herbal medicine

Herbal medicine : also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine .Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of :

•a plant's seeds,• berries, roots, • bark, or flowers •and plant extracts formedicinal purposes

Advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing disease.

Researchers found that :people in different parts of the world tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes.

•Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history.

•Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plants.

•In the early 19th century:scientists began to extract and modify the

active ingredients from plants.

•In the last 20 years in the United States:there is an increase in herbal medicine use, due to :public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications,interest in returning to natural or organic remedies,

•Recently, WHO estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care.

•In Germany, about 600 - 700 plant-based medicines are available and are prescribed by some 70% of German physicians.

• 72.8% of respondents have used at least one type of CAM in the last year.

• CAM users were mainly middle-aged, low-income, educated women.

• Herbal therapy, prayers, and honey were the most utilized types of CAM.

• CAM utilized because they believed that it is all natural and safe.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Palestine:

Herbal supplements are classified as:

– Dietary supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.

• In many cases, scientists aren' t sure

– what specific ingredient in a particular herb works to treat a condition or illness?

• Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and they may work together to produce a beneficial effect.

• Some herbal preparations are standardized, meaning that the preparation is guaranteed to contain a specific amount of the active ingredients of the herb.

• However, it is still important to ask companies making standardized herbal products about their product's guarantee.

1. the type of environment (climate, bugs, soil quality) in which a plant grew.

2. how and when it was harvested and processed.

• Asthma• Eczema• Premenstrual syndrome• Rheumatoid arthritis• Migraine headache• Menopausal symptoms• Chronic fatigue• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Nutrition: food & nutrients e.g. Coriander, Garlic, Nettle & Oats

• Maintenance of Health:e.g.Dandelion, Garlic

• Treatment of Disease: acute & chronic

• Aspirin • Cocaine • Quinidine• Scopolamine• Tubocurarine

•Codeine •Ergotamine •Morphine•Digoxin•Pilocarpine

• The herbs come in several

different forms:

– teas

– syrups

– oils

– liquid extracts

– tinctures

– and dry extracts (pills or capsules).

• Many consumers believe that herbal medicines are natural and therefore safe.

– This is a dangerous simplification.

• Because :• They are unregulated>>mislabeled.

• May contain additives and contaminants.

• May cause allergic reactions .

• Interact with conventional drugs.

• Toxic if used improperly or at high doses.

• Certain herbs "trick" the brain into thinking the stomach is full.

• But others are thermogenic (speed up the body's metabolism)>>burning more unwanted fats.

• Thermogenic herbs contain stimulants that– Work to speed up the body's heart rate,

respiration and digestion – The most common thermogenic herbs is

caffeine.

– Herbal Laxatives : Usually sold as a diet tea, cascara, senna,

• cause cramping, diarrhea, and if overused,

• could cause bowels to no longer function without laxative stimulation.

– Ephedra : in high doses can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and over stimulate the CNS.

• More than 800 reports of side effects linked with the use of ephedra.

• Including heart palpitations, seizures, stroke, chest pain, and heart attack.

• This herb has caused at least

two deaths!

• Cayenne >>stimulate digestion and increase metabolism and fat burning.

• Green tea>> contains caffeine and antioxidants that appear to stimulate metabolism.

• Seaweed, or kelp>> is a natural thyroid stimulant, which may boost metabolism.

• Nettle >> a thermogenic herb.

• Ginseng >> boost energy and metabolism.

• Hoodia >>interrupting or stopping the hunger mechanism in the brain. (contraindicated in Diabetics ?)

Cayenne plantNettle

senna

Hoodia GordoniiSalad of seaweed

Ephedra

A study aimed to describe (SEs) associated with herbal products used for weight control in Italy, found that:

• 64% of the suspected SEs were associated with herbal products used for weight control.

• Women were involved in 85% of the reports.

• The reactions affected mainly the cardiovascular system, the skin, the digestive system, the CNS , and the liver.

• A large proportion of SEs were serious.

• Consult your doctor first

• Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends

• Take it under the guidance of a trained medical professional

• Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or nursing

Ten Red Flags for Consumers

• Recommendations that promise a quick fix. • Dire warnings of danger from a single product or

regimen. • Claims that sound too good to be true.• Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study. • Recommendations based on a single study. • Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable

scientific organizations. • Lists of "good" and "bad" foods. • Recommendations made to help sell a product. • Recommendations based on studies published

without peer review. • Recommendations from studies that ignore

differences among individuals or groups.

• Lower cholesterol and triglycerides

• Kill Worms, roundworm

• Hypertension, blood circulation

• Cancer prevention

• Diabetes

• Bronchitis, asthma, allergies

• Skin rash in sensitive people.

• Over consumption cause heartburn and gases.

• Colds, coughs & vomiting

• Reduce Angina episodes >> lowering cholesterol

• Relieve Arthritis

• Nausea, motion sickness , Morning sickness

• Menstrual cramps

• If U taking Blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or have gallbladder disease don't take medicinal doses of ginger.

• During pregnancy >> stimulate uterine contractions.

• Expectorant.

• Coughs and Bronchitis

• Parasite Repellant

• Narcotic in large doses.

• Anise seeds contain anethole, a plant hormone similar to human estrogen, avoid when pregnant and use with caution in very young babies.

• The essential oil is for topical use only.

• Reduce Cancer incidence

• Metabolism booster

• Lowering Cholesterol

• Relieve inflammation and itching of insect bites

• Reduce Pink eye inflammation , Conjunctivitis

• Overuse of caffeine can affect sleep >> Insomia

• Reduce Anxiety & Stress

• Healing of Skin abrasions ,Burns & scalds

• Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic Flea bites, rashes

• Relive Fibromyalgia

• Lowering blood pressure & relaxes cardiac spasms such as tachycardia

• Relive Arthritis & improve circulation

• Relaxation of nick & head muscle >> Nervous headache

• Effective for Leucorrhoea

• Reduce Fever, bronchitis

• Fighting Toothache/ tooth infections

• Cough, flu & sore throat

• Insect repellent

• Excessive amounts can effect menstrual cycles.

• Thymol is toxic and should be used with great care and in moderation.

• The essential oil should never be applied undiluted and is not suitable for use in small children.

• Relive Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Blood Pressure

• Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial and antineoplastic activity.

• Preventing Hair loss - Healthy Hair >> Aminoacids

• Undiluted oil can cause skin irritation.

• Not to be used in pregnant women.

• Calms anxiety, eases stress and may have a positive effect on attention deficit disorder (ADD).

• Used for irritable bowel syndrome.

• Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine actions

• Effective for nausea and morning sickness when used with ginger

• Allergy for sensitive people

• Avoid chamomile teas when taking blood thinners >> contain natural blood thinner (coumarins)