Canberra Institute of Technology

Centre for Health, Community & Wellbeing

HERBAL MEDICINE 4 2011
MID–SEMESTER QUIZ
STUDENT C.I.T. NUMBER: ________________ DATE: ___

This quiz covers the following Learning Outcomes:

LEARNING KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
OUTCOME

1 Identify, research and describe herbs commonly used in western herbal medicine practice.

Note: The following quiz applies only to the non-scheduled herbs studied in Herbal
Medicine 4. Any other herbs mentioned will not be considered.

Q1: What herb that you have studied in Herb Med 4 (common and Latin name) is the
main herb you would consider in cases of chronic skin and rheumatic conditions,
scleroderma and cellulitis?

Common & Latin name: Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

Q2: What is the main herb (common & Latin name) that you have studied in Herb Med 4
that you would consider in the treatment of varicose veins, haemorrhoids and
deep vein thrombosis?
Common & Latin name: Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Q3: What herb that you have studied in Herb Med 4 (common & Latin name) would you
consider for enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged thyroid, enlarged ovaries and
chronic skin disorders, strongly linked to ancestral inheritance?

Common & Latin name: Blue flag (Iris versicolour)

Q4: List three expectorant herbs that you have studied in Herb Med 4 (common and
Latin name)? List one other unrelated characteristic herbal action for each of these:

Common name: Latin name: Other Herbal Action:

Herb 1: Thyme Thymus vulgaris Antifungal

Herb 2: Mullein Verbascum thapsus Vulnerary

Herb 3: Sundew Drosera longifolia Demulcent

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Q5: What is the major safety concern associated with Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga
racemosa) – other than in pregnancy & lactation?

Controversial in breast cancer

Q6: Which herb you have studied in Herb Med 4 (common & Latin name) would you
prescribe as a partus preparator, to be taken from the second trimester of
pregnancy onwards? Also, list two other therapeutic indications for this herb:

Common & Latin Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus)

name:

Other Indication 1: Dysmenorrhoea

Other Indication 2: Mouth ulcers

Q7: List three therapeutic application(s) for the topical use of Aloes spp

1. Wounds

2. Burns

3. Psoriasis

Q8: List 2 main herbal actions for Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), and 2 key therapeutic
indications:
Herbal Actions: Therapeutic Indications:

1) Cognition enhancing 1) To improve memory

2) Nervine tonic 2) ADHD

Q9: Which nootropic herb you have studied in Herb Med 4 (common & Latin name)
also has nervine tonic, anxiolytic and mild anticonvulsant actions?

Common & Latin name: Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

Q10: Which herb you have studied in Herb Med 4 would you prescribe for a woman with
threatened or repeated miscarriage?

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

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Q11: Name three proprietary formulations that contains horsechestnut.

Formulation
Mediherb Horsechestnut complex

Venotrex - Horse Chestnut Seed Extract

Planetary Herbals Horse Chestnut cream

Q12: List 2 main herbal actions for Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and 2 key therapeutic
indications:
Herbal Actions: Key Therapeutic Indications:

1) Healing promoter 1) To promote wound healing

2) Vulnerary 2) Varicose veins

Q13: List 2 main herbal actions for Elderflower (Sambucus nigra), and 2 key therapeutic
indications:

Herbal Actions: Therapeutic Indications:

1) Diaphoretic 1) Common cold, sinusitis

2) Anticatarrhal 2) Acute bronchitis

Q14: Which herb you have studied in Herb Med 4 (common & Latin name) is the main
one you would consider for constipation, haemorrhoids and anal fissure.

Common & Latin name: Aloe resin (Aloe barbadensis)

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Q15: What specific (single) herb (common & Latin name) you have studied in Herb Med
4 would you prescribe for the following clinical indications:

A. Oestrogen-modulating, uterine tonic and antirheumatic (especially small joints).

Menopausal symptoms, spasmodic dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual
syndrome. This herb has an affinity for the cerebrospinal system.

