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Botanical Medicine 4
By Monica Hsu
Last updated, 2011
Stimulating Expectorants
2
• Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root) – potent
• Aspidosperma quebracho (quebracho)
3
• Marrubium vulgare (horehound) – gentle
1
• Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) – potent
4
• Verbascum thapsus (mullein) – gentle
Immunomodulators
• Aloe vera (aloe) – latex strong, gel gentle
• Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus)
– gentle
• Ganoderma lucidum (reishi)
– gentle, tonifying
• Lentinula edodes (shiitake)
– gentle, tonifying
• Viscum album (European mistletoe) – gentle
Reflex Pulmonary Demulcents
• Inula helenium (elecampane) – gentle
• Lobaria pulmonaria (lungwort)
• Pulmonaria officinalis (lungwort) – moderate
• Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) – gentle
Immune Stimulants, Diaphoretics
• Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
• Echinacea spp. (echinacea) – moderate
• Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) – moderate
• Sambucus canadensis (elder)
• Spilanthes acmella (paracress) – gentle
• Tilia cordata (linden) – gentle
Relaxing Expectorants (Spasmolytics)
• Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) – gentle
• Lobelia inflata (lobelia) – very potent
• Prunus serotina (black cherry) – gentle
Pulmonary Antimicrobials
• Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) – strong
• Sambucus nigra (elder) – moderate
• Thymus vulgaris (thyme) – potent
Inflammation Modulators: GLA-Rich Herbs
• Borago officinalis (borage)
• Oenothera biennis (evening primrose)
• Ribes nigrum (black current)
Inflammation Modulators / Mucolytics
• Eriodictyon californicum (yerba santa) – gentle
• Euphrasia stricta (eyebright) – gentle
• Grindelia robusta (gumweed) – gentle
• Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) – moderate
• Propolis – moderate
靈芝
香菇
黃耆
Cancer-Related Herbs
• Camellia sinensis (tea)
• Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple)
• Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle)
• Cephalotaxus spp. (Japanese Plum Yew)
• Taxus brevifolia (Pacific Yew)
• Trichosanthes cucumeroides (gualou
)
栝樓
Antimicrobials
• Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo) – potent
• Cinchona officinalis (Peruvian bark)
• Commiphora molmol (myrrh)
• Larrea tridentata (chaparral) – potent
• Ligusticum porteri (osha) – strong
• Lomatium dissectum (lomatium) – strong
• Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) – strong
• Thuja occidentalis (western white cedar)
• Thuja plicata (western red cedar)
• Usnea longissima (old man’s beard)
Stimulating Expectorants
Reflex Pulmonary Demulcents
• Facilitate removal of bronchial secretions from the
bronchi and trachea: often used for wet coughs
2
• Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root) – potent
Parts used: fresh / properly dried root
Constituents: cardiac glycoside,
pregnane glycoside
Stimulating expectorant: wet cough
secondary to respiratory infection
Diaphoretic: for suboptimal or
excessive fever
Pulmonary lymphagogue
Anodyne
Inflammation modulator
Pleurisy (chest pain due to pleural inflammation)
Dose (adult): 2-3 ml TID
Nausea + vomiting even at treatment dose
• Aspidosperma quebracho (quebracho)
Ecologically unstable
Parts used: dried bark
Constituents: monoterpene indole
alkaloid
Stimulating expectorant: wet cough,
bronchitis, emphysema, asthma
Bitter
Overdose: nausea + vomiting
3
• Marrubium vulgare (horehound) – gentle
Parts used: fresh/dried leaf & flower
Constituents: sesquiterpene lactone
Stimulating expectorant (mild): wet cough
Bitter digestive stimulant (strong): dyspepsia
