Complimentary and Alternative Therapies- 17

Question 1

What is CAM

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What are the 5 classes of CAM

Answer 2

1. Natural Products eg. Herbal medicines, dietary supplements.
2. Mind and Body Medicine eg. Meditation, Acupuncture
3. Manipulative and Body Based Practises eg. Massage therapy, spinal manipulation
4. Other CAM practices eg. Movement therapies
5. Whole Medical systems eg. Chinese Traditional Medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy

Question 3

What are uses of CAM remedies

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

What is holistic medicine defined as

Answer 4

a form of therapy that treats the whole person not just specific disease symptoms.

Question 5

Where do patients look for advice

Answer 5

• Friend, carer, relatives
• Media and internet
• Complementary/Alternative Medicine Practitioners
• Pharmacy
• Medical Staff
• Combination

Question 6

What are the 4 main areas of CAM

Answer 6

Traditional Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Aromatherapy

Question 7

What is the definition of traditional medicine.

Answer 7

“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”.

Question 8

Who uses TM and why?

Answer 8

• 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.

Question 9

What are examples of TM

Answer 9

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
• Native North and South American
  Medicine
• Southern African muti
• West African yoruba
• Japanese kampo medicine
• Korean Medicine
• New Zealand maori

Question 10

What are herbal medicines

Answer 10

Herbal Medicine is a traditional system of treatment using plant remedies to help the body back to health.

Question 11

What does the first consultation with a trained herbalist include

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What does the second consultation with a trained herbalist include

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What is feverfew used for

Answer 13

Migraine headaches

Question 14

What is passionflower used for

Answer 14

Stress, mild anxiety

Question 15

What is st johns wort used for

Answer 15

Low mood and mild anxiety

Question 16

What is valerian used for

Answer 16

Sleep disturbances

Question 17

What is Rhodiola used for

Answer 17

stress, fatigue, exhaustion, mild anxiety

Question 18

What is Ginkgo used for

Answer 18

Cognition, memory, anti-coagulant

Question 19

What are oats used for

Answer 19

Nerve restoration, tranquiliser, anti-depressant

Question 20

What is Hops used for

Answer 20

Sleep inducing, anxiety/stress

Question 21

What is lavender used for

Answer 21

Sleep inducing, has calming affect.

Question 22

What is Agnus Castus used for

Answer 22

PMS, menstrual cramps, hot flushes

Question 23

What is black cohosh used for

Answer 23

Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings

Question 24

What is sage used for

Answer 24

Night sweats

Question 25

What is red clover used for

Answer 25

Menopausal symptoms

Question 26

What is the THMRs

Answer 26

The traditional herbal medicine registration scheme which controls the licencing of herbal medicines

Question 27

What does a herbal medicine need to have to gain a PL

Answer 27

Sufficient evidence to demonstrate efficacy and safety.

Question 28

What does a herbal medicine need to have to gain a THR

Answer 28

Must have been assessed against quality standards and provide information on how and when to use the product.

Question 29

What is good quality control

Answer 29

• 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

Question 30

What is homeopathy

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

What is the principle of homeopathy?

Answer 31

Like cures like.

Question 32

What are examples of substances used homoeopathically?

Answer 32

• 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

Question 33

What does more dilute mean in homeopathic medicines

Answer 33

More potent

Question 34

How are homeopathic medications prepared

Answer 34

Source Material-Processing-Mother tincture-Liquid potency-Medicine

Question 35

What is the process of succussion.

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

How are homeopathic remedies stored

Answer 36

Stored in original container
Avoid direct sunlight
Avoid high temperatures
Do not store in fridge
Avoid strong smells
Observe expiry date

Question 37

What does the term placebo mean?

Answer 37

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”

Question 38

What is aromatherapy

Answer 38

“The use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils in massage and other treatments”

Question 39

What are the uses of aromatic oils

Answer 39

Food – flavourings (orange, lemon)
* Toiletries – cosmetics, perfumes
* Medicines – clove oil, peppermint
* CAM – aromatherapy and massage oils

Question 40

What are examples of sources of essential oils.

Answer 40

Bark Cinnamon
* Blossom Orange
* FlowersLavender
*Leaves Peppermint
* Root Ginger
* Wood Sandalwood

Question 41

How are essential oils produced.

Answer 41

• 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)

Question 42

What are safety precautions to take with essential oils.

Answer 42

Dermal toxicity– cinnamon, clove
* allergic reaction– verbena, garlic, T- tree
* Phototoxicity– bergamot, citrus oils

Question 43

What is the role of pharmacists in herbal medicine

Answer 43

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.