Pharmacy Health Dictionary

A ‘pre-metric’ unit of measurement of volume. It is about one-60th part of a ?uid drachm and is used in pharmacy.... minim

The science which deals with the source, origin, distribution, composition, preparation and action of medicinal plants used in herbalism. Although the modern herbalist no longer forages his own herbs from fields and hedgerows, a knowledge of materia medica is important.

“Crudes” are mostly imported from abroad, cut fine, and sold by skilled suppliers or druggists to herb shops for sale in their native state or for compounding into preparations by practitioners.

The art of preparing medicines is known as pharmacy; that of herbal medicine is often referred to as biopharmacy or “green pharmacy”. There are certain disadvantages of buying crude material from other than specialist sources; the risk of stale or otherwise inactive material is one.

An accredited manufacturer will compound materials according to a fixed formula published in an official pharmacopoeia. A practitioner writes his prescription which he compounds himself or gives it to an assistant who acts as a dispenser. This art of dispensing evolves as Herbal Pharmacy.

The traditional herbalist will endeavour to relieve a condition by giving a remedy which produces an opposite effect. For instance, a loose condition of the bowels, as in colitis, would be reversed by astringents; a ‘tight’ colon, as in some forms of constipation, would be relaxed by laxatives. They thus work to a system of cure known as contraria contraribus curantur.

Rational herbalism has evolved from a knowledge of the behaviour of disease patterns and an understanding of remedies used to combat them. Periwinkle (Vinca), for instance, kills off white blood cells over-produced in leukaemia without harming the body. Treatment of leukaemia with Vinca in the form of Vinplastine or other derivatives is therefore rational.

It is well-known that alkalies inhibit secretion of gastric juice. Hyper-acidity (over-secretion of acid) is the common cause of many forms of indigestion. A herbal pharmacopoeia describes effective plants with a positive alkaline action. Herbal alkalies are therefore rationally indicated.

Plant medicines obtain their objective by chemical means. During its life, a plant will take up from the soil various minerals from which it synthesises alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, etc, that are the real activators. Their strength depends upon the quality of soil on which they are grown. ... materia medica

Nutritional Profile Energy value (calories per serving): Low Protein: Low Fat: Low Saturated fat: Low Cholesterol: None Carbohydrates: High Fiber: Low Sodium: Moderate Major vitamin contribution: Vitamin C Major mineral contribution: Iron, potassium

About the Nutrients in This Food Cranberries are nearly 90 percent water. The rest is sugars and dietary fiber, including insoluble cellulose in the skin and soluble gums and pectins in the flesh. Pectin dissolves as the fruit ripens; the older and riper the cran- berries, the less pectin they contain. Cranberries also have a bit of protein and a trace of fat, plus moderate amounts of vitamin C. One-half cup cranberries has 1.6 g dietary fiber and 6.5 mg vitamin C (9 percent of the R DA for a woman, 7 percent of the R DA for a man). One-half cup cranberry sauce has 1.5 g dietary fiber and 3 mg vitamin C (4 percent of the R DA for a woman, 3 percent of the R DA for a man).

The Most Nutritious Way to Serve This Food Relish made of fresh, uncooked berries (to preserve the vitamin C, which is destroyed by heat) plus oranges.

Diets That May Restrict or Exclude This Food Low-fiber diet

Buying This Food Look for: Firm, round, plump, bright red berries that feel cool and dry to the touch. Avoid: Shriveled, damp, or moldy cranberries. Moldy cranberries may be contaminated with fusarium molds, which produce toxins that can irritate skin and damage tissues by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA and protein.

Storing This Food Store packaged cranberries, unwashed, in the refrigerator, or freeze unwashed berries in sealed plastic bags for up to one year.

Preparing This Food Wash the berries under running water, drain them, and pick them over carefully to remove shriveled, damaged, or moldy berries. R inse frozen berries. It is not necessary to thaw before cooking.

