?

Answer 5

Earth

Question 6

What are the qualities associated with AIR?

Answer 6

Hot and moist

Question 7

If you are suffering from a fever, which quality or qualities might be involved? Explain your choices

Answer 7

Heat, dry fever? Or moist fever? Dry is most dangerous because it goes up and up want to make the fever break and sweat

Question 8

What does the neutral quality offer us?

Answer 8

Balance. Absence of excess in any direction. Hippocrates neutral is the ideal state. Longer journey but perhaps longer lasting

Question 9

In what kind of state might the quality of dryness be useful to us?

Answer 9

Tissues that were water logged boggy supperations. Dryness used to firm up and astringent the skin

Question 10

You have injured a muscle and the affected area is red, swollen and painful which quality would you be calling on to make this more comfortable?

Answer 10

Cold, possibly damp. Cold pack would be good. Alternating hot and cold is effective

Question 11

Complete the group: air, water, earth

Answer 11

Fire

Question 12

Which element governs digestion?

Answer 12

Fire

Question 13

Which elements governs bones, teeth, hair and nails?

Answer 13

Earth

Question 14

Which quality nourishes and lubricates tissues?

Answer 14

Moist

Question 15

Which of the following herbs are cooling: marshmallow, rosemary, cayenne?

Answer 15

Marshmallow

Question 16

Which element governs black bile?

Answer 16

Earth

Question 17

Which treatment ideas would be most suitable for Phelgm?

1. Salads, bitters, meat
2. melons, alcohol
3. soups, broths, spices

Answer 17

Soups broths spices

Question 18

Which characteristics go with the melancholic temperament?

1. Despondent, sleepless, reflective
2. Hopeful, courageous, youthful, naive
3. Calm, unemotional, philosophical

Answer 18

Despondent, sleepless, reflective

Question 19

A woman in her 20’s suffers with low immunity- constantly catching colds. Which humour is in excess:
Choleric, sanguine or phelgmatic

Answer 19

Phlegmatic

Question 20

Complete the group: Hot, cold, dry, neutral, ?

Answer 20

Moist

Question 21

What are the Six Tissue States and by whom were they developed?

Answer 21

Asserted by The Physiomedicalists, the Six Tissue States were an attempt to combine scientific and traditional wisdom.
Specifically they are:
1. Heat/ Excitation
2.Wind/ Constriction
3.Dry/ Atrophy
4. Cold/ Depression
5.Damp/ Relaxation
6.Damp/ Torpor

Question 22

A superficial fast pulse, a red elongated flame-shaped tongue and systemic or local redness swelling and pain indicates which tissue state?

Answer 22

Heat/ Excitation

Question 23

List 4 typical pathologies associated with the Heat/ Excitation tissue state.

Answer 23

Infection
Inflammation
Fever
Autoimmune

Question 24

Which herbs would you choose to address the following aspects involved in the heat/ excitation tissue state:
Cooling
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Bitter

Answer 24

Cooling- plantain
Anti-inflammatory-turmeric
Antiseptic- golden seal
Bitter- wormwood

Question 25

Neuromuscular tension, rigidity, spasm and convulsion are indicated in which tissue state?

Answer 25

Wind/ Constriction

Question 26

In this tissue state, an individual is unable to switch from Sympathetic to Parasympathetic nerve systems and also exhibits alternating chills, sudden symptom changes and aggravation from chill

Answer 26

Wind/Constriction

Question 27

Describe the diagnostic signs of the Wind/ Constriction tissue state

Answer 27

Pulse- wiry tense | Tongue- central crack or groove

Question 28

Name four typical pathologies associated with Wind/ Constriction

Answer 28

Neuralgia, sciatica, asthma, allergy, anxiety, bipolar disorder

Question 29

Describe how Passionflower, skullcap and ashwagandha effectively treat a person in a wind/ constriction state.

Answer 29

Passionflower- antispasmodic, relaxant Skullcap-nervine Ashwagandha- adaptogen

Question 30

Why is a dry/ atrophy tissue state problematic for the body?

Answer 30

Fluids carry nutrients Hormones rely on fluids for transportation Skin has a scaly, dry appearance

Question 31

Describe the tongue and pulse of dry/ atrophy condition

Answer 31

Tongue is dry, withered, cracked | Pulse is low, weak, uneven

Question 32

List 4 pathologies associated with a Dry/Atrophy tissue state

Answer 32

``` Constipation Psoriasis Weight loss Eating disorders Malabsorption Multiple sclerosis ```

Question 33

Which 3 herbal actions could be applied to treat a dry/ atrophy tissue state. Give an example herb for each

Answer 33

Demulcent- marshmallow Mucilageneous- aloe vera Nutritive- nettles

Question 34

This tissue state is characterized by under-stimulated, lack of oxygen, poor resistance, systemic toxaemia & acidosis, poor circulation

Answer 34

Cold/ Depression

Question 35

List three key diagnostic signs is the cold/ depression tissue state

Answer 35

Low blood pressure Pulse- deep, slow, weak Tongue- blue, purple, dark, yellow or brown coating

Question 36

Name 4 pathologies associated with a cold/ depression tissue state

Answer 36

