Herbal medicine Intro part 2

HERBAL MEDICINE
INTRODUCTION
DR. MOSTAFA MAHMOUD HEGAZY PH.D

Content
 Herbal dosage forms
 Medicinal teas

Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Herbal dosage forms
 1- Oral dosage forms :
Liquids (Fluid extracts and Tinctures), herbal
teas (Infusions and decoctions), Tablets,
Capsules, Powders and Effervescent granules.
 2- Inhalation forms
 3- Topical dosage forms
 4- Herbal baths

 I. Oral dosage forms
 A. Liquids: Fluid extracts and tinctures are used in case of
non water soluble active compounds or for preservation of
water soluble active ingredients for long term use
 Fluid extracts (Liquid extracts): e.g. 1g dried herb = 2ml
fluid extract (1:2)
 Concentrated liquid preparation (1:1) and (1:2), containing a
definite proportion of the active principles of a medicinal
substance. May or may not contain alcohol.
 Tinctures: (1:5) and (1:10)
 More diluted than the fluid extracts. Mostly hydroalcoholic
extracts (using different concentrations of ethanol)

Advantages of liquid preparations
 1. Easily prepared (minimal processing)
 2. Truly reflect the chemical characteristics of
herb
 3. Offer dosage flexibility (suitable for children)
 4. Readily absorbed and convenient to take
Disadvantages of liquid preparations
 1. Taste problems (in case of bitters it is part of
the therapy), overcome by adding syrup and
flavors
 2. Alcohol may cause allergy and is refused by
Muslims

B. Medicinal teas
• Single or combination drug formula
• Combination preparations preferred as
give additive synergistic effects and lead to
reduction of undesirable effects of individual
components
Ingredients of herbal tea
1-Primary or basic ingredient(s): Herbal drug
itself, not more than 3 basic ingredients)
2- Adjuvant: Enhances or complements the
effect of basic ingredient, usually one or two

3- Filler (excipient ): Gives pleasant colour
or appearance to the tea e.g. Chamomile
for white color, Calendula for orange color
and Lavender for blue color.
4- Corrigent: Enhances the flavor of the tea
(contains volatile oil)
 Filler and corrigent should have similar
actions to the basic ingredient .
 Herbs containing volatile oil should be
prepared using hot not boiling water to
avoid loss of volatile oil.

 They must be prescribed according to strict rules and Label should
specify:
1- Method of preparation (infusion or decoction),
2- Time of steeping the tea in water
3- Dosage and duration of treatment
 Crataegus flowers 30 g
 Convallaria herb 30 g
 Melissa leaf 20 g
 Valerian root 20 g
 Indications : used in cases of functional heart disease , extrasystoles and
palpitations .
 Mode of use : 2 teaspoons to a cup of boiling water , infuse , two cups
daily .

 Thyme herb
 Sundew herb
 Liquorice root
 Anise seed equal parts to make 100
 Indications : cough tea for spasmodic and
whooping cough also for asthmatic
bronchitis.
 Mode of use :1 teaspoon to a cup of
boiling water , leave to infuse for 20
minutes , 1 cup several times daily .

 Senna leaves
 Mentha herb
 Chamomile flowers
 Cinnamon bark equal parts to make 100
 Indications : in case of acute constipation
associated with spasm (abdominal pain ).
 Mode of use : 1 Teaspoon to a cup of hot
water , infuse , one cup at bed time

 Ammi visnaga
 Half barr
 Buchu leaves
 Golden rod equal parts to make 100
 Indications : renal tea used in case of
renal stones and spasm.
 Mode of use : 1 teaspoon to a cup of
hot water , infuse , 1 cup 3 times daily
.

 Infusions and decoctions
• For water-soluble active constituents e.g. polysaccharides, some
glycosides, mucilage and tannins
• For diaphoretics (must be given hot to maximize their effects)
 Infusion: Hot water is poured over the dried herb and left for
sometime in closed container With herbs with components
are more volatile or dissolve readily in water
 Decoction: Herb is boiled with water. it’s more potent in its
strength and therapeutic properties
 Disadvantages:
1. Unpleasant taste (add sweetener)
2. Water is not a good solvent for all active constituents (sterolic
compounds, some aglycones and v.o.)

C. Tablets
May contain powders or solid extracts (to↓ tablet size, solvent
removed under vacuum)
Advantages:
1. Convenient dosage form
2. No problem of taste or alcohol
Disadvantages:
1. Processing required for preparation
2. In case of using solid extracts, heat sensitive or volatile
compounds can be damaged

 D. Powders
 For herbs containing:
 1- Mucilage
Water added (just before use) for Swelling and gel formation
 2- Tannin for treatment of colon problems (slowly dissolved from the herb matrix
and still being in active form when reaching the colon)
 Advantage:
Total constituents of the herb are presented to the patient’s digestive tract

 E. Capsules
Advantages:
Conceals the unpleasant taste of the powder
Disadvantages:
Many capsules need to be taken to achieve adequate doses (max.
600 mg/capsule)
Capsules are filled with concentrated extracts instead of
powders

G. Effervescent granules
• Contain an acid (usually citric and tartaric acids) and an alkali (sodium
bicarbonate) in addition to the main ingredient and releases
CO2 in contact with water
• Effervescence allows for a faster and more efficient delivery of active
ingredients and so a faster onset of action
The solution is activated instantly and once taken orally is absorbed through
vessels in the mouth and tongue
The remaining liquid is absorbed much quicker and efficiently in the gut

