What is phytomedicine?
● Herbal medicine with therapeutic and healing properties
○ came into existence after the advent of human civilization
● Medicine developed solely from a full plant or portions of a plant and produced in crude form or as a refined pharmaceutical formulation
● refers to the use of plants and herbs for the purpose of cure and mitigation of human ailments
● Humans have been using plants for medical purposes since well before recorded history
○ Although modern medicine has surpassed herbal medicines in the treatment of human ailments, the usage of herbals has expanded in recent years across the world because they are seen to be safer than contemporary drugs, with few or no adverse effects.
● Herbal drugs
○ commonly administered as an extract of the whole herb, as herbal tea or fresh juice
○ consumed either fresh or in the dried and powdered form
○ efficacy of a drug can be significantly affected by the method of drug delivery
● Orthodox medicines
○ A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery.
Hygiene & Cleanliness of phytomedicine
● Medicinal plant material is tested for bacterial and fungal residues before being bought by most of the medicine manufacturers
○ if the product contains levels greater than permitted, they are rejected.
○ kind and magnitude of the adverse impact, as well as the exposure level at which the effect is noticed, are two crucial elements to consider when evaluating the safety of any herbal medicine
○ can show some of the hazards connected with the use of herbs, particularly in vulnerable groups
○ make it easier to identify toxicants that can be rejected or adjusted during the process, as well as provide an opportunity for broad examination of safer, potential alternatives
Is it safe?
● safety of herbal products
○ Important
■ majority of these products is self-prescribed and is used to treat chronic
conditions
■ most patients consuming herbal preparations are not aware of the potential side effects
■ => these preparations may cause complications
● Contains active ingredients
○ Some pharmaceutical treatments have a single active component sourced from plants
○ Herbal medicine practitioners think that if an active component is taken in isolation from the rest of the plant, it loses its effectiveness or becomes less safe
■ e.g. salicylic acid
● found in the plant meadowsweet and is used to create aspirin
● an induce stomach lining bleeding, however meadowsweet naturally
includes other chemicals that protect against salicylic acid irritation
● Not completely safe
○ May produce side effects
■ Allergic reactions
■ Asthma
■ Headaches
■ Nausea
■ Vomiting
■ Diarrhea
Importance of plants used in medicine
● Thought to be rich in chemicals that can be employed in the manufacture of pharmacopoeial, non-pharmacopoeial, or synthetic medications
○ Aside from that, these plants play an important role in the evolution of human cultures all over the world
○ certain plants are regarded as a significant source of nourishment
■ suggested for their medicinal properties
■ e.g. ginger, green tea, walnuts, aloe, pepper, turmeric, etc.
→ High possibilities of having allergies
● Most herbs utilized as blood purifiers to change or alter a long-term state by removing metabolic poisons
● Certain herbs boost the body's immune system, lowering diseases like fever
● Some botanicals have antibacterial qualities
● Turmeric can help to prevent the growth of germs, dangerous microorganisms, and bacteria is a popular home treatment for healing cuts and wounds
Conclusion
Medicinal plants are the future of medicine. Phytomedicines are coming to equal prominence with orthodox medicines worldwide. However, some medicinal plants are becoming endangered species. It is interesting to note that many effective functions have been found in various plants, but these compounds are not going to clinical trials and then ultimately to pharmacy.
Reference:
Herbal medicine. (n.d.). Better Health Channel.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/herbal-medicine Is the Safety of Herbal Medicines for Kidneys Under Question?, Rep. (July 1, 2013) (Conf. Rep.).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5297543/#:~:text=Herbal%20medicines %20are%20generally%20considered,free%20from%20undesirable%20side%20effects Khan, M. A. (2016). Introduction and importance of medicinal plants and herbs. In NHP. https://www.nhp.gov.in/introduction-and-importance-of-medicinal-plants-and-herbs_mtl# :~:text=Medicinal%20plants%20are%20considered%20as,cultures%20around%20the%2 0whole%20world
Phytomedicine. (n.d.). Science Direct.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/phytomedicine
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