unit 10 Flashcards
What is herbalism?
study and practice of using plant material for food, medicine and health promotion
Not only treats disease but also to improve quality of life physically and spiritually
What is the fundamental principle of herbalism?
promote preventative care and simple treatments for the general population.
What is an herbalist?
someone who has taken specific studies and supervised training to treat patients
What are some common themes of herbalism?
Optimization of health and wellness emphasis on the individual emphasis on community premise of recycling regulation of practice
what can an herb be?
an angiosperm shrub tree moss lichen fern algae seaweed or fungus
What does an herbalist use on the plant for treatment?
may use the entire plant or just the flower, fruit, leaves, twigs, bark, root, rhizomes or seeds or a combination
What can herbalist use in their preparation of substances?
they can use plants or non plants including insects, animals shells, worm castings, metals, minerals or other things
What are the three classifications of herbalists?
professional herbalist, lay herbalist and plant gather grower and medicine maker
What is a professional herbalist?
undergoes formalized training or apprentice training in plant and medical studies or plant and spiritual healing
might allow a family tradition or be selected at a young age to become a professional herbalist
have high familiarity with interactions with herbs; three people with same complaint would probably get a different treatment
uses an approach similar to a doctor to prescribe herbs
What is a lay herbalist?
has a broad knowledge of plants but no extensive training
may be a vendor who has been passed down a family business
can evaluate plant doses, quality, strength and uses
the irish herbalists is an example
What is a plant gatherer, plant grower or medicine maker?
like a pharmacist rather than an herbalist
more specialized in making herbal preparations
what are some characteristics of herbal plants?
plants used are analyzed using the five senses for use in people
may have standardizing of the product
make attentive observation of the plant’s effect on animals and humans
How do herbalists classify plants?
based on:
carbohydrates glycosides tannins lipids volatile oils resins steroids alkaloids peptide hormones enzymes
how are physiological characteristics of the plants determined?
based on the influence of the plant on a person and their characteristics
plants are categorized according to their method of action
how are plants used for healing?
may be dried, whole, chopped, infusions, or decoctions
typically flowers, leaves and powdered herbs are infused where fruits, seeds, barks and roots are decoction
can also be tinctured with alcohol or delivered non-orally through ointments, enemas, baths, or oils but capsules and tablets are the most common delivery form
how can herb quality be affected?
by seasonal variation, environmental factors, collection methods, transport and storage or manufacturing can all affect an herb
What are some cautions when taking herbs?
can cause lethal side effects, allergic reactions, effects from contaminants
What are some contraindications of herbs?
bromeliad, cayenne, chamomile, and feverfew can interact with aspirin
aloe, ephedra, ginseng and liquorice interact with corticosteroids
kava, st.john’s worts. and valerian interact with CNS depressants
chamomile, horse chestnut and fenugreek enhance the risk of bleeding
What are some standards which herbalists must abide by?
in the US, trade and professional organizations are setting standards in agricultural, lab, supply and manufacturing practices and SOP’s
most herbal products are regulated as dietary supplements
can only make structure and function claims and no therapeutic claims
Can herbs be used for pregnancy?
no, no testing has been performed
Where have herbs been used?
children and for treating aging population
Briefly describe the history of herbalism
Throughout history, cultures have used plants and herbs for medicinal purposes, both for treatment and for prevention. With the advent of modern medicine, the North American medical community has moved away from the use of plants for medicine. However, practitioners in Europe and Asia have continued to use and study herbs, and practitioners in many nations where modern medicine is not readily available still rely on plants as their main source of medicine.
What has led to people using herbalism?
Many people in North America have become disillusioned with the limited ability of modern medicine to cure everything and this had led many to turn to CAM, including herbal remedies, with the hope that this will solve health problems and improve well-being. Indeed, in recent years there has been a dramatic growth in the range of herbal products sold in drugstores.
What’s the issue with labeling herbs as natural?
Some people consider plant remedies better than synthetic drugs because they are “natural.” But merely because something is natural does not mean it is harmless. After all, many highly toxic substances are found in plants, for example tobacco, cocaine, and heroin. Likewise, many of the naturally occurring common metal salts are also highly toxic (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic).
How have herbs led to pharmaceutical drugs?
Plants are a complex mixture of thousands of substances. Some of these substances can be toxic, as indicated above. Many of the substances in plants are vital for nutrition: vitamins, minerals, starch, and so forth. And some substances have medical value. Indeed, many of today’s common drugs were originally discovered based on the use of particular plants as a part of herbal medicine. Subsequent research identified the active chemical which was then reborn as a “drug.” Examples include aspirin, curare, digitalis, ephedrine, morphine, and quinine.
What’s the issue with herbalism and medicinal values?
It is important to bear in mind that if a substance has medicinal value, then it makes no difference whether it is delivered to the body packaged up as a herb or purified and given as a “drug.” The body cannot distinguish between a pure compound from either natural or synthetic origin.
