Importance Of Herbal Medicines
explanatory Essay
892 words
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), " Herbal medicine " includes the herbs, herbal materials , finished herbal products that contain the plant or parts of the plant in a crude or processed form as an active ingredients and may also contain the other excipients(1). Likewise, the European Medicine Evaluation Agency (EMEA) defines "Herbal preparations" as any medicinal product containing entirely or completely the herbal substances or herbal drug preparations as an active ingredients (2).
Herbal drugs are widely used all around the world due to the people's perception that such drugs are safe, less toxic and cheaper than allopathic drugs. The popularity of herbal preparations are due to its affordability, availability and cultural
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that "herbal medicine" includes herbs, herbal materials, finished herbal products that contain the plant in a crude or processed form as an active ingredient and may also contain other excipients.
- Explains that herbal drugs are widely used around the world due to their affordability, availability, and cultural acceptance as compared to allopathic drugs.
- Explains that the safety and efficacy of herbal drugs depends on the sources and the quality of raw materials.
- Opines that quality control of herbal drugs is of great importance for its acceptance in modern system of medicine as there is increasing concern regarding the safety and toxicity of commercially available herbal preparations.
- Explains that chyawanprash is a semisolid jam-like polyherbal formulation which is sticky in nature. it is widely used as health supplement and medicines since centuries.
- Explains that chyawanprash is used for the treatment of respiratory system such as cough, asthmatic breathing, bronchial spasm, tuberculosis and also useful as, tonic, rejuvenator, anabolic, memory enhancer and immunomodulator.
- Opines that due to the medicinal properties of the herb, it is necessary to determine the quality and purity of herbal products available in the commercial market.
Various factors such as, quality of raw materials, its storage and transportation, temperature, light exposure, drying, packing, age and parts of the plant collected, contaminants in the soil, air, water, etc. can greatly affect the quality and the therapeutic value of herbal medicines (4). Nowadays, ayurvedic medicines are manufactured in large quantities in many pharmaceutical industries where various problems arise such as lack of qualitative and authentic raw materials, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), availability of standard protocol for the standardization of medicinal plants and finished ayurvedic product. Various types of contaminations such as microbial contamination, pesticides residues, intentional or unintentional adulteration of heavy metal, allopathic drugs such as steroids, NSAIDs, etc may directly hamper the quality of the herbal formulation. Hence the quality control of the ayurvedic formulation is very important using the modern technique of analysis …show more content…
It is chocolate brown coloured having sweet, spicy, tart taste without any specific pleasant odour. It is widely used as health supplement and medicines since centuries. It consists of about 35- 40 natural ingredients. In Ayurveda, Chyawanprash is classified under the group of Rasayana, where the main aim is maintenance of the body’s integrity, delaying the ageing process, enhancing longevity and improving digestion(10). Chyawanprash, a herbal tonic is used as household remedy and popular for its nutritive value all over the world and is taken by healthy individuals as well. Chyawanprash is prepared in amalaki (Emblica officinalis or Indian Gooseberry) base which is useful for the maintenance of homeostasis in body. Amala is the prime ingredient of Chyawanprash which is the richest source of vitamin C and the richest source of antioxidant. Vitamin C present in amala doesn’t get deteriorated during the preparation of Chyawanprash. Honey present in Chyawanprash acts as "carrier of herbs" known as Yogavahi, which helps in the absorption of herbs into the
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- Medicinal Plants Essayexplanatory essaySome European producers of herbal preparations invariably adhere to the requirements for the pharmaceutical quality of drugs. However, in certain countries herbal preparations are dispensed without a medical prescription and are sometimes supplied as “over the counter” preparations (11).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that sumerian clay slab from 5000 years ago is the oldest written evidence of the use of medicinal plants for the preparation of drugs.
- Explains that the chinese book on roots and grasses written by emperor shen nung (c 2500 bc) "pen t'sao" described 365 drugs, many of which include theae folium, rhei rhisoma, camphor,
- Explains that dioscorides, the father of pharmacognosy, is the most prominent book written on medicinal plants. it describes a total of 1000 drugs, 657 of which are of herbal origin.
- Explains that european physicians consulted persian and arab works, such as "de re medica" by john mesue, "canon medicinae", and "liber magnae collectionis simplicum alimentorum et
- Explains that medicinal plants were used primarily in simple pharmaceutical formulations, but the demand for compound drugs was on the increase between the 16th and 18th centuries.
- Explains linnaeus' scheme for classifying plant species. the first word denoted the genus while the remaining polynomial phrase explained other features of the plant.
- Explains that the early 19th century was a turning point in the knowledge base, as well as the use of medicinal plants.
- Explains that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a steady decline in therapeutic use of herbal medicines.
