Today I write that count-down in bewilderment and a bit of stress.  This means as of tomorrow, there are only 3 weeks left of the semester...  The good part of this is all I have left in normal assignments is the final discussion post for pathophysiology.  My teacher already graded the essay I turned in yesterday.  I thought there was an error he read it that quick!  I wasn't sure I did it correctly but he loved it.  I'm working on buying things for my daughter's birthday next month.  I'm literally buying the different decorations for the cake and walls and such because it's so hard to find Tinkerbell.  I have everything but plates at this moment.  I also have an assorted array of cake decorations for future years.  If she decides she doesn't like Tinkerbell at any point, we'll start celebrating mine!  LOL  This stuff is coming from all over, even over seas so I was glad I decided to go ahead and start working on this.  We will do her birthday when he's home in September which will be before her birthday, probably even before classes start so It's good to be ready for such things.  I need to get more wrapping paper at some point but I might have enough for all her presents.  The closet is currently full but that's presents for both birthdays and Christmas and I have a few years worth in there.  I like to buy clearance.  This means I see cool things for cheap that they'd like when they are older, and I have the budget, it gets tossed in the cart!  I'm probably repeating myself but I don't care...  LOL  I did find a truck she wanted last year and I grabbed it while I could because they were out when I went to get it for her last year.  She will have to share it though.  There is no way my son will let her play with it by herself.  I don't know how to throw birthday parties but I'm actually starting to look forward to figuring it out because it will make them happy.  That clock is ticking and I still have things to do so ...

On to the actions of Ginger!

Hypertensive means it raises blood pressure.

Hypoglycemic means it lowers blood sugar.

Antihypercholesterolemic means it works against things that raise cholesterol.

Anti-platelet aggregation is a fancy way of saying it reduces the chances of blood clots.  There are many ways of saying this.

Stimulant is an "action that quickens and enlivens the physiological activity of the body". These can target particular parts of the body or systems such as the circulatory, reproductive, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, urinary, musculoskeletal, nervous and skin. Even bitters can be stimulants. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 519-21).

Stomachic is another way of saying it helps stimulate the digestive system.

Antiemetic simply means it helps prevent nausea and vomiting, often used for motion sickness.

Constituents: volatile oils, sesquiterpenes zingiberene and b-bisabolene; oleoresin containing gingerols, gingerdiols, gingerdiones, dihydrogingerdiones, shogaols; lipids (Hoffman, 2003, p. 597).

Lots of good things in this herb!  I forgot to mention I got a new book yesterday.  I wanted to have a good resource on plants based on location so I bought a book for Eastern and Central North America.  It talks about where the plants are and what they have been used for.  It doesn't say HOW they are used which is fine.  This is just one more resource for me to write the book entries I want to do.  The book is written by Foster and Duke and will be added to my references section at some point today.  The illustrations are beautiful and I think it's a great addition to my library. Have a great day!

It has already been a day and it's not even 10am.  However, I can say that it's raining so my daughter is quite happy at the moment.  LOL  My son has decided since mommy and big sis sit on the potty, he needs to as well.  I bought him his own little seat to sit on the toilet yesterday and he sits for around 5 seconds but it's at least getting him in the idea.  They have both sat on the potty this morning.  Eventually someone will go...  LOL  In the mean time, I now have 2 kids that want to sit on the potty and I'm not complaining.  It means someday I won't have to wash diapers!  Now I just need to find out what I did with those underwear I bought my son way back when...  LOL  I didn't get that quiz done yesterday and I still have to get that discussion and essay done so I'm going to get to work.  If the kids will let me.  LOL

On to Ginger!

Constituents: volatile oils, sesquiterpenes zingiberene and b-bisabolene; oleoresin containing gingerols, gingerdiols, gingerdiones, dihydrogingerdiones; lipids (Hoffman, 2003, p. 597). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (zingiberene) and oleoresin (gingerol and shogaols) (p. 155)

Therapeutic Actions: Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, hypoglycemic, hypertensive, antihypercholesterolemic, cholagogic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and stomachic (Hoffman, p. 597). Ginger is commonly known to be good for upset stomach. I add it to my tea when I have a cold to sooth my sore throats on the way down. Chevallier (2016) says anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant, antiemetic, antiviral, digestive stimulant (p. 155).

