Complimentary and Alternative Therapies- 17 Flashcards
What is CAM
A group of non-orthodox and traditional therapies that may be used alone, or as a complement to orthodox or other non-orthodox therapies, in the treatment and prevention of disease in human and veterinary patients.
What are the 5 classes of CAM
- Natural Products eg. Herbal medicines, dietary supplements.
- Mind and Body Medicine eg. Meditation, Acupuncture
- Manipulative and Body Based Practises eg. Massage therapy, spinal manipulation
- Other CAM practices eg. Movement therapies
- Whole Medical systems eg. Chinese Traditional Medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy
What are uses of CAM remedies
- Concept that CAM remedies are safer than orthodox medicines having less unwanted side-effects
- Dissatisfaction with the health care system
- Multicultural society
- Concept of being more environmentally conscious
What is holistic medicine defined as
a form of therapy that treats the whole person not just specific disease symptoms.
Where do patients look for advice
- Friend, carer, relatives
- Media and internet
- Complementary/Alternative Medicine Practitioners
- Pharmacy
- Medical Staff
- Combination
What are the 4 main areas of CAM
Traditional Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Aromatherapy
What is the definition of traditional medicine.
“the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures that are used to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses”.
Who uses TM and why?
- Used in countries where TM is one of the primary sources of health care.
- Availability and/or accessibility of conventional medicine-based health services is limited.
- In Africa and some developing countries use of TM can be attributed to cost.
What are examples of TM
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Native North and South American
Medicine - Southern African muti
- West African yoruba
- Japanese kampo medicine
- Korean Medicine
- New Zealand maori
What are herbal medicines
Herbal Medicine is a traditional system of treatment using plant remedies to help the body back to health.
What does the first consultation with a trained herbalist include
The first consultation usually lasts around one hour and consists of describing:
* Family situation
* Medical history
* Diet
* Presenting problems
* Physical examination
* Differential diagnosis
* Formulationofherbsforthecomplaintif can be treated in this way
* Referral to GP if necessary–eg.foracute infection
What does the second consultation with a trained herbalist include
Depending on the outcome of the first consultation the following would be recommended:
- a single or mixture of herbal products will be formulated specifically for that patient.
- dietary advice may be given (many edible fruits and vegetables can also have medicinal properties).
- patient will be asked to make an appointment (30min session) in 2-4 weeks for a health review, to see how they are getting on with any herbal preparations formulated and checking diet and lifestyle.
What is feverfew used for
Migraine headaches
What is passionflower used for
Stress, mild anxiety
What is st johns wort used for
Low mood and mild anxiety
What is valerian used for
Sleep disturbances
What is Rhodiola used for
stress, fatigue, exhaustion, mild anxiety
What is Ginkgo used for
Cognition, memory, anti-coagulant
What are oats used for
Nerve restoration, tranquiliser, anti-depressant
What is Hops used for
Sleep inducing, anxiety/stress
What is lavender used for
Sleep inducing, has calming affect.
What is Agnus Castus used for
PMS, menstrual cramps, hot flushes
What is black cohosh used for
Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings
What is sage used for
Night sweats
What is red clover used for
Menopausal symptoms
What is the THMRs
The traditional herbal medicine registration scheme which controls the licencing of herbal medicines
What does a herbal medicine need to have to gain a PL
Sufficient evidence to demonstrate efficacy and safety.
What does a herbal medicine need to have to gain a THR
Must have been assessed against quality standards and provide information on how and when to use the product.
What is good quality control
- Good collection and storage of plant material
- Good identification of plant and plant part
- No or acceptable levels of additives (heavy metals, microbes, foreign organic matter or other drugs!)
- Good manufacturing practices
- Secure packaging
- Accurate labelling
- Good storage of final product - closed containers, protected from light, air and moisture
What is homeopathy
Homoeopathy is a complementary discipline based on the law of similars, which involves the administration of ultra-dilute medicines prepared according to methods specified in various homoeopathic pharmacopoeias with the aim of stimulating a person’s capacity to heal.
What is the principle of homeopathy?
Like cures like.
What are examples of substances used homoeopathically?
- Apis – (from bee) to treat histamine-type reactions resulting from a sting
- Coffea (from green coffee bean) to treat insomnia
- Urtica (from nettle) to treat urticarial rash
What does more dilute mean in homeopathic medicines
More potent
How are homeopathic medications prepared
Source Material-Processing-Mother tincture-Liquid potency-Medicine
What is the process of succussion.
vigorous shaking by striking or imparting force on an hard yet elastic surface. It is believed that the process activated the “vital energy” of the diluted substance.
How are homeopathic remedies stored
Stored in original container
Avoid direct sunlight
Avoid high temperatures
Do not store in fridge
Avoid strong smells
Observe expiry date
What does the term placebo mean?
It defined as “an inactive substance administered to a patient usually to compare its effects with those of a real drug, but sometimes for the psychological benefit to the patient through his belief that he is receiving treatment”
What is aromatherapy
“The use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils in massage and other treatments”
What are the uses of aromatic oils
Food – flavourings (orange, lemon)
* Toiletries – cosmetics, perfumes
* Medicines – clove oil, peppermint
* CAM – aromatherapy and massage oils
What are examples of sources of essential oils.
Bark Cinnamon
* Blossom Orange
* FlowersLavender
*Leaves Peppermint
* Root Ginger
* Wood Sandalwood
How are essential oils produced.
- Starting point – essences produced by plant in special secretory cells (leaves, flowers, bark)
- Most essences are then vapour or steam distilled in special copper or steel still
- Some oils extracted by enfleurage or solvent extraction (e.g. Jasmine and Rose)
What are safety precautions to take with essential oils.
Dermal toxicity– cinnamon, clove
* allergic reaction– verbena, garlic, T- tree
* Phototoxicity– bergamot, citrus oils
What is the role of pharmacists in herbal medicine
Safety/effectiveness
* Ethical considerations - Professionalism, decision making – will be covered later in course but you will bring this into your forthcoming herbal CAM workshop research.
* If you decide to recommend a herbal product, remember it is a medicine & to ask your WWHAMM questions as for conventional OTC products and be guided by safety and evidence of use (eg. THR)
* Value for money – some CAM can be costly.
