Alternative Medicine:

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Alternative Medicine

• Science or Sorcery

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Alternative Medicine

• Includes therapies such as
• Acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy,
  chiropractic, herbs, hypnotherapy, biofeedback,
  aromatherapy, neuropathy, massage, reflexology,
  iridology, magnetic therapy
• Our discussion will be limited to herbal remedies
  and aromatherapy

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Top Selling Herbs in US
Herb Use Retail Sales Rank - 1998 Rank -1997
Ginkgo Circulation/Memory 150 million 1 1
St Johns Wort Antidepressant 140 million 2 5
Ginseng Revitalizing tonic 95 million 3 2
Garlic Reduce cardio-vascular risk 84 million 4 3
Echinaceae/ Goldenseal Immune-stimulant 69 million 5 4
Saw Palmetto Urology 32 million 6 6
Kava-Kava Tranquilizer 16 million 7 13
Ephedra Decongestant Not listed in table Not listed in table Not listed in table
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Ginkgo Biloba

• Living fossil belongs to a group of gymnosperms
  that were abundant during the Mesozoic Era (age
  of dinosaurs)
• Staple of Chinese herbal medicine for over 4000
  yrs
• Extracts from leaves used as an herbal remedy
  used worldwide today
• Used to improve circulation by inhibiting
  clotting especially useful in the brain
• Shown success in improving memory especially
  for the elderly
• Also used to treat asthma and bronchitis

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Ginkgo biloba leaves
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St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• Herbaceous perennial with showy yellow flowers
• Long history of use in Europe as an herbal remedy
  for many conditions traditionally used as a tea
• Today being used primarily as an anti-depressant
  - called herbal Prozac
• Prescribed in Europe for over 15 yrs
• Above ground parts harvest just before or during
  flowering and extracts prepared

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St Johns Wort
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Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum)

• Small shrub native to islands in the South
  Pacific
• Roots (actually the rhizome) used to prepare a
  ritual beverage among the islanders in South
  Pacific
• Used for its relaxing qualities, relieving
  anxiety and inducing sleep

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Kava plant
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Ephedrine (Ephedra spp.)

• Small shrub common in arid and desert areas -
  widely distributed in these habitats
• Reduced scale-like lvs
• Stem green and photosynthetic
• Ephedra sinica well known as source of drug
  ephedrine

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Medicinal Use of Ephedra

• Long history of use as a medicinal plant
  especially as a decongestant for asthma,
  bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions
• In China, Ephedra sinica called Ma Huang has
  been used for thousands of years
• Also well known as a stimulant

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Alkaloids in Ephedra

• Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
• Ephedrine used in prescription drugs since the
  1920s
• Also used in OTC drugs
• Very effective decongestants relax bronchial
  muscles
• Also CNS stimulant that increases heart rate and
  blood pressure and blood flow to brain
  stimulating properties of pseudoephedrine not as
  great and preferred

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Abuse of Ephedrine

• Stimulating effects of ephedrine similar to to
  amphetamines
• This had led to street abuse of Ephedra products
• Described as herbal ecstasy
• Serious side effects can occur irregular heart
  beats, dizziness, heart attacks, strokes,
  seizures
• Hundreds have suffered serious effects
• Several states have passed laws regulating the
  sale as a controlled substance
• FDA has proposed limits on amounts in herbals
• Ephedrine can also be chemically converted into
  methamphetamine or "crank

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Control of Herbal Remedies

• There is no control
• FDA does not control
• No testing
• No quality control
• No dosage control
• Much of the concern about herbal drugs is this
  lack of regulation!

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Aromatherapy

• Use of essential oils from plants to trigger
  physiological responses and healing
• Essential oils can be absorbed through nose,
  lungs, and skin
• Essential oils are often antiseptic, analgesic,
  and anti-inflammatory
• They are believed to effect immune system,
  endocrine system, and general well being

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Commonly Used Essential Oils
Geranium Dermatitis
Lavender Antiseptic, Respiratory infections, relaxation
Juniper Antiseptic, aches, relaxation
Rosemary Bronchitis, depression, mental alertness
Eucalyptus Anti-inflammatory, arthritis, relaxation
Sandalwood Acne, bronchitis, depression
Ginger Bronchitis, arthritis, stimulant