BOT MED Term 1: Class 3B 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 tonics - restorative, heal damaged organs or tissues effectors - have a stronger & specific effect (coffee gives strong, stimulating effect) MAJOR PLANT ACTIONS HERBAL ACTIONS NORMALIZERS/TONICS - Nourish the body - Support natural processes of growth, health and renewal - Ex: Nettles support cellular health EFFECTORS - Observable impact on the body - Treatment for specific illnesses - Ex: Echinacea treatment for sore throat Effectors Actions Tonics Hepatics Choleretics + Bile Liver Tonics & Protectives + Phase 1 & 2 detox & regeneration of hepatocytes stimulate liver to produce more bile (immediate milk thistle supports effect) liver function - effector can also regenerate hepatocytes - tonics Lymphatics Tonic Stimulant + lymphatic flow + lymph node activity stimulate immune response Laxatives Stimulant + direct peristalsis restore strength & integrity of lymphatic system Osmotic/Bulking + reflex peristalsis irritation of colon add more bulk to stool to evacuate stool Bitters can stimulate digestion Hepatics increasing flow of bile Choleretics & Cholagogues Laxatives stimulating effect on our biles evacuate stool Digestive Stimulants Alteratives restore metabolism can be bitters, laxatives, etc. support elimination of waste Nervine Tonics & Relaxants calm NS & allow proper digesiton Digestive Relaxants Carminatives aid peristalsis; soothing Anti-emetics calm nausea, prevent vomitting Antispasmodics relaxing to the muscles of the digestive system Demulcents create soothing, antiinflammatory effect to mucous membranes Others… Aromatics Nutritionals herbs that contain vitamins & minerals to restore deficiencies Lymphatics aid with immune defense can get saliva moving + Astringents stop bleeding & reduce secretions reduce leekiness of gut + Antimicrobials + reduce microbes that cause problems in the gut ACTIONS FOR BODY SYSTEMS • • catar = mucus; thin the mucus Respiratory System: expectorants, anticatarrhals, antitussives Digestive System: cholagogue, choleretic, bitters, demulcents, carminatives, antiemetics, emetics • Adrenals & Nervous System: adaptogens, nervine tonics, restorative to nervous system all have calming effect oon body nervines relaxants, sedatives, hypnotics, nervine stimulants, stimulate NS antidepressants, anxiolytics, nootropics help w memory, focus, brain function reduce BP • Cardiovascular System: cardiotonics, hypotensives, blood restore walls of blood vessels vessel tonics, antioxidants, hypolipidemics, hypoglycemics, lowering cholesterol circulatory stimulants • Urinary System: diuretics, antilithics can break down kidney stones make us urinate to flush urinary system *Read Constituent & Actions document for definitions regulate menstrual cycle; stimulating blood flow & bring on menstruation ACTIONS FOR BODY SYSTEMS help with breast milk production • Reproductive System: emmenagogues, galactogogues, uterine prepare for pregnancy tonics, female reproductive tonics, male reproductive tonics normalize hormones • Immune System: antimicrobials, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antihelmintics, deep immune tonics restorative & nourishing to immune system MSK System and Connective Tissue: connective tissue tonics, repair damaged joints, cartilage rubefacients, vulneraries, analgesics, antispasmodics, antirelax tenseness in muscles inflammatories, antirheumatics ruby = red; bring blood to damaged area heal irritated & inflammed skin • Skin and Mucus Membranes: emollients, demulcents, astringents, styptics, vulneraries, rubefacients tightening & drying heal wounds; heal tissues • Herbal Cleansers: alteratives, diuretics, laxatives/aperients, lymphatics, diaphoretics supporting detoxification through the skin • *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 used to bring constituents to specific body organ 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. siberian ginseng milk thistle 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