herbalism

The use of herbs to prevent and cure illness; also called herbal medicine or phytotherapy. The treatment is based upon a holistic assessment of the patient, and uses whole plants, or parts of plants, rather than separating and purifying the active constituents. Plant derivatives may be highly active and concentrated in various parts of the plant. The season of the year and the time of day may affect the best time for gathering. These preparations are difficult to standardize, since they are complicated mixtures which may have hundreds of constituents. Nevertheless a computerized data bank is now available, and a pharmacopoeia has been produced by the British Herbal Medical Association. In some countries (eg Germany) most phytotherapists are medically qualified.

Alternative medical systems - edit
Ayurveda Dianetics Chiropractic Herbalism Homeopathy Naturopathic Medicine Osteopathy Traditional Chinese Medicine Unani
NCCAM classifications
1. Alternative Medical Systems 2. Biologically Based Therapy 4. (Discuss) Herbalism, also known as Herbal medicine and phytotherapy, is a folk and traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Finding healing powers in plants is an ancient idea. The first generally accepted use of plants as healing agents were depicted in the cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux caves in France, which have been Radiocarbon dated to between 13,000 - 25,000 BCE. Anthropologists theorize that over time, and with trial and error, a small base of knowledge would have been acquired within early tribal communities. Plants have an almost limitless ability to synthesize aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. The use of and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. The use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among non-industrialized societies. A number of traditions came to dominate the practice of herbal medicine in the Western world at the end of the twentieth century: The Western, based on Greek and Roman sources, The Ayurvedic from India, and Chinese herbal medicine (Chinese herbology). Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to Western physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine. Biological background All plants produce chemical compounds as part of their normal metabolic activities. As of 2004, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine started to fund clinical trials into the effectiveness of herbal medicine. Surveys of a scientific approach to herbal medicine can be found in the books Evidence-based herbal medicine, and Herbal and traditional medicine: molecular aspects of health. Popularity A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), what was used, and why it was used. According to this recent survey, herbal therapy, or use of natural products other than vitamins and minerals, was the most commonly used CAM therapy (18.9%) when all use of prayer was excluded. Herbal remedies are most common in Europe. In Germany, the term apothecary (Apotheke) is still used, and next to prescription drugs one can order essential oils, herbal extracts, or herbal teas. Types of herbal medicine Medicinal plants can be used by anyone, for example as part of a salad, an herbal tea or supplement, although some herbs considered dangerous are restricted from sale to the public. dandelion) Medicinal herbs can be used in various forms: Herbal teas There are two methods of making herbal teas, infusion and decoction. Herbal teas are often used as a home remedy, and as an alternative to tea and coffee. Herbal tinctures Steeping a medicinal plant in alcohol extracts the alcohol-soluble principles into a liquid form that can be stored for long periods. Fluid extracts Fluid extracts are stronger than herbal tinctures, and can be made with alcohol or glycerin. Solid extracts Herbal poultices Poultices are a solid, vegetable fat based mixture used externally. Powdered herbs and tablets Herbs that are dried and (sometimes) certain parts are separated out then diced to powder fine consistency. Powered matter can then be compressed or put in an empty pill coating to form a tablet Herbal creams and ointments An ointment usually is mixed with beeswax (or something similar) to make it more applicable to outside the body, such as on a cut or scrape. Essential oils Extraction of volatile liquid plant materials and other aromatic compounds from plants gives essential oils. These plant oils may be used internally in some forms of herbal medicine as well as in aromatherapy and generally for their perfume, although their medicinal use as a natural treatment (alternative medicine) has proved highly efficacious in the treatment of headache and muscle pain, joint pain and certain skin diseases Herbal supplements Herbal supplements tend to be commercial products in tablet or capsule form manufactured and marketed by the health food industry for sale in retail outlets to the general public, although there are some types that are sold only to healthcare practitioners for prescription. Examples of herbal medicine There are hundreds of herbal remedies. Examples of some commonly used herbal medicines: Artichoke and several other plants reduced total serum cholesterol levels in preliminary studies. Effectiveness As noted above, there have been scientific studies which show that certain plant products can cure or prevent certain diseases, and these products or pharmaceutical drugs derived from them are patented by pharmaceutical companies and sold for high profit in modern Western medicine. Most herbal traditions have accumulated knowledge without modern scientific controls to distinguish between the placebo effect, the body's natural ability to heal itself, and the actual benefits of the herbs themselves. There is a danger that herbal remedies will be used in place of other medical treatments which have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective, resulting in the development or worsening of a medical condition which could have been better prevented or treated. Name confusion The common names of herbs (folk taxonomy) may not reflect differences in scientific taxonomy, and the same (or a very similar) common name might group together different plant species with different effects. Standards and quality control The legal status of herbal ingredients varies by country. For example, Ayurvedic herbal products may contain levels of heavy metals that are considered unsafe in the U.S., but heavy metals are considered therapeutic in Ayurvedic medicine. In the United States, most herbal remedies are regulated as dietary supplements. Medical interaction In consultation with a physician, usage of herbal remedies should be clarified, as some herbal remedies have the potential to cause adverse drug interactions when used in combination with various prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Dangerously low blood pressure may result from the combination of an herbal remedy that lowers blood pressure together with prescription medicine that has the same effect. Not all physicians may be familiar with the effects of different types of herbal medicine, but general practitioners should be able to refer patients to a specialist, or investigate the medical literature on their behalf. Regulation Website of the National Herbalists Association of Australia National Institute for Medical Herbalists Website for the governing body in the United Kingdom An overview of medicinal plants from the Science Creative Quarterly Neutral Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (National Institutes of Health) Searchable database on Traditional Chinese Herbs (www.rootdown.us) American Herbalist Guild Criticism New England Journal of Medicine editorial about the risks of alternative medicine University of Maryland site about alternative medicine: uses, possible prescription drug interactions, and possible nutrient depletions Herbal supplements not child's play - Cnn news article Herbal Mythology - By Steven Novella MD Selling Suppliments - By Steven Novella MD

