Give examples of complementary therapies.
Homeopathy Aromatherapy Bach remedies Herbal medicines Hypnotherapy Acupuncture Osteopaths Chiropractise Shiatsu Psychotherapy
What is the GRCCT?
General regulatory council for complementary therapies
What is the role of the GRCCT?
Creator of code of conduct and ethics for practitioners providing complementary therapy however registration is voluntary
What are the 5 main ailments most often consulted with complementary therapies?
Back pain Depression Insomnia Severe headache/migraine Intestinal illness
What is homeopathy?
Ailments are treated by minute doses of natural substances that in larger amounts would produce symptoms of the ailment
What is a mother tincture?
Produced by dissolving or triturating source material to create liquid or suspension before diluting to required potency
Give 4 examples of preparations of homeopathic medicines.
Tinctures
Tablets
Powders
Creams
What are the 4 key storage requirements of homeopathic medicines?
Protect from sunlight
Protect from strong smelling substances
Ideally keep in glass container
No fixed shelf life
How are quantities of homeopathic medicines expressed? What does this equate to?
In grams where: 1g = 10 tablets 2.5g = 18 tablets 7g = 50 tablets 14g = 100 tablets
What dilution is 1x?
1 in 10
What dilution is 3x?
1 in 10, then 1 in 10, then 1 in 10
What dilution is 1c?
1 in 100
What dilution is 3c?
1 in 100, then 1 in 100, then 1 in 100
How should homeopathic remedies be administered?
Minimal handling
To be sucked or chewed with nothing else taken orally within 15 minutes
Where are the three existing NHS homeopathic hospitals?
Glasgow
London
Bristol
Are homeopathic medicines permitted for NHS treatment?
They are allowed on an FP10 form but doctors are advised not to prescribe them
What are the 3 main homeopathic organisations?
The society of homeopaths
The faculty of homeopathy
The British homeopathic association
How can pharmacists improve their ability to advise about homeopathic medicines?
Complete diploma in Homeopathy
Refer to homeopathic formularies
What are Bach flower remedies?
Developed to work on the 7 negative states of the mind,
How are Bach flower remedies prepared?
Flowers floated on spring water and exposed to sunlight, diluted 50% with brandy and further diluted with water and brandy
How are Bach flower remedies administered?
Several drops taken orally in a spoonful of water at least 4 times daily
May also be applied to lips, temples, wrists or behind ears
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with fear.
Rock rose
Aspen
Cherry plum
Red chestnut
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with uncertainty.
Cerato
Gentian
Gorse
Wild oat
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with insufficient interest in present circumstances.
Clematis
Honeysuckle
Olive
Mustard
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with loneliness.
Water violet
Impatiens
Heather
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with oversensitivity to others.
Agrimony
Walnut
Centaury
Holly
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with despondency/despair.
Larch
Pine
Willow
Crab apple
Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with overcare for welfare of others.
Chicory
Beech
Vine
Rock water
What are the principles of aromatherapy?
Health is a balance of emotional, mental and physical states
Oils administered via massage for systemic action
How are essential oils obtained?
Via distillation
How are essences obtained?
Extracted by pressure
How are absolutes obtained?
Extracted into oil
How are infused oils obtained
Infused into base oil
Once obtained what happens to form preparations from oils?
Diluted with base or carrier oil
What is lavender commonly used for?
Calming
Soothing
Analgesia
Depression
What is rosemary commonly used for?
Mental stimulation
Tonic for heart, liver and gall bladder
What is rosewood commonly used for?
Antibacterial
Headache relief
What is ylang ylang commonly used for?
Calming
Fear
Anger
What are the principles of herbalists?
Believes health is where natural state of the body is achieved
Remedies aim to stimulate bodies defences, normalise processes and eliminate toxins
What do herbalists use in treatments?
Whole plants, extracts or parts
What are the criteria for the traditional herbal registration scheme?
If making therapeutic claims herbal remedies must:
Have been in use for 30 years
Demonstrate quality and safety
Patient information on contraindications, side effects, use in pregnancy and children
What restrictions are in place for sale of herbal remedies?
Pharmacists may sell parts and II, anything sold by herbal practitioner or shopkeeper
Herbal practitioners may sell part II, GSL herbal medicines and anything sold by a shopkeeper
Shopkeepers may sell GSL herbal medicines and registered THRs
What is St John’s Wort?
Hypericum perforatum oil extracted from leaves of perrenial herb up to 1m high
What do the flowers of St John’s Wort look like?
Yellow with black dots, turn red when rubbed due to oxidation
What are the traditional uses of St John’s Wort?
Hang plant outside to ward off evil spirits
Relief of low mood and mild anxiety
What is the main active ingredient of St John’s wort? How does it work?
Hyperforin
Inhibits reuptake of monoamines and serotonin
What is the cause of the photosensitivity side effects associated with St John’s Wort?
Hypericin
Blu-black solid readily able to form free radicals
Can cause metal chelation
How is St John’s Wort prepared?
Extraction with 60% v/v ethanol
250mg of extract from aerial parts of St John’s wort per tablet approximately 875-1000mg of St John’s wort
What are the available forms of St John’s Wort?
Tablets
Capsules
Teabags
Tinctures
What is the major problem with St John’s Wort?
Inducer of CYP450 enzumes
What results were shown from a Cochrane review of St John’s Wort?
Performed better than placebo and as well as paroxetine with fewer side effects
What are the known uses for Echinacea?
Improves natural immunity
Prevents colds
Shortens duration of colds
What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Echinacea?
No evidence of increased performance when compared with placebo, possible weak benefit in prophylaxis of colds
What are the known uses for Valerian?
Claims to relieve stress and aid sleep
What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Valerian?
No sufficient evidence to suggest improved efficacy when compared to placebo in GAD
What are the known uses for Chamomile?
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Chamomile?
No sufficient evidence to suggest improved efficacy when compared to placebo
What are the known uses for Garlic?
Common cold
Atherosclerosis
What are the known uses for Ginger?
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
Dysmenorrhoea
What are the known uses for Gingko?
Improving cognition
What are the known uses for Ginseng?
Improving cognition
What are the known uses for Saw palmetto?
Urinary flow
Benign prostatic hyperplasia