``` Depression Slow heart rate Hypothyroidism Adrenal exhaustion Chronic fatigue syndrome ```

Question 37

List 3 herbs applicable to treating cold/ depression state and describe their actions

Answer 37

Stimulants- rosemary Circulatory stimulants- ginger Tonics- ginseng

Question 38

The following characteristics describe which tissue state: Tissues lack tone and cannot hold fluids Saliva, mucous, perspiration Thin watery discharges (& loss of nutrients therewith)

Answer 38

Damp/ Relaxation

Question 39

What are the diagnostic signs of a damp/ relaxation tissue state

Answer 39

Tongue- swollen wet with clear coating and scallops (teeth marks) Pulse- languid, non-resistant

Question 40

Name 4 pathologies associated with a damp/ relaxation tissue state

Answer 40

``` Diarrhoea Hyperhydrosis Common cold Ulcers Kidney insufficiency Haemorrhage ```

Question 41

What 3 herbal actions would you call upon to treat a damp/ relaxation tissue state? Give an example of each

Answer 41

Astringent- Lady’s Mantle Haemostatic- yarrow Vulnerary- Selfheal

Question 42

List key attributes of a Damp/ Torpor (stagnation) tissue state

Answer 42

Retained damp (as opposed to flowing) Tissues, swollen stuck, ill-nourished Accumulation of toxins, liver congestion Lack of secretion and excretion (Thurston) Skin lesions, poor peripheral circulation

Question 43

Purple or black tongue, thick coatin | And a sluggish resistant pulse indicates which tissue state?

Answer 43

Damp/ Torpor

Question 44

List 4 pathologies associated with a damp/ torpor tissue state

Answer 44

``` Abdominal fullness, bloating Consolation Thick catarrh Weight gain Arthritic and rheumatic conditions Cancer Diabetes Poor healing abilities ```

Question 45

Name three herbs and their actions that might be used to treat a damp/ torpor tissue state

Answer 45

Burdock- alterative Senna- purgative Poke root- deobstruent

Question 46

What are the 5 most common taste experiences and their actions

Answer 46

Sour- prevents abnormal leakage of fluids and energy Bitter- clearing cooling detoxifying Sweet- nourishing Pungent- warming, dispersing, drying Salty- nourishes kidneys, makes heart pliable and strong

Question 47

Name three properties of the sour taste

Answer 47

Astringent Promotes enzymatic reactions Aids liver function Binds and contracts flaccid tissues

Question 48

The chemical component that gives food/ plants their sour flavour

Answer 48

Carboxylic acid Dicarboxylic acid E.g citric, maleic, oxalic

Question 49

This flavour cleanses and detoxifies by rendering fat soluble toxins water soluble thus easily excreted by kidneys

Answer 49

Sour

Question 50

These two flavours increase bile secretion, aiding the liver

Answer 50

Sour | Bitter

Question 51

Summarize the function of the bitter taste

Answer 51

``` Drains dries Cooling, clearing, detoxifying Antibiotic, antiviral, antiparasitic Stimulates release of antibodies Alterative Clears veins and arteries of cholesterol Tones digestion- promotes HCl secretion ```

Question 52

Essential oils that boil at over 200 degrees Celsius, abundant in Asteraceae family and have a warming effect are known as

Answer 52

Sesquiteterpines

Question 53

Name two chemical components of bitter plants

Answer 53

Alkaloids | Sesquiteterpines

Question 54

This taste nourishes the stomach digestion | Strengthens the flesh

Answer 54

Sweet taste

Question 55

Which flavour category do the following herbs fall under

Answer 55

Ginseng, astragalus, rehmannia, Liquorice, wild yam, burdock, dandelion, lovage

Question 56

The name of chemical formed when sugars attach to many plant chemicals thus becoming more water soluble and transportable

Answer 56

Glycoside

Question 57

Give 4 conditions of which the pungent taste is indicated.

Answer 57

Catarrh, colds, flu Arthritis, rheumatism Delayed menstruation

Question 58

Define and give an example of rubifacient

Answer 58

A substance for topical application that produces redness of the skin by causing dilation of capillaries and increase in blood flow. Cayenne

Question 59

Which flavour is indicated for stagnation and congestion. Name a few foods from this category

Answer 59

Pungent ``` Garlic onion ginger pepper cayenne watercress rocket horseradish ```

Question 60

Name three prevalent chemical components found in pungent foods and an example of each

Answer 60

Oleo-resins, cayenne Volatile oils, mint Isotiocyanates, watercress

Question 61

This flavour is important in maintains body fluids and electrolytes in the correct proportions

Answer 61

Salt