Herbal Remedies

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varro E Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Study Selection ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Us ◽  
Botanical Medicine ◽  
Effective Drugs

Objective: To provide an overview of basic information required by pharmacists to advise patients on the proper use of selected herbs and phytomedicines (“dietary supplements”) as therapeutic agents. Data Sources: The vast literature on this topic in the English, German, and French languages has been researched by the author over a period of many years. Databases that were used include NAPRALERT and MEDLINE. Study Selection: Articles and books dealing with the current popularity of botanical medicine and with laws and regulations covering so-called dietary supplements, as well as information on selected toxic herbs and a few of the most popular beneficial herbs used for treating common ailments and syndromes. Data Synthesis: Studies suggest that many herbal products currently available are both safe and effective drugs. A few products on the US market are definitely unsafe for human consumption and use. Conclusions: The increasing popularity of botanicals, coupled with regulations that prohibit definitive labeling, requires pharmacists to acquire accurate information based on scientifically and clinically acceptable data to advise patients on their use. Useful remedies for several common ailments and information concerning their safety and usefulness provide a starting point for an understanding of this complex field.

scholarly journals A Health Risk Assessment of Lead and Other Metals in Pharmaceutical Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements Containing Ginkgo biloba in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8285
Author(s):  
Patricia Rojas ◽  
Elizabeth Ruiz-Sánchez ◽  
Camilo Ríos ◽  
Ángel Ruiz-Chow ◽  
Aldo A. Reséndiz-Albor
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Ginkgo Biloba ◽  
Graphite Furnace ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Herbal Products

The use of the medicinal plant Ginkgo biloba has increased worldwide. However, G. biloba is capable of assimilating both essential and toxic metals, and the ingestion of contaminated products can cause damage to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) in 26 items containing Ginkgo biloba (pharmaceutical herbal products, dietary supplements, and traditional herbal remedies) purchased in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Metal analysis was performed using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. All of the products were contaminated with Pb, 54% of them with As, and 81% with Cd. The lowest values of Pb, As, and Cd were detected in pharmaceutical herbal products > dietary supplements > traditional herbal remedies. The daily intake dose (DID) of pharmaceutical herbal products was within the established limits for the five metals. Dietary supplements and traditional herbal remedies exceeded the DID limits for Pb. The hazard quotients estimation and non-carcinogenic cumulative hazard estimation index for Mn, As, and Cd indicated no human health risk. Our results suggest that products containing G. biloba for sale in Mexico are not a health risk.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cardiovascular Care

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-96
Author(s):  
AKMM Islam ◽  
MT Rahman ◽  
M Ahmed ◽  
MAU Chowdhury ◽  
A Khair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Horse Chestnut ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Significant Drug Interaction ◽  
Cardiovascular Care ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country’s own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system. Herbal remedies, dietary supplements, acupuncture, homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, traditional Chinese medicine, prayer, yoga and meditation are the common examples. CAM therapies often represent an enormous area of unregulated and widely practised therapeutics with an inadequate scientific literature. However, there is emerging evidence that some of the CAM therapies are effective in certain clinical conditions. Presently, throughout the world, there is rampant growth of CAM industries, and increasing number of reputed pharmaceutical companies are producing herbals and dietary supplements. Herbal products used for cardiovascular purposes include garlic, hawthorn, ginkgo, horse chestnut and arjun. These substances are often popularly believed to be ‘natural’, hence safe. But adverse reactions including deaths have been reported with some of the CAM products. There is also growing concern for significant drug interaction among commonly used herbals, dietary supplements and cardiovascular drugs. At present, CAM therapies may best be regarded as an adjunct to standard medical care. More scientific research and strict regulation by standard national and international authorities are needed to ensure their efficacy and safety in cardiovascular care. Key words: Complementary and alternative medicine, Herbals, Cardiovascular care. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v1i1.8211 Cardiovasc. j. 2008; 1(1) : 84-96

scholarly journals Acute Liver Failure Caused by ‘Fat Burners’ and Dietary Supplements: A Case Report and Literature Review

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Radha Krishna ◽  
V Mittal ◽  
P Grewal ◽  
MI Fiel ◽  
T Schiano
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Healthy Woman ◽  
Usnic Acid ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Herbal Extracts ◽  
Herbal Products

Globally, people are struggling with obesity. Many effective, non-conventional methods of weight reduction, such as herbal and natural dietary supplements, are increasingly being sought. Fat burners are believed to raise metabolism, burn more calories and hasten fat loss. Despite patient perceptions that herbal remedies are free of adverse effects, some supplements are associated with severe hepatotoxicity. The present report describes a young healthy woman who presented with fulminant hepatic failure requiring emergent liver transplantation caused by a dietary supplement and fat burner containing usnic acid, green tea and guggul tree extracts. Thorough investigation, including histopathological examination, revealed no other cause of hepatotoxicity. The present case adds to the increasing number of reports of hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements containing usnic acid, and highlights that herbal extracts from green tea or guggul tree may not be free of adverse effects. Until these products are more closely regulated and their advertising better scrutinized, physicians and patients should become more familiar with herbal products that are commonly used as weight loss supplements and recognize those that are potentially harmful.

