Botany: Herbal Actions PDF

BOT MED TERM 1 CLASS 3B: HERBAL ACTIONS DR. FIONA SMULDERS ND HERBAL ACTIONS THE EFFECT THAT THE CONSTITUENTS OF AN HERB HAS ON OUR PHYSIOLOGY HERBAL ACTIONS • Herbal actions can have a systemic effect on the whole body, or they can have a specific effect on a particular tissue or organ system •...

BOT MED TERM 1 CLASS 3B: HERBAL ACTIONS DR. FIONA SMULDERS ND HERBAL ACTIONS THE EFFECT THAT THE CONSTITUENTS OF AN HERB HAS ON OUR PHYSIOLOGY HERBAL ACTIONS • Herbal actions can have a systemic effect on the whole body, or they can have a specific effect on a particular tissue or organ system • The broad category of herbal actions are either tonics (normalizers) or effectors • Herbal actions can be further classified as stimulating, relaxing, tightening, soothing, restorative, nourishing, etc to different areas of the body MAJOR PLANT ACTIONS HERBAL ACTIONS NORMALIZERS/TONICS - Nourish the body - Support natural processes of growth, health and renewal - Ex: Nettles EFFECTORS - Observable impact on the body - Treatment for specific illnesses - Ex: Echinacea Effectors Actions Tonics Hepatics Choleretics + Bile Liver Tonics & Protectives + Phase 1 & 2 detox & regeneration of hepatocytes Lymphatics Stimulant + lymph node activity Tonic + lymphatic flow Laxatives Stimulant + direct peristalsis Osmotic/Bulking + reflex peristalsis Bitters Hepatics Choleretics & Cholagogues Laxatives Digestive Stimulants Alteratives Nervine Tonics & Relaxants Digestive Relaxants Carminatives Anti-emetics Antispasmodics Demulcents Others… Aromatics Nutritionals Lymphatics + Astringents + Antimicrobials + ACTIONS FOR BODY SYSTEMS • Respiratory System: expectorants, anticatarrhals, antitussives • Digestive System: cholagogue, choleretic, bitters, demulcents, carminatives, antiemetics, emetics • Adrenals & Nervous System: adaptogens, nervine tonics, nervines relaxants, sedatives, hypnotics, nervine stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, nootropics • Cardiovascular System: cardiotonics, hypotensives, blood vessel tonics, antioxidants, hypolipidemics, hypoglycemics, circulatory stimulants • Urinary System: diuretics, antilithics *Read Constituent & Actions document for definitions ACTIONS FOR BODY SYSTEMS • Reproductive System: emmenagogues, galactogogues, uterine tonics, female reproductive tonics, male reproductive tonics • Immune System: antimicrobials, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antihelmintics, deep immune tonics • MSK System and Connective Tissue: connective tissue tonics, rubefacients, vulneraries, analgesics, antispasmodics, antiinflammatories, antirheumatics • Skin and Mucus Membranes: emollients, demulcents, astringents, styptics, vulneraries, rubefacients • Herbal Cleansers: alteratives, diuretics, laxatives/aperients, lymphatics, diaphoretics *Read Constituent & Actions document for definitions TISSUE AFFINITIES / SPECIFICITIES An herb itself can have an affinity for certain tissues or body systems – meaning it will have a specific action on that area Adding an herb with an affinity to a certain tissue or organ can help deliver a formula to the affected area that needs to be treated or supported HERBS WITH TISSUE AFFINITIES BODY PART/SYSTEM HERBAL EXAMPLES WITH TISSUE AFFINITIES Adrenals Eleutherococcus senticosus, Glycyrrhiz glabra, Rhodiola rosea Cardiovascular Crataegus spp, Allium sativum, Leonurus cardiaca Liver Silybum marianum, Taraxicum off radix, Smilax spp Musculoskeletal Salix alba, Curcuma longa, Symphytum off. Nervous Humulus lupulus, Hypericum perforatum, Passiflora incarnata Respiratory Verbascum thapsus, Inula helenium, Usnea spp Uterus Viburnum opulus, Vitex agnus-castus, Rubus ideaus Skin Calendula off., Stellaria media, Plantago spp. Gastrointestinal Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha piperita, Zingiber off. SUMMARY Why is it important to consider the following questions when creating a remedy for your future patients? • Which organ system(s) need support? Which herbs have tissue specificity to the area needing treatment? • Which herbal actions are needed to restore physiology and heal pathology? • Which constituents have these actions, and what is the best herbal preparation to ensure optimal extraction – ex: infusion (mucilage) or tincture (alkaloids)? THANK YOU A N D H AV E A L O V E LY D AY