Y3 blue herbs

Question 1

Astragalus membranaceus action, mechanism and indications

Answer 1

Deep lymphatic support, immunomodulator

Activates almost every phase of immune system activity, specifically T-cells, macrophages and interferon production. Lignans are immunomodulatory, antiviral and hepatoprotective

Infections, immune deficiency

Question 2

Echinacea action, mechanism and indications

Answer 2

Surface immunomodulator, lymphatic.

Increases the phagocytic activity of macrophages and granulocytes

Immunosuppression, lymphadenitis

Question 3

Calendula actions, indications, constituent

Answer 3

Surface immune activation, lymphatic, alterative

Atopic skin conditions, tonsilitis

Triterpenoid saponins, volatile oils

Question 4

Scutellaria baicalensis actions, indications, constituent

Answer 4

Anti allergy, anti-paf

Allergic skin conditions, hypersensitivity: asthma, hayfever

Flavones

Question 5

Ganoderma lucidum actions, indications and mechanism

Answer 5

Immunostimulant, anti-allergic

Allergies & inflammatory conditions - through supression of TNF-alpha and IL-6

Prostate cancer - Triterpenes bind to the androgen receptors on prostate cancer cells

Used to counteract the effects of chemotherapy and radiation

Question 6

Hericium erinaceous actions, indications, mechanism of constituent

Answer 6

Immunomodulator, anti-bacterial

MRSA, chronic gastritis - polysaccharides increase the secretion of intestinal immunoglobulins, playing a roll in immune regulation

Polysaccharides: Hericenones, erinacines

Question 7

Picrorhiza kurroa actions, indications, caution

Answer 7

Anti-viral, immunomodulant

Hep B, chronic and repeated viral infections

Caution in pregnancy and lactation

Question 8

Eupatorium perfoliatum actions, indication and constituent

Answer 8

Febrifuge, immunostimulating

Fever, influenza with full body aches

Sesquiterpene lactones and diterpenes

Question 9

Galega officinalis family, actions, indications, constituent

Answer 9

Fabaceae

Hypoglycaemic, tonic - galagine inhibits insulin resistance

Diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome X

Question 10

Glycyrrhiza glabra actions, indications, constituent

Answer 10

Tonic, anti-androgenic (lowers testosterone), hepatoprotective

Adrenal depletion, addisons disease, PCOS

Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizic acid

Question 11

Vaccinium myrtillus family, actions, caution

Answer 11

Ericaceae

Antioxidant, vasoprotective, pancreas trophorestorative

Diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy, glaucoma

Caution - haemorragic disorders

Question 12

Cynara scolymus actions, indications, constituent

Answer 12

Bitter tonic, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic

Insufficient secretion from pancreas, high cholesterol

Cynarin

Question 13

Artemisia annua actions, indications, constituent

Answer 13

Bitter tonic, secretory stimulant

Lupus, oral mucosa lichen planus

Artemisinin

Question 14

Hypericum perforatum mechanism of action

Answer 14

Hyperforin - acts as a monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor leading to antidepressant action

Question 15

Rosa damascena indications

Answer 15

Grief, depression, trauma, low libido

Question 16

Melissa officinalis contraindication

Answer 16

Those on hypothyroid medication

Question 17

Avena sativa constituent

Answer 17

Triterpenoid saponins

Question 18

Passiflora incanarta indications, cautions an constituent

Answer 18

Insomnia, drug withdrawal, neuralgia

Generally safe, caution with some CVS medications

Harmine & Apigenin

Question 19

Withania somnifera family, actions, indications, cautions, constutuent

Answer 19

Solanaceae

Adaptogen, anxiolytic, sedative

Insomnia, CFS, Exhaustion / depletion

Caution in solanaceae allergy

Withanolides

Question 20

Valeriana officinalis family, mechanism of action

Answer 20

Caprifoliaceae

Valerenic acid - responsible for the sedative action as it binds to GABA receptors, releases GABA and inhibits GABA degredation causing CNS sedation and skeletal muscle relaxation

