Herbal Medicines Flashcards by Maeve Sparks

Give examples of complementary therapies.

Homeopathy
Aromatherapy
Bach remedies
Herbal medicines
Hypnotherapy
Acupuncture
Osteopaths
Chiropractise
Shiatsu
Psychotherapy

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What is the GRCCT?

General regulatory council for complementary therapies

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What is the role of the GRCCT?

Creator of code of conduct and ethics for practitioners providing complementary therapy however registration is voluntary

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What are the 5 main ailments most often consulted with complementary therapies?

Back pain
Depression
Insomnia
Severe headache/migraine
Intestinal illness

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What is homeopathy?

Ailments are treated by minute doses of natural substances that in larger amounts would produce symptoms of the ailment

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What is a mother tincture?

Produced by dissolving or triturating source material to create liquid or suspension before diluting to required potency

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Give 4 examples of preparations of homeopathic medicines.

Tinctures
Tablets
Powders
Creams

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What are the 4 key storage requirements of homeopathic medicines?

Protect from sunlight
Protect from strong smelling substances
Ideally keep in glass container
No fixed shelf life

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How are quantities of homeopathic medicines expressed? What does this equate to?

In grams where:
1g = 10 tablets
2.5g = 18 tablets
7g = 50 tablets
14g = 100 tablets

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What dilution is 1x?

1 in 10

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What dilution is 3x?

1 in 10, then 1 in 10, then 1 in 10

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What dilution is 1c?

1 in 100

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What dilution is 3c?

1 in 100, then 1 in 100, then 1 in 100

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How should homeopathic remedies be administered?

Minimal handling

To be sucked or chewed with nothing else taken orally within 15 minutes

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Where are the three existing NHS homeopathic hospitals?

Glasgow
London
Bristol

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Are homeopathic medicines permitted for NHS treatment?

They are allowed on an FP10 form but doctors are advised not to prescribe them

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What are the 3 main homeopathic organisations?

The society of homeopaths
The faculty of homeopathy
The British homeopathic association

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How can pharmacists improve their ability to advise about homeopathic medicines?

Complete diploma in Homeopathy

Refer to homeopathic formularies

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What are Bach flower remedies?

Developed to work on the 7 negative states of the mind,

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How are Bach flower remedies prepared?

Flowers floated on spring water and exposed to sunlight, diluted 50% with brandy and further diluted with water and brandy

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How are Bach flower remedies administered?

Several drops taken orally in a spoonful of water at least 4 times daily
May also be applied to lips, temples, wrists or behind ears

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Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with fear.

Rock rose
Aspen
Cherry plum
Red chestnut

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Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with uncertainty.

Cerato
Gentian
Gorse
Wild oat

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Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with insufficient interest in present circumstances.

Clematis
Honeysuckle
Olive
Mustard

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Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with loneliness.

Water violet Impatiens Heather

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with oversensitivity to others.

Agrimony Walnut Centaury Holly

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with despondency/despair.

Larch Pine Willow Crab apple

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with overcare for welfare of others.

Chicory Beech Vine Rock water

What are the principles of aromatherapy?

Health is a balance of emotional, mental and physical states | Oils administered via massage for systemic action

How are essential oils obtained?

Via distillation

How are essences obtained?

Extracted by pressure

How are absolutes obtained?

Extracted into oil

How are infused oils obtained

Infused into base oil

Once obtained what happens to form preparations from oils?

Diluted with base or carrier oil

What is lavender commonly used for?

Calming Soothing Analgesia Depression

What is rosemary commonly used for?

Mental stimulation | Tonic for heart, liver and gall bladder

What is rosewood commonly used for?

Antibacterial | Headache relief

What is ylang ylang commonly used for?

Calming Fear Anger

What are the principles of herbalists?

Believes health is where natural state of the body is achieved Remedies aim to stimulate bodies defences, normalise processes and eliminate toxins

What do herbalists use in treatments?

Whole plants, extracts or parts

What are the criteria for the traditional herbal registration scheme?

If making therapeutic claims herbal remedies must: Have been in use for 30 years Demonstrate quality and safety Patient information on contraindications, side effects, use in pregnancy and children

What restrictions are in place for sale of herbal remedies?

Pharmacists may sell parts and II, anything sold by herbal practitioner or shopkeeper Herbal practitioners may sell part II, GSL herbal medicines and anything sold by a shopkeeper Shopkeepers may sell GSL herbal medicines and registered THRs

What is St John's Wort?

Hypericum perforatum oil extracted from leaves of perrenial herb up to 1m high

What do the flowers of St John's Wort look like?

Yellow with black dots, turn red when rubbed due to oxidation

What are the traditional uses of St John's Wort?

Hang plant outside to ward off evil spirits | Relief of low mood and mild anxiety

What is the main active ingredient of St John's wort? How does it work?

Hyperforin | Inhibits reuptake of monoamines and serotonin

What is the cause of the photosensitivity side effects associated with St John's Wort?

Hypericin Blu-black solid readily able to form free radicals Can cause metal chelation

How is St John's Wort prepared?

Extraction with 60% v/v ethanol | 250mg of extract from aerial parts of St John's wort per tablet approximately 875-1000mg of St John's wort

What are the available forms of St John's Wort?

Tablets Capsules Teabags Tinctures

What is the major problem with St John's Wort?

Inducer of CYP450 enzumes

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of St John's Wort?

Performed better than placebo and as well as paroxetine with fewer side effects

What are the known uses for Echinacea?

Improves natural immunity Prevents colds Shortens duration of colds

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Echinacea?

No evidence of increased performance when compared with placebo, possible weak benefit in prophylaxis of colds

What are the known uses for Valerian?

Claims to relieve stress and aid sleep

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Valerian?

No sufficient evidence to suggest improved efficacy when compared to placebo in GAD

What are the known uses for Chamomile?

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Chamomile?

No sufficient evidence to suggest improved efficacy when compared to placebo

What are the known uses for Garlic?

Common cold | Atherosclerosis

What are the known uses for Ginger?

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy | Dysmenorrhoea

What are the known uses for Gingko?

Improving cognition

What are the known uses for Ginseng?

Improving cognition

What are the known uses for Saw palmetto?

Urinary flow | Benign prostatic hyperplasia