- Opines that the rebirth of herbal medicine, especially in developed countries, is chiefly centred on renewed interest by society and advancing scientific information regarding plants.
- Explains that almost all pharmacopoeias in the world catalogue herbal medicines of tangible medicinal value. however, in practice, there is a higher incidence and widespread usage of unofficial herbal drugs.
- Opines that some european producers of herbal preparations adhere to the requirements for the pharmaceutical quality of drugs. however, in certain countries they are dispensed without a medical prescription.
943 wordsRead More - Informative Essay: What Is Traditional Medicine?explanatory essayThe major use for herbal medicines is for the promotion of health and for therapy for chronic conditions, instead of being used for life-threatening conditions; except in the event of say advanced cancer or new infectious diseases when conventional medicine practices no longer are working an individual may use traditional remedies. While traditional medicines are often mistaken that because they are natural that they are safe, non-toxic, which is not always the case. In cases when an individual is taking herbs with prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or other herbs that may cause some adverse side affects. As a flourishing commercial enterprise, it doesn’t matter why an individual uses traditional medicines, it provides important health care services for individuals that have access physically or finantually to allopathic
In this essay, the author
- Explains that traditional medicine is the total sum of all the knowledge, skills and practices that are based on the theories, beliefs, and experience indigenous to different cultures. traditional medicine may also be called alternative, complementary and non-conventional interchangeably.
- Explains the philosophy and practice of traditional medicine, which is influenced by prevailing conditions, environment, and geographic area.
- Explains how ancient knowledge is applied in a holistic approach that is still used today in health care. the devine farmer's classic of herbalism is the oldest known herbal text in the world.
- Explains that traditional chinese medicine is growing in practice around the world and used for promoting health, preventing and curing disease.
- Explains that shamans harnessed the beliefs of a sick individual to assist the body's innate ability to heal itself. egyptian herbalists understood that there were physical side effects from the plant material that they were applying and consuming.
- Explains that the aztecs were expert herbalists. martinus de la cruz and juannes badianus made a list of herbs that had been used as medicine for thousands of years.
- Explains that nicholas culpeper was a puritan and parliamentarian who popularized astrological herbalism. his most famous work, the english physician (1652), has had over 40 editions.
- Explains that chemically synthesized drugs have revolutionized health care in most parts of the world, but in developing countries large sections of population still depend on traditional practitioners and herbal medicines for primary care.
- Opines that traditional medicine provides important health care services for individuals that have access physically or finantually to allopathic medicine.
- Explains that herbs are used to treat chronic/acute conditions and various of other ailments. the crude material of a plant is used for its flavor, scent, or therapeutic and medicinal properties.
- Opines that the ethnobotanicals market can't simply be ignored in its commercial value. an annual global market for herbal medicines approached the united states currency of 60 billion dollars.
- Opines that traditional medicine has been in use throughout history. from america to europe, from europe to asia, it will have a significant roll in health and the economy.
1221 wordsRead More - Herbal Medicine Essayexplanatory essayHerbal medicine is the traditional medical practice and it’s an important part of medicine to this day. To treat different ailments there are various indigenous systems such as Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani and Allopathy use differnt plant species1. Allopathic medicine is a system of medicine that focuses primarily on reacting disease rather than on promoting health. The use of herbal medicine is popular due to toxicity and side effects of allopathic medicines.
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- Explains that cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and tissue invasion or metastasis of abnormal cells in the body.
- Explains that the major goal in the development of anticancer drugs is improving the therapeutic activity and selectivity.
- Explains that sansevieria roxburghiana schult. & f. belongs to agavaceae, a herbaceous perennial plant with short fleshy stem and stout root stock, occurring in the eastern coastal region of india, also in sri lanka, indonesia and tropical africa.
- Explains that the whole plant is traditionally used as cardiotonic, expectorant, febrifuge, purgative tonic, in glandular enlargement and rheumatism.
- Explains that rhizomes are mucilaginous and used in consumptive complaints, long-lasting chronic persistent coughs, for quick relief of common cough, cold and in ear pain.
- Explains that preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and phenols.
- Describes the chemical investigation that led to the isolation of nine compounds from the ethanolic extract of rhizomes s. roxbughiana.
- Explains that the rhizomes of s. roxburghiana showed anti-diabetic 17, analgesic 18, antimicrobial 15 and antioxidant17,18,19 activity.
- Explains that sansevieria roxburghiana showed anti-cancer activity against ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice20 and cytotoxicity in brine shrimp lethality assay18.
- Explains that the juice of tender shoot is administered to children for clearing viscid phlegm from throats. the roots are used as febrifuge in snake bite and hemorrhoids.