Holism, Chinese Medicine and Systems Ideologies: Rewriting the Past to Imagine the Future

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Scheid
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Medical Humanities ◽  
Science And Technology Studies ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Past ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Us ◽  
Shared Objective ◽  
Definition Of

This chapter explores the articulations that have emerged over the last half century between various types of holism, Chinese medicine and systems biology. Given the discipline’s historical attachments to a definition of ‘medicine’ that rather narrowly refers to biomedicine as developed in Europe and the US from the eighteenth century onwards, the medical humanities are not the most obvious starting point for such an inquiry. At the same time, they do offer one advantage over neighbouring disciplines like medical history, anthropology or science and technology studies for someone like myself, a clinician as well as a historian and anthropologist: their strong commitment to the objective of facilitating better medical practice. This promise furthermore links to the wider project of critique, which, in Max Horkheimer’s definition of the term, aims at change and emancipation in order ‘to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them’. If we take the critical medical humanities as explicitly affirming this shared objective and responsibility, extending the discipline’s traditional gaze is not a burden but becomes, in fact, an obligation.

What's eating North America's edible insect industry? An examination of psychological, cultural and regulatory barriers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Christl Li ◽  
Sean B. Cash ◽  
Julie Lesnik ◽  
Timothy S. Griffin ◽  
Joel Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Edible Insect ◽  
The Us ◽  
Structural Barrier ◽  
Regulatory Barriers ◽  
Specific Regulation

Abstract Although research has demonstrated the positive nutritional value and environmental benefits associated with edible insect consumption, several factors challenge the growth and development of the edible insect industry for human consumption in the US and Canada. Cultural and psychological factors account for much of the aversion US and Canadian consumers display. The absence of specific regulation also constitutes a structural barrier to more widespread production and sale of edible insects. Compared to the US, the European Union has a more developed edible insect industry and has enacted legislation that removes some of the barriers. As consumer awareness of the putative health benefits of edible insects increases, more comprehensive regulations may emerge to keep pace with the growth of this industry. Overall, a multi-disciplinary approach that addresses both benefits and barriers to consumption is needed to facilitate a robust market for edible insects in the US and Canada.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Patterns of Dietary Supplement Use among Students Attending King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110208
Author(s):  
Abdulraof Alqrache ◽  
Mostafa Mostafa ◽  
Omar Ghabrah ◽  
Ziyad Ghabrah ◽  
Nezar Kamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Dietary Supplement Use ◽  
Harmful Effects ◽  
Selection Of

Oral dietary supplements (DSs) include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy drinks, and herbal products. The use of DSs is increasing and their manufacturers promote their benefits. Studies have validated some of these benefits, but have also indicated that some DSs can have adverse effects, especially if used without the appropriate supervision. Little information on DS use among Saudis is available. This study assessed the use of dietary supplements among male and female university students with the goal of educating the community about DSs and the dangers associated with their misuse. Online and paper validated questionnaires were administered to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students between September 2019 and January 2020. The responses were collected and analyzed statistically. Of the 954 KAU students who completed the survey, one-third used DSs (42.9% women vs 25.7% men). Of these, 51.7% believed that DSs are essential for health, 41.7% classified them as both food and drugs, 67.2% were aware that DSs could not replace a healthy diet, and 25.8% were aware of their potentially harmful effects. Multivitamins and minerals were the most used DSs. DS awareness among KAU students is limited. Additional health education is necessary to assist students in their selection of the most suitable DSs.

