Jennifer KitchenJune 25, 2013

ALTERNATIVE CARE

HERBS

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes a vast array of fields

• Vitamins, herbs and nutritional supplements are used in many CAM modalities• Ayurveda • Traditional Chinese Medicine • Homeopathy • Naturopathic Medicine

• Information on herbal supplements is constantly being updated, changed, and debated among those in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and CAM

The Many Uses of Herbs

• To flavor foods

• To make delicious beverages

• To heal from illness

• To maintain health and wellness

Everyday Herbs

• Mint • Digestive health

• Cinnamon• Great for the circulatory system

• Garlic• Blood cleanser

• (Henningsen, 2011).

• Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme• Contain potent antioxidant compounds

• (Chan, Kong, Yee., Chua., and Loo, 2012)

Herbs for Health & Wellness• Lavender• Relaxant

• (Wolf, 2011)

• Dandelion• Blood cleaner

• Valerian• Sleep remedy

• Echinacea• Immune stimulant

• (NCCAM, 2013).

• Teas• Infusions are made by steeping fresh or dried

herbs

• Decoctions• Herbs are simmered in boiling water

• Tinctures• Herbs are soaked in a solution of alcohol and

water

• Extracts • Herbs are soaked in a liquid which removes

specific chemicals

(ODS, 2011)

Preparations of Herbs

Research on Herbs

• The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

• Supports research on the safety and efficacy of herbs and herbal products.

• Increases the knowledge of herbal treatments and remedies

• (NCCAM, 2013)

Regulation and Safety of Herbs

• Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA):• Manufacturers of a dietary supplements or the ingredients used• Responsible for ensuring product safety before marketing

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)• Responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary product after it is

already on the market

• FDA regulations at 21 CFR part 111,• Any company that manufactures, packages, labels or holds dietary

supplement (including those involved with testing, quality control, and dietary supplement distribution) must comply with the Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) for quality control

• (FDA, 2013)

What Patients Need to Know

• Speak with your health provider about your use of• Herbs and herbal supplements • Natural treatments

• Natural does not always mean safe• Be Informed!

• Herbs may • Have side effects• Create adverse reactions • Affect prescription medications effects

• (NCCAM, 2012, 2013, & Straub, 2011)

Find Out More

• Medical libraries

•Web-based resources • PubMed• NIH, NCCAM, FDA

• Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)• (ODS, 2011)

• NCCAM Online Continuing Education Series• Free online lectures

• (NCCAM, 2013)

Must Haves

Government Resources• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM),

(2013). Herbs at a Glance (iBook). Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm?nav=gsa

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), (2012). Time To Talk About Dietary Supplements: 5 Things Consumers Need To Know. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tips/supplements

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), (2013). NCCAM Online Continuing Education Series. Retrieved from https://nccam.nih.gov/training/videolectures

• Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), (2011). Background Information: Botanical Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-HealthProfessional/

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), (2013). Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/

Kaplan Resources• Straub, J. A., (2011). Herbal Alternative Medicine: The Benefits of Being Informed. http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/cam/Herbal%20Alternative%20Medicine.html

• Henningsen, K. (2011). Kids Health!! Secret Herbal Nutrition. Retrieved from http://kaplanhealthwellness.blogspot.com/2011/07/kids-heath-secret-herbal-nutrition.html

Article Resources• Chan, E.W.C., Kong, L.Q., Yee, K.Y., Chua, W.Y., and Loo, T.Y., (2012). Rosemary and Sage Outperformed Six other Culinary Herbs in Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties. International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries, 1; 142-151. Retrieved from http://lifescienceglobal.com/pms/index.php/ijbwi/article/view/232

•Wolf, N., (2011). What Are the Benefits of Eating Lavender? Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/500806-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-lavender/