Indications: warms the stomach, digestion, nausea, cramps headaches (Griffin). Hoffman (2003) says motion sickness, stimulates circulation – chilblains, cramps. Promotes perspiration, sore throats, externally for fibrositis and muscle sprains. Appetite stimulant, digestive problems, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties make it a food preservative (p. 597).  Chevallier (2016) says all digestive problems including indigestion, nausea, gas, bloating, and cramps – all gastrointestinal issues, including food poisoning. Circulatory stimulant which helps with chilblains and cold hands and feet.  Antiviral activity helps with coughs, colds, flu, etc. Stimulates sweating to help with fevers (p. 155).

Safety: Hoffman says it can enhance anti-coagulants when used in large doses. (p. 597)

Have a great day!

I actually got all the assignments for Chemistry yesterday!  Just to be clear, the class is more than just chemistry but I can't spell it much less pronounce it so Chemistry it is.  LOL  3 days left in the school week and all I have other than finals and papers is pathophysiology - an essay, a discussion and a quiz.  I'm right on schedule to get all of this done.  Yes, it means I can breathe a little...  LOL  I got to sit down for a little while yesterday.  I got my last thing for chemistry done before 6, dinner was done, house cleaned up.  I quickly became a jungle gym as the children realized my lap was available for some cuddles.  It was a good yet painful evening.  I'm shocked I still have hair attached to me head but that is part of being a parent.  Children are, indeed, torture from the moment they are ready to be born.  LOL 

On to California poppy!  Since the remaining things were not in Hoffman, I looked in mt toxicology books.

Chelerythrine: Brinkler (2000) reports on page 67 and 171 this is a toxic constituent but this book doesn't break out what constituents are other than that.

Constituents: alkaloids californine, flavone glycosides, isoquinoline alkaloids (cryptopines, eschscholzidine, anguinarine and chelerythrine).

Have a great day!

Progress is being made on the assignments for the coming weeks.  Today I'm going to switch over and do the remaining quiz and discussion post for chemistry.  I'm still getting a giggle from my son last night.  My youngest cat was asking for attention and I had finished picking up the house for the night so I picked him up, sat in the chair with a blanket on and cuddled and pet him.  My son saw I was holding the cat and came running over. He climbed up and hugged my cat. The cat moved, a bit miffed over the attention then my son put his head on my cat's back.  The cat allowed it as I pet him and eventually my son went back to playing.  My poor cat however, was covered in drool!  LOL  We've had our breakfast and diapers are changed. Lots to do today.

On to California Poppy constituents!

Okay, the sources list this constituent as "californine" but Ganora, 2009, on page 71 lists "californidine".  I'm sure they are different forms of the same thing since both are isoquinoline alkaloids.  This is listed as a relaxant and a nervine.  Yes, I normally do Hoffman first but almost all of the constituents on this list are listed as unknown so I'm just looking everywhere for this post. On page 160, Ganora lists a few other things pavines, which are a category under isoquinoline alkaloids and then lists 2 more constituents for Califonia poppy under this category which are eschscholzidine and californidine so I think they both should be added. Also listed here are sanguinarine and chelerythrine.  She lists the herb overall as nervine sedative antispasmodic used for insomnia and anxiety.

Proptopine (Isoquinoline Alkaloid) is listed as an antispasmodic, sedative and anticholinergic (Ganora, 2009, p. 71).  On page 160, Ganora adds antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective and anti-bacterial.

Chelidonine (Isoquinoline Alkaloids) is listed as antimicrobial and antispasmodic in Ganora (2009, p. 71).

Isoquinoline Alkaloids are generally soluble in moderate to high alcohol though berberine is highly water-soluble (Ganora, 2009, p. 47)  On page 159-60, she goes into the structure. This class is either medicinal or pshychotropic, some plant being used as poison on arrows.  

Constituents: alkaloids californine, flavone glycosides, isoquinoline alkaloids (cryptopines, eschscholzidine, anguinarine and chelerythrine).

