medicinal final - what it does

yams

progesterone mimic, cortisone, and first birth control

soybeans

precursor for progesterone

wild sasparilla 

sapogenin content is low 

saw palmetto 

treat bladder and urinary tract infections, not effective for enlarged prostate

senna

laxative on anthraquinones

cascara

purgative and laxative on emodin

ipecac 

amoebic dysentery - americ and purgative 

curare

muscle relaxant- arrows and in surgery - causes paralysis

monkshood

spears and harpoon for whale and aquatic mammals

upas tree 

latex for arrows 

dogbane

latex for arrow poison

milkweed

analgesic effect - reduce sensitivity

cardiac glycosides 

congestive heart failure (foxglove), cystic fibrosis, and anti cancer 

white willow

aspirin, pain killer, analgesic, cns depressant

capsicum pepper 

topical anelgesic, patches, patches, pepper spray- all give heat sensation to distract from pain 

• kills prostate cancer cells and inhibits leukemia 

valerian

sedative and hypnotic

hops

antibiotic effect

sedative 

lemon balm 

sedative 

lamiaceae

sedative

passion flower

sedative

st johns wort

antidepressant, expectorant, antiviral (AIDS)

gingko 

vasodilation to increase blood flow = to brain for dementia and alzheimers 

caucasian snowdrop 

inhibits enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine (increases blood flow to brain) 

betel

quid in mouth, expectorant of saliva

tobacco

stimulates dopamine and acetylcholine, shortens life, medicinal for parkinsons, tourettes, alzheimers

khat 

schedule one drug, releases norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, psychotic breaks, quid (chew for 10 minutes) 

coca

blocks reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine = build up and constant stimulation

• short euphoria, heart attack, high bp, bugs, constrict vessels

ephedra

increase bp and hr - antihistamine - dilate pupil

benzidrine

inhalers, bodybuidling, mimic dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin

ephedrine

weightloss and strokes - psychosis

pseudoephedrine 

nasal and oral cough remedies - can be reduced to methcathinone

methamphetamine

rush of energy, power then binging and withdrawal (sleep for days)

MDMA

for depression, memory loss, acute insomnia, severe ptsd, but also impaired breathing

ketamine 

general anaesthetic and vets, ndma antagonist (increase glutamate and dopamine), trance-like or invincible, for depression or suicide (intravenous)

fen-phen

weightloss but heart valve problems

methylphenidate

ritalin for add or adhd (calm hyperactive children)

guayusa - amazon holly

achurar jivaro people drink 2L and then vomit - give headache, hallucinations

strychnine

muscle convulsant in poison arrows - collapse of vital organs - to treat depressant overdose - was a rat poison

cola

stimulant, hunger, ailments

guarana

national drink of brazil

cocoa

cannabinoid neurotransmitter anandamide to stimulate dopamine, appetite, mood and perception of time

iboga

serotonin enhancer - visual auditory hallucinations - treatment for ptsd (calms opiate receptors)

psilocybin

serotonin mimics - visual and auditory hallucinations, lassitude - for depression, anxiety, addiction, OCD?,

indian snakeroot

tranquilizer for anxiety, for chronic psychoses (schizophrenia), hypertension 

kava

muscle relaxant, increased force of heartbeat, hypnotic sedative, analgesic

heroin

most addictive

hydromorphone 

terminally ill cancer 

naloxone 

reverse opioid overdose 

methadone

overcome heroin addiction

codeine

morphine and thebaine - cough suppressant, arthritis, headaches, muscle pains

oxycodone 

thebaine - around the clock pain, cancer, controlled released

fentanyl

most common - 50-100x more potent, analgesic, anaesthetic 

virola

snuff- nausea and numbness of limbs, visual hallucinations, lack of muscle coordination

yopo

serotonin enhancers

cebil 

lose ability to see colour, worm flowing imagery, flying