herbal medicines

Question 1

why do ingredients in plants concentrations vary?

Answer 1

as plants are variable, there are different concentrations of active ingredient in each plant

Question 2

ginkgo biloba?

Answer 2

used to improve the blood supply.

no link to a disease.

Question 3

how can you get round the requirement for a herbal medicine registration?

Answer 3

for example turmeric, being sold as a food/dietary supplement not a herbal medicine, but people use it as a herbal medicine. (as it is for their health)

Question 4

st johns worts (hypericum) is used for what ?

Answer 4

an anti- depressant. (not severe)

Question 5

what drug is causing the action of hypericum (st johns worts)?

Answer 5

hyperforin by inhibiting reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin in brain

Question 6

what are some drug interactions of st johns worts?

Answer 6

it induces CYP450 enzymes.
so can increase metabolism of other drugs do these other drugs need to be given a higher dose.
can’t be taken with some other anti-depressants (paroxetine) as you will go into serotonins syndrome.

Question 7

why is it dangerous to self prescribe herbal drugs?

Answer 7

herbal drugs don’t need a prescription.
patient could go to the GP & get prescribed a conventional drug but also take a herbal medicine without speaking to a GP/pharmacist .which has a drug interaction. this is dangerous.

Question 8

what is the Ginkgo Biloba?

Answer 8

it is a leaf extract.
could relax blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity.
but this could make existing brain bleeding worse.

Question 9

what evidence is there for the effectiveness of these herbal medicines?

Answer 9

if you look at the pure, concentrated active ingredient they seem to do have positive effects.

Question 10

what are some medicinal properties of garlic?

Answer 10

anti-hypertensive, anti-thrombin, anti-microbial, cancer preventing and lipid lowering..

Question 11

hydrogen sulphide - found in garlic

Answer 11

vasodilators and relaxes the blood vessels.

Question 12

saw palmetto capsules are used for what?

Answer 12

benign prostatic hyperplasia.
can improve urinary blood flow.
may have effects on the prostate gland.

Question 13

black cohosh caused what side effect?

Answer 13

liver toxicity in 10% so they have Candice.

Question 14

what is the active agent in black cohosh?

Answer 14

standardised to deoxyactein but it is not known what is the active ingredient

Question 15

what Is resveratrol found in?

Answer 15

in red wine or dark chocolate.

Question 16

what are some suggested positive effects for resveratrol?

Answer 16

anti-inflammatory
anti-cancer
anti-oxidant

Question 17

what are some risks with taking unlicensed herbal products?

Answer 17

poor manufacturing quality,
varying levels of the active ingredients,
misidentification of herbs,
high bacteria content
presence of herbicides,
contamination with toxic substances,
difference in label and actual ingredients (misleading labels)

Question 18

why does the growth of the herb used in the herbal medicine affect its safety?
what are some sources of contamination?

Answer 18

changes in the active ingredient due to changes in the weather.
different parts of the plants may have different concentrations of the active ingredient
storage conditions of the plant could lead to fungal or bacterial contamination.

Question 19

how can some herbal products have toxicity?

Answer 19

many plants have toxic constituents,
taking unprescribed herbal medicines means the dosage taken could be toxic as the dose does not account for a persons metabolism.
hypersensitivity to some herbal products could cause bad allergic reactions.

Question 20

how can you make the herbal products safer?

Answer 20

lower the risk of toxicity and make the medicine more specific.

Question 21

what is quinine used for?

Answer 21

anti-malarial.

Question 22

what are some reasons that herbal medicine are not safe?

Answer 22

inexpert practitioners (including in the internet)
potentially toxic computes
potentially toxic compounds
self prescribing (especially taking herbal and conventional medicine)

Question 23

some drugs can cause hepatotoxicity, what are these herbal drugs and what is hepatotoxicity?

Answer 23

chemical driven liver damage.
kava extract 
black cohosh 
comfrey 
coltsfoot 
skullcap