Bot Med: Dermatological Herbs

[liveonearth]

ALOE VERA
for burns
slimy mucilage
yellow bottlebrushy flower
immune modulating
allantoin (also in comfrey) = known cell proliferating agent
allantoin also in animals, in breast milk
protects from radiation damage, good for pts undergoing chemo and radiation
use: fresh plant or gel, liquid on market
Texas company--lily of the desert makes decent products
delivery
good topical or spray when dilute, for sunburn, wounds
EO for sunburn
soak in cloth, make poultice

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS
classic herb for all manner of skin products
herbal salve standard
sometimes mixed with comfrey, vit A, E
little clinical research but broadly embraced
obstetrics research on episiotomy healing, better healing, less scarring
folklore: improves circ to skin incl lymph at subdermal level
internal for ulcer, UTI
tea, tincture, succus also available
succus in dropper bottle, is fresh plant juice preserved w/ alcohol
used in clinic after sutures or wound cleaning
dried flowers soaked in olive oil makes useful oil for topical or make salve
grows all year: "calendar" is root of year
self seeding annual, yellow flower
easy to grow
farm in S Oregon

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
flavonoids good for BVs when internallly taken
bruises, strains, sprains, contusions
pain in highly innervated areas
whiplash
vascular issues
oil or salve for when someone is black and blue
photosensitizing, intensifies sunburn, not for use with ultrasound
stay out of sun for 24-48 hours

SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE
comfrey
contains allantoin (like aloe) cell proliferant
all purpose
salves, mucilaginous tincture
root and mid-rib of leaf contains most allantoin
leaf is more nutritive
keep fresh in fridge, in ziplock with wet paper towel
grate the root, put in St JW oil, have application
can take root from fridge and put in ground and it will grow
makes root bulk quickly
for broken bones, wounds, non-union fracture (Ca, Mg, comfrey)
give daily internally for people who don't heal well
WARNING: not for over an abscess because it knits skin together over infx
not for adjacent injured areas that you do not want to fuse
root poultice for obstetrical tears
mb used in lieu of stitches
if stitches, wait for a few days before applying, keep stitches dry

ALTERATIVES FOR SKIN COMPLAINTS
for acne, pimples, boils
also for eczema and psoriasis
for acne supp: beta carotene and zinc
milk thistle, taraxicum, burdock
improve digestion of fats
ARCTIUM = burdock

ANTI-ALLERGY HERBS
for eczema and dermatitis
CURCUMA for inflam, somewhat alterative dt berberine-like compound, stims immune
anti-ca, anti-infx
facials with yellow
oil popular elsewhere in world for beauty
internal use for allergic phenomena in general
GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA
all purpose immune modulator
good for hyperreactivity too, incl AI dz
herpes, ulcerated skin, gastric ulcers, mouth ulcers
solid extract available great for mouth complaints, suck on it
tincture, tea
canker sores

FOENICULUM VULGARE
fennel is an umbel
for inflammation, take orally
stomach carminative, for colicky babies, IBS
also for allergies, excessive vascular reactivity (hives, contact dermatitis)
ammi visnaga for bronchitis, kidney stones

ANGELICA SINENSIS
dong quai
root pictured
blood stabilizer, platelets and mast cells less active
protects endothelium
for eczema, high histamine response
for allergies, contact dermatitis, metal sensitivity (clinic nametags)

TANACETUM VULGARE
feverfew
mast cell stabilizer, antihistamine
tea, tincture
for dermatitis, skin sensitivity, chemical reactivity

HERBS FOR ITCHING
anti-ox
angelica, tanacetum
eczema (voluptuous itching)
AVENA is classic for itching, bee stings, chicken pox, eruptions, poison ivy/oak, eczema, crusty
oatmeal poultices and baths, put kitchen oatmeal in a bag, more moistening than you'd expect
aveno brand is good, soaps for dry skin
dry skin most txed with dietary lipids and hygiene oils
pitiriasis rosacea in early adolescents in the spring, one skin lesion is herald patch then more
xmas tree pattern following dermatomes on trunk, spares face, mbdt viral infx, oatmeal helps
when get out of bath don't towel it off, air dry if possible
good for bug bites, poison oak
MENTHA PIPERITA EO
get 4oz stock bottle, keep on hand, in glove box
for antimicrobial, car sick, N/V, H/A
she loves EOs for backpacking, car camping
LAVENDULA SP
EO, for burns, sunburn, spraybottle, pain relieving
cuts poison ivy oil
she recommends oils for removing PI, says soap spreads it around
also nervine for sleep, anxiety, depression, restlessness
HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA
witch hazel
for swelling, itching, oozing, hemorrhoids & varicosities, toning quality
twiggy with yellow anemone looking flower

