Alternative and Complementary Medicine Dr Monem Alshok
24\3\2011
Biologically Based Therapies : Using substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Herbalism, Nutritional Counseling and Folk Medicine .Aromatherapy “involves the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.”
CAM Modalities Now in Mainstream Medicine:
? Codeine for pain
? Digitalis for heart failure
? Ipecac for poisoning
? Quinine for malaria
? Aspirin for fever
? Behavioral therapy for headache
? Hypnosis for smoking cessation
? Low fat, low cholesterol diets
? Exercise for diabetes
? Support groups for breast Ca
Herbs : When a plants or products made from them , can have a powerful impact on our bodies and when plants are used for such effects rather than as food , they are called Herbs.
Dietary Supplements: Definition
( Product intended to supplement the diet Contains one or more of the following:Vitamin,Mineral ,Herb or other botanical (not tobacco) ,Amino acid ,Any other dietary substance. For oral intake as a concentrate, metabolite, extract, constituent, or combination)
Challenges of Herbal Medicines & Adverse effects:
Safety is assumed, not proven e.g Cabbage causes goiter ,some plants are poisonous ( Herb Tea )
Lack of product standardization
Contamination with drugs, heavy metals
Allergic reactions
Inherent toxicity
Interactions with drugs
Replacing proven therapies
Useful Herbal Products
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Herb
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Uses
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Herb
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Uses
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Echinacea
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immune stimulant
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Soy
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Menopause symptoms
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Saw Palmetto
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BPH
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Garlic
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Hyperlipidemia
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Ginkgo
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Circulation
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Yohimbe
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Erectile dysfunction
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Ginger
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nausea
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Valerian
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Sleep Disorders
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Chamomile
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indigestion
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Cranberry
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UTI prevention
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St. John’s Wort
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mild/mod depression
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Hawthorn
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heart/circulation
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Kava
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anxiolytic
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Green tea
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Stimulant (antioxidant)
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F Aloe Vera oil Aloe Vera oil seed
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Topically for sunburn & psoriasis & orally as laxative size
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Rocket Oil seed
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Body tonics for men crease milk and breast size
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Garlic & onion
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IHD , lipids , platelets& protection against GIT cancers
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Pumkin oil
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Antiworms & BPH
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Ephedra : Ma huang (Ephedra sineca) – Short-term TCM treatment for asthma, decongestion .Contains L-ephedrine, pseudoephedrine.Major current use in combination with caffeine for weight loss, athletic performance . Dozens of reports of severe and life-threatening adverse events in young people.
Probiotics: definitions World Health Organization: “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” A bacterial strain that: Survives the stomach acid and bile Adheres to intestinal lining . Grows and establishes temporary residence in the intestines
Probiotics : Lactobacillus sp. , Streptococcus sp. , Bifidobacterium sp.,
Sacharomyces boulardii (non-human).
Prebiotics:Colonization at birth . Similar to maternal species .Specific organisms vary by age in first year .Become established by 1 year.In children and adults, “Successful” treatment with probiotics leads to temporary colonization only
Sources, Side effects:
Sources: breastmilk, barley, bran and whole grains, legumes, such as beans; vegetables such as leeks, onions, asparagus, greens such as chicory, spinach, burdock, fruits such as bananas, berries.
Side effects: flatulence, diarrhea, allergies
Probiotics: proposed mechanisms
Adherence and subsequent stimulation of gut immune system.Up-regulation of mucin gene . Enhance secretory IgA . Maintain normal macrophage function
Competition for essential nutrients
Production of antimicrobial factors
Provide favorable environment for growth of other beneficial bacteria
Production of short-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties
Herbs :
? Anise ,
? Sage ,
? Thyme ,
? Rosemary
? Paresly
Herbs used to immune system : Black seed & Echinacea
Cranberries juice : Used to acidify urine and seems to make a more difficult for bacteria to stick to bladder wall