Alternative medical systems - edit

Ayurveda Dianetics Chiropractic Herbalism Homeopathy Naturopathic Medicine Osteopathy Traditional Chinese Medicine Unani

NCCAM classifications

1. Alternative Medical Systems

2. Biologically Based Therapy

4. (Discuss)

Herbalism, also known as Herbal medicine and phytotherapy, is a folk and traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts.

Finding healing powers in plants is an ancient idea.

The first generally accepted use of plants as healing agents were depicted in the cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux caves in France, which have been Radiocarbon dated to between 13,000 - 25,000 BCE.

Anthropologists theorize that over time, and with trial and error, a small base of knowledge would have been acquired within early tribal communities.

Plants have an almost limitless ability to synthesize aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins.

The use of and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years.

The use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among non-industrialized societies. A number of traditions came to dominate the practice of herbal medicine in the Western world at the end of the twentieth century:

The Western, based on Greek and Roman sources, The Ayurvedic from India, and Chinese herbal medicine (Chinese herbology).

Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to Western physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine.

Biological background

All plants produce chemical compounds as part of their normal metabolic activities.

As of 2004, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine started to fund clinical trials into the effectiveness of herbal medicine.

Surveys of a scientific approach to herbal medicine can be found in the books Evidence-based herbal medicine, and Herbal and traditional medicine: molecular aspects of health.

Popularity

A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), what was used, and why it was used. According to this recent survey, herbal therapy, or use of natural products other than vitamins and minerals, was the most commonly used CAM therapy (18.9%) when all use of prayer was excluded.

Herbal remedies are most common in Europe. In Germany, the term apothecary (Apotheke) is still used, and next to prescription drugs one can order essential oils, herbal extracts, or herbal teas.