Recovery from chronic lung afflictions
Safe, nausea if never taken bitters before
1
• Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) – potent
Parts used: fresh root
Constituents: isoquinolone alkaloid
Stimulating expectorant: wet cough,
esp. from respiratory infection
Antimicrobial: oral rinse for
gingivitis, periodontal disease
Anti-cancer
Escharotic: destroy tissues when applied topically
Dosage: low dose, short-term
Overdose: nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, stomach pain,
muscular relaxation, paralysis, even death
4
• Verbascum thapsus (mullein) – gentle
Parts used: fresh flower, leaf & root
Constituents: iridoid glycoside, flavonoid,
saponin, resin
Flower, leaf: nervine, lung tonic, demulcent
for lungs, stimulating expectorant (mild),
antimicrobial
URI’s, bronchitis, anxiety
Otitis media (topical)
Root: diuretic, urinary tract tonic
UTI’s
Safe
• Often used for dry coughs
• Reflex demulcent theory
Herbal constituents (polysaccharides)
absorbed by M cells in the gut
enteric nervous system
vagal nerve afferents
brain stem (CNS)
vagal nerve efferents
goblet cells: mucus production
• Inula helenium (elecampane) – gentle
Parts used: fresh root
Constituents: sesquiterpene lactone,
polysaccharide (inulin)
Mucilaginous preparation
Reflex demulcent
Dry cough
Note: glycerite extract is difficult to mix with
tinctures due to its viscous texture
Non-mucilaginous preparation
Stimulating expectorant, lung tonic,
inflammation modulator, antimicrobial
Bronchitis, pneumonia, wet cough, asthma,
intestinal parasite
Safe
• Lobaria pulmonaria (lungwort)
A lichen, endangered due to pollution
Parts used: fresh thallus
Constituents: complex CHO, lichen acid
Reflex demulcent: dry cough
Inflammation modulator: GI inflammation, dyspepsia
Antimicrobial, anti-TB
Safe
• Pulmonaria officinalis (lungwort) – moderate
Parts used: fresh/dried leaf
Constituents: complex CHO,
unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPA)
Reflex demulcent: dry cough
Usually combine with other herbs
Safe short-term (ex. 3 weeks)
UPA: toxic to kidneys and liver
• Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) – gentle
Parts used: fresh leaf or root
Constituents: complex CHO, UPA
Demulcent: dry cough
Inflammation modulator: GI inflammation,
dermatitis
↑ activity of mucociliary escalator
Safe short-term (ex. 3 weeks)
UPA: toxic to kidneys and liver
By Monica Hsu
Relaxing Expectorants
(Spasmolytics)
• Often used for spasmodic coughs
• General contraindications: wet coughs (can stop mucus
from moving)
• Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) – gentle
Parts used: fresh leaf & flower, volatile oil
Constituents: terpenoid, tannin
Spasmolytic for smooth muscle in
respiratory and GI systems
Relaxing expectorant (mild): spasmodic cough
Carminative: intestinal spasm/cramp, dyspepsia
Antiviral: URI’s
Safe
Volatile oil overdose: seizure, neurological damage, death
• Lobelia inflata (lobelia) – very potent
Parts used: fresh / properly dried leaf & flower
Constituents: alkaloid
Low dose
Stimulating expectorant
Wet cough
High dose
Relaxing expectorant, spasmolytic
smooth muscle relaxant,
bronchodilator, nervine, emetic
Spasmodic cough, acute asthma
IBS, acute kidney stone passage, dysmenorrhea,
threatened miscarriage, angina
Anti-addiction
Nicotine, amphetamine
Nausea + vomiting even at treatment dose
• Prunus serotina (black cherry) – gentle
Parts used: fresh/dried bark & fruit
Constituents: coumarin, cyanogenic
glycoside, tannin, proanthocyanidin
Bark
Relaxing expectorant: spasmodic cough
Fruit
Corrigent: flavor enhancer
Antioxidant: gout
Pulmonary Antimicrobial
• Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) – strong
Parts used: fresh/dried leaf, volatile oil
Constituents: terpenoid
Antimicrobial: respiratory infections,
asthma
Rubefacient (topical): dermatophytose,
scabes, headache, arthritis
E. citriodora (lemon eucalyptus): insect repellant (topical)
Safe
Volatile oil overdose: severe neurotoxicity
• Sambucus nigra (elder) – moderate
Parts used: fresh flower & fruit
Constituents: proanthoycyanidin
Flower: diaphoretic
Fever due to infection
Fruit: antiviral, antioxidant
Viral respiratory infections
Safe
• Thymus vulgaris (thyme) – potent
Parts used: fresh / properly dried leaf, volatile oil
Constituents: monoterpenoid
Antimicrobial: respiratory infection,
also GI, urinary tract, skin, and nail
infections, periodontal disease
Spasmolytic: spasmodic cough,
asthma, pertussis
“Thyme is to the trachea and bronchi what
peppermint is to the stomach and intestines”
Safe
Volatile oil overdose: severe neurotoxicity
Inflammation Modulators:
GLA-Rich Herbs
•
•
•
•
Borago officinalis (borage)
Oenothera biennis (evening primrose)
Ribes nigrum (black current)
The seeds of these herbs contain significant amounts
of GLA (γ-linolenic acid, an ω-6 FA)
• Pros: GLA is a precursor for DGLA (dihomo-γ-linolenic
acid), which can be converted to series 1 eicosanoids
(antiinflammatory)
• Cons: DGLA can also be converted to arachidonic acid
(inflammatory), GLA rich oils are very expensive
By Monica Hsu
Inflammation Modulators /
Mucolytics
• Eriodictyon californicum (yerba santa) – gentle
Restricted distribution in wild habitat
Parts used: fresh / properly dried leaf
Constituents: resin, flavonoid glycoside
Respiratory inflammation modulator:
acute URI’s, acute bronchitis,
chronic lung inflammation, esp. asthma
Relaxing expectorant: spasmodic cough
High alcohol extract (70-90% tincture) is most effective
Safe
• Euphrasia stricta (eyebright) – gentle
An invasive weed in Pacific Northwest
Parts used: fresh/dried leaf & flower
Constituents: iridoid glycoside, lignan,
flavonoid
Respiratory inflammation modulator:
respiratory allergies, conjunctivitis,
allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, respiratory
tract inflammation and infection
Safe
• Grindelia robusta (gumweed) – gentle
Parts used: fresh flower buds
Constituents: resin
Respiratory inflammation modulator:
respiratory inflammation, URI’s,
bronchitis, asthma
Relaxing expectorant, spasmolytic:
spasmodic cough
Safe
• Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) – moderate
Parts used: fresh/dried bark or leaf
Constituents: salicylate glycoside,
tannin
Inflammation modulator: inflammation
in lungs, muscle and joints
Anodyne: pain
Febrifuge: excessive fever
Note: salicylates in Populus tremuloides have no
effect on platelets and cannot be used to help
prevent MI or strokes
Caution: salicylate or aspirin allergy
• Propolis – moderate
Parts used: propolis resin
Constituents: resin, flavonoid
Antimicrobial: URI’s
Inflammation modulator for skin, lung
and GI tract: asthma
Mucolytic
Antioxidant
Topical use: wounds, burns, herpes infection,
vaginitis, cervicitis
Safe
Immunomodulators
• Tonifying herbs generally require relatively large doses
and long periods of time for optimal effects
• Aloe vera (aloe) – latex strong, gel gentle
Parts used: latex, gel
Constituents: polysaccharide in gel,
anthraquinone glycoside in latex
Latex: cathartic laxative
Atonic constipation
Short-term use only
Adverse effect: intestinal cramping and pain
Gel: immunomodulator, inflammation modulator,
demulcent, vulnerary
Immunodeficiency state
Infections
GI inflammation: peptic ulcer, gastritis, enteritis,
esophagitis, colitis
Diabetes
Topical use: burns, dermatitis, psoriasis, wounds
