Herbal Medicine and Clinical Practice

Question 1

What is Alternative Medicine?

Answer 1

Alternative medicine refers to healthcare remedies or systems that are not widely accepted in modern biomedicine.

In some countries, these terms are used interchangeablywith traditional medicine.

These therapies are often used in place of or in conjunction with conventional treatments, which typically involve allopathic medicine (means conventional medicine)

Question 2

Mention 7 alternative therapies.

Answer 2

1. Homeopathy
2. Acupuncture
3. Naturopathy
4. Herbal medicine
5. Diet therapy
6. Folk medicine
7. Ayuverda
8. Chiropractic care
9. Yoga
10. Massage therapy
11. Music therapy

HANDY CHAMM

Question 3

What is the principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Answer 3

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aim to prevent or heal diseases maintaining or restoring the delicate balance of yin and yang forces in the body.

Question 4

Mention 4 treatment options used in TCM.

Answer 4

• Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Cupping
• Medicinal brews made from plants or dried animal parts
• Lifestyle changes
• Healing foods

Question 5

Briefly explain the principle of Qi in TCM.

Answer 5

Qi is life force and flows through meridians that connect organs, tissues, veins cells e.t.c

There are 12 major meridians, each connecting one of the 12 major organs in TCM.

Meridians are related to various phenomena, such as:
- circadian rhythm
- Seasons
- Planetary movements

Question 6

Mention 3 diagnostic techniques in TCM.

Answer 6

i. Smell and hearing
ii. Voice vibration and touch
iii. Pulse diagnosis

Question 7

What are the five elements in TCM?

Answer 7

i. Water (shui)
ii. Earth (tu)
iii. Fire (huo)
iv. Wood (mu)
v. Metal (jin)

Question 8

What is homeopathy? And what is its core principle?

Answer 8

It is a therapeutic approach that uses preparations of substances based on their ability to produce similar symptoms in healthy individuals.

Its main principles are:
i. “Like cures like”, also called “similia simlibus curentur”, states that a patient with specific symptoms can be treated by using substances that produce similar symptoms in healthy individuals.
ii. Theory of infinitesimal: The idea is that even when a substance is diluted to the point where no molecules of the original substance may remain, its healing properties are believed to be intensified.

Question 9

Who developed homeopathy?

Answer 9

German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1810.

Question 10

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Answer 10

It is a distinct system of primary healthcare that combines ancient healing traditions with modern scientific advances and research. This approach is guided by a unique set of principles that recognise the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.

Question 11

What are the key principles of Naturopathic medicine?

Answer 11

i. Healing power of nature: trusts the body’s healing ability and supporst this process with gentle, non-invasive interventions
ii. Identify and treat cause: identify and address the underlying causes of illness rather than treat symptoms
iii. First, do no harm: begin with minimal interventions and progress the more intensive ones only as necessary
iv. Doctor as teacher: NDs educate patients, involve them in the healing process, and emphasize the importance of the doctor-patient relationship.
v. Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic medicine considersall aspects of a person’s health, including physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and spiritual factors.
vi. Prevention: Naturopathic medicine emphasizes optimal wellness and disease prevention

Question 12

Mention 6 modalities/therapies used in Naturopathic medicine.

Answer 12

1. Diet and clinical nutrition
2. Behvioural change
3. Hydrotherapy
4. Homeopathy
5. Botanical medicne
6. Physical medicine
7. Pharmaceuticals
8. Minor surgery

Question 13

What is Yoga? Mention 5 techniques used in Yoga.

Answer 13

A holistic practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods to promote mental and physical well-being.
Techniques used include:
- Meditation
- Postures (asanas)
- Breathing exercises (pranayama)
- Phrase recitation
- Relaxation technique

Question 14

What are the types of Yoga?

Answer 14

i. Yoga Nidra: a deep relaxation technique that induces a state of blissful awareness
ii. Iyengar Yoga: focuses on postural alignment and movement, utilizing props like blocks, mats, and blankets
iii. Hatha Yoga: Utilises posture, breathing exercises, meditation and balancing of opposing properties for mental health development
iv. Kripalu Yoga: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
v. Sudarshankriya Yoga: rhythmic breathing performed in a seated posture with eyes and mouth closed

Question 15

What are the therapeutic applications of yoga?

Answer 15

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress relief
• Hypertension
• Fibriomyalgia

Question 16

Ayurvedic medicine, one of the oldest medical systems, combines the sanskrit words ‘ayur’ for life and ‘verda” for science.

What are its key principles?

Answer 16

• Its primary goal is to integrate and balance the body, mind and spirit to promote wellness and prevent illness.
• It employs various technique to cleanse the body and restore balance
• Some Ayuverdic products can be harmful if used without proper guidance