IMMUNE MODULATORS FOR DERMAL AI CONDITIONS
common question: is it a problem to give immune stim herbs to AI dz pts?
modulator means ramps down excess as well as improve deficiency state
are there herbs that stim but don't modulate?
she's not sure, ginseng makes some pts hot
cytokine storm is reason that youth die of flu--these herbs may help with that
ASTRAGALUS
decr allergic response
decr excessive cytokine response
helps Crohn's bowel lesions
improves blood stability, lowers inflam
ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSIS
CAMELIA SINENSIS, JAPONICA
flavonoids, anti-ox
green tea
all above longterm use OK, min 3 months to see result

HERBS THAT SUPPORT DERMAL VASCULATURE
improve dermal circ
for pts prone to infx
for pts with easy bruising
supps: vit C and bioflavonoids
CALENDULA
improv nutrit and lymph to skin
blood and skin purifier
OPUNTIA
taken internally, prickly pear fruit, drink 1/4 cup juice/day
contain flavonoids, crosslink collagen
betalains (sp?) = blue pigments
big in DM tx, many metabolic support mechanisms
for syndrome x, lower lipids
affinity for vasculature
for wound healing, bruising, elders, prevention of SCC, sun exposure
CURCUMA LONGA
soft lanceoate leaf with edges that fold down
protect collagen vs photo aging, radiation
internal for topical
CENTELLA ASIATICA
gotu kolu
broken bones, grow hair, skin, nails
tea, tincture, a little sour-grassy flavored
prevents excessive fibrin deposition, slow progression of scleroderma
help repair and regenerate normal collagen, elastin
round heart ruffle leaf
HYPERICUM oil to improve BV health, for skin that doesn't heal well
add vit A & E
for kids ear infx too
yellow 5 petal star-shaped flower

BASEMENT MEMBRANE "GAG" SUPPORT HERBS
hyaluronic acid or similar molecules
see "better than botox" article for lists of herbs
ONIONs contain hyaluronic
for burns
high in quercetin
anti-microb
immune modulate
glycosaminoglycans
ELDER LEAF
for poor skin regenerations
anti-aging
BRASSICA SP
allantoin in them
cabbage poultices on breast cysts
cabbage juice for ulcers
sulfur part of cross linking
PETASITES
butterbur
for pain, inflam, ulcer
circular leaf, dinner plate sized, fine ruffle edge
for pain in general
supports gags, contains allantoin
URTICA
contains allantoin
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM
also allantoin
on wounds, hemostatic
APIUMGRAVELOANS
celery seeds, put in tea
allantoin
also mineral rich
SYMPHYTUM
classic allantoin container
PLANTAGO LANCEOLATUM, OVATUM
plantain
topical use traditional
grows in most of northern hemisphere
weedy, grows everywhere, for scrapes, abrasions, stings
available as tincture, doesn't dry that well
fresh, chew and put on wound, great field medicine
for toothache, abscess, tooth infx, gingivitis
Matthew Wood case reports on use on gums to draw out infx
allantoin
also used as fiber supp
grassy head pops off
CAMELLIA green tea allantoin

TOPICAL SKIN NUTRIENTS
supp: zinc & carotenoids
AVOCADO
put paste on face
vit E
CAROTENOID HERBS
calendula has beta-carotene
flowers in tea
mix with alterative in acne formula

EXFOLIANTS
research shows it increases speed of skin repair, regeneration
for rosacea, trauma, minimizing scarring, acne
PAPAYA, PINEAPPLE
papain and bromelain are proteolytic enzymes, plt inhibitors
topical is exfoliating
she buys 1 lb bags of papaya enzymes from Hawaii, does facials

ORGANIC ACID ASTRINGENTS
to stop bleeding, tighten hemorrhoids, varicosities
stop oozing, weeping to get wound to scab
for swelling, excessive oil, acne
for teens use judiciously 1-2x/week
takes time to improve diet etc for skin health
for teen acne: VITEX (boys too)(1-2 droppers/day)
SALICYLIC ACID WASHES
available commercially
willow bark
can help or hurt
excessive drying triggers body to make more
TANNIC ACID
uva ursi
quercus (also for bleeding ulcer, sitz for hemorrhoids)
OXALIC ACID
FRUIT ACIDS
papayas, oranges
alpha-hydroxy acid

SYSTEMIC HORMONAL SUPPORT HERBS
for teen acne, PMS breakouts, anti-aging concerns
VITEX
GINSENG
CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA = ACTEA
isoflavones
white raceme
MEDICAGO SATIVA
isoflavones, same as most legumes
hormonal support and nourishment
for elders with skin complaints
for healing broken bones
FOENICULUM VULGARE
allantoin, minerals, pituitary effects
galactogogue
RHODIOLA
rock rose, siberian or arctic rose, little bunch of florets in gravel
for longevity, strength, stamina, chi tonic
favors sympathetic nerve responses, incr epinephrine
downregs adrenal output
PANAX GINSENG
for poor healing wounds

HEMOSTATICS
ACHILLEA is ace in hole
QUERCUS tannins, traditional to use galls, bark can be purchased
GERANIUM the other classic syptic, for bloody D or other astringent

