Transcript Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine
True or False
Ginseng
• http://www.catskillginseng.com/html/ginseng/ginseng20.htm
Introduction
Panax quinquefolius
• Asian Ginseng is native of Asia: China and
Korea
• Mainly used for
– overall health improvement especially for people
recovering from illness
– Improving both mental and physical performance and
– To treating erectile dysfunction, and symptoms related
to menopause
– To treat hepatitis C
– Lowering blood glucose and controlling blood
pressure
Active compounds
• Plant part used is the root
– Dried and made into tablets
– Extracts in the form of tea and creams
• Active compound
– Ginsenosides or panaxosides – triterpenoid
saponin
Science
• May lower blood glucose and also help
build immune system
• Research – not enough to claim all
medicinal value
• Side effects:
– Headaches, sleep and gastrointestinal
problems
– Breast tenderness, irregular menstrual and
high blood pressure
Black Cohosh
• http://altnature.com/gallery/Black_Cohosh.htm
Cimicifuga racemosa
• Uses
– Underground stem and root
– Fresh or dry infusion
– Liquid tinctures, and capsules
• Used for treating
– Of rheumatism
– Menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome and
to induce labor pains
– symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, vaginal
dryness, and night sweats
Chemistry
• Triterpenes: triterpene glycoside,
– actein, 27-deoxyactein ( in the resin),
– cimifugoside
• Quinolizidine alkaloids, cystine, methyl
cystine
• Phenylpropane derivatives including
isoferulic acid
Science
• 6 month long study showed mixed results
on the relief of menstrual symptoms
• Not enough on rheumatism
• Research is on-going on menopause
• Side effects
– Dry mouth and headaches
– Inflammation of hepatitis
Echinacea
• http://petcaretips.net/echinacea-photo.html
Echinacea purpurea
• Native to United States and Canada
• Used for
– preventing cold, flu and other infections
– Thought to stimulate immune system
– Less commonly used for acne and other skin
problems
Chemistry
• Stem and leaves are used
– Juices, or squeezed liquids
• Caffeic acid, echinoside, and cichoric acid
SCIENCE
• Studies do not support the claims of
preventing cold or flu
• Some data show can be used for upper
respiratory infections
• Allergic reactions
– Usually do not show side effects
– Some have allergic reactions
Ginkgo
• http://www.xs4all.nl/~kwanten/thetree.htm
Ginkgo biloba
• Oldest type of tree
• Used in Chinese traditional medicine
• Uses
– Seeds and leaves
– For variety of ailments – asthma, bronchitis,
fatigue and tinnitus
– To improve memory, prevent Alzheimer,
dementia, sexual dysfunction, multiple
sclerosis
Chemistry
• Leaf extracts in capsule, tablets or tea
• Contains diterpene – ginkgolides
• Ginkgolide B is the most active compound
Science
• Some studies show promising results
– Vasodilation
– Increases peripheral blood flow
• Small studies show moderate increase in memory but
more studies are required
• Large clinical trial with 3000 volunteer under way.
• Side effect:
– Headache, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and skin
allergy
– Increased bleeding especially people taking blood thinners
– Uncooked seeds have toxin causes seizers
Kava Kava
• http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/kava.html
Piper methysticum
• Mainly from south Pacific tropical islands,
especially Hawaii
• Uses: Root and rhizome
– Mildly narcotic – relieves pain and induces
sleep
– Anesthetic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and
aphrodisiac
– In US used mainly for insomnia and short
term reduction of stress and anxiety
Chemistry
• Alkaloid, Kavaine Methy-sticcum yangonin
• kava lactones - fat-soluble and derived from
kava resin
• 15 lactones have been isolated in the Kava
Root including:
– kawain
– methysticum
• rhizome components are similar in structure to
myristicin, which is found in nutmeg
Science
• Recent reports from health authorities in
Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada,
and the United Kingdom have linked kava
use to at least 25 cases of liver toxicity,
including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver
failure. (NCCAM)
• FDA is advising consumers of the potential
risk of liver
St. John’s Wort
• http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HYPE
Hypericum perforatum
• Used by ancient Greece, and Native Americans
• The flower extracts as capsules or tea.
• Uses:
– mainly administered internally as an abortificant and
externally as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and
astringent.
– mental disorders and nerve pains
– As sedative and to treat malaria
– Now used mainly to treat depression, anxiety,
and/or sleep disorders
Chemistry
• Flavonoid and tannins– hyperforin and hypericin
• Studies has shown that the flower extract show
effect in nervous system and can be used as
anti-depressant
• Side effects:
– Sensitivity to sunlight
– Anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue
– Interferes with other drug and slow downs their
breakdown
Ephedra
•
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Ephedra
• Plant of the week.