Oenothera biennis
Monograph
- Plant Family:
- Onagraceae, or the willowherb
family [1]
- Habitat & Cultivation:
- Evening primrose
is native to the US and Canada, and has been naturalized in other
temperate and subtropical climates. [1]
- Parts Used:
- Oils are
extracted from the seeds [1]
- Herbal Actions:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Nutritive
- Hypotensive
- Inhibits
platelet aggregation
- Antiallergic
- Corrects omega-6
fatty acid deficiency [1]
- Indications:
- Inflammation: atopic
eczema, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis
- Hormonal sx of
PMS/Menopause - mastalgia, mood changes, hot flashes
- Raynaud’s
phenomenon
- Fibrocystic
breast conditions
- Schizophrenia,
Parkinson’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, dyspepsia (indigestion)
- Cervical ripening
- improvement in Bishop score and decreased cervical length, and labor
induction [1]
- Plant Constituents:
- Gamma linolenic
acid (GLA) and triacylglycerols are thought to help stimulate the body’s
production of prostaglandins. [1]
- System Affinities:
- Energetics:
- Soft, oily, moist, heavy
- Reduces/pacifies
Vata, Pitta [1]
- Safety:
- Our powerpoint
for this week (Riccio & Zollinger, 2018) lists the following
contraindications for EPO: headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, and loose
stools. Mills & Bone (2005) also advise not to use EPO’s with
phenothiazines. [1]
Personal
Experience
- Organoleptics:
- The EPO is
clear, thin, not sticky, and smells like freshly sanded wood.
- Preparation Method:
- Oil (capsules) –
1500 mg PO or PV 1x/day
- Usage Notes:
- I was not a fan
of taking this orally. I also wasn’t too fond of the experience of a
vaginal dose. Combined with my own personal microbiome, this oil was a
bit revolting. I would recommend capsules to my clients in the future – inserting
them at night, and wearing a pantiliner overnight.
Sources:
- Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L.
(2018). Week 2 Study Questions. Bastyr University: FA-18_MW5124-A
Botanicals 4: Labor.
Taraxacum officinale
Monograph
- Plant Family:
- Asteraceae, or
daisy family [1]
- Habitat & Cultivation:
- The common
dandelion is considered a weed that easily grows in temperate
environments. Taraxacum officinale is native to Europe and Asia, and was
originally imported to America as a food crop. Dandelion can be found in
backyards, sidewalks, near water, or anywhere that the soil is damp. [1]
- Parts Used:
- Herbal Actions:
- Diuretic
(strong!)
- Cholagogue
- Laxative
- Tonic
- Bitter
- Nutritive
(prebiotic & high in potassium) [1]
- Indications:
- Tissue
stagnation, edema from hypertension or cardiovascular issues. [2]
- Plant Constituents:
- Sesquiterpene
lactones, sterols, carotenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides [1]
- System Affinities:
- Digestive,
urinary, lymphatic, circulatory [1]
- Energetics:
- Cool, bitter,
salty, and dry [3]
- Safety:
- No
contraindication known. [1]
- Interactions:
Personal
Experience
- Organoleptics:
- The dried
dandelion leaf is fairly dark green – this assures me that it is a
nutritive herb and rich in minerals. I can slightly smell the bitterness…
kind of sour. It already smells like tea greens so I’m suspecting it to
be a nice mild tea.
- Preparation Method:
- Tincture:
(1:5
in 40%) 5 – 10 ml 3x/day
- Hot
Infusion:
1 cup boiling water over 1 – 2 tsps dried leaf and infuse for 10 – 15
mins. Drink 3x/day.
- Raw: Eat raw leaf
in salads. Or juice – drink 5 – 10 ml juice from fresh leaves 2x/day. [2]
- Usage Notes:
- I made a hot
infusion out of the dried dandelion leaf. I was definitely correct in
hypothesizing that this would be a mild tea – there’s barely any flavor
apart from a general herbiness and bitter aftertaste on my tongue. Even
after drinking one cup I could feel the diuretic properties! Kind of an
underwhelming tea – next time I will try eating the raw leaves or juicing
them!
Sources:
- Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L.
(2018). Week 9 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A
Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
- Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical
Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT:
Healing Arts Press.
- Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001).
The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.