I'm going to leave it here for today.  Tomorrow I'll see if I can find these others.  Have a great day!

Everything due this week is done.  Today I'm going to work on the things that are due for pathophysiology next week.  I also need to to to the store and get some cat food which will make the children happy.  LOL I haven't started breakfast yet.  They got me up way too early this morning...  I did get ginger and licorice updated yesterday and posted so they will follow the current herb. I have also decided I need to start adding more ginger and garlic to my diet.  I need to add cayenne as well but I don't have a big enough fire hose to add that to my diet...  I'm still debating just putting it in capsules and taking it that way.  I'd get the benefits without the inferno in my mouth.  I also can't add it to the overall meal because the kids can't even handle black pepper yet.  They are okay with eating it but it causes fire for them upon exit. Obviously I don't want them on fire either.  Okay, I need to get my day going.

On to California poppy!

I have already gone through all these actions in previous posts. I'll start on the constituents tomorrow.

Constituents: Petersen (2018) says the primary constituents of this herb are the alkaloids californine and protopine (p. 200). Hoffman (2003) says alkaloids, flavone glycosides (p. 547). Chevallier (2016, p. 207) says isoquinoline alkaloids (protopine, cryptopine, cheidonine).

Have a great day!

I have one more assignment that is due this week.  It will be done today.  I realized with that final needing to be done first, I'll get as many of my assignments done for that class so I can learn the material before studying the material. That makes more sense.  I'll do this week's and next week's chemistry stuff then focus on pathophysiology. I worked on updating 3 herbariums last night, one is done so today I will start California poppy and finish ginger and licorice over the next few days. I have added the updated herbarium to the herbarium page but there is no formulary in any of my books on this herb. It does have the tea and tincture recipe though.  I'll be starting breakfast here in a few minutes.  My daughter is already melting down this morning.  I gave them some toast because they woke up hungry.  She had a rough night last night.  My son joined us in bed as we were climbing in and he kept crowding her out.   I see a nap in both their futures today. 

On to California poppy!

Constituents: Petersen (2018) says the primary constituents of this herb are the alkaloids californine and protopine (p. 200). Hoffman (2003) says alkaloids, flavone glycosides (p. 547). Chevallier (2016, p. 207) says isoquinoline alkaloids (protopine, cryptopine, cheidonine) and flavone glycosides.

Therapeutic Actions: Petersen (2018) says sedative, spasmolytic, analgesic and anxiolytic (p. 200). Hoffman (2003) says nervine, hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne (p. 547). Chevallier (2016, p. 207) says sedative, painkilling, and antispasmodic safe for children.

Indications: Petersen (2018) says tea has traditionally been used for insomnia, anxiety, sleeplessness, stomach cramps and toothaches (p. 200). Hoffman (2003) says sedative and hypnotic in children – for sleeplessness. Any antispasmodic pain such as colic, including gallbladder colic (p. 547). Chevallier (2016) said this was used for whooping cough by early settlers as well as toothaches (p. 207).

Safety and Contraindications: Petersen (2018) do not use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and SSRIs. Use with other sedative herbs may also cause negative effects. Check any other herbs being taken for sedative properties before adding poppy to your regimen (p. 201). Gardner and McGuffin (2013) state it is also not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation (347).

Have a great day!

Down in the final month of the semester.  I have all the posts for Herbs 504 done.  All I need to do is get that cayenne paper done and reply to the posts of my classmates.  I plan to have the assignments that are due this week done by tomorrow.  I want my cayenne paper done by the end of this school week.  The faster it's done, the sooner I can start cramming for the pathophysiology exam.  I HAVE to do it while my husband is home so the clock matters.  My son's doctor left me a little miffed yesterday.  She said he was borderline on talking and I need to work with him by repeating words to him and having him repeat them back.  My son laughs at me when I do that.  He knows the words.  He responds properly to them.  He is just choosing NOT to say them.  Of course, this is going to make schooling very interesting...  I looked at his growth chart and I see another storm brewing on the horizon.  For height and weight, he has always been at the top of the chart.  BMI is going to be an issue.  I will not allow his doctor to body shame him so we'll see what the future holds.  There is nothing wrong with having a large frame. I won't let him be bullied.  At least my son eats a healthy diet, not that fast food crap!  The rest of the day went really well, though.  The children are already arguing today so we'll see how today goes.  I was just brought a cup.  Apparently her brother dared to try to drink from her "fish" cup...  LOL 