Types of herbal medicine

Medicinal plants can be used by anyone, for example as part of a salad, an herbal tea or supplement, although some herbs considered dangerous are restricted from sale to the public. dandelion)

Medicinal herbs can be used in various forms:

Herbal teas

There are two methods of making herbal teas, infusion and decoction. Herbal teas are often used as a home remedy, and as an alternative to tea and coffee.

Herbal tinctures

Steeping a medicinal plant in alcohol extracts the alcohol-soluble principles into a liquid form that can be stored for long periods.

Fluid extracts

Fluid extracts are stronger than herbal tinctures, and can be made with alcohol or glycerin.

Solid extracts

Herbal poultices

Poultices are a solid, vegetable fat based mixture used externally.

Powdered herbs and tablets

Herbs that are dried and (sometimes) certain parts are separated out then diced to powder fine consistency. Powered matter can then be compressed or put in an empty pill coating to form a tablet

Herbal creams and ointments

An ointment usually is mixed with beeswax (or something similar) to make it more applicable to outside the body, such as on a cut or scrape.

Essential oils

Extraction of volatile liquid plant materials and other aromatic compounds from plants gives essential oils. These plant oils may be used internally in some forms of herbal medicine as well as in aromatherapy and generally for their perfume, although their medicinal use as a natural treatment (alternative medicine) has proved highly efficacious in the treatment of headache and muscle pain, joint pain and certain skin diseases

Herbal supplements

Herbal supplements tend to be commercial products in tablet or capsule form manufactured and marketed by the health food industry for sale in retail outlets to the general public, although there are some types that are sold only to healthcare practitioners for prescription.

Examples of herbal medicine

There are hundreds of herbal remedies. Examples of some commonly used herbal medicines:

Artichoke and several other plants reduced total serum cholesterol levels in preliminary studies.

Effectiveness

As noted above, there have been scientific studies which show that certain plant products can cure or prevent certain diseases, and these products or pharmaceutical drugs derived from them are patented by pharmaceutical companies and sold for high profit in modern Western medicine.

Most herbal traditions have accumulated knowledge without modern scientific controls to distinguish between the placebo effect, the body's natural ability to heal itself, and the actual benefits of the herbs themselves.

There is a danger that herbal remedies will be used in place of other medical treatments which have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective, resulting in the development or worsening of a medical condition which could have been better prevented or treated.

Name confusion

The common names of herbs (folk taxonomy) may not reflect differences in scientific taxonomy, and the same (or a very similar) common name might group together different plant species with different effects.

Standards and quality control

The legal status of herbal ingredients varies by country. For example, Ayurvedic herbal products may contain levels of heavy metals that are considered unsafe in the U.S., but heavy metals are considered therapeutic in Ayurvedic medicine.

In the United States, most herbal remedies are regulated as dietary supplements.

Medical interaction

In consultation with a physician, usage of herbal remedies should be clarified, as some herbal remedies have the potential to cause adverse drug interactions when used in combination with various prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Dangerously low blood pressure may result from the combination of an herbal remedy that lowers blood pressure together with prescription medicine that has the same effect.

Not all physicians may be familiar with the effects of different types of herbal medicine, but general practitioners should be able to refer patients to a specialist, or investigate the medical literature on their behalf.

Regulation

Website of the National Herbalists Association of Australia National Institute for Medical Herbalists Website for the governing body in the United Kingdom An overview of medicinal plants from the Science Creative Quarterly

Neutral

Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (National Institutes of Health) Searchable database on Traditional Chinese Herbs (www.rootdown.us) American Herbalist Guild

Criticism

New England Journal of Medicine editorial about the risks of alternative medicine University of Maryland site about alternative medicine: uses, possible prescription drug interactions, and possible nutrient depletions Herbal supplements not child's play - Cnn news article Herbal Mythology - By Steven Novella MD Selling Suppliments - By Steven Novella MD