Module 4 Herbal Medicine Revision PDF

Card 1: Basic Definition Front: What is Herbal Medicine? Back: Herbal medicine involves using plants or parts of plants (e.g., leaves, seeds, bark) for medicinal purposes to treat or prevent health conditions. Card 2: History Front: Name some ancient cultures that used herbal medicine. Back: Anci...

Card 1: Basic Definition Front: What is Herbal Medicine? Back: Herbal medicine involves using plants or parts of plants (e.g., leaves, seeds, bark) for medicinal purposes to treat or prevent health conditions. Card 2: History Front: Name some ancient cultures that used herbal medicine. Back: Ancient Egyptians, Neanderthals, Ayurvedic medicine (South Asia), Chinese medicine (East Asia), and Western herbal medicine (Europe and America). Card 3: Phytochemistry (Primary Metabolites) Front: What are primary metabolites in plants? Back: Primary metabolites are compounds essential for plant growth and function, such as starch (energy storage), cellulose (structural support), and chlorophyll (photosynthesis). Card 4: Phytochemistry (Secondary Metabolites) Front: What are secondary metabolites and their relevance to humans? Back: Secondary metabolites assist in plant defense and survival. In humans, they have therapeutic effects, e.g., caffeine (stimulant), tannins (astringent), and alkaloids (nervous system stimulants). Card 5: Herbal Safety Front: What are key safety considerations when using herbal medicine? Back: Ensure proper dosage, avoid during pregnancy if contraindicated, check for herb-drug interactions (e.g., garlic with anticoagulants), and watch for adverse effects like allergic reactions. Card 6: Dosage Considerations Front: How should dosage vary for adults, children, and seniors? Back: Adults: Follow product label. Children: Use reduced doses (e.g., ½ dose for 9-year-olds). Seniors: Lower doses due to reduced liver and kidney function, especially after age 80. Card 7: Herbal Preparations (Infusions) Front: What is an infusion and when is it used? Back: An infusion is a herbal tea made by steeping delicate plant parts like leaves and flowers in hot water. Used to extract water- soluble phytochemicals, e.g., peppermint tea for digestive issues. Card 8: Herbal Preparations (Decoctions) Front: How do decoctions differ from infusions? Back: Decoctions are made by boiling tougher plant parts (e.g., roots, bark) to extract water-soluble compounds. Used for herbs like dandelion root for liver support. Card 9: Herbs for the Digestive System Front: Name three herbs beneficial for the digestive system. Back: Ginger: Antiemetic (reduces nausea). Peppermint: Antispasmodic (relieves IBS). Slippery Elm: Demulcent (soothes mucous membranes). Card 10: Herbs for the Liver Front: Name two key herbs for liver health and their actions. Back: Milk Thistle: Hepatoprotective (protects liver cells from toxins). Dandelion Root: Choleretic (increases bile production). Card 11: Herbs for the Respiratory System Front: What are three herbs for respiratory health? Back: Thyme: Expectorant (helps clear mucus). Cinnamon: Diaphoretic (promotes sweating for fevers). Garlic: Antimicrobial and mucolytic (breaks down mucus). Card 12: Herbs for the Immune System Front: What are some immune-modulating herbs? Back:  Echinacea: Immune-enhancing (stimulates immune cells). Astragalus: Immune-modulating (supports chronic immune issues). Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation in the body). Card 13: Adaptogens Front: What is an adaptogen, and give two examples. Back: Adaptogens help the body resist stress. Examples include Ashwagandha (for anxiety and stress) and Korean Ginseng (for energy and stamina). Card 14: Nervous System Herbs Front: What herbs support the nervous system? Back: Lavender: Anxiolytic (reduces anxiety). Passionflower: Sedative (promotes sleep). Rosemary: Nootropic (improves memory). Card 15: Reproductive System Herbs Front: Name two herbs for reproductive health and their uses. Back: Chaste Berry: Hormone modulator (supports PMS and luteal insufficiency). Dong Quai: Uterine tonic (supports menstruation and circulatory health). 1. In what ways do herbal medicines differ from foods? Herbal medicines are used for their phytochemical content in small doses to provide therapeutic effects. Foods are consumed for macro and micronutrients in larger quantities and are usually seen as part of a daily diet. 2. In phytochemistry, what is meant by a ‘primary metabolite’? Primary metabolites are compounds necessary for the plant’s growth and function, such as starch (energy storage), chlorophyll (photosynthesis), and cellulose (structural support). 3. In phytochemistry, what is meant by a ‘secondary metabolite’? Secondary metabolites assist a plant’s survival and defense, such as protection against pathogens. They are also pharmacologically active in humans, providing therapeutic effects (e.g., caffeine as a CNS stimulant). 4. When using herbal medicine products, what dosage advice must nutritional therapists give their clients? Follow the dosage guidelines on product labels. Advise clients not to exceed the recommended dose. Adjust for individual factors such as age, weight, sensitivity, and condition severity (higher doses for acute conditions, lower doses for chronic conditions). 5. What are some of the benefits of using herbal infusions? Infusions extract water-soluble phytochemicals, are hydrating, and are often easier for clients to incorporate into their daily routine (e.g., chamomile tea for stress or peppermint tea for digestive issues). 6. How do herbal decoctions differ from herbal infusions? Infusions are used for delicate plant parts like leaves and flowers, steeped in hot water for a short period. Decoctions involve boiling tougher plant parts like roots and bark to extract phytochemicals. 7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tinctures? Advantages: Tinctures are concentrated, fast-acting, easy to take, and have a long shelf life (up to 5 years). Disadvantages: Unsuitable for recovering alcoholics, certain religious groups, or people with inflammatory conditions like gastritis due to alcohol content. 8. When might glycerites be an appropriate form of remedy?  Glycerites are ideal for clients who cannot consume alcohol (like in tinctures) or sugar (like in syrups), and they are particularly useful for children due to their sweet taste and gentle action. 9. Why are powders described as a ‘food form’ of herbal medicine? Powders are taken as whole herbs, allowing for the complete digestion and assimilation of the plant. They can be easily mixed into foods or drinks (e.g., smoothies or porridge). 