Herbalism Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Herbalism facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which extraction method uses alcohol and water to draw out both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents from an herb? → Tincture
2. Feverfew has interaction concerns with which drug class due to its effects on platelet aggregation? → NSAIDs and anticoagulants
3. What type of plant constituent is berberine, the active compound found in goldenseal and barberry? → Alkaloid
4. Which term describes the process of allowing plant material to soak in a menstruum at room temperature without heat for an extended period? → Maceration
5. May enhance the effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. raises the risk of seizures when used with antidepressants and phenothiazines. → Evening primrose oil nursing considerations
6. Which assessment technique involves palpating the radial artery at the wrist to determine vitality, tissue state, and organ function? → Pulse diagnosis
7. Glycerites are herbal preparations that use glycerin as the primary menstruum and are often preferred because glycerin is: → Alcohol-free and sweet-tasting, making it suitable for children
8. Iridoids found in herbs such as valerian, devil's claw, and gentian are classified within which chemical family? → Cyclopentanoid monoterpenoid compounds
9. Which part of the plant is most commonly used to make a steam distillation essential oil? → Aerial plant parts containing volatile oils
10. Quercetin, a flavonoid found abundantly in elderberry and onion skins, acts primarily as a(n): → Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine compound
11. Ephedra (ma huang) was banned by the FDA in the US as a dietary supplement in 2004 due to serious risks including: → Cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, and death
12. Reserpine is used in Aryuvedic medicine to treat snakebite, according to the Rig Veda. Which plant is the source of reserpine → Rauvolfia Serpentina
13. A liniment differs from a salve primarily because it is: → A liquid preparation applied externally and allowed to evaporate
14. Which factor most significantly affects the potency of a finished herbal preparation? → The quality and freshness of the raw plant material used
15. Which factor most strongly determines an individual client's optimal herbal dose? → Individual variability including age, weight, vitality, metabolism, and sensitivity
16. Which safety category should an herbalist assign to herbs that have no documented human safety data and are used during breastfeeding? → Avoid unless clearly necessary; default to caution
17. A patient on metformin for type 2 diabetes asks about taking berberine. The primary concern is: → Additive blood glucose-lowering effect causing hypoglycemia
18. Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th-century abbess and healer, integrated herbal medicine with which other discipline in her works Physica and Causae et Curae? → Christian theology, natural philosophy, and music
19. The term 'adaptogen,' now central to Western functional herbalism, was first coined in which decade by Soviet pharmacologist Nikolai Lazarev? → 1940s
20. When determining herbal dosing for a child, which calculation method is most commonly used in Western clinical herbalism? → Clark's Rule (child's weight in pounds ÷ 150 × adult dose)
21. A patient taking thyroid hormone replacement asks about bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus). The primary concern is: → Bladderwrack containing iodine that may alter thyroid hormone levels
22. Polysaccharides in immunomodulatory herbs like echinacea and astragalus primarily work by: → Stimulating and modulating macrophages, natural killer cells, and immune signaling
23. A client presents with a swollen, hot, red joint flare of rheumatoid arthritis. Which herbal action is MOST indicated for the acute phase? → Anti-inflammatory and cooling herbs such as meadowsweet or turmeric
24. Which herb is known to potentially increase digoxin toxicity by altering potassium balance? → Licorice root
25. The 'Doctrine of Signatures' in Western herbal tradition proposes that: → The visual appearance of a plant reveals its medicinal use
26. What is the primary purpose of including a 'chief complaint' in a clinical herbal intake form? → To identify the client's primary concern and focus the herbal protocol
27. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is considered unsafe for internal use in therapeutic doses because it contains: → Sanguinarine, a cytotoxic alkaloid toxic to mucous membranes
28. Mucilaginous herbs like marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) and slippery elm work by: → Forming a protective polysaccharide coating over irritated mucous membranes
29. When preparing an herbal salve, which ingredient is typically used to harden the final product? → Beeswax
30. Herbs in the Apiaceae (carrot/parsley) family used topically can cause severe blistering burns when skin is exposed to sunlight due to which compound class? → Furanocoumarins (psoralens)