 I looked in Ganora for the remaining constituents of Lavender but I didn't find any.  What I am going to do, starting this semester (2nd semester herbs) is add the herb that has the constituent to my notes.  This way when I do find them and O bring it back up here, I can state what herbs have that specific constituent without having to go back and look.  With that, I am going to move on to getting the school work done.  Have a great day!

Constituents: Volatile oil (Linalyl acetate, nerol, lavandulyl acetate, caryophyllene); coumarins (herniarin).

The week is coming to an end and I still have to post one comment in Herbs class.  Other than that, everything is turned in!  I'm working on staying ahead so I can do that proctored final exam while my husband is home. I have JUST enough sources in my ebola paper but I'd feel better if I had at least 2 more. I'll get there.  My teacher is interested in the paper as well because he doesn't know much about it either.  I learned so much in the research I've done. There is so much out there that just doesn't seem to be true when you throw out the junk science!  I posted my lab that's due tomorrow last night and I was going to post my cinnamon herbarium here today but realized I can't because the lab is in there and has not been graded yet.  I'll post it at the end of next week, instead. Such a great herb!  My son has his 18-month appointment today.  I was afraid to do his survey because he doesn't exactly like to follow the checklist...  Turns out he's past most of it and the only section he isn't 100% on is speaking.  I'm sorry, my son would rather make sound affects of cars and guns than to form words.  He also loves raspberries...  LOL  He did tell me "hi" this morning which made me quite happy.  Word number 5!  LOL  I watched a motivational speaker a month or so ago. When he was younger, he was under the impression you don't speak unless you have something to contribute. Therefore he never talked because he felt he was just a kid and didn't know anything. His parents took him to all kinds of specialists but he still withheld the words (yes, he now speaks for a living) and he never said a word.  When he was in 1st grade, his mother told him to make sure to pay attention to the teacher.  He stared at that teacher so much the teacher thought he was the devil.  LOL Listening is an important part of learning and communication. My boy understands what I say just fine.  He'd just rather let his sister do all the talking. :) Girls are good at that.  I was standing here typing and my daughter started crying.  I turned around and she literally got hit by a bus.  My son was the driver.  And he giggled until he realized she was hurt.  At least he gave her a hug...  LOL

On to the constituents of lavender!

Ursolic Acid (Triterpenoid saponin aglycones) is chemoprotective, anticarcinigenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepaprotective (Ganora, 2009, p. 46, 69, 141)

Umbelliferone (Coumarin) is antifungal and antibacterial.  It also absorbs UV rays so it's in lotions and sun screen.

Constituents: Volatile oil (linalyl acetate, nerol, lavandulyl acetate, caryophyllene); coumarins (herniarin).

There was only one in Hoffman this morning.  I had ursolic acid already waiting in the wings to be used. I'll check Ganora tomorrow for the rest of them.  Have a great day!

It's been a day already!  Breakfast is done. Dishes are done.  I need to get diapers washing again. I can't wait for success in potty training with both of them.  LOL  I made great progress on my paper yesterday, sort of.  The more I read these studies, the more questions I have. In fact, I'm now throwing out a lot of studies I was planning to use because there are too many variables not taken into account during the study so there is no way to validate the accuracy of the results of the study.  There are literally hundreds of studies out there but they don't really say anything useful for someone investigating how NOT to contract the illness or how to survive it if the illness is contracted.  If you want to know how to set up quarantine, you're in luck!  I'm going to keep reading these studies, of course, to see if I can answer some of these questions and include them in my paper but this is ridiculous that they don't even appear to be looking at very obvious factors.

On to lavender!

Emmenagogues: Promotes menstrual flow and healthy menstrual function.  There are 3 types: warming helps with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, anxiety, cramps and pain.  Cooling help calm excited, emotional, and irritable conditions. Tonic builds blood and promotes sexual function (Griffin, 1997, p. 9).

