Herbal Medicine

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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 for medicinal 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 plantbased medicines are available and are prescribed by some 70% of German physicians.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Palestine: Use And Safety Implications done by Ansam F. Sawalha. Found that : 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.

Herbs as Food supplements

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.

Standardization
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.

Effectiveness Factors
1. The type of environment (climate, bugs, soil quality) in which a plant grew. 2. How and when it was harvested and processed.

Medicinal Uses
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 &

Drugs from plant sources

Aspirin Cocaine Quinidine Scopolamine Tubocurarine

Codeine Ergotamine Morphine Digoxin Pilocarpine

How is herbal medicine sold in stores?

The herbs come in several different forms:

teas syrups oils liquid extracts tinctures and dry extracts (pills or capsules).

Safety
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.

Herbs & Weight loss

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 with serious side effects

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.

FDA reports
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!

Safe herbs in weight loss

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 ?)

Nettle

Cayenne plant

Salad of seaweed

Hoodia Gordonii

Ephedra

senna

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.

Some of the
most common Herbs

Garlic
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides Kill Worms, roundworm Hypertension, blood circulation Cancer prevention Diabetes Bronchitis, asthma, allergies

Garlic Side Effects

Skin rash in sensitive people. Over consumption cause heartburn and gases.

Ginger
Colds, coughs & vomiting Reduce Angina episodes >> lowering cholesterol Relieve Arthritis Nausea, motion sickness , Morning sickness
Menstrual cramps

Ginger Side Effects

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.

Anise
Expectorant. Coughs and Bronchitis Parasite Repellant

Anise Side Effects

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.

Green tea
Reduce Cancer incidence Metabolism booster Lowering Cholesterol Relieve inflammation and itching of insect bites Reduce Pink eye inflammation , Conjunctivitis

Green Tea Side Effects

Overuse of caffeine can affect sleep >> Insomia

Lavender
Reduce Anxiety & Stress Healing of Skin abrasions ,Burns & scalds Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic Flea bites, rashes Relive Fibromyalgia

Lavender
Lowering blood pressure & relaxes cardiac spasms such as tachycardia Relive Arthritis & improve circulation Relaxation of nick & head muscle >> Nervous headache Effective for Leucorrhoea

Thyme
Reduce Fever, bronchitis Fighting Toothache/ tooth infections Cough, flu & sore throat Insect repellent

Thyme Side Effects:

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.

Black Seed
Relive Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Blood Pressure Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial and antineoplastic activity. Preventing Hair loss - Healthy Hair >> Aminoacids

Black Seed oil Side Effects:

Undiluted oil can cause skin irritation. Not to be used in pregnant women.

Chamomile
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

Chamomile Side Effects

Allergy for sensitive people Avoid chamomile teas when taking blood thinners >> contain natural blood thinner (coumarins)

Drugs from Herbal extracts

A-Z Market

Questionnaire results
12 >> Herbal medicine 12 >> Drugs remedies Most common herbs used : Camomile , & tea No side effect is noted ..

Our conclusion

Nature always has a solution, but we have to dig deeper!

 www.euroherb.com : European Herbal Practitioners Association www.nimh.org.uk : National Institute of Herbalists www.trusthomeopathy.org : Faculty of Homeopathy www.nlm.nih.gov/about/herbgarden/list U.S national library of medicine www.anniesremedy.com/chart.php http://www.onlineherbs.com/himcolin himalaya 30gm.html Himalaya

Herbal Medicine

Thank You
Prabhu V