II. Inhalation forms
1-Infusion and inhaling the vapor
of the contained volatile oil
2- Few drops of volatile oil + glass of
boiling water and inhaling the vapor
•For treatment of cold , cough and
sinus problems (volatile oil containing
herbs act as expectorants and possess
decongestive and antibacterial effects)

III. Topical DF
1-Mashed or crushed fresh herb used as paste or poultice
2- Absorbent cloth or cotton pad moistened with the infusion or
decoction and used as plaster or poultice
3- Rubs or liniments containing volatile oils applied to throat and chest
treatment of cold or as rubefacient for rheumatic pains (menthol)
4- Plasters, creams, liniments or ointments containing rubefacients e.g.
capsaicin????? ( or )

IV. Herbal baths
Astringent baths for genital areas skin
disorders e.g. Bilberry tea orextract
Aromatic baths for stimulation and
improvement of skin complexion e.g.
Chamomile baths (tea or drops of
volatile oil mixed with hot bath
water)

Side effects &/or toxic reactions to herbal
medicines
Rare as they are generally safe except minor allergic reactions
They can arise from:
1. Mislabeling
2. Intensive addition of unnatural synthetic substances
3. Natural toxic contaminants (micro-orgnisms or their by-
products)
4. Natural toxic ingredients e.g.
a. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (hepatotoxic)
b. Rauwolfia preparations promote breast cancer

5. Excessive ingestion
Ginseng: Agitation, insomnia and raised blood pressure
Licorice: Edema and hypertension
Parsley: Fatal poisoning (apiole in volatile oil, related to the hepato-
carcinogen safrole)
6. Hypersensitivity reactions Sesquiterpene lactones (e.g. in chamomile
and feverfew) possess allergic properties
7. Phototoxic reactions Furanocoumarins (e.g. in citrus essential oils,
parsley and rue) cause photosensitive rashes

Prerequisites to the production and marketing of herbal remedies
1) Standardization
Quality standardization: Testing the purity of herbs and determination of
their content of active constituents
Safety: Studying the acute and chronic toxicity on experimental animals
Efficacy: Determination of the efficacy of herbal drugs in treatment of
diseases using double-blind studies on experimental animals (using -ve
and +ve controls)
2) Approval for human testing (clinical double-blind studies)
3) Official permission: Obtained through Ministry of Health and Ministry of
Agriculture
4) Pharmacovigilance

 Interpreting product labels
1- Brand name
2- Product/herb name
3-statements of nutritional
support
4- disclaimer
5- Number of tablets, capsules,
and net weight of each in
package.
6- Directions for Use and
Cautions.
7- "Serving Size"
8- Amount per Serving“
9- Percent Daily Value" (%DV)

1- Brand name
2- Product/herb name
3- Herbal products and other "dietary supplements" may make "statements of
nutritional support" often referred to as "structure/function claims," such as "supports
the immune system" and "supports a healthy heart," and must not claim to diagnose,
cure, treat, or prevent any disease such as "helps treat the common cold" and "helps
prevent heart disease" are considered unacceptable, as these are considered drug
claims. Thus "helps maintain urinary tract health" is acceptable while "helps prevent
urinary tract infections" is not.
4- A structure/function claim requires this disclaimer when it appears on the label of a
dietary supplement, as well as in any brochures or advertising. The disclaimer must be
in bold type and in a box.
5- Number of tablets, capsules, and net weight of each in package.
6- Directions for Use and Cautions.

7- "Serving Size" is the suggested number of tablets, capsules, softgels, tea bags,
liquid extract, or tincture to take at one time.
8- Amount per Serving" first indicates the nutrients present in the herb and then
specifies the quantity. The following items must be declared if in excess of what
can legally be declared as zero* calories, fat, carbohydrates, sodium, and protein.
In addition, the following nutrients must also be declared if present in quantities
exceeding what can legally be declared as zero: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-l, B-2, B-
3, B-6, B-12, folic acid, biotin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, zinc,
selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, chloride, and potassium.
Most herbal products contain negligible amounts of these nutrients.
9- Percent Daily Value" (%DV) indicates the percentage of daily intake provided
by the herb. An asterisk under the "Percent Daily Value" heading indicates that a
Daily Value is not established for that dietary ingredient.

10- Herbs should be designated by their standardized common names as
listed in the book Herbs of Commerce, published in 1992 by the American
Herbal Products Association. If the common name is not listed in Herbs of
Commerce, then the common name must be followed by the herb's Latin
name. The plant part must be listed for each herb. The amount in
milligrams of each herb must be listed
11. Standardization. If a product is chemically standardized, the product
label may list the component used to measure standardization (e.g.,
ginsenosides in Asian ginseng, valerenic acids in valerian, etc.)
The component used to measure standardization may be the bioactive,
products can also be standardized to "marker compounds" for purposes of
quality control. Those markers lay or may not be active.

13- The proper location for storage of herbal products is typically
labelled as a cool, dry place.
14- All herbal products and other dietary supplements could be
kept out of the reach of children.
15- the herb should be used before the expiration date for
maximum potency and effectiveness.
16- The product must list the manufacturer or distributor's name,
city, state, and zip code.

Herbal medicine Intro part 2

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