Development traditional Medicines Flashcards
herbalism
- Elements in herbal preparation
- Fundamentals of medicinal plant uses
use of plants for medicinal purposes and the study of such use
pant material
Processing
Product
2.Identify the medicinal plants for use properly
Cross check, refer to competent authority for authentic validation of species
Plants to be used should be harvested at the right time
Leaves – when plant is about to bloom
Flowers – just before or shortly after
opening
Seeds – after the fruits have mature
completely
Best collection time is during DRY SEASON
Fundamentals of medicinal plant uses
Certain Post-harvesting handling methods
- Garbling – separation and removal of unwanted materials (e.g., stems and midribs from leaves; exocarp from fruit peels from seeds and so on) from plant itself; or from dirt and other foreign materials
- Washing – remove soil and other particles by rinsing under fast running water
Long exposure to water may affect active ingredients, especially through cut surfaces
Drying – Two methods
3.1. Air drying – done in well-shaded and well-ventilated place
Dry until crumbly
If plant is succulent, cut into small pieces
3.2. Oven drying – Do not cross temperature above 60OC
Should have circulating air
Milling – reducing to required particle size
4.1.Remilling – further reducing of larger/oversized particles - Sieving – to separate required and uniform-sized particles
- Storage
Plastic containers or bottles (brown color preferred)
Cover tightly and keep in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and high humidity
Charcoal may be placed inside the bottle to absorb moisture
Label the container properly (name of plant and date of its collection)
Well-dried and well-stored plan materials can be used up to six months after the collection. Discard the materials if there are molds or other signs of decay
Fundamentals in preparing
Maintain high standard of hygiene and cleanliness
Use pure water, fresh spring water (distilled water is best)
Chlorine in treated water may react with active ingredients
Fundamentals of use
Use only the plant part suggested
Follow the recommended dosage and direction for use
Use only one kind of medicinal plant for each symptom or disease
Stop treatment if unusual reaction occur
If there are no signs of improvement after 2-3 days of treatment, consult a physician
Utensils in preparing
. For cooking
Glass, clay, ceramics pottery or unchipped enameled pot
Copper and stainless steel pot can also be used
Avoid pots made of aluminum, iron, tin or other metal as these will leach into the tea
Enamel = an opaque or semi-transparent glossy substance that is a type of glass, applied by vitrification to metallic or other hard surfaces for ornament or as a protective coating.
Vitrification = to convert into glass or a glassy substance by heat and fusion
. For storage
Glass or clean unrecycled plastic container
Wash and clean properly the utensils before and after use
Weighing/measuring standard
Use only one kind of measuring utensil
In the absence of a weighing scale, use the tablespoon
One tablespoon means one heaping scoop
Labels
Should include: Name of the plant and the parts used For what disease it is used Method of preparation Direction for use Contraindication/special precautions Storage date Expiry date Contraindication = a condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm that it would cause the patient
Unit conversions
1 drop = 0.05 mL 1 ml = 20 drops 1 teaspoon = 5 mL 1 teaspoon = 100 drops 1 tablespoon = 15 mL 1 tablespoon = 300 drops 1 ounce = 30 mL 1 ounce = 600 drops 0.065 g = 1 grain 1 g = 0.03 ounce (Or 1 ounce = 31.1 g) 10 g = 0.35 ounce 29 g = 1.02 ounce 1,000 g = 35.27 ounce 1 lb = 454 g 1 cup = 8 ounces 2 cups = 1 pint = 473 mL = 16 ounces 4 cups = 1 quart = 946 mL = 32 ounces 1 gallon = 8 pints = 3,875 mL
Different herbal preparations
Infusions (hot teas) Decoctions (boiled teas) Tinctures (Alcohol and water extracts) Macerations (Cold soaking) Syrup Powder Capsule Infused oils Salves Poultices Compresses Baths
Infusions
Referred to as a “tea”
Easy to prepare
Used for delicate herbs, leaves, flowers and fresh tender plants
Water is used to extract vitamins, some volatile soils, sugars, enzymes and other proteins, tannins, saponins, etc.
Tannin = astringent; a yellowish or brownish bitter-tasting organic substance present in some galls, barks, and other plant tissues, consisting of derivatives of gallic acid
Saponin=any of the class of steroid and terpenoid glycosides which foam when shaken with water, examples of which are used in detergents and foam fire extinguishers.