Question 21

Verbena officinalis family, actions, indications, constituent

Answer 21

Verbenaceae

NS Trophorestorative, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant

Depression, CFS, anxiety, nervous exhaustion

Verbenalin

Question 22

Betonica officinalis family, action, indication, constituent

Answer 22

Lamiaceae

NS Trophorestorative, nervine, sedative

Nervous tension, headaches, anxiety

Stachydrine

Question 23

Rhodiola crenulata family, action, indication, constituent

Answer 23

Crassulaceae

Adaptogen, selective oestrogens reuptake modulator

Low mood, amenorrhea, fatigue, depletion

Rosavins - Support the HPA axis

Question 24

Ganoderma lucidum action, indication, mechanism on NS

Answer 24

Adaptogen, neuro-protective, anticonvulsant

CFS, anxiety, depression

Triterpenes responsible for sedative action
Triterpenes and polysaccharides exhibit neuroprotective an anticonvulsant effects, they protect neurons from apoptosis

Question 25

Hericium erinaceus family, actions, indications, constituents

Answer 25

Herinaceae Adaptogen, nervine, anti-inflammatory Neurodegenerative conditions, MS, brain injury, dementia Polysacchardies: hericenones and erinacines

Question 26

Arctium lappa special note

Answer 26

Always prescribe with GI eliminatves such as tarax an rumex. Start with smallest dose - 2.5ml then build up to avoid healing crisis

Question 27

Rumex crispus family, contraindication and constituent

Answer 27

Polygonaceae Avoid in bowel an gallbladder obstruction (due to laxative action) Anthraquinone glycosides

Question 28

Symphytum officinale actoins, indications, mechanism

Answer 28

Demulcent, emollient, vulneraary External: wounds, cuts, burns Allantoin and rosmarinic acid - speeds up wound healing and reduces production of scar tissue as it rapidly moves through the tissues. Allotin = potent cell proliferator Rosmarinic acid = anti-inflammatory and antibacterial

Question 29

Ulmus fulva family, actions, indications, mechanism

Answer 29

Ulmaceae Demulcent, emollient, anti-inflammatory External: wounds, splinters, abscesses Mucilage - hexose and pentose, absorbs an draws out excess heat, infection of debris from minor wounds.

Question 30

Stellaria media family, actions, caution

Answer 30

Caryophyllaceae Antipruitic, refrigerant Itchy rashes, eczema, psoriasis Not taken internally during pregnancy an lactation

Question 31

Centella asiatica family, actions, indications, caution

Answer 31

Apiaceae Vulnerary, venotonic, nervine Wounds, burns, scars, lesions, eczema Caution on blood thinners

Question 32

Epilobium parviflorum family, actions, indications, mechanism

Answer 32

Onagraceae Anti-inflammatory, antihyperprostatic - activates apoptosis in hormone-dependant prostate cancer cells due to ellagitannins BPH, kidney & bladder inflammation

Question 33

Serenoa repen family, actions, indications, caution

Answer 33

Arecaceae Antihyperprostatic, antiandrogenic BPH, testicular atrophy, infertility Avoid with hormone dependant cancer and warfarin

Question 34

Pinus pinaster family, actions, indications

Answer 34

Pinaceae Androgenic, vasoprotective Erectile dysfunction - by enhancing nitric oxide production Gynacomastia in males

Question 35

Actea racemosa family, actions, indications, constituent

Answer 35

Ranunculaceae LH suppressant, dopaminergic (lowers prolactin levels) Menopause symptoms, Dysmenorrhea, PMS Acetin

Question 36

Rhodiola rosea family, action, indication, constituent

Answer 36

Crassulaceae SERM, Adaptogen Amenorrhoea Rosavin

Question 37

Chamaelirium luteum family, actions, indications, mechanism

Answer 37

Melanthiaceae Reproductive tonic - improved nutrition to repdocutive organs, ovarian amphoteric hormone modulator. It acts on HPO axis, increasing FSH and stimulating ovulation. Infertility, threatening miscarriage