Mod 1.2 Flashcards
(140 cards)
1
Q
What are commercial herbal tablets commonly made from?
A
Spray-dried herbal extracts turned into powder.
2
Q
What is the function of disintegrants in tablets?
A
They help the tablet break apart once inside the body.
3
Q
What is the function of binders in tablets?
A
They hold the ingredients together.
4
Q
What is the purpose of coatings in tablets?
A
Coatings mask taste, delay release, or shield contents from moisture, air, and light.
5
Q
How can homemade tablets or capsules be prepared?
A
Using dried, ground herbs, avoiding commercial excipients.
6
Q
When are homemade herbal tablets or capsules considered effective?
A
When made with good-quality ingredients and taken at an appropriate therapeutic dose.
7
Q
List three advantages of herbal tablets.
A
Convenience and durability, portability, no alcohol content.
8
Q
Name one advantage of herbal tablets for taste or stomach irritation.
A
Can be enterically coated to delay release and protect the stomach.
9
Q
What advantage do tablets offer in terms of dosage?
A
They allow for accurate dosage and may contain super-concentrated constituents like silymarin.
10
Q
How are herbal tablets useful for unpalatable herbs?
A
They provide an effective means of ingestion.
11
Q
What are three disadvantages of herbal tablets?
A
Loss of contents during processing, less absorption than liquids, ingestion of excipients.
12
Q
Why might dosage flexibility be limited in herbal tablets?
A
They are pre-dosed and not easily adjusted.
13
Q
What is a disadvantage for children using herbal tablets?
A
They may be difficult to swallow.
14
Q
What happens during the extraction step in tablet production?
A
The dried herb is ground into a fine powder or soaked to extract active components.
15
Q
What is the concentration step in herbal tablet production?
A
The liquid extract is filtered and concentrated by removing water and alcohol, often under vacuum.
16
Q
Describe the drying process in tablet production.
A
The extract is dried into powder using spray-drying, vacuum oven drying, roller drying, or freeze-drying.
17
Q
What happens during the mixing with excipients step?
A
Herbal powder is blended with binders or lubricants to ensure consistent dose and tablet structure.
18
Q
What is tablet pressing?
A
A machine compresses the mixture into solid tablets of uniform size and weight.
19
Q
What is the purpose of the coating step in tablet production?
A
To improve taste, ease swallowing, protect from moisture, or delay breakdown until reaching the intestine.
20
Q
When is a herbal suspension used?
A
When herbal compounds don’t dissolve in water, unlike infusions or decoctions.
21
Q
How is a suspension consumed?
A
The whole herb is mixed with liquid and consumed without straining.
22
Q
What are two common examples of herbs used in suspensions?
A
Plantago ovata (Psyllium husks) and Ulmus rubra (Slippery elm powder).
23
Q
What texture do herbs in suspensions form when mixed with water?
A
A thick, gel-like mix.
24
Q
What is mucilage and what are its effects?
A
Mucilage is a plant substance that soothes the digestive lining (demulcent effect) and adds bulk to relieve constipation (laxative effect).
25
List three advantages of herbal suspensions.
High absorption rate, no additives or excipients, relatively cheap.
26
Why are suspensions considered shelf-stable?
Because the ingredients typically have a long shelf life.
27
What are two more advantages of suspensions?
Lack of alcohol and low cost.
28
What are two disadvantages of herbal suspensions?
Taste and problematic dosage measurement.
29
Why can compliance be low with herbal suspensions?
Due to taste and preparation inconvenience.
30
What is a limitation regarding the variety of herbs in suspensions?
Few herbs are effectively administered this way.
31
How should a suspension be prepared to avoid separation?
Make a soft paste with a small amount of water first, and add powder last if using a blender.
32
How should suspensions be handled when using volatile constituents?
Create the suspension in a closed vessel.
33
How can palatability be improved when preparing a suspension?
Combine with juices or spices.
34
Who created the system used to classify all living things?
Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778).
35
What is binomial nomenclature?
A system that gives plants two names: genus and species.
36
What feature did Linnaeus mainly use for plant classification?
Flower characteristics.
37
What methods are used in modern plant classification?
DNA comparison and plant structure and anatomy.
38
Why is it important to use scientific names for plants?
Because common names vary by country, region, and language; scientific names avoid confusion.
39
What is the scientific name for onion?
Allium cepa.
40
What language are scientific names written in and how are they formatted?
Written in Latin and always italicised (or underlined if handwritten).
41
What are the two parts of a scientific name?
Genus (capitalised) and species (lowercase).
42
Give an example of a scientific name and its common name.
Taraxacum officinale – Dandelion.
43
What does it mean if two plants share the same genus but have different species names?
They are related but are different species.