Preparation method
Pour boiled water over a herb (or combination of herbs)
Cover and allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes
While steeping, stir it a few times
If infusion is prepared in a heating pan/pot, use a ceramic pot with a lid
Ceramic = pots and other articles made from clay hardened by heat
Ratio of herb to water can vary depending on:
Plant (Whether cut herb or powdered herb is used)
Use 1 tsp of powdered herb or 2 tsp of more bulky cut herb to 6-8 ounce cup of water
If powdered herb is used, stir halfway through steeping time
Can be sweetened with honey or sugar
Best prepared as needed
Used on the same day of preparation (hot, warm or cold)
Dosages
One teacup (6-8 ounces), two or three times daily
Entire day’s dosage can be prepared once (2-3 cups at one time)
Remainder refrigerated until ready to use
Dosages
One teacup (6-8 ounces), two or three times daily
Entire day’s dosage can be prepared once (2-3 cups at one time)
Remainder refrigerated until ready to use
Decoctions
Mainly for tougher and more fibrous plants , barks, roots, seeds, nuts (which have water soluble chemicals)
Extracts primarily mineral salts and bitter principles rather than vitamins and volatile ingredients
Plant material is boiled for a longer period of time
Boiling softens and releases active constituents
Preparation Method Use ceramic pot with a lid to boil water For 1 dosage Add 6-8 ounces of water 2 tsp of cut herbs or 1 tsp of powdered herb Turn on heat to medium Bring it to roiling boil Place a lid on the pot
Reduce heat to medium to medium-low
Simmer for 20 minutes
Lid should be tight so steam with essential oil does not escape
After 20 minutes, remove heat and cool slightly
Prepare no more than 24 hours in advance
Dosage
One-half to one cup, two to three times daily
Entire day’s dosage can be prepared in the morning (2-3 cups at one time)
Remainder can be refrigerated until ready to use later
Strong decoction preparation
Depends on the type of plant material used
Prepared in two general ways
1. Boiling the mixture longer (2 hours or more for larger woody pieces)
2. Boiling 20 minutes for smaller woody pieces
Mixture is allowed to cool overnight before straining the herb pieces
Tinctures
Is an alcoholic extract of herb
Used when active chemicals in plants are not soluble in water
Alcohol dissolves the active constituents out of the plant matter and acts as a preservative allowing the tincture to retain its effectiveness for up to 2 years
Any parts of the plant may be used
Is in more concentrated form
Also used for preparation of a larger quantity (for storage and later use)
Tinctures can last several years without losing potency
Percentage of alcohol helps to determine shelf-life
More alcohol used, longer the shelf-life
Sometimes, percentage of alcohol and water is unique to herb used
Some active ingredients are more soluble in alcohol while others more in water
Preparation method
Use a clean glass bottle or jar with tight fitting lid or cork
Use a dark colored bottle (or store away from sunlight)
Use 2 ounces (if dried) of plant material (cut or powder) for every 8 ounces (1 cup) of liquid
Measure cut herb by weight and not volume (because it can be misled due to bulkiness)
4:1 tincture means 1 part herb and 4 parts liquid
To prepare 1 cup of tincture:
Place 2 ounces of herb (cut up or powdered) into a glass container
Pour ½ cup (4 ounces) of distilled water and ½ cup of 180 proof alcohol into the container (Or just 1 cup of straight 80 proof vodka and no water)
Alcohol proof = is a unit of ethanol (alcohol) contained in an alcoholic beverage
Seal the container and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight
Shake container at least once daily while allowing it to soak
Soak for at least 2 weeks (for smaller herb pieces)
Soak for up to 4 weeks (for larger woody pieces)
After soaking, strain the materials out
Pour the liquid into a glass container and seal
Dosage
1-2 mL (about 30-60 drops) two-three times daily
It can be placed directly in the mouth for immediate absorption
Or it can be mixed in water or juice
To give to a child, place about 1-2 ounces of very hot water for about a minute or two to remove most of the alcohol from it
Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight
When tincture is used externally on the body, it is called a liniment.
It is used for cuts, wounds, sore muscles etc.
Macerations (Cold extract)
Easiest method
Used for very tender plants or fresh plants
Those with delicate chemicals that might be harmed by heating or degraded by strong alcohol
Fresh or dried plant material is covered in cool water and soaked overnight
Extracts only minor amounts of mineral salts and bitter principles
Herb is strained to use the liquid
Powdered form can be stirred into juice, water etc.
Syrups
Powder
Capsule
A decoction with honey or sugar Ideal for herbs with unpleasant taste Dosage One teaspoon three times a day Used to treat sore throat
powder
Medicinal herbs are washed, dried and ground
Oxidize faster and lose potency
Has a short shelf-life
Should be stored in a dark place, away from heat and humidity
Capsule
Placing powdered herb into gelatin capsules
Gelatin = A colorless or slightly yellow, transparent, brittle protein formed by boiling the specially prepared skin, bones, and connective tissue of animals and used in foods, drugs, and photographic film
Infused oils
For external use
Can be prepared by hot or cold methods
Dried materials preferred
Preparation Method (hot method)
Fill a jar with dried herb or herbs
Cover the herbs with olive or sunflower or almond oil
Close the jar and put it in a water bath up to its neck
Simmer this water bath for 1-3 hours
Temperature should not exceed 120OF (48.89oC)
After cooling strain the herb and bottle the oil
For stronger brew, repeat the process with new batch of herbs to the already brewed oil
Essential oil with solar method
Place herb in a jar and cover it with oil
After closing the jar let it in the sun
After two weeks or so, strain the herb
Collect the oil and store it dark away from heat and humidity