What Happens When You Cook This Food First, the heat will make the water inside the cranberry swell, so that if you cook it long enough the berry will burst. Next, the anthocyanin pigments that make cranberries red will dissolve and make the cooking water red. Anthocyanins stay bright red in acid solutions and turn bluish if the liquid is basic (alkaline). Cooking cranberries in lemon juice and sugar preserves the color as well as brightens the taste. Finally, the heat of cooking will destroy some of the vitamin C in cranberries. Cranberry sauce has about one-third the vitamin C of an equal amount of fresh cranberries.

Medical Uses and/or Benefits Urinary antiseptic. Cranberr y juice is a long-honored folk remedy for urinar y infections. In 1985, researchers at Youngstown (Ohio) State University found a “special factor” in cran- berries that appeared to keep disease-causing bacteria from adhering to the surface of cells in the bladder and urinar y tract. In 1999, scientists at study at Rutgers University (in New Jersey) identified specific tannins in cranberries as the effective agents. In 2004, research- ers at Beth Israel Medical Center (New York) published a review of 19 recent studies of cranberries. The report, in the journal American Family Physician, suggested that a regimen of eight ounces of unsweetened cranberr y juice or one 300 – 400 mg cranberr y extract tablet twice a day for up to 12 months safely reduced the risk of urinar y tract infections. In 2008, a similar review by scientists at the University of Stirling (Scotland) of 10 studies showed similar results.

Adverse Effects Associated with This Food Increased risk of kidney stones. Long-term use of cranberry products may increase the risk of stone formation among patients known to form oxalate stones (stones composed of calcium and/or other minerals).

Food/Drug Interactions Anticoagulants Anticoagulants (blood thinners) are drugs used to prevent blood clots. They are most commonly prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that allows blood to pool in the heart and possibly clot before being pumped out into the body. In 2006 researchers at the College of Pharmacy and the Antithrombosis Center at the Univer- sity of Illinois (Chicago) reported that consuming cranberry juice while using the anticoagu- lant warafin (Coumadin) might cause fluctuations in blood levels of the anticoagulant, thus reducing the drug’s ability to prevent blood clots.... cranberries

Guarana tea has been recognized by generations of people from the Amazon as being an energy booster and a strong helper for those with cognitive problems. Guarana is a climbing plant that grows in the Amazon and in the tropical forests of Brazil. Its seeds are mostly used as a caffeine substitute in energy drinks. The constituents of guarana plant are caffeine (guarana tea contains 2.5 times the amount of caffeine than coffee) and traces of theophylline and thebromine (commonly used as stimulants). How To Make Guarana Tea You can make guarana tea by boiling 2 grams of crushed guarana seeds in 250 ml of water. Let it boil for about 10 minutes then wait for it to cool down a little bit. Then, by using a trainer to catch the guarana seeds, pour the tea into your cup. Optionally, sweeten it with sugar or honey. Guarana Tea Benefits

• Guarana tea may be effective in treating headaches, but only as a short-term treatment, according to the University of Colorado Denver College of Pharmacy.
• Enhances memory, alertness and other cognitive capacities.
• Boosts energy and alleviates depression.
• Treats chronic diarrhea.

Guarana Tea Side Effects The side effects of guarana tea are associated with over consumption. If you drink too much guarana tea you may experience the same side effects that you can have when drinking too much coffee, such as:

• Anxiety
• Trembling
• Hyperactivity
• Frequent urination
• Palpitation

Needless to say, pregnant and breastfeeding woman should not drink guarana tea! All in all, do not drink more than 3 cups of guarana tea per day! This way your body gets the exact amount of caffeine that it needs and you can be sure you would not experience its side effects!... guarana tea

An alcoholic solution used in PHARMACY, generally of some vegetable substance.... tincture

There are active and passive (in-active) constituents in all plants. An active principle is the most active constituent.