Black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa)

B. Menopausal symptoms with excessive sweating. Lactation inhibitor. Gingivitis,

tonsillitis. This herb is antioxidant, astringent, oily.

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

C. Expectorant, spasmolytic, broadly antiseptic, rubifacient. Acute bronchitis,

common cold, whooping cough.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

D. Mild laxative, cholagogue, depurative. Constipation, chronic skin disorders. This

herb has a particular affinity with the large intestine.

Yellow dock (Rumex crispus)

Q16: List two cautions and/or contraindications associated with Kava (Piper
methysticum), and two of its major therapeutic indications:

Caution 1: Caution in Parkinson’s disease

Caution 2: Caution in pregnancy

Indication 1: Anxiety

Indication 2: Insomnia

Q17: Name one galactagogue herb you have studied in Herb Med 4, as well as one of
its other actions and another of its major therapeutic indications:

Common name: Fennel

Latin name: Foeniculum vulgare

Action: Carminative

Therapeutic Indication: Intestinal colic

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Q18: Which herb that you have studied in Herbal Medicine 4 would you consider in cases
of adult-onset diabetes and why?

Fenugreek – hypoglycaemic and can aid in weight loss

Bilberry – for diabetic retinopathy
Gotu kola – for diabetic neuropathy

Q19. Formulate a mixture using herbs studied this term for a person who is studying and
working part-time, has a diet consisting of processed food, has a nervous disposition and
is very tense and anxious.

Herbs
Fenugreek (hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic, hypolipidaemic)
Brahmi (cognition enhancing, nervine tonic, anxiolytic, thyroid stimulant)
Barberry (cholagogue, choleretic, bitter tonic)
Zizyphus (anxiolytic, hypnotic, mild sedative, hypotensive)

Mixture
Fenugreek 30mL
Brahmi 50mL
Barberry 40mL
Zizyphus 80mL
Total = 200mL

Dosage
5mL TDS

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Question 2:
CASE: A 49 year old female client presents with symptoms of peri-menopause.

Her menstrual cycle has become increasingly irregular over the past two years. Currently
she has her period every two months or so. When she does get her period she tends to
bleed for longer and she suffers with menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. She has been
experiencing some minor hot flushing with sweating, mainly during the night. She is also
experiencing the onset of osteoarthritic symptoms, especially noticeable in her finger
joints.

Other than the irregularity of her menstrual cycle her main concerns are: fatigue, anxiety,
lack of concentration, dry skin & vaginal dryness and decreased libido.

She has also been experiencing episodes of acute urinary tract infections during this time,
which she has never had before.

Use a causal chain to demonstrate your naturopathic understanding of this case,

including any predisposing, excitatory and sustaining factors.

Periods (irregular, heavy, painful, metrorrhagia) + night sweats + hot flushes

→ Lowered oestrogen levels (perimenopause)

Perimenopause → Osteoarthritis + vaginal dryness + decreased libido + UTIs + fatigue

+ anxiety +”foggy head”

The onset of all these symptoms would likely cause nervous tension which could serve
to exacerbate her anxiety, fatigue and lower her general immunity (increasing her
susceptibility to UTIs).

What is your herbal treatment strategy for this case; including specific herbal
treatment goals? What herbal actions would you require for treatment and why?

Treatment goals

Relieve menopausal symptoms (antihyperhydrotic, emollient/vulnerary)

Modulate oestrogen levels (oestrogen modulating)

Support nervous system (adaptogen, nervine tonic, anxiolytic, sedative)

Prevent vaginal atrophic symptoms (incontinence, pelvic laxity, sexual debility and
dryness to mucus membranes) (bladder tonic)

Improve bone building (phyto-oestrogen, bone nutritive)

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 Enhance cognition (cognition enhancer)
Prevention of central adiposity (hypolipidaemic, antiobesity, thyroid stimulant)

Formulate two herbal formulations (short term & long term) including relevant herbal
actions for each herb chosen, any contraindications and individual herb dosages,
including general dosage information (how much for how long?) What is the purpose of
each mix?