KELOID TX
avoid sun exposure, cover area when in sun
take internal supps when very prone
use topicals acutely
quercetin: alium, curcuma
stop fibrin: centella
protect collagen: curcuma
anti-inflam: scutellaria
ALLIUM CEPA
CENTELLA ASIATICA
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
CURCUMA LONGA
SCUTELLARIA BIACELENSIS

TOPICAL ANTIMICROBIALS
ACHILLEA as soak or internal
ALTERATIVES, Immune modulation, reduce sugar for those prone to infx
OREGON GRAPE, MAHONIA with berberine, root bark
GOLDENSEAL
COPTIS, GOLDTHREAD also berberine content
PHELLODENDRON berberine containing plant from China
HUANG LYONG SU product she stocks, boxes with tiny vials, 10 pills, for trekker first aid kit, take for D, infx, crush for skin wash, eye wash conjunctivitis, gargle for strep, sore throat, concentrated berberine
MALELUCCA ALTERNIFOLIA tea tree oil, all purpose skin herb, office disinfectant
table spray, she makes her own, doesn't dry out leather, put in bathroom soap dispenser, use EO topical she hasn't seen rxns, put directly on or use in washcloth, for splinter removal
COMMIPHORA MYRRHA myrrh, thorny looking plant, esp for oral cavity, teeth, gums, dental work, for strep, M in HEMP formula, with calendula succus to swab skin
CURCUMA LONGA skin disinfx, yellow pigment
JUGLANS walnut, antiparasitic internally and on skin, scabies, whole hulls available, dark staining, soak cloth in it and apply, also anti-fungal

PECIDULOSIS: HERBS THAT KILL LICE
EOs of Thymus vulgaris, Melelucca alternifolia,
Lavendula sp, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus, Pennyroyal
Lindane ointment is toxic
Wash hair first then apply a few drops of EO and rub in to scalp
wrap head in saran wrap (to trap aromatics) and a towel
leave 20mins
don't get in eyes
Dilute the thyme before using
finish with vinegar rinse and comb out hair
focus on hottest areas of head, behind ears, nape
nits more visible on dark hair
rubbing alcohol and a shower cap works too

WARTS
viral origin
kids in grades 2-8 often get verrucae
PODOPHYLLUM resin is antiviral, anti-mitotic, caustic
she makes her own wart remedy
Nurenberg scientific sells 1 oz bottles of pure podophyllum powder
http://www.nurnberg.com/
adds it to tincture of benzoin (sticky) shake vigorously for minutes
1 part podophyllum to 3-4 parts tincture of benzoin (want it sticky not drippy)
lasts for years
also for genital warts, single application often sufficient
warts dry and fall off
can find tincture, has anti-ca effect, rarely used internally
can eat through dermis
THUJA
for venereal warts
high vit c
anit-viral
use EO on wart, mix with Melissa, St Jw, other anti-viral EOs
give antiviral tincture
SANGUINARIA

PHOTOSENSITIZERS
ST JW
UMBEL family (Petroselinum = parsley)
drink a lot of parsley juice daily for vitiligo
MONARDA (bergamot, bee balm) EO, smells of Earl Gray tea, for psoriasis, vitiligo
(not clear line drawn in lecture between photosensitizers and eschar herbs)

BLACK SALVE / ESCHAR HERBS
PINUS tar plus 5 sec sun, adding 5 sec/day, classic cure for psoriasis, eczema
SANGUINARIA CANADENSE for abn pap, paint on CX instead of LEEP procedure, follow with calendula succus rinse, repeat, paps go normal and never recur, also has been used on melanomas, all kinds of skin growths
PODOPHYLLUM
GRINDELIA
JUNIPERUS
these last 3 from notes, not lectures

FOR HIVES
anti-ox, quercetin, bioflavonoids, same list as CV vasc stabilizers
all anti-allergy herbs
LAVENDAR
EPHEDRA

usda.gov site has option for phytochemical or ethnobotanical database
lifework of Jim Duke is available online
pretty cool, can search for herb, get list of all known chemical constituents
can search for constituents

Michael Moore herbalist from Bisbee just died a few months ago


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next week we'll have a review of CV herbs with Debra Frances

NOTES FOR MIDTERM to be 2 weeks from today, take about 20 minutes
trophorestor, eupatorium, solidago for renal fx
demulcents: althea, cornsilk
formulas: antimicrob vs kidney stone
IC vs BPH
review antispasmodics: kava, umbels: kella/ammi
uva ursi, chimaphila for infx
BPH: saw palmetto, nettle root
IC: use gags, sulfur herbs
chem constit:
uva ursi-->arbutin
kava-->kavalactones aka pyrones, how do they work?
vasc;
for lipids:
EC tonics: flavonoids, pigments
for HTN: nervines, diuretics,
constit in ginkgo: ginkgolides
crataegus: proanthocyanins
vaccinium: anthocyanidins
allium: sulfur, disulfides
ionotropic
PAF inhibitor
derm Qs
angelica blood mover, allergy
hamamleis astringent antiinflam