The amount of active constituent of a plant is not constant. The percentage of active constituent varies greatly. For this reason official pharmacy standardises drugs. See: WHOLE PLANT. ... active principle

Medicines are drugs made stable, palatable and acceptable for administration. In Britain, the Medicines Act 1968 controls the making, advertising and selling of substances used for ‘medicinal purposes’, which means diagnosing, preventing or treating disease, or altering a function of the body. Permission to market a medicine has to be obtained from the government through the MEDICINES CONTROL AGENCY, or from the European Commission through the European Medicines Evaluation Agency. It takes the form of a Marketing Authorisation (formerly called a Product Licence), and the uses to which the medicine can be put are laid out in the Summary of Product Characteristics (which used to be called the Product Data Sheet).

There are three main categories of licensed medicinal product. Drugs in small quantities can, if they are perceived to be safe, be licensed for general sale (GSL – general sales list), and may then be sold in any retail shop. P (pharmacy-only) medicines can be sold from a registered pharmacy by or under the supervision of a pharmacist (see PHARMACISTS); no prescription is needed. P and GSL medicines are together known as OTCs – that is, ‘over-thecounter medicines’. POM (prescription-only medicines) can only be obtained from a registered pharmacy on the prescription of a doctor or dentist. As more information is gathered on the safety of drugs, and more emphasis put on individual responsibility for health, there is a trend towards allowing drugs that were once POM to be more widely available as P medicines. Examples include HYDROCORTISONE 1 per cent cream for skin rashes, CIMETIDINE for indigestion, and ACICLOVIR for cold sores. Care is needed to avoid taking a P medicine that might alter the actions of another medicine taken with it, or that might be unsuitable for other reasons. Patients should read the patient-information lea?et, and seek the pharmacist’s advice if they have any doubt about the information. They should tell their pharmacist or doctor if the medicine results in any unexpected effects.

Potentially dangerous drugs are preparations referred to under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and subsequent regulations approved in 1985. Described as CONTROLLED DRUGS, these include such preparations as COCAINE, MORPHINE, DIAMORPHINE, LSD (see LYSERGIC ACID

DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD)), PETHIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE, AMPHETAMINES, BARBITURATES and most BENZODIAZEPINES.

Naming of drugs A European Community Directive (92/27/EEC) requires the use of the Recommended International Non-proprietary Name (rINN) for medicinal substances. For most of these the British Approved Name (BAN) and rINN were identical; where the two were di?erent, the BAN has been modi?ed in line with the rINN. Doctors and other authorised subscribers are advised to write titles of drugs and preparations in full because uno?cial abbreviations may be misinterpreted. Where a drug or preparation has a non-proprietary (generic) title, this should be used in prescribing unless there is a genuine problem over the bioavailability properties of a proprietary drug and its generic equivalent.

Where proprietary – commercially registered

– names exist, they may in general be used only for products supplied by the trademark owners. Countries outside the European Union have their own regulations for the naming of medicines.

Methods of administration The ways in which drugs are given are increasingly ingenious. Most are still given by mouth; some oral preparations (‘slow release’ or ‘controlled release’ preparations) are designed to release their contents slowly into the gut, to maintain the action of the drug.

Buccal preparations are allowed to dissolve in the mouth, and sublingual ones are dissolved under the tongue. The other end of the gastrointestinal tract can also absorb drugs: suppositories inserted in the rectum can be used for their local actions – for example, as laxatives – or to allow absorption when taking the drug by mouth is di?cult or impossible – for example, during a convulsion, or when vomiting.

Small amounts of drug can be absorbed through the intact skin, and for very potent drugs like OESTROGENS (female sex hormones) or the anti-anginal drug GLYCERYL TRINITRATE, a drug-releasing ‘patch’ can be used. Drugs can be inhaled into the lungs as a ?ne powder to treat or prevent ASTHMA attacks. They can also be dispersed (‘nebulised’) as a ?ne mist which can be administered with compressed air or oxygen. Spraying a drug into the nostril, so that it can be absorbed through the lining of the nose into the bloodstream, can avoid destruction of the drug in the stomach. This route is used for a small number of drugs like antidiuretic hormone (see VASOPRESSIN).