10. Which herbal oil is good for sprains, strains, and arthritic joints? Comfrey oil is excellent for sprains, strains, and arthritis, as it reduces inflammation and promotes healing through its content of allantoin, which increases cell proliferation. Card 9: Herbs for the Digestive System Front: Name three herbs beneficial for the digestive system and their mechanisms of action. Back: 1. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): o Mechanism: Acts as an antiemetic by blocking serotonin receptors in the gut (5-HT3 receptors), reducing nausea and promoting digestion. It also inhibits pro-inflammatory enzymes like COX and LOX, reducing inflammation in the digestive system. 2. Peppermint (Mentha x Piperita): o Mechanism: The volatile oil menthol acts as an antispasmodic, relaxing the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract by blocking calcium channels. This helps relieve symptoms of IBS and colic. 3. Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva): o Mechanism: Rich in mucilage, it acts as a demulcent, coating and soothing the mucous membranes in the digestive tract, reducing irritation and promoting healing in conditions like gastritis or ulcers. Card 10: Herbs for the Liver Front: Name two key herbs for liver health, their actions, and mechanisms. Back: 1. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum): o Mechanism: The active compound silymarin binds to liver cell membranes, protecting hepatocytes (liver cells) from toxins and enhancing regeneration. It also increases glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD), antioxidants that protect against liver damage. 2. Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale): o Mechanism: It acts as a choleretic by stimulating the production of bile in the liver and increasing bile flow, which aids in digestion and detoxification. It also acts as a mild diuretic, supporting the elimination of waste products. Card 11: Herbs for the Respiratory System Front: What are three herbs for respiratory health, their actions, and mechanisms? Back: 1. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): o Mechanism: Thyme's volatile oils, especially thymol, act as an expectorant, loosening mucus in the airways, and as an antimicrobial by increasing bacterial cell membrane permeability, leading to microbial death. It also has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines. 2. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): o Mechanism: As a warming diaphoretic, cinnamon increases circulation and promotes sweating, helping to break fevers. It also acts as an antimicrobial and inhibits H. pylori growth by blocking urease enzyme activity. 3. Garlic (Allium sativum): o Mechanism: The active compound allicin exhibits antimicrobial properties by disrupting bacterial, fungal, and viral cell membranes. It also acts as a mucolytic, breaking down mucus in the respiratory tract, and boosts immune responses by increasing NK (natural killer) cell activity. Card 12: Herbs for the Immune System Front: What are some immune-modulating herbs, their actions, and mechanisms? Back: 1. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): o Mechanism: Alkylamides in Echinacea bind to cannabinoid (CB2) receptors, activating immune cells like macrophages and NK cells. It stimulates phagocytosis and the production of cytokines like IL-10 while reducing inflammatory markers like TNF-α, enhancing both immune activation and regulation.  2. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus): o Mechanism: Astragalus contains triterpenoid saponins, which stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of lymphocytes, phagocytes, and IgA (an important immune antibody), making it helpful for chronic and recurrent infections. 3. Turmeric (Curcuma longa): o Mechanism: The active compound curcumin inhibits the NF-κB pathway, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also enhances the body's natural antioxidant defenses by activating the Nrf2 pathway and increasing antioxidant enzymes. Card 13: Adaptogens Front: What is an adaptogen? Name two examples with their mechanisms of action. Back: 1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): o Mechanism: Ashwagandha acts on the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal) axis, helping to regulate cortisol levels, thus reducing the physical effects of stress. It also enhances GABA receptor activity, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. 2. Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng): o Mechanism: Ginsenosides in ginseng stimulate the HPA axis, enhancing stress resilience. Ginseng also boosts energy by increasing the body's response to insulin, improving glucose metabolism, and enhancing physical and mental performance. Card 14: Nervous System Herbs Front: What herbs support the nervous system, their actions, and mechanisms? Back: 1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): o Mechanism: Lavender oil interacts with the limbic system, inhibiting NMDA receptors and serotonin transporters, which increases serotonin levels and reduces excitatory neuronal activity, helping with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. 2. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): o Mechanism: Passionflower works by enhancing the GABAergic system, increasing GABA activity, which leads to a calming, sedative effect, making it effective for anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension. 3. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):  o Mechanism: Rosemary increases cerebral blood flow, enhancing cognitive function. Its antioxidant properties reduce lipid peroxidation in the brain, which protects against neurodegenerative diseases. Card 15: Reproductive System Herbs Front: Name two herbs for reproductive health, their actions, and mechanisms. Back: 1. Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus castus): o Mechanism: Chaste berry binds to dopamine D2 receptors in the pituitary gland, reducing prolactin levels and promoting progesterone production, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce PMS symptoms. 2. Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis): o Mechanism: Dong Quai regulates the HPO (hypothalamic-pituitary- ovarian) axis, balancing estrogen and progesterone. It improves blood circulation and acts as a mild uterine tonic, making it useful for menstrual irregularities and recovery post-childbirth.