Intersection Plants Medicine Plants A source for meds

Intersection: Plants & Medicine

Plants – A source for meds n n n Herbs - Ingestion or use of the plant itself Herbal medicine - medicinal agents obtained by processing or concentrating plant products Prescription drugs – plant substances processed and altered

Herbs n n Easy to obtain No processing Safety – high Efficacy – variable, generally mild effects

Coffee Coffea arabica, C. canephora Beverage Stimulation Antioxidant Appetite stimulant Gastritis Withdrawal Found everywhere

Blueberries Vaccinium corymbosum Urinary infection Cancer protection Diabetes Common cold Antioxidant Diarrhea Tasty Safe None

Chamomile Matricaria recutita Sedation, calming Antioxidant Quite safe Valium Xanax Ativan

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Diuretic Stimulate digestion Laxative Safe Lasix HCTZ

Green Tea Camellia sinensis Antioxidant Cancer prevention Weight loss Lowers Chloresterol Increases energy Safe None

Aloe Vera Burns Psoriasis Fresh food preservative Wound healing Antibacterial Safe Multiple commercial products

Herbal Medications n n n Over 500 herbal products marketed as plants, teas, powders, liquids extracts, tablets. Natural products – are they safe? Are they effective? Marketed as dietary supplements. Not regulated except if proven unsafe. No standardization of product

Echinacea purpurea Immune system stimulation Cuts cold time in half Allergic reactions Worsen diabetes GI disturbances Worsen HIV, TB, MS and similar diseases (None)

Garlic Allium sativum Hypertension Reduction of Chloresterol Lowers HBP Digestive aid Cancer protection Nausea Sweating Smell bad Abnormal Coagulation Lopid Zocor

Ginkgo Biloba Improves cognition & memory Improves peripheral circulation Headaches Dizzyness Nausea Coagulation defects No effect on Alzheimers Aricept, Namenda

Ginseng Panax quinquefolius, P. Ginseng Energy booster Enhance physical, sexual, mental performance Nervousness, Excitation Insomnia Allergies Diarrhea Depression Hypertension Coagulation defect Studies equivocal Cortisone

Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens BPH Anti-inflammatory GI cramping Libido loss Breast tenderness Minimally effective Avodart Proscar

Ephedra sinica Asthma Common Cold DANGEROUS Strokes, Seizures Psychosis Heart rhythm abnormality Heart Attacks Ephedrine Epinepherine Norepinepherine

St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum Depression Alters drug levels Allergic reactions Generally safe Paxil, Prozac

Valeriana officinalis Sedation; insomnia Nervousness Fatigue Nervousness Prolongs effect of Tranquilizers & alcohol Valium Xanax Ativan

Peppermint Mentha × piperita Irritible Bowel Topical – shingles Colic Muscle relaxant Liver disease Menthol Menthone

Dangerous Herbs n n n n Belladonna Clematis Lithospermum Mandrake Mistletoe Pomegranate Snakeroot

Prescription Drugs n n n Proven effective Standard & predictable dosing Herbal medicines proven effective are now prescription drugs Do not contain contaminants (Not natural)

Psyllium Plantago Ispaghula Constipation Irritable bowel syndrome Effective Many OTC laxatives

White Willow Salix Alba Arthritis Pain Less effective than ASA Aspirin

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Heart failure Rhythm abnormalities Prescription only Digoxin, digitec

Penicillin Penicillium notatum Effective antibiotic Prescription drug Pen V Ampicillin Amoxacillin

Morphine Papaver somniferum Pain treatment Controlled substance Morphine Codeine

Pacific Yew Taxus brevifolia Breast cancer Lung cancer Ovarian cancer Prescription Drug Tamoxifen Paclitaxel

Illicit Drugs n n n Opium Heroin Cocaine – actually a controlled drug Methamphetamine Marijauana

Conclusion n n Natural does not equal safe. Natural does not equal effective. Herbal medicines may not be drugs but do have a pharmacological effect. Plants have a huge impact on human health Recognize to take a herbal medicine is to get an effect, not just a food supplement.

If you decide to use a herbal drug n n n Purchase the best quality available Before taking the drug decide just what benefit you hope to see. Be aware of potential side effects. Stop the drug if 1) you don’t perceive the benefit you expected. 2) you experience side effects. Don’t expect any long term benefits.

What should I purchase? Obtain herbal medicine from a supplier with a good reputation. Thorne Research, Inc. www. thorne. com (208) 263 -1337 Email info@thorne. com