Injection remains an important route of administering drugs both locally (for example, into joints or into the eyeball), and into the bloodstream. For this latter purpose, drugs can be given under the skin – that is, subcutaneously (s.c. – also called hypodermic injection); into muscle – intramuscularly (i.m.); or into a vein – intravenously (i.v.). Oily or crystalline preparations of drugs injected subcutaneously form a ‘depot’ from which they are absorbed only slowly into the blood. The action of drugs such as TESTOSTERONE and INSULIN can be prolonged by using such preparations, which also allow contraceptive ‘implants’ that work for some months (see CONTRACEPTION).... medicines

Pheasant’s eye. Adonis vernalis L. Contains glycosides, including cymarin. French: Helle?bore ba?tard. German: Fru?hlingsadonisblume. Spanish: Elle?boro falso. Italian: Ellebore bastardo.

Action. Cardiac tonic. Emmenagogue. Anthelmintic. Coronary artery dilator. Diuretic. Hypertensive. Uses. For slowing the heart’s action, increasing force of the beat, and increasing blood pressure. Dropsy. ‘Heart asthma’. Palpitation. Mitral insufficiency.

Preparation. Tincture Adonis: 10-20 drops in water twice daily and when necessary. Pharmacy only medicine. ... adonis

Provides authoritative standards for the quality of many substances, preparations and articles used in medicine and pharmacy, and includes the monographs of the European Pharmacopoeias. A legally enforceable document throughout the UK, most of the Commonwealth and many other countries, and is an indispensable laboratory handbook for all concerned with the quality of medicines. Published on the recommendation of the Medicines Commission pursuant to the Medicines Act 1968. Published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London. The most useful BPC for the herbal practitioner is the BPC 1934. ... british pharmacopoeia, the

One of the corticosteroid hormones produced by the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal glands. Corticosteroid drugs are synthetic derivatives that have similar properties as those produced in the body. They are used in pharmacy for allergies, Addison’s disease, rheumatism and inflammatory conditions. Prolonged over-use is known to weaken response of the body’s immune system to invasion of bacteria and infection.

Alternatives of limited efficacy: see entry – CORTICOSTEROIDS. These are known to produce increased output of adrenal hormones by their cortisone-like effect. ... cortisone

Health professionals trained in the preparation and dispensing of medicines; in England, Scotland and Wales they are registered (after acquiring the relevant professional quali?cations) by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Northern Ireland has its own registration body. Registered pharmacists are a vital branch of health care. They dispense P (pharmacy-only) and POM (prescription-only medicines) products; those working in community (retail) pharmacies also sell over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, providing, where appropriate, advice on their use. (See also MEDICINES.)

Pharmacists work in hospitals (NHS and private) and in community pharmacies, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry where they conduct research and prepare and test pharmaceutical products. They have particular expertise on the use of drugs: for instance, the way in which one medicinal compound can affect another and their possible adverse effects; and they advise doctors and patients on these aspects. The NHS is also encouraging community pharmacists to o?er the public advice on the treatment of simple illnesses such as coughs, colds, headaches and stomach upsets. Hospital pharmacists are salaried employees of the NHS but community pharmacists enter into contract with the service, the terms of which are negotiated centrally between pharmacists’ representatives and the health departments. Hospital pharmacists are now invited by the COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF MEDICINES (CSM) to report suspected adverse drug reactions under the ‘Yellow Card’ scheme in the same way as doctors.... pharmacists

Unwanted medicines are a form of ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and must be disposed of in an appropriate way. The best thing is to take any extra or unwanted medicines to a registered pharmacy. Syringes and needles (used by diabetic patients, for example) pose problems: devices exist to cut o? and retain the needle, and some local authorities in the United Kingdom arrange for collection and safe disposal. There are also local ‘needle exchange’ schemes for intravenous drug abusers.

