Transcript An Introduction to Herbal Medicine

An Introduction to
Herbal Medicine
Dr. Clower
Alternative Medicine
• Nutritional therapies
• Supplementation
• Relaxation therapies
• Exercise
• Manipulative therapies
• Aromatherapy
• Homeopathy
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Herbal Medicine
What is herbal medicine?
• Some definitions:
– Herb
– Herbal Medicine
• History
Who uses herbal medicine?
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Consumers
$4 billion annually
Physicians
Medical schools
How are herbs and drugs alike?
• Therapeutic chemicals
• Discovery
• Administration
• Research/testing
• Side effects/toxicity
Classes of phytochemicals
• Phenols
O
O
• Quinones
quinone
O
• Flavones, flavanoids
• Tannins
• Coumarins
• Terpenoids
• Alkaloids
O
flavone
O
OH
O
coumarin
HO
menthol
O
• Polypeptides
H N
HO
morphine
How do herbs and drugs differ?
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Potency
Side effects
Cost
Target
Regulation of herbs and drugs
• Vary from country to country
• Drugs
– FDA
• Herbs
– AHPA
– NNFA
• Safety with herbs
– Be informed
– Dosage
– Side effects
Choosing an herbal remedy
• Diagnosis
• Drug interactions
• Types of herbs
– Specifics
– Tonics
– The “anti’s”
– Adaptogens
– Bitters
– Carminatives
– Demulcents
– Expectorants
Methods of administration
• Capsules
• Fresh vs. dry
• Teas, infusions, decoctions
• Tinctures, glycerites
• Infused oils
• Essential oils
• Sprays
• Tablets
• Standardized extracts
• Simple or formula
Your assignment (15 points)
• You will be assigned an herb
• Research your assigned herb/plant
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What part of the plant is used?
Active component?
Method of administration?
What is it used for?
Side effects?
Interactions with drugs?
Cite references
• Summarize information on PPT poster
(48” by 36”) for in-class discussion
• E-mail poster to Dr. Clower no later
than 4:00 pm on Monday 4/14