Herbology: The study & collection of herbs

But what are herbs? Flaura, Fauna & Minerals

Western Herbology: Single or Simple combinations of herbs based on phytochemical compounds (plant compounds)

Phytochemicals: Are all chemicals found in plants. There are many different categories of thousands of phytochemicals. Mostly categorized them by their possible health effects in the human body.

For instance, certain phytochemicals act as antioxidants and are simply called “antioxidants” rather than by their specific chemical name.

Ex) phytoestrogens affect the metabolism of the female sex hormone estrogen in the human body

Another way of organizing phytochemicals is into groups that share a similar chemical structure. It is common that phytochemicals in the same class also share similar effects on the human body.

1. Phenols: Some phenols are associated with antioxidant properties and are believed to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Phenols: Flavonoids such as resveratrol in red grapes, peanuts & blueberries may help counteract artery damage, prevent cell damage, & reduce heart disease by limiting blood clots & inflammation.

Another type of flavonoid, catechins found in cocoa, tea and blackberries may help to remove and inhibit the development of carcinogens. Other examples in this category include quercetin or cyanidin.

Phenols: Isoflavones may act as phytoestrogens, potentially reducing the risk of certain types of cancer. Good sources of isoflavones are soybeans & soy products, red clover, legumes, apples, carrots, cherries, garlic and potatoes.

Even herbs that are considered safe are not right for everyone.
Ex) Grapefruit/Quercetin

Phenols: Phenolic acids are linked to specific effects in the body. For instance, capsaicin in hot peppers is believed to help regulate blood clotting whereas ellagic acid found in berries, pomegranate & walnuts help to remove carcinogens from the body. Other examples include curcumin, tannins or vanillin.

Phenols: Lignans which can be found in flaxseed, sesame seeds and whole grains may inhibit the action of estrogen in the body, thereby possibly decreasing the risk of cancer.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/seed-cycling

Terpenes. This large class includes phytochemicals believed to possess antioxidant properties and associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Western herbology often uses concentrated versions of phytochemicals turning an herb into a supplement.

Terpenes: Carotenoids are linked to a reduced risk of macular degenaration. They include beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein & zeaxanthin. Lutein is found in egg yolks, kiwi & green leafy vegetables.

The best known is beta-carotene (Vit A) found in fruits & vegetables that are yellow or orange (e.g., cantaloupes, apricots, papayas, sweet potatoes, carrots). It is also present in dark green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach. Lycopene is abundant in guavas, watermelon, tomatoes, papaya, sweet red peppers as well as pink & red grapefruit

Terpenes: Saponins present in legumes, asparagus, tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts, garlic & potatoes have been associated with improving immune system response & inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Terpenes: Monoterpenes found in the peels of citrus fruits are thought to trigger enzyme activity that may neutralize carcinogens in the body & inhibit cancer cell growth.

Healthpedian Phytochemical Reference:

https://www.healthpedian.org/types-of-phytochemicals-and-their-effects-on-h....

Ayurvedic Herbs are herbs picked for specific properties beneficial for specific constitutions.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the personal constitution of the person is the starting point for all herbal choices. This constitution expresses itself as an individual manifestation of the three doshas: vata, pitta, & kapha. Since birth, every person has had this unchanging constitution, also called the Ayurveda type.

Free Dosha Test:
https://kripalu.org/content/whats-your-dosha

The 3 Doshas:

1. Vata: Dry, Light, Cold, Rough, Subtle, Mobilizing
2. Pitta: Hot, Sharp, Light, Liquid, Spreading, Oily
3. Kapha: Heavy, Slow, Cool, Oily, Smooth, Dense, Soft, Stable, Gross, Cloudy (Sticky)

Kapha Herbs

• Sage. Benefits: Detoxifying, aids breathing
• Holy Basil. Benefits: Stimulates mind and body
• Thyme. Benefits: Promotes energy, controls bacteria

Vata Herbs

• Lemon Balm. Benefits: Relaxing, relieves PMS & bloating
• Chamomile. Benefits: Reduces inflammation, destressing.
• Ginger Root. Benefits: Grounding, warming, relieves nausea.

Pitta Herbs

• Mint. Benefits: Cooling, aids digestion, detoxifying.
• Lemongrass. Benefits: Cooling, aids digestion
• Rose Petals Benefits: Energizing, aphrodisiac, supports circulation.