Short term

Herb Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Relevant actions Antihyperhydrotic, spasmolytic
Menopausal symptoms, excessive sweating

Indications To improve memory and concentration

Fatigue
Dosage 15 – 30 mL/week
Contraindications Prenancy and lactation. Caution in long-term use

Herb Black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa)

Oestrogen modulating, uterine tonic, spasmolytic,
Relevant actions
antirheumatic
Menopausal symptoms
Indications
Osteoarthritis (especially small joints)
Dosage 10 - 20 mL/week
Pregnancy (except in last few weeks to assist with birth).
Contraindications
Controversial in breast cancer

Herb Zizyphus (Zizyphus spinosa)

Relevant actions Hypnotic, mild sedative, hypotensive, anxiolytic
Anxiety, insomnia,
Indications
Night sweats
Dosage 40 – 80 mL/week
Contraindications Caution in patients with severe diarrhoea

Herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

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 Cognition enhancing, nervine tonic, anxiolytic, thyroid
Relevant actions
stimulant
To improve memory and cognition

Indications Insomnia, anxiety

Hypothyroidism
Dosage 35 – 90 mL/week
Contraindications Saponins may cause or aggravate GORD

Specific mixture

Sage – 30mL

Black cohosh – 20mL

Zizyphus - 80mL

Brahmi – 70mL

Total = 200mL

Dosage

5mL TDS

Long term

Herb Black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa)

Oestrogen modulating, uterine tonic, spasmolytic,
Relevant actions
antirheumatic
Menopausal symptoms
Indications
Osteoarthritis (especially small joints)
Dosage 10 - 20 mL/week
Pregnancy (except in last few weeks to assist with birth).
Contraindications
Controversial in breast cancer

Herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

Cognition enhancing, nervine tonic, anxiolytic, thyroid
Relevant actions
stimulant
Indications To improve memory and cognition

Insomnia, anxiety

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 Hypothyroidism
Dosage 35 – 90 mL/week
Contraindications Saponins may cause or aggravate GORD

Herb Fenugreek (Cimifuga racemosa)

Hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic, hypolipdaemic,
Relevant actions
demulcent
To reduce central adiposity
Indications To decrease lipid profile and increase steroid hormone
synthesis for secondary production
Dosage 15 - 30 mL/week
Contraindications Saponins may cause or aggravate GORD

Herb Blue flag (Iris versicolor)

Relevant actions Depurative, cholagogue
To improve liver clearance of hormones
Indications
To assist in weight loss
Dosage 20 - 40 mL/week
Contraindications

Specific mixture

Black cohosh – 30mL

Brahmi – 100mL

Fenugreek – 30mL

Blue flag – 40mL

Total = 200mL

Dosage

5mL TDS

What specific dietary and lifestyle advice would you give to support your herbal
treatment and why?

Dietary recommendations

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 Increase phyto-oestrogen intake (soy beans, LSA, alfalfa, mung beans, chick peas
etc.)

Eat calcium rich foods to improve bone density

Reduce caffeine intake as it can affect calcium status

Reduce spicy food intake as they can act as pyretics

Supplements

B complex – Useful for general wellbeing, energy production and in times of stress. B6
can help reduce menstrual discomfort

Calcium + Vitamin D – Specifically indicated for menopausal women as dietary intake

of calcium may be insufficient and these nutrients are essential for the prevention of
osteoporosis

Vitamin E – Is oestrogen modulating, antioxidant and aids in mucous membrane

integrity

Zinc – Can aid in prevention of osteoporosis and aids in regulation of reproductive

hormones

EFAs – Can improve cognition, reduce inflammation in joints and is protective against
CVD, the risk of which jumps up during menopause

Probiotics – Due to vaginal secretions falling during menopause the pH of the vaginal
vault can rise, leaving it susceptible to colonisation by enterobacteria. Supplementation
with lactobacilli can help to prevent this

Lifestyle recommendations

Regular weight-bearing exercise

Get enough sun for vitamin D

Avoid xeno-oestrogens

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