Safe, may delay healing of deep wounds
黃耆
• Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus)
– gentle
Parts used: dried root
Constituents: complex polysaccharide,
triterpenoid, isoflavone
Immunomodulator: immunodeficiency
state (HIV, major surgery/trauma),
cancer, infection prophylaxis, infection
Adaptogen: ↑ energy, compensate for stress, qi tonic
Antiviral
Safe, can be taken long-term
靈芝
– gentle, tonifying
• Ganoderma lucidum (reishi)
Parts used: fruiting body
Constituents: polysaccharide,
triterpenoid
Immunomodulator: immunodeficiency
state, immune suppression
Anti-cancer
Adaptogen: stress, chronic fatigue syndrome
Helpful for ↓ blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes
Hepatoprotective
Safe
香菇
• Lentinula edodes (shiitake)
– gentle, tonifying
Parts used: fresh/dried fruiting body
Constituents: complex polysaccharide,
protein-bound polysaccharide
Immunomodulator: immunodeficiency,
cancer
Antiviral: chronic viral infections
Safe
• Viscum album (European mistletoe) – gentle
Parts used: dried leaf
Constituents: lectin, flavonoid, alkaloid
Immunomodulator (injection,
intradermal): cancer, HIV infection
Hypotensive (oral): hypertension
Safe
Local inflammation at injection site
Immune Stimulants, Diaphoretics
• Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
See under “Bitters”
A diaphoretic
• Echinacea spp. (echinacea) – moderate
E. angustifolia root – loss of habitat
E. pallida root
E. purpurea flowering tops
Constituents: root (alkylamides,
polyacetylenes), flowering tops (polysaccharides)
Immune stimulant
Antimicrobial
Inflammation modulator
URI’s, pertussis, periodontal disease, vaginal
candidiasis, HIV infection, other infectious diseases
IV use: endometritis, mastitis
Safe
Consider avoiding use in autoimmune conditions
• Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) – moderate
Parts used: fresh / properly dried flowering tops
Constituents: sesquiterpene lactone,
UPA
Diaphoretic, immune stimulant:
respiratory infection, **flu remedy**
Bitter digestive stimulant: dyspepsia
UPA is toxic to liver
• Sambucus canadensis (elder)
See under “Pulmonary Antimicrobial”
• Spilanthes acmella (paracress) – gentle
Native to Central/South America,
Caribbean bioregion
Parts used: fresh/dried flowering tops
Constituents: alkylamide, flavonoid
Immune stimulant: URI’s, other acute
infections
Local anesthetic: toothache
Inflammation modulator
Safe
Avoid use in autoimmune conditions
• Tilia cordata (linden) – gentle
Parts used: fresh/dried flowers
Constituents: polysaccharide, glycoside
Diaphoretic, immune stimulant:
viral URI’s, influenza, otitis media,
suboptimal or excessive fevers
Vasodilatory: hypertension
Safe
Cancer-Related Herbs
• Actions of herbs for cancer patients
Immunomodulator
Anti-neoplastic: attack cancer cells directly
Very toxic, use low doses
Anti-angiogenic
Anti-metastatic
Redifferentiator: make cancer cells less cancerous
Epigenetic restoratives: gene modification via adding
a methyl group
Degree of methylation is highly influenced by
folate availability and normal methylation cycle:
turmeric, Brassica family vegetables, dark green
leafy vegetables
• In general, use low doses of herbs in formulas to
get broadest effect, and rotate usage of herbs to
↓ development of resistance
• Camellia sinensis (tea)
Parts used: dried leaf
Green tea (unoxidized) and
Oolong tea (partically oxidized)
Catechin, tannin, caffeine,
theophylline, theanine, vit C
Black tea (oxidized)
Tannin (high), caffeine, theophylline
Green tea and oolong tea
Antioxidant, antineoplastic, antimicrobial,
inflammation modulator, ACE inhibitor, astringent
Diseases of western lifestyle: cancer prevention and