Safe use of medicines All medicines can have unwanted effects (‘side-effects’ or, more strictly, adverse effects) that are unpleasant and sometimes harmful. It is best not to take any medicine, prescribed or otherwise, unless there is a clear reason for doing so; the possible adverse effects of treatment, and the risk of their occurring, have to be set against any likely bene?t. Remember too that one treatment can affect another already being taken. Many adverse events depend upon the recommended dose being exceeded. Some people – for example, those with allergies (see ALLERGY) to a particular group of drugs, or those with kidney or liver disease – are more likely to suffer adverse effects than otherwise healthy people.

When an individual begins a course of treatment, he or she should take it as instructed. With ANTIBIOTICS treatments especially, it is important to take the whole course of tablets prescribed, because brief exposure of bacteria to an antibiotic can make them resistant to treatment. Most drugs can be stopped at once, but some treatments can cause unpleasant, and occasionally dangerous, symptoms if stopped abruptly. Sleeping tablets, anti-EPILEPSY treatment, and medicines used to treat ANGINA PECTORIS are among the agents which can cause such ‘withdrawal symptoms’. CORTICOSTEROIDS are a particularly important group of medicines in this respect, because prolonged courses of treatment with high doses can suppress the ability of the body to respond to severe stresses (such as surgical operations) for many months or even years.... safe disposal of unwanted medicines

St. John’s Wort Tea is an herb that makes serotonin (the happiness substance) to remain active in the brain for an extensive period of time. It is used today in the fight against depressions and sleep problems. Description of St. John’s wort tea St. John’s Wort Tea is a perennial plant that grows throughout North America, Europe, India, China and Brazil. It has bright yellow star-shaped flowers. St. John Wort Tea is a renowned herb used as a natural anti-depressant all around the world. The Greeks used to soak the plant into wine before drinking it to cast away evil spirits. Nowadays we see these dangerous spirits in serious headaches and acute depressions. Benefits of St. John’s Wort Tea St. John’s Wort Tea can be used as a treatment in mild to moderate depression according to British Medical Journal. In the herbalist’s pharmacy St. John Wort Tea was considered a very strong herbal sedative and it was used in accordance with the patient’s own suffering.   St John’s Wort tea has minimal or no effects beyond placebo in the treatment of major depression according to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Recently scientists discovered that St. John’s Wort Tea has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Risks of St. John’s Wort Tea St. John’s Wort Tea shouldn’t be mixed with other antidepressants because they cancel each other. If you get an unexpected rash, a headache or even nausea you should call you doctor at once. Side effects of John’s Wort Tea The side effects that St. Jonh’s Wort Tea can have, similar to placebos, are: gastrointestinal symptoms, sedation, tiredness, confusion or dizziness. It can also increase a sensibility to light and to sunburns. Preparation of St. John’e Wort Tea You can find St. John’s Wort Tea in ready made tea bags and loose leaf teas. Put one teaspoon in a cup of boiling water, let it steep for almost 5 minutes, strain and serve preferably hot with honey or sugar. St. John Wort Tea is a great medicine for depressions, it offers you a sense of well being, brings more peace into your life and it relaxes your mind. Drink a cup of St. John wort tea and forget about your nightmares.... st. john`s wort tea

Stagger-weed. Root. Corydalis cava.

Action. Powerful alterative and antiseptic. Nervine.

Uses: Has a long traditional reputation for ulcerations, chancre, sore throat of syphilis and the chronic nerve dystrophy that follows. An analogue of Goldenseal. Parkinsonism. (Wm A.R. Thomson MD) vSaid to work well with Poke root.

Combined with Skullcap for epilepsy.

Preparation. Tincture: from the bulbous root when plant is in flower. 10 drops in water thrice daily.