Homeopathic Herbs: In a manner similar to other medicines, herbal products are selected according to the range of symptoms they are known to treat. They are often used to restore, correct or modify a physiological function.

Due to extensive dilution, homeopathy usually involves the administration of no, or an incredibly small amount, of the starting material.

Like should be treated with like. Ex) a substance that causes vomiting in high doses may be used to treat vomiting using a very dilute version. Influenza would be treated with an extreme dilution of a substance that normally causes influenza when taken in high doses.

high dilution homepathics are considered extremely safe with adults, children and with other medications

Homeopathics at your local store

Oscillococcinum is one of the most famous homeopathic products. It is used for treating the flu. A French physician discovered oscillococcinum while investigating the Spanish flu in 1917.

Chinese herbology: Utilizes ancient multi herb balanced formulas

Chief:
These herbs are directed against the pattern of disharmony. This is the main herb so it must be the strongest and of the most quantity out of the four.
Deputy:
These herbs are lesser strength than the Chief herb. Deputy herbs have two jobs: to aid the Chief herb and to serve as the main herb against a secondary symptom.

Assistant:

Assistant herbs have three functions: to support the Chief and Deputy herbs, to reduce the side effects of the first two herbs in the hierarchy, or to counteract the effect of the Chief herb so the body can more readily accept it.
Envoy:
These herbs are responsible for focusing the formula to a certain area of the body and integrating the actions of the other herbs. This is the least in quantity or strength as compared to the other three herbs.

Chinese herbs are classified according to their tastes. The taste has a relationship to the effect of the herb when ingested. This relationship guides the combining of herbs within formulas. There are 5 tastes: sweet, salty, sour (astringent), bitter, & acrid (sometimes called pungent or spicy)

Sweet taste are associated with spleen & stomach helping with digestion & absorption of nutrients.
Used for tonification (strengthening), calming, reducing irritation, & generating fluid.

Sweet Herbs

• Astralagus: Boosts immune & Energy
• Ginseng: Energy & Viatlity
• Gelatin: Mucus membranes Joint capsules
• Jujube: Harmonizing to digestion
• Cordyceps:
• Lily bulb: Moistens lungs
• Walnut: Boosts brain function & memory

Sour tastes are associated with the liver & has a moistening/softening effect. This is usually reducing contraction of the ligaments & tendons. Sour taste has an astringent and fluid recollecting function (that is, helping to reabsorb fluids as they begin to escape). Sour & astringent herbs restrain the leakage of any fluid.

Sour Herbs

• Rose: astringes sperm, controls diarrhea, inhibits urinary secretion
• Red peony: promotes circulation of blood, relieves spasms and relaxes tendons.
• Pomegranate: astringes intestines
• Schizandra: reduces perspiration, restrains the lung fluid, restrains essence

Bitter are associated with the heart & are for cleansing (removing heat/toxins). The cleansing action refers to their antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory effects, which are found with alkaloids, glycosides, & flavonoids. Bitter herbs also dry dampness. This refers to reduction of mucous membrane secretions. Increased mucus secretion is usually secondary to inflammation & infection.

Bitter Herbs: These herbs inhibit infections, reduce inflammation, and, in many cases, inhibit tumors.
Gardenia, Sophora, Coptis, Phellodendron

Acrid taste is associated with the lungs. Some acrid herbs relieve coughing (e.g., aster, tussilago, perilla seed, peucedanum, platycodon) by helping to assure the lungs downward movement of qi.

Acrid taste is associated activating circulation of qi & dispersing accumulation of moisture. Acrid herbs with these effects include citrus, aquilaria, cyperus, lindera, saussurea, magnolia bark, and pogostemon.

Salty taste is associated with the kidneys. Examples of kidney tonics with salty taste are deer antler, gecko, placenta, sea horse, turtle shell, tortoise shell, and mantis; all from animal sources. lithospermum, scrophularia, and isatis are land plants with a salty taste used for treating toxic swellings.

Salty taste is associated with dissolving masses, removing moisture & phlegm, & softening hardness. Examples of herbs with these actions are laminaria & sargassum (seaweeds), oyster shell, pumice, turtle shell, arca shell, and cuttle bone.