treatment, atherosclerosis, liver disease, obesity
Inflammatory diseases, infections, allergies: asthma,
atopic dermatitis, dental caries prevention, gingivitis
Black tea
Astringent
Diarrhea, hemochromatosis, asthma, oral leukoplakia
Safe
Effects of caffeine, nausea from tannins
• Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple)
Parts used: fresh / properly dried root
Constituents: alkaloid, lignan, resin
Whole root or lipophilic extracts
Antineoplastic: cancer
Anti-HPV: warts (common, plantar,
genital)
Aqueous extracts
Alterative: chronic skin disease, chronic
autoimmune disease, systemic toxemia
Extreme toxicity in crude herb, only in drug form now
Adverse effects: nausea, loose stool
• Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle)
Anti-neoplastic: acute leukemia, testicular cancer
Hypoglycemic: diabetes
• Cephalotaxus spp. (Japanese Plum Yew)
Anti-neoplastic
• Taxus brevifolia (Pacific Yew)
Anti-neoplastic
• Trichosanthes cucumeroides (gualou
)
Anti-neoplastic: cancers of germ cells (egg, sperm)
栝樓
Antimicrobials
• Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo) – potent
Threatened in the wild
Parts used: fresh / properly dried root
Constituents: alkaloid, isoflavone,
flavonoid
Antimicrobial: dysentery, GI infection,
skin ulcer, gangrene, URI’s
Immune stimulant
Overdose: purgation, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, death
• Cinchona officinalis (Peruvian bark)
Parts used: dried bark
Constituents: quinoline alkaloid
Antiparasitic, antimicrobial: malaria,
GI parasitic infections
Bitter digestive stimulant: dyspepsia
Adverse effects: nausea, hypoglycemia,
QT prolongation
• Commiphora molmol (myrrh)
Parts used: resin
Constituents: resins, tannins
Antimicrobial (broad-spectrum):
gastroenteritis, respiratory infections,
vaginitis, skin infection, etc.
Inflammation modulator
Immune stimulant
Anodyne
Nausea occasionally
• Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) – strong
Parts used: fresh leaf, volatile oil
Constituents: monoterpenoid
Antimicrobial (strong): skin infections,
onychomycosis, acne vulgaris,
infectious vaginitis
Safe topically in general
Adverse effects: contact dermatitis,
transient burning on application,
internal use potentially neurotoxic
• Thuja occidentalis (western white cedar)
• Thuja plicata (western red cedar)
Parts used: fresh/dried leaf or bark
Constituents: monoterpenoid
Antimicrobial (broad-spectrum)
GI, GU, and respiratory infections
Warts and skin infections (topical)
Immune stimulant
Property: heating, stimulating
Safe
Volatile oil overdose: neurotoxicity
• Usnea longissima (old man’s beard)
Parts used: fresh/dried thallus
Constituents: lichen acid
Antimicrobial: GI, GU, respiratory
infections
Immune stimulant
Demulcent (polysaccharide containing extracts)
Safe if use whole herb
Hepatotoxicity if use isolated usnic acid
• Larrea tridentata (chaparral) – potent
Parts used: fresh/dried leaf, flower,
and seed
Constituents: resin, flavonoids
Antimicrobial: skin and GI infections
Inflammation modulator: allergies
Antioxidant
Safe
Occasional nausea, rare idiosyncratic liver toxicity
• Ligusticum porteri (osha) – strong
Parts used: fresh / properly dried root
Constituents: furanocoumarin
Antimicrobial, esp. antiviral:
respiratory and GI infections, acute disease
Immune stimulant
Inhibit platelet aggregation, caution with anticoagulants
Safe
• Lomatium dissectum (lomatium) – strong
Ecologically unstable
Parts used: fresh root
Constituents: furanocoumarin, tetronic acid
Antimicrobial: respiratory (esp.
influenza), GI, and skin infections
Immune stimulant
Similar to osha
Photosensitivity rash and nausea rarely
By Monica Hsu