1. THE USE OF BOTANICAL
MEDICINE IN WESTERN
SOCIETY
Roberta Gadbury
HW499
Assignment 04
February 28, 2017
2. Those Most Likely to Use Herbal Medicine
The demographics most likely to use herbal medicine have the
following characteristics:
• Well-educated
• Higher-than-average income
• Women
3. The American Public’s Little Secret…..
According to a study conducted in the New England journal of
Medicine, 70% of our population use herbal medicines on a regular
basis but the majority of these were reluctant to let their physicians
in on this little secret of theirs. (Ehrlich, S.D., 2015)
This could have dire consequences as these medicines act on our
physiological system in our bodies thus having the potential to
cause interactions with pharmaceutical medications taken and/or
surgeries or procedures that the patient might be undergoing
4. 13 Most Commonly Used Herbal Medicine in
United States
• Echinacea
• St. John’s wort
• Ginkgo
• Garlic
• Saw palmetto
• Ginseng
• Goldenseal
• Valerian
• Chamomile
• Feverfew
• Ginger
• Evening primrose
• Milk thistle
• (Ehrlich, S.D., 2015)
5. ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER, THE
FOLLOWING BOTANICAL MEDICINES HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE FOR THE
ASSOCIATED HEALTH CONDITIONS MENTIONED:
• Ginkgo bilboa has proven effective in treating circulatory disorders as well as
conditions associated with memory.
• There has been numerous studies conducted proving kava kava effective in treating
anxiety and other related nervous disorders as well as insomnia. May also cause
problems with liver though.
• Saw palmetto is a herb well known in treating “noncancerous enlargement of the
prostrate in men.”
• St. John’s wort has shown to be effective in treating mild-to-moderate depression
without the adverse side effects of antidepressants.
• Valerian has proven to be effective in helping those with sleeping issues, again
without the major side effects of traditional sleeping meds but could interfere with
particular psychiatric medications.
• To strengthen our body’s immunity, Echinacea is a well-known herbal supplement
used in the prevention or treatment of colds. But again there could be issues with a
certain section of our population that has autoimmune disorders or particular
allergies.
6. Factors to Consider When Evaluating Clinical
Trials
When evaluating clinical trials of either pharmaceutical or botanical
medicines, it is important to consider the following factors:
• Sample size
• Length of the study
• Dose
• Goal and measurement of the study
• “Nature of the medicine being investigated”
The nature of the medicine is particularly vital in botanical studies due to
the synergy of the components of the plants themselves.
Is not an issue in clinical trials involving pharmaceutical medicines.
(McKenna, D., n.d.)
7. Criticisms of Clinical Trials of Botanicals
Poor Quality due to:
• Small sample sizes
• Too short a period of time that trial is being conducted
• Products poorly characterized
BUT
These same criticisms are being aimed at clinical trials of
pharmaceutical medicines as well
With the conclusion that: “the method and reporting quality of
Western clinical trials of herbal medicines was on average superior
to that of conventional medicines” (McKenna, D., n.d.)
8. Please Do Remember that….
• No one study should be taken as gospel truth dispelling all
previous studies
• The particular study should be considered as part of the whole of
similar studies conducted
• Prior to clinical studies, botanicals medicines have been used for
thousands of years
9. JUST BECAUSE IT IS “NATURAL” DOES NOT
MEAN IT IS SAFE
• YES, botanicals may have adverse side effects to your health too
• These side effects may result from contaminants, active
ingredients or interactions with other drugs (Bent, S., 2008)
• People of special populations such as the elderly, pregnant
women, children, those with allergies and those with certain
medical conditions should take special care when taking herbal
medications
• Some botanical remedies might even be toxic if the dose is
incorrect or it is being used improperly thus it is advisable to
consult with a pharmacist and/or your physician for advisement
(McKenna, D., n.d.)
10. Regulations of Dietary Supplements
Supplements include the following:
Vitamins
Herbs
Amino acids
Enzymes
Organ tissues
Metabolites
Extracts
Concentrates
None of the above are regulated by the FDA as are pharmaceuticals
With the major difference being the FDA holds the burden of proof showing that a
supplement is dangerous before it can be removed from the market (Bent, S., 2008)
11. False Marketing Claims
• There are many false claims made regarding the safety and
efficacy of dietary supplements.
• To protect your health and that of your families, please use
reputable and unbiased sources to research your information.
• These may include any of the following:
• Major medical hospital and universities such as John Hopkins
Health Library, University of Minnesota Center for Wellness,
University of Maryland Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic.
• Other sources could include: NIH National Center for
Complementary and Integrative Health, peer-review articles, an
herbalist or a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
12. FINAL WORD OF WARNING….
It is imperative to let your doctor know if you are taking
herbal medications.
It could be a matter of life and death…..yours!
13. REFERENCES
Bent, S. (2008). Herbal Medicine in the United States: Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Regulation.
Journal of General Internal Medicine. 23(6), pp. 854-859. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18415652
Ehrlich, S.D. (2015). University of Maryland Medical Center. Herbal medicine. Retrieved from
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/herbal-medicine
McKenna, D. (n.d.). Is There Good Scientific Evidence? Retrieved from
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/botanical-medicine/-there-good-
scientific-evidence