44
What is the Latin binomial system?
A two-name system using Genus + Species to scientifically name plants.
45
How should Latin binomial names be written?
Always in italics (or underlined if handwritten).
46
What is the genus and species name for peppermint?
Mentha piperita.
47
Why are Mentha spicata and Mentha piperita related?
They share the same genus: Mentha.
48
Are Artemisia vulgaris and Thymus vulgaris related? Why or why not?
No, they are in different genera despite both having "vulgaris" as the species name.
49
What is the family of Mentha piperita (peppermint)?
Lamiaceae.
50
List the full botanical classification of Mentha piperita.
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species: piperita
51
What are three reasons scientific plant names may change?
New naming rules, new scientific information, or differing scientific opinions.
52
What set of rules governs plant name changes?
The International Code of Nomenclature (ICN).
53
What does the species name piperita mean?
Peppery.
54
What does the species name vulgaris mean?
Common.
55
What does the species name sativa mean?
Of the fields.
56
What does the species name tinctora mean?
Used as dye.
57
What does the species name longa mean?
Long leaves or stems.
58
What does the species name alba mean?
White.
59
What does the species name odorata mean?
Fragrant.
60
What does the species name nigrum mean?
Black.
61
What does the species name tomentosa mean?
Hairy.
62
What does the species name officinalis or officinale indicate?
That the plant was officially recognised as a medicine in historical Materia Medica or Pharmacopoeia.
63
When were species names like officinalis added to plants by Linnaeus?
In 1733, during the naming of official medicinal plants.
64
Give four examples of plants with the species name officinalis or officinale.
Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)
Zingiber officinale (ginger)
Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary – now Salvia rosmarinus)
Symphytum officinale (comfrey)
65
What is produced when two different plant species crossbreed?
A hybrid or cultivar.
66
How are hybrid plant names written?
Using both parent names with an “x” between them.
67
What is the scientific name for peppermint?
Mentha × piperita.
68
What is the scientific name for spearmint?
Mentha × spicata.
69
What is the scientific name for pennyroyal?
Mentha × pulegium.
70
What is taxonomy?
The science of naming, describing, and classifying living organisms into groups (e.g. species, genus, family).
71
What is the origin of the word “taxonomy”?
Greek — Taxis = arrangement, Nomia = distribution.
72
What is the purpose of taxonomy?
To organise and understand the diversity of life based on phylogeny.
73
What is phylogeny?
The study of the evolutionary development and diversity of a species or group of organisms.
74
What is the origin of the word “phylogeny”?
Greek — Phylon = tribe, Genetikos = related to birth.
75
What does phylogeny focus on?
How species or features have evolved and diversified over time.
76
Who developed the Theory of Evolution?
Charles Darwin (1809–1882).
77
What are the three most important taxonomy groups to remember?
Family, Genus, Specific epithet.
78
What are the kingdoms of life used for in biology?
To classify all living organisms based on cell type, energy maintenance, and body structure.
79
How many kingdoms are used in Australia and what are they?
5 kingdoms:
1. Monera – single-cell organisms/bacteria
2. Protista – algae
3. Fungi – fungi
4. Plantae – plants
5. Animalia – animals, including humans
80
How many kingdoms are used in the USA and what is the difference?
6 kingdoms. Monera is split into:
• Archaebacteria – live in extreme environments
• Eubacteria – regular bacteria (e.g. in the human gut)
The other four remain the same: Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.
81
What are archaebacteria and where do they live?
Primitive bacteria that live in extreme environments like hot springs or salty water.
82
What are eubacteria?
Common bacteria, including those found in the human digestive system.
83
What is the broadest grouping used to classify plants within Kingdom Plantae?
Phylum/Division
84
What grouping comes after Phylum/Division in plant classification?
Class
85
What is an example of a plant Phylum/Division?
Angiosperms (flowering plants)
86
What is an example of a plant Class within the Angiosperms phylum?
Magnoliopsida (dicots, plants with two seed leaves)
87
What grouping comes after Class in plant taxonomy?
Order
88
What is an example of an Order in plants?
Rosales (includes the rose family)
89
What comes after Order in the plant classification hierarchy?
Family
90
What defines a plant Family?
Plants with similar flowers or fruits
91
Give an example of a plant Family.
Rosaceae (rose family)
92
What grouping is more specific than Family and part of the scientific name?
Genus
93
Give an example of a Genus in plants.
Rosa (roses)
94
What is the most specific classification level for plants?
Species
95
Give an example of a Species name.
Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar rose)
96
In the scientific name Lavandula angustifolia, what is the Genus?
Lavandula
97
In the scientific name Lavandula angustifolia, what is the Species?
angustifolia
98
What type of plants does the Phylum Hepaticophyta include?