Oral Aloe Vera-Induced Hepatitis

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 1740-1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M Bottenberg ◽  
Geoffrey C Wall ◽  
Roger L Harvey ◽  
Shahid Habib
Keyword(s):  
Acute Hepatitis ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Aloe Vera ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Prescription Medications ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Us ◽  
Liver Markers

Objective: To report a case of possible oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis. Case Summary: A 73-year-old female was admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis. Extensive laboratory testing did not reveal the cause of the patient's disease. She was asked multiple times whether she was taking any home medications, which she initially denied. It was only after an extensive medication history done by a clinical pharmacist that the patient admitted to using oral aloe vera capsules for constipation. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe vera, liver markers of hepatotoxicity returned to normal levels. Discussion: Herbal medications pose an increasing problem in patient safety, as the different types of these products and the number of patients who use them continue to grow. In the US, these products are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as prescription medications; thus, safety information can be difficult to obtain. In particular, hepatic toxicity due to herbal agents is poorly described in the medical literature. Aloe vera, often used topically for minor burns, can also be used orally as a laxative or an “anti-aging” agent. According to the Naranjo probability scale, the hepatotoxicity in this case was possibly related to ingestion of oral aloe vera. Additionally, using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method for determining drug hepatotoxicity, the patient's symptoms were scored as probably caused by oral aloe vera. The more conservative designation was used in our report. Conclusions: With the widespread use of oral aloe vera and other herbal products, clinicians faced with a case of acute hepatitis that is not readily diagnosed should question patients about herbal use.

Herbal Remedies and Children: Do They Work? Are They Harmful?

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 112 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan D. Woolf
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians

More parents are considering the use of herbal remedies to maintain their children’s good health and to treat their illnesses. They look to pediatricians and other primary care clinicians for advice concerning the safety and efficacy of herbal products for children. This article reviews principles for the clinician to keep in mind while investigating the literature on herbal medicine and addressing the use of herbal medicines with parents.

Informed Evaluation of Pathology Residency Programs

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 853-858
Author(s):  
Rebecca F. Yorke
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Clinical Pathology ◽  
Study Selection ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Pathology Training ◽  
Pathology Education

Abstract Objectives.—To identify resources and summarize important issues in anatomic and clinical pathology training and to assist the pathology resident candidate in evaluating potential training programs. Data Sources.—Published guides for medical residency applicants, recent literature discussing pathology education, and World Wide Web sites. Study Selection.—Resources perceived by the author as valuable for the pathology resident candidate. Data Extraction.—Key issues in pathology education are identified. Data Synthesis.—Issues are discussed from the perspective of a pathology resident candidate, and resources for further information are provided. Conclusions.—The pathology residency candidate faces unique challenges in the residency search process because of the breadth of pathology training and the limited exposure to the practice of pathology in medical school. General guides for residency applicants include little discussion of pathology-specific issues. Recent literature discussing pathology education is fragmented but provides invaluable insights for resident candidates. This review seeks to identify a wide variety of issues and resources as a starting point for evaluating potential training programs.

scholarly journals Aspiration in injections: should we continue or abandon the practice?

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Yasir Sepah ◽  
Lubna Samad ◽  
Arshad Altaf ◽  
Muhammad Sohail Halim ◽  
Nithya Rajagopalan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Association ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Nursing Schools ◽  
Global Network ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Us

Aspiration during any kind of injection is meant to ensure that the needle tip is at the desired location during this blind procedure. While aspiration appears to be a simple procedure, it has generated a lot of controversy concerning the perceived benefits and indications. Advocates and opponents of aspiration both make logically sound claims. However, due to scarcity of available data, there is no evidence that this procedure is truly beneficial or unwarranted. Keeping in view the huge number of injections given worldwide, it is important that we draw attention to key questions regarding aspiration that, up till now, remain unanswered. In this review, we have attempted to gather and present literature on aspiration both from published and non-published sources in order to provide not only an exhaustive review of the subject, but also a starting point for further studies on more specific areas requiring clarification. A literature review was conducted using the US National Institute of Health’s PubMed service (including Medline), Google Scholar and Scopus. Guidelines provided by the World Health Organization, Safe Injection Global Network, International Council of Nursing, Center for Disease Control, US Federal Drug Agency, UK National Health Services, British Medical Association, Europe Nursing and Midwifery Council, Public Health Agency Canada, Pakistan Medical Association and International Organization of Standardization recommendations 7886 parts 1-4 for sterile hypodermics were reviewed for relevant information. In addition, curricula of several medical/nursing schools from India, Nigeria and Pakistan, the US pharmacopeia Data from the WHO Program for International Drug Monitoring network in regard to adverse events as a result of not aspirating prior to injection delivery were reviewed. Curricula of selected major medical/nursing schools in India, Nigeria and Pakistan, national therapeutic formularies, product inserts of most commonly used drugs and other possible sources of information regarding aspiration and injections were consulted as well.

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