Once used in herbal pharmacy. Of historic interest only. ... corydalis

Today it is possible to blend age-old beauty lore with modern scientific pharmacy. Wide ranges of products are based on totally natural ingredients such as Rosemary, Avocado, Chamomile, Lime flowers, Aloe Vera and Jojoba in the form of make-up, skin-care, hair-care and toiletry preparations. ... cosmetic herbs

Otalgia is more commonly known as ear pain or earache. The causes are many: colds, flu, pulmonary edema, pleurisy or a generalized body infection. Traditional medicine will send you right away to the pharmacy to buy antibiotics, but alternative medicine will advice against it. The amount of active constituents found in these teas could easily treat any kind of infection, not just ear infection, so you may want to give it a try before rushing to the drug store. How a Tea for Ear Infection Works A Tea for Ear Infection’s main purpose is to flush all infection triggers out of your system and prevent similar events from happening in the future. A tea that is rich in both minerals and acids is a great remedy! However, only use a treatment that fits you and your health, meaning is safe and very efficient. Also, a Tea for Ear Infection that is rich in manganese, magnesium, iron and tannins is a great choice. Just remember that all medical treatment must be taken under supervision! Efficient Tea for Ear Infection When choosing a Tea for Ear Infection, keep in mind that it must be one with an elevated safety level and a great efficiency. If you don’t know which teas to choose from, here’s a list to guide you on: - Garlic Tea – it’s true that it has a rather unpleasant taste and smell, but you don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to! Just pour a few garlic tea drops in your ear and wait 10 minutes for the natural benefits to be released. However, if you’ll be much more comfortable taking it as a drink, feel free to add ginger, mint, lemon or honey. Don’t take this decoction if you’re pregnant! - Ginger Tea – aside from its use as a great auto-immune adjuvant, this Tea for Ear Infection will flush out of your system all microbes and bacteria and heal the affected areas. You can also use it to treat anemia, asthenia, stress and severe migraines. Just be careful to use a small amount of herbs when preparing the decoction in order to avoid developing any acid foods and drinks intolerance. - Green Tea – will inhibit the mucus production and therefore decrease the infection triggers. Also, Green Tea is very rich in active constituents and scientists proved that it could sustain life on its own. You may give it a try in case you’re suffering from stress, anxiety, diarrhea or auto-immune problems. However, avoid it at all costs if you’re experiencing menstrual or menopausal symptoms! Tea for Ear Infection Side Effects When taken according to specifications, these teas are generally safe. However, drinking more tea than it’s recommended may lead to a series of health problems such as nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and skin rashes. Don’t start a treatment based on a Tea for Ear Infection if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or suffering from a severe disease that would imply the ingestion of blood thinners and anti coagulants. Before starting an herbal treatment, ask your doctor’s opinion in order to be informed of the risks and make sure everything will be fine. Once you have his approval, choose a Tea for Ear Infection that fits best your problems and enjoy nature’s wonderful benefits!... tea for ear infection

A friendly bacteria found in the digestive system which combats the activities of invading micro-organisms associated with food poisoning and other infections. The natural balance of intestinal flora can be disturbed by diets high in animal fat, dairy produce, sugar, stress and alcohol. Lactobacillus Acidophilus assists production of B vitamins, regulates cholesterol levels, enhances the immune system and helps absorption of food. Perhaps the most popular bacteria-friendly food is yoghurt.

L.A. is available in tablets and capsules. As a vaginal douche the powder can be used for thrush. It is necessary to follow the use of antibiotics of orthodox pharmacy. Of value for Candida albicans, allergies, depression and some forms of menstrual disorders. ... acidophilus

Monkshood. Wolfsbane. Aconitum napellus L. French: Aconit napel. German: Wolfswurz. Italian: Aconito napello. Spanish: Caro di Venere. Part used: dried roots.

