Herbal Medicines Flashcards Preview

Pharm + Patient Year 3 Sem 2 > Herbal Medicines > Flashcards

Flashcards in Herbal Medicines Deck (62)
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1
Q

Give examples of complementary therapies.

A
Homeopathy
Aromatherapy
Bach remedies
Herbal medicines
Hypnotherapy
Acupuncture
Osteopaths
Chiropractise
Shiatsu
Psychotherapy
2
Q

What is the GRCCT?

A

General regulatory council for complementary therapies

3
Q

What is the role of the GRCCT?

A

Creator of code of conduct and ethics for practitioners providing complementary therapy however registration is voluntary

4
Q

What are the 5 main ailments most often consulted with complementary therapies?

A
Back pain
Depression
Insomnia
Severe headache/migraine
Intestinal illness
5
Q

What is homeopathy?

A

Ailments are treated by minute doses of natural substances that in larger amounts would produce symptoms of the ailment

6
Q

What is a mother tincture?

A

Produced by dissolving or triturating source material to create liquid or suspension before diluting to required potency

7
Q

Give 4 examples of preparations of homeopathic medicines.

A

Tinctures
Tablets
Powders
Creams

8
Q

What are the 4 key storage requirements of homeopathic medicines?

A

Protect from sunlight
Protect from strong smelling substances
Ideally keep in glass container
No fixed shelf life

9
Q

How are quantities of homeopathic medicines expressed? What does this equate to?

A
In grams where:
1g = 10 tablets
2.5g = 18 tablets
7g = 50 tablets
14g = 100 tablets
10
Q

What dilution is 1x?

A

1 in 10

11
Q

What dilution is 3x?

A

1 in 10, then 1 in 10, then 1 in 10

12
Q

What dilution is 1c?

A

1 in 100

13
Q

What dilution is 3c?

A

1 in 100, then 1 in 100, then 1 in 100

14
Q

How should homeopathic remedies be administered?

A

Minimal handling

To be sucked or chewed with nothing else taken orally within 15 minutes

15
Q

Where are the three existing NHS homeopathic hospitals?

A

Glasgow
London
Bristol

16
Q

Are homeopathic medicines permitted for NHS treatment?

A

They are allowed on an FP10 form but doctors are advised not to prescribe them

17
Q

What are the 3 main homeopathic organisations?

A

The society of homeopaths
The faculty of homeopathy
The British homeopathic association

18
Q

How can pharmacists improve their ability to advise about homeopathic medicines?

A

Complete diploma in Homeopathy

Refer to homeopathic formularies

19
Q

What are Bach flower remedies?

A

Developed to work on the 7 negative states of the mind,

20
Q

How are Bach flower remedies prepared?

A

Flowers floated on spring water and exposed to sunlight, diluted 50% with brandy and further diluted with water and brandy

21
Q

How are Bach flower remedies administered?

A

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

22
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with fear.

A

Rock rose
Aspen
Cherry plum
Red chestnut

23
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with uncertainty.

A

Cerato
Gentian
Gorse
Wild oat

24
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with insufficient interest in present circumstances.

A

Clematis
Honeysuckle
Olive
Mustard

25
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with loneliness.

A

Water violet
Impatiens
Heather

26
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with oversensitivity to others.

A

Agrimony
Walnut
Centaury
Holly

27
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with despondency/despair.

A

Larch
Pine
Willow
Crab apple

28
Q

Give examples of Bach flower remedies associated with overcare for welfare of others.

A

Chicory
Beech
Vine
Rock water

29
Q

What are the principles of aromatherapy?

A

Health is a balance of emotional, mental and physical states

Oils administered via massage for systemic action

30
Q

How are essential oils obtained?

A

Via distillation

31
Q

How are essences obtained?

A

Extracted by pressure

32
Q

How are absolutes obtained?

A

Extracted into oil

33
Q

How are infused oils obtained

A

Infused into base oil

34
Q

Once obtained what happens to form preparations from oils?

A

Diluted with base or carrier oil

35
Q

What is lavender commonly used for?

A

Calming
Soothing
Analgesia
Depression

36
Q

What is rosemary commonly used for?

A

Mental stimulation

Tonic for heart, liver and gall bladder

37
Q

What is rosewood commonly used for?

A

Antibacterial

Headache relief

38
Q

What is ylang ylang commonly used for?

A

Calming
Fear
Anger

39
Q

What are the principles of herbalists?

A

Believes health is where natural state of the body is achieved
Remedies aim to stimulate bodies defences, normalise processes and eliminate toxins

40
Q

What do herbalists use in treatments?

A

Whole plants, extracts or parts

41
Q

What are the criteria for the traditional herbal registration scheme?

A

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

42
Q

What restrictions are in place for sale of herbal remedies?

A

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

43
Q

What is St John’s Wort?

A

Hypericum perforatum oil extracted from leaves of perrenial herb up to 1m high

44
Q

What do the flowers of St John’s Wort look like?

A

Yellow with black dots, turn red when rubbed due to oxidation

45
Q

What are the traditional uses of St John’s Wort?

A

Hang plant outside to ward off evil spirits

Relief of low mood and mild anxiety

46
Q

What is the main active ingredient of St John’s wort? How does it work?

A

Hyperforin

Inhibits reuptake of monoamines and serotonin

47
Q

What is the cause of the photosensitivity side effects associated with St John’s Wort?

A

Hypericin
Blu-black solid readily able to form free radicals
Can cause metal chelation

48
Q

How is St John’s Wort prepared?

A

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

49
Q

What are the available forms of St John’s Wort?

A

Tablets
Capsules
Teabags
Tinctures

50
Q

What is the major problem with St John’s Wort?

A

Inducer of CYP450 enzumes

51
Q

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of St John’s Wort?

A

Performed better than placebo and as well as paroxetine with fewer side effects

52
Q

What are the known uses for Echinacea?

A

Improves natural immunity
Prevents colds
Shortens duration of colds

53
Q

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Echinacea?

A

No evidence of increased performance when compared with placebo, possible weak benefit in prophylaxis of colds

54
Q

What are the known uses for Valerian?

A

Claims to relieve stress and aid sleep

55
Q

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Valerian?

A

No sufficient evidence to suggest improved efficacy when compared to placebo in GAD

56
Q

What are the known uses for Chamomile?

A

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

57
Q

What results were shown from a Cochrane review of Chamomile?

A

No sufficient evidence to suggest improved efficacy when compared to placebo

58
Q

What are the known uses for Garlic?

A

Common cold

Atherosclerosis

59
Q

What are the known uses for Ginger?

A

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Dysmenorrhoea

60
Q

What are the known uses for Gingko?

A

Improving cognition

61
Q

What are the known uses for Ginseng?

A

Improving cognition

62
Q

What are the known uses for Saw palmetto?

A

Urinary flow

Benign prostatic hyperplasia