- Explains the difference between chemotherapy and herbal medicine. the rhizome of sansevieria roxburghiana is reported to possess anticancer activity.
- Explains that herbal medicine is an important part of medicine to this day due to toxicity and side effects of allopathic medicines.
1150 wordsRead More - Alternative Remedies Essaycomparative essayLindberg, D. (n.d.). Herbal Medicine: MedlinePlus. U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved May 7, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbal
In this essay, the author
- Explains what holistic medicine is, treatments, philosophy, and more.
- Explains that homeopathy is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself.
- Explains that holistic practitioners use a variety of alternative treatment techniques, such as diet, exercise, psychotherapy, and relationship/ spiritual counseling. naturopathic medicine follows seven main principles.
- Recommends combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. naturopathic medicine is becoming more popular because it is possible to try a safe and effective alternative to harsh medicines.
- Cites lindberg, d., and pizzorno, j. on the difference between holistic and homeopathic medicine.
770 wordsRead More - Alternatives Medicine Interference with Warfarinexplanatory essayThere are numerous case reports but a lack of clinical trials studying the effects of popular herbals on many common medications. Conducting more drug trials is especially necessary for patients taking drugs that are known to have a narrow therapeutic index. In these patients in particular, a possible interaction can be life threatening or even fatal.2 Warfarin is a drug that is known to have a narrow therapeutic index and requires constant monitoring. It is also known to have many drug-drug interactions and is believed to have interactions with many herbals as well but this fact is less tested. Herbals like gingko biloba and dong quai are thought to potentially magnify the effects of warfarin while drugs like coenzyme Q10 are thought to potentially reduce the effects. Many of these herbals whose use is cautioned in patients taking warfarin...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that alternative medications, like herbals and vitamin supplements, have become increasingly popular in today's society.
- Opines that there are numerous case reports but a lack of clinical trials studying the effects of popular herbals on many common medications.
- Explains the potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin in the american journal of health-system pharmacy, 57(13), 1221-1227.
- Explains that vaes, l., and chyka, p. (2000). interactions of warfarin with garlic, ginger, ginkgo, or ginseng: nature of the evidence.
- Explains that warfarin and supplement interactions: survey of published literature.
- Explains that coenzyme q10. review of natural products. facts & comparisons® eanswers.
- Explains rowin j. lewis sl. spontaneous bilateral subdural hematomas associated with chronic ginkgo biloba ingestion.
- Describes the results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of coenzymeq10 and ginkgo biloba on warfarin dosage in patients on long-term treatment.
- Explains that warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that's commonly referred to as a "blood thinner".
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- Cites shelton rc, keller mb, glenberg a, et al., “efficacy of st. john’s wort in major depression: a randomized controlled trial”.
- Explains thurton-weaks, susan m> rn, gary n. barone, md, et al. " st john’s wort: a hidden risk for transplant patients" in medscape online medical journal.
- Explains that st. john's wort is an herbal remedy, which prevents the destruction of seratonin, a natural anti-depressant, is often used to treat depression.
- Describes castleman's the healing herbs: the ultimate guide to the curative power of nature’s medicines.
1068 wordsRead More - Herbal Medicine Pros And Consanalytical essayHerbal medicine has been around for thousands of years. “The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Babylonians, and Native Americans were all herbalists”(Herbs Friends of Physicians). The ancient Greeks and Romans were also herbalists (Herbs Friends of Physicians). Traditional medicine was the dominant medical system used in both rural and urban areas until the arrival of Europeans changed the medical
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- Explains that herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years and shows no sign of stopping. many are familiar with aloe vera, a plant commonly used to treat burns and speed the healing process of cuts.
- Explains that herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years. traditional medicine was used in rural and urban areas until europeans changed the medical system.
- Analyzes how gideon, the cook for the farquars, saves little yellow head's eyesight by finding a root called thiruvananthapuram (indian herbal snakebite) and chewing it up.
- Explains that herbal medicine has been around for a while and is still used because it is effective. there are benefits to it and also some downsides, but is obviously better than pharmaceutical drugs.
536 wordsRead More - Herbal Medicine Essayopinion essayHerbal products are medicinal agents obtained from the plants. It’s all started 100 years ago by ancient people. Since synthetic medicine are not yet invented by that time, ancient people had invented medicine out of the plants. Through generations the original herbal medicine had been modified due to the new knowledge discovered and technologies invented.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that herbal products are medicinal agents obtained from the plants. it's all started 100 years ago by ancient people.
- Explains why people choose herbal medicine over conventional medicine when they have a lifelong health complication. it is not just to cure such health problems, it also improves overall well-being.
- Opines that herbal medicine is more naturally safe and soothing than drugs, but there's no reasonable defense about this.