Action. Cardio-active; slows the heart via the vagus nerve. Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal.

Uses: Used in conventional medicine for many years as a heart relaxant, to lower blood pressure and relieve capillary engorgement, but internal use now discontinued in the UK. Facial and inter-costal neuralgia. Pains of rheumatism, lumbago and arthritis (liniment).

Pains of arthritis and gout: Tincture Aconite 2; Tincture Colchicum 1. 10 drops thrice daily. (Dr Rudolf F. Weiss, “Herbal Medicine”, Beaconsfield)

Preparations: Tincture: Dose: 2-5 drops, thrice daily. Practitioner only. Alternative dosage sometimes used in fevers: 5 drops in 100ml water: 1 teaspoon hourly – until temperature falls or improvement is noted.

Standardised product: Aconitysat (Buerger): 5-10 drops or more. Liniment. 1.3 parts tincture to 100 parts Witch Hazel.

Note: Widely used in its homoeopathic preparation. Pharmacy only sale. ... aconite

 1517-1585. Dutch physician. Born at Malines. Practised Leyden, Holland. Physician to the Emperor. His famous Herball, Cruydtboeck, (1578) translated by Lytes Cary became one of the standard works in England, classifying plants not alphabetically but according to their medical properties. To Dodoens every hillside was a pharmacy. ... dodoens, rembert

Formerly Reader in Phytochemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham. Research interests: secondary metabolites of the Solanaceae and Erythroxylaceae. Principal author of Trease and Evans’ Pharmacognosy. Visiting lecturer, School of Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine). ... evans, william c. (b.pharm., b.sc., ph.d., f.r. pharm. s)

Conium maculatum L. French: Cigue?. German: Schierling. Spanish: Cicuta. Italian: Cleuta. Indian: Kirda?man. Iranian: Bikhi-i-Tafti. Arabian: Banj-e-rumi. Parts used: leaves, fruit. Constituents: alkaloids, volatile oil.

Poisonous, taken internally but has been used with success as a poultice or ointment topically for malignant glands. Continued use has had a shrinking effect reducing the gland from stony hardness. Schedule 1. Poultice for use by a medical practitioner only. Other external uses: itching anus, piles.

Pharmacy only medicine ... hemlock

Edema is an affection in which the fluid gets trapped between the cell walls and which causes chronic pains and joint weakness. Edema may be caused by a number of things, such as standing too long or having an unhealthy diet, based on salty foods mostly. This is a common problem among pregnant women and, although in folklore there are many remedies, the traditional medicine advices against them. However, alternative medicine practitioners think that you shouldn’t avoid them and, on the contrary, give them a try and, if they don’t work, rush out to the pharmacy. How Tea for Edema Works A Tea for Edema’s main goal is to make all of your cells improve their action and flush away the unnecessary fluid. Of course, this requires ingesting a tea that has diuretic and purgative properties. If you’ve tried a tea to induce sweat or a decoction for constipation, you may want to take it again. The difference is that edema is a much serious condition and therefore needs to be treated more seriously. Efficient Tea for Edema When choosing a Tea for Edema, you must keep in mind two things: it must be safe and it must be one hundred percent safe (edema is a mild affection and you don’t want unnecessary complications). However, if you’re suffering from pulmonary edema (which is a water retention in your lungs), it’s best to ask for medical assistance right away. But if you don’t know which Tea for Edema fits best your condition, here’s a list to choose from: - Garlic Tea – it has a rather unpleasant taste and it doesn’t smell prettier either. You may want to add ginger, mint, lemon or honey to make it more adequate. This Tea for Edema will absorb all unwanted fluids and calm the affected areas. Don’t take more than 2 cups per day in order to avoid digestive tract complications. - Dandelion Tea – has purgative and diuretic properties thanks to which your body will be able to eliminate the water surplus and restore your original health. You can also take it to treat diarrhea, constipation or to induce sweat. - Bilberry Tea – not as popular as the other Teas for Edema, this wonderful decoction is very efficient, but not very safe. It’s true that you can see the results within days, but it’s best to talk to your doctor before making any move. Bilberry Tea is rich in acids and therefore it may cause uterine contractions. - Green Tea – in small dosages, Green tea can treat almost any affection. Be careful, though. It’s not recommended if you are experiencing some menstrual or menopausal symptoms. Green Tea is also a good remedy for asthenia, anemia, sore throats and general weakness. Tea for Edema Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, exceeding the number of cups recommended per day may cause diarrhea, headaches, vomiting and nausea. If you’ve been taking one of these teas for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual reactions, talk to your doctor immediately. Do not take a treatment based on a tea for Edema if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners or anticoagulants. The same advice if you’re preparing for a surgery. Once you have your doctor’s ok on the matter, choose a Tea for Edema that fits you best and enjoy its wonderful benefits!... tea for edema

