Chapter 6 Herbs And Dietary Supplements

Question 1

Complementary and alternative medicine

Answer 1

Comprises an extremely diverse set of therapies and healing systems that are considered to be outside of mainstream health care.

Question 2

Herb

Answer 2

A plant that lacks woody stems or bark

Question 3

Botanical

Answer 3

Any plant product with a useful application

Question 4

Aloe

Answer 4

Medicinal part: juice from the leaves

Treat skin ailments (topical), constipation (oral)

Question 5

Bilberry

Answer 5

Medicinal part: berries/leaf

Terminate diarrhea, improve and protect vision

Question 6

Black cohosh

Answer 6

Medicinal part: Roots

Relieve menopause symptoms

Question 7

Cranberry

Answer 7

Medicinal part: berries/ juice

Prevent urinary tract infection

Question 8

Echinacea

Answer 8

Medicinal part: entire plant

Enhance immune system, as an anti-inflammatory

Interacts with Amiodarone, anabolic steroids, ketoconazole, methotrexate

Possible increased hepatotoxicity

Question 9

Evening primrose

Answer 9

Medicinal part: seeds/ oil

Relieve pain and inflammation

Question 10

Garlic

Answer 10

Medicinal part: bulbs

Reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure, as an anticoagulant

Interacts with: aspirin, and other NSAIDs, warfarin (coumadin), insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents

Increased bleeding risk, additive hypoglycemic effects

Question 11

Ginger

Answer 11

Medicinal part: root

Relieve GI upset and motion sickness, as an anti-inflammatory

Interacts with: aspirin and other NSAIDs, heparin, coumadin

Increased bleeding risk

Question 12

Ginkgo biloba

Answer 12

Medicinal part: leaves and seeds

Improve memory, reduce dizziness

Interacts with: anticonvulsants, aspirin and NSAIDs, heparin, warfarin, tricyclic (tri-cy-clic) antidepressants

Possible decreased anticonvulsant effectiveness, increased bleeding potential, possible decreased seizure threshold

Question 13

Ginseng

Answer 13

Medicinal part: root

Relieve stress, enhance immune system, decrease fatigue

Interacts with: CNS depressants - dogoxin (lanoxin), diuretics, insulin, and oral hypoglycemic agents, and coumadin.

increased sedation, increased toxicity, possible weakened diuretic effects, insulin increased hypoglycemic effects, decreased anticoagulant effects

Question 14

Horny goat weed

Answer 14

Medicinal part: leaves and roots

Enhance sexual function

Question 15

Milk thistle

Answer 15

Medicinal part: seeds

As an antitoxin, protect against liver disease

Question 16

Saw palmetto

Answer 16

Medicinal part: ripe fruit/ berries

Relieve urinary problems related to prostate enlargement

Question 17

Soy

Answer 17

Medicinal part: beans

Source of protein, vitamins, and minerals; relieve menopausal symptoms; prevent cardiovascular disease; as an anticancer agent

Question 18

St. John’s wort

Answer 18

Medicinal part: flowers, leaves, stems

Reduce depression, reduce anxiety, as an anti-inflammatory

Interacts with: CNS depressants and opiates - increased sedation, cyclosporine (sandimmune) - possible decreased cyclosporine levels, oral contraceptives - decreased drug effectiveness, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - possible serotonin syndrome (headache, dizziness, sweating, agitation), warfarin (coumadin)- decreased anticoagulant effects.

Question 19

Valerian

Answer 19

Medicinal part: roots

Relieve stress, promote sleep

Interacts with: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and other CNS depressants - increased sedation

Question 20

Amino acids

Answer 20

Build protein, muscle strength, and endurance

Question 21

Carnitine

Answer 21

Enhance energy and sports performance, heart health, memory, immune function, and male fertility

Question 22

Coenzyme Q10

Answer 22

Treat heart disease, as an antioxidant

Question 23

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Answer 23

Boost immune functions and memory

Question 24

Fish oil

Answer 24

Reduce cholesterol, enhance brain function, increase visual acuity ( due to presence of omega-3 fatty acids)

Question 25

Flaxseed oil

Answer 25

Reduce cholesterol, enhance brain function, increase visual acuity ( due to presence of omega -3 fatty acids

Question 26

Glucosamine and chondroitin

Answer 26

Treat arthritis and other joint problems

Question 27

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Answer 27

Maintain intestinal health

Question 28

Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM)

Answer 28

Reduce allergic reactions to pollen and foods, relieve pain and inflammation of arthritis and similar conditions

Question 29

Selenium

Answer 29

Reduce the risk of certain types of cancer

Question 30

Dietary supplement health and education act (DSHEA) of 1994

Answer 30

Dietary supplements are regulated by this act and it is far less restrictive

Question 31

Dietary supplement and nonprescription drug consumer protection act of 2007

Answer 31

Companies marketing herbal and dietary supplements are now required to include contact info on the product label for consumers to use in reporting adverse events. Companies myst notify the FDA of any serious adverse event within 15 days of receiving such reports.