- Explains that herbal medicines are inferiorly regulated than the conventional medicine, and manufacturers may differ on the quality and quantity of the medicine.
- Explains the liver toxicity from pyrrolizidine alkaloid compounds found in some plants against herbivorous insects.
- Explains that nephrotoxity induced by chinese herbs causes poisonous effects on the kidneys. st. john’s wort, a medicine for anti-depressant, is known to be effective but we could hardly conclude that is safe.
- Explains that gingko biloba, a long-lived tree species, has been used to produce extracts for medicinal purposes. there are no scientific proof that it is effective but through people's testimonies it cures them.
- Opines that herbs can have a natural and balancing feat on the body, and should be used meticulously and be regarded.
- Opines that caution should be taken before taking any herbal medicine. though most herbal medicines are safe, there are others that could supply healing treatment but with danger of overdose.
- Recommends echinacea and andographis to fight against colds, flus and upper respiratory tract infections. both are immune-boosting herbs proven to speed recovery.
- Opines that using herbal medicines as recommended is safe, but misleading them can be dangerous. users must take extra caution especially when they are not familiar with the herbal medicine.
829 wordsRead More - Alternative Medicine is Better than Modern Medicineanalytical essayOver the centuries, several treatment methods have been utilized by humans for remedy diseases when they caught. Two of them are modern medicine and traditional medicine. Traditional medicine, which is also called alternative treatment, is older than modern medicine. This effective treatment had been used for many centuries before modern medicine was found. On the contrary, modern medicine has been used since the 1900’s (Lyons). In this system, drugs’ tests are carefully done in the safe laboratories, and their side effects are identified before they are given to the patient. Moreover, the effects of the pills are written on the leaflets which are found in the drug packages to warn the patients for these effects. However, sometimes the side effects are not blocked, so people have to take another pill to get better. It makes people take more chemicals into their bodies. Even traditional medicine, give its place to the modern medicine when its beginning times, it is used efficaciously like modern medicine at the present time. In course of time, people will gain reliance on traditional medicine again, since alternative medicine is more efficient and powerful in order to get better and soothe the diseases than modern medicine. In fact, in traditional medicine, there are fewer drugs, side effects, holistic therapy that people can be availed.
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- Explains that modern medicine and traditional medicine have been used for centuries to remedy diseases.
- Explains that people who use alternative medicine take fewer drugs and chemicals into their bodies and protect themselves before they fall ill.
- Explains that holistic medicine is a healthier way to treat sicknesses. people should take care of themselves by doing exercises, gymnastics, eating healthy foods, and having good relationships.
- Explains that taking advantage of the placebo effect will be a beneficient for people's bodies because they heal psychologically too while they are treating the illnesses.
- Explains that people protect themselves from all the side effects of drugs and chemicals by choosing alternative medicine. traditional medicine applied on the patient centuries ago, so it is easy for people to trust this method.
- Analyzes cancer survivors in ontario: prevalence and perception. n.p., n.d. 01 july 2000.
- Describes the nineteenth century — the beginnings of modern medicine (part 2).
942 wordsRead More - Benefits Of Herbal Cosmeticsexplanatory essayHello Steemians Today I would like to share about benefits of herbal cosmetics and effects of chemical cosmetics. There are so many chemical products that can damage to our skin which is in trend today. Many people avoid chemical or toxic products and starts using herbal cosmetics. People can use herbal cosmetics for a longer time because they are better than chemical cosmetics. ACNE and HAIR-LOSS is the most common problem caused by chemical cosmetics.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that skin infection is one of the biggest skin issues where a person has to suffer from irritation and allergies which is really painful.
- Explains that mercury and parabens are used as preservatives in many beauty brands, but these chemicals may cause cancer.
- Explains that excessive use of chemical induced products causes early ageing and wrinkles start appearing at a young age.
- Explains that herbal cosmetics are formulated using different cosmetic ingredients to form the base in which one or more herbal ingredients are used to cure various skin ailments.
- Explains that herbal cosmetics are the modern trend in the field of beauty and fashion. they supply the body with nutrients and enhance health and provide satisfaction.
- Explains that natural cosmetics are hypoallergenic and tested and proven by dermatologists to be safe to use anytime, anywhere. they contain natural antioxidants like vitamin c.
- Explains that natural cosmetics are suitable for all skin types, irrespective of their skin tone. coal tar-derived colors are used extensively, but natural colors obtained from herbs are safer.
- Explains that natural cosmetics are free from parabens, which are the most widely used preservative, and are suspected of interfering with hormone function.
- Explains the benefits of herbal cosmetics and the effects of chemicals on the skin. acne and hair-loss are the most common problems caused by chemicals.
- Explains that excessive use of chemical induced products causes early ageing and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles starts appearing at a young age.
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