Rubefacients: Increase surface blood flow and red blood cell production. These help with arthritis, rheumatism, aches, and pains (Griffin, 1997,p. 11)

Spasmolytic is another way of saying antispasmodic.

Anxiolytic is another way of saying anti-anxiety or sedative.

Antidepressant just means it helps people deal with their depression.

Neuroprotective generally means it protects the cells of the nervous system, not just those of the brain.

Constituents: I literally can’t find the constituent I’m looking for but Ulbricht (2010) uses perillyl alcohol (POH) for cancer (p. 466). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (over 40 constituents, linalyl acetate, cineole, nerol, borneol) and flavonoids (p. 108). Heinerman (1996) says linalyle acetate and hydroxycoumarin (herniarin) (p. 299). Hoffman (2003) says volatile oil (linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulyl acetate, borneol, limonene, caryophyllene); coumarins (umbelliferone, herniarin, coumarin); triterpenes (ursolic acid), flavonoids (luteolin) (p. 561).

Have a great day!

I have made a good amount of progress on my paper but I still have a long way to go.  That being said, since my paper went from 4 pages to 8 pages yesterday, I decided to pick a commonly used herb and update that one. I chose lavender. I really don't know how I got a 100% on that herbarium because that entry SUCKED.  It took quite a bit of work to make it a really good entry and it is uploaded for those who are members. Again, if you want to join my sight, just comment on any post and I'll send you an invite.  The process is quite simple but I do wish they would make it available for people to sign themselves up on this level of page!  LOL  The children are awake and hungry.  Since today will be very busy, my personal comments will be short today.  Have a great day!

On to lavender!

Constituents: I literally can’t find the constituent I’m looking for but Ulbricht (2010) uses perillyl alcohol (POH) for cancer (p. 466). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (over 40 constituents, linalyl acetate, cineole, nerol, borneol) and flavonoids (p. 108). Heinerman (1996) says linalyle acetate and hydroxycoumarin (herniarin) (p. 299). Hoffman (2003) says volatile oil (linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulyl acetate, borneol, limonene, caryophyllene); coumarins (umbelliferone, herniarin, coumarin); triterpenes (ursolic acid), flavonoids (luteolin) (p. 561).

Therapeutic Actions: Hoffman (2003) lists carminative, antispasmodic, relaxing nervine, antidepressant, rubefacient, emmenagogue and hypotensive (p. 562).  I’m making this poultice to use on burns.  Since my son likes to try to touch a stove, I think knowing how to do this would be a good thing. Demulcent is what I’m looking for but my other books that talk about burns doesn’t list therapeutic actions. Though nervine and rubefacient help here as well. Hoffman also has a long list of indications but doesn’t include burns specifically, just that it’s good for a wide range of skin issues which is very true.  One of my oil books has almost a whole page in the back to look up how to use lavender (p. 562). To back that up, Ulbricht has a whole page and a half on uses that have science to support them (p. 466-7). Chevallier (2016) says antispasmodic, relieves anxiety, antidepressant, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial (p. 108). Mills and Bone (2010) says carminative, spasmolytic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic (p. 493).

Indications: Chevallier (2016) says soothes and calms to help with sleeplessness, irritability, headaches, migraine and mild depression; soothes, indigestion, colic, gas and bloating; asthma from nerves; the oil is antiseptic and used on burns, wounds, sores, insect stings, scabies, head lice, headaches, muscle tension, tones the nervous system, and encourages sleep (p. 108). Hoffman (2003) lists headaches, particularly from stress, depression, promote sleep, nervous system tonic, exhaustion, aches and pains (p. 562).

Contraindications/Safety: None reported. This herb is actually so safe it can be used on a brand new infant.  A lot if baby lotions and bath supplies have lavender in them to calm baby or even help with skin issues.  Mills and Bone (2010) says it’s okay for use in pregnancy though most sources are more cautions on this topic.  This is an herb that isn’t used frequently so I can understand this.  They said it is okay during lactation.  It does show up in breast milk but it provides a mild carminative effect for the baby (p. 493).