Liverworts (small green plants found on rocks or soil)
99
What plants are classified under the Phylum Bryophyta?
Mosses (soft green plants seen on tree trunks or forest floors)
100
Which Phylum includes whisk ferns?
Psilophyta
101
What are club mosses classified under?
Lycophyta
102
Which Phylum is known for plants with tall, jointed stems called horsetails?
Equisetophyta (also called Sphenophyta)
103
Ferns belong to which Phylum?
Pterophyta
104
Pine trees with needles and cones belong to which Phylum?
Coniferophyta
105
Cycads, plants that look like palm trees, belong to which Phylum?
Cycadophyta
106
The Ginkgo tree, with fan-shaped leaves, belongs to which Phylum?
Ginkgophyta
107
Flowering plants like roses, daisies, and fruit trees belong to which Phylum?
Anthophyta or Magnoliophyta
108
What is Phylum Magnoliophyta known for?
It is the most advanced and common group of plants.
109
What key structures do plants in Phylum Magnoliophyta have?
Flowers, fruits, and seeds.
110
How do flowers in angiosperms help reproduction?
By attracting animals like bees and birds for pollination instead of relying on wind.
111
What is a flower in terms of plant structure?
A special branch made for reproduction, with adapted leaves.
112
How do fruits help angiosperms?
They help spread seeds more effectively by attracting animals that carry the seeds away.
113
What does the name angiosperm mean?
Seed in a vessel — seeds develop inside a protective ovary (fruit).
114
Approximately what percentage of green plants today are angiosperms?
About 80%.
115
How many species of angiosperms are there approximately?
Around 250,000 to 350,000 species.
116
On what do many flowering plants depend to transfer pollen?
Animals such as insects and birds.
117
What chemicals do many flowering plants produce and why?
Chemicals like tannins and alkaloids to attract or repel different animals and insects.
118
Are all flowering plants independent?
No, some are parasitic or rely on other species for survival.
119
What is the focus of pollination and reproduction in most angiosperms?
Using animals (insects, birds) to pollinate and help produce fruit and seeds.
120
What does TGA stand for and what is its role?
Therapeutic Goods Administration; oversees the safety, quality, and effectiveness of herbal and other therapeutic products in Australia.
121
What does GMP mean in herbal product regulation?
Good Manufacturing Practice; guidelines that ensure herbal products are made safely and consistently.
122
What is the ARTG?
Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods; a list of all approved therapeutic products, including herbal medicines, that can be sold in Australia.
123
What is the Poisons Standard (formerly SUSMP)?
It organises substances, including herbs, into schedules based on how they can be safely used and accessed in Australia.
124
When was the SUSMP renamed to the Poisons Standard?
February 2023
125
What is the role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia?
The TGA regulates all health products in Australia, including herbal medicines, ensuring their safety.
126
What must products be included on to be legally sold in Australia?
The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
127
What does AustL (Listed) indicate on the ARTG?
It indicates lower-risk products.
128
What does AustR (Registered) indicate on the ARTG?
Higher-risk products that must be tested for safety, quality, and effectiveness.
129
What additional role does the TGA play regarding equivalent products?
It sets rules for what can be considered an equivalent product between different herbal preparations or compared to pharmaceuticals.
130
Why must variation in herbal medicine strength be considered?
Because herbal medicines can vary in strength even if they come from the same species, affecting quality and safety assessments.
131
What is the purpose of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989?
To protect the public by ensuring all therapeutic goods are safe, high quality, and effective.
132
Who does the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 apply to?
Manufacturers, manufacturing facilities, and the therapeutic products themselves.
133
How did the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 change the regulation of herbal products?
Herbal products became regulated the same way as pharmaceutical drugs.
134
What was a major consequence of the new regulation for small herbal businesses?
Many small businesses could not afford compliance costs and were forced to close.
135
What did remaining herbal manufacturers have to do to comply with new standards?
Make expensive upgrades to their manufacturing processes and facilities.
136
What is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)?
A set of official rules that ensures herbal products are made safely and consistently.
137
Is GMP legally required for herbal manufacturers in Australia?
Yes, following the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice is a legal requirement.
138
What is the main purpose of GMP?
To protect consumers by ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of herbal medicines.
139
What is required for labelling for commercial manufacturing?
- The name of the medicine
- Quantity/ weight or volume
- List of ingredients including plant part and source of the herb
- Concentration of the medicinal ingredients
- Batch number and use by date
- Storage conditions
- Any warnings or cautions
140
What is required for labelling for a client?
- Client Name
- Amount dispensed
- Name and address of supplier
- A list of contents or code number referring to a register that lists contents
- Date dispensed and expiry date
- Any warnings or cautions