Alcohol is a chemical with definite physical and chemical properties. It may be used as the alcohol of pharmacy (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) for the making of tinctures, extracts, etc. Strength of alcohol used depends upon the phytochemistry of the plant. The weakest spirit is always chosen to serve the purpose.

Weak. 20-25 per cent. For water soluble ingredients and small amounts of volatile oils, i.e., Infusion Buchu Cone. A white wine (approximately 25 per cent) may prove adequate for most leaves, flowers and stems (i.e., Agrimony, Balm or Chamomile.

Medium Strength. 45 per cent. This is the strength, on average, used by the herbal practitioner. For tannins and small amounts of volatile oils, etc (i.e., Extract of Witch Hazel Liquid).

Moderately Strong. 60-70 per cent. Water soluble glycosides, (Tincture Digitalis, Squills, etc.).

Strong alcohols. 70-80 per cent. For alkaloids present in many plants.

Very Strong Alcohols. 90-99 per cent. For gums and resins (Myrrh), essential and volatile oils (Spirit Menth Pip., etc.).

Without alcohol, extraction of active constituents of plants would not be possible. Glycerine has not proved to be a satisfactory menstruum. For simple home-made tinctures Vodka offers a useful alternative provided it is of the strength specified.

Alcohol is not only a reliable solvent and preservative. It may be used effectively in the treatment of disease. In the form of wine it is one of the oldest drugs known to medicine. It appears in the pharmacopoeias and medical text-books of every civilised culture in the world. It may be used as an analgesic for the control of pain. It is an effective anaesthetic, vasodilator, sedative, and diuretic to stimulate kidney function. It was probably the first tranquilliser discovered. See: PRESCRIPTIONS.

Alcohol is the commonest substance to be incriminated in drug interactions. It can potentiate soporific effects in antidepressants, pain-killers and antihistamines and increase irritation of the stomach by aspirin. It can change the action of hypoglycaemic and anticoagulant remedies. ... alcohol

FATHER SEBASTIAN. 1821-1897

Herbalist and hydrotherapist who re-discovered the healing properties of a number of simple plants for the treatment of major diseases of the day (gout, arthritis, etc) when 19th century German pharmacy was beginning to extract and use concentrated alkaloids, glycosides (Foxglove) of plants. He insisted on use of the whole plant. Clinical experience of this tireless investigator led to the belief that Horsetail (Equisetum) arrests the growth of tumours, and where conditions are favourable may dissolve them. See: WHOLE PLANT. ... kneipp

Pale patches on skin due to loss of pigmentation. May follow a skin disease or from handling chemicals. Vitiligo is a modified form of the disease. There is no known cure, although Dr Wm Burton (Ellingwood) found Butternut useful. Seeds of Psoralea corylifolia appear to be indicated. (Indian Journal of Pharmacy 26:141.1964)

See entry: HIMALAYAN COW PARSLEY. ... leukoderma

Beat. Privatdocent ETH, Dr sc nat Pharmacist. Head of R & D