Herb Of The Week - Lemon Verbena

[Guest guest]

From Davis' Drug Guide For Nurses - Eighth Edition

http://www.drugguide.com/

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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lemon verbena

 

 

 

OTHER NAMES:

Aloysia triphylla, herb louisa, louisa

 

 

CLASSIFICATION(S):

Therapeutic: antianxiety agents, gastroinestinal anti-inflammatories.

therapeutic, sedative/hypnotics

 

 

 

 

COMMON USES

 

 

* Digestive disorders (diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation),

agitation and insomnia; flavoring agent.

 

 

ACTION

 

 

* Essential oil may contain bactericidal and irritant compounds.

 

* Therapeutic Effects:

 

 

*

 

 

PHARMACOKINETICS

 

 

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown.

Half-life: Unknown.

 

 

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

 

 

Contraindicated in:

 

 

*

 

Use Cautiously in:

 

 

* Pregnancy and lactation (insufficient information).

 

 

ADVERSE REACTIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS*

 

 

*CAPITALS indicate life threatening; underlines indicate most frequent.

 

Derm: contact dermatitis.

GU: kidney irritation from volatile oil excretion .

 

 

INTERACTIONS

 

 

Natural Product-Drug:

 

 

* None known.

 

 

ROUTE AND COMMONLY USED DOSES

 

 

* PO (Adults): 1 cup tea 2-5 times daily. Tea is made by steeping

5-29 g leaf in 1 L of boiling water and then straining.

 

 

AVAILABILITY

 

 

* Bulk leafOTC .

 

TIME/ACTION PROFILE

 

_____

 

 

 

ONSET PEAK DURATION

 

_____

 

 

PO unknown unknown unknown

 

_____

 

 

NURSING IMPLICATIONS

 

 

ASSESSMENT

 

 

* Assess patient for epigastric or abdominal pain, frank or occult

blood in the stool that may be indicative of an ulcer. Evaluate

frequency and consistency of stool and amount of herb that is consumed.

 

* Assess degree and manifestations of anxiety and response and

quantity of herb consumed.

 

POTENTIAL NURSING DIAGNOSES

 

 

* Diarrhea (Indications).

 

* Anxiety (Indications).

 

* Knowledge, deficient, related to medication regimen

(Patient/Family Teaching).

 

IMPLEMENTATION

 

 

* Steep leaves, strain and drink as a tea.

 

PATIENT/FAMILY TEACHING

 

 

* General: Avoid contact with skin (may cause irritation). If this

does occur promptly wash the area with free running water.

 

* GI: Encourage patients to use other forms of bowel regulation,

such as increasing bulk in diet, increasing fluid intake, and increasing

mobility. Normal bowel habits are individualized and may vary from 3

times/day to 3 times a week. Warn patients that chronic use of laxatives

may create dependence so that having a bowel movement without assistanc

may become more difficult.

 

* Inform patients to report chronic diarrhea or persistent

epigastric pain that does not improve or the need for consistent use of

this herb to their health care provider.

 

* GU: Warn patients that this herb may affect the kidneys.

Consistent, excessive use should be reported to the health care provider

so kidney function may be assessed.

 

* Anxiety/Hypnotic: Inform patients that the need for consistent

use to manage anxiety or to induce sleep should be reported to their

health care provider. Encourage patients to manage anxiety and

difficulty sleeping with other natural therapies such as relaxation

techniques inclusive of meditation.

 

EVALUATION

 

 

Clinical response to therapy can be evaluated by:

 

 

* Normalization of bowel regimen

 

* Elimination of epigastric discomfort

 

* Reduction in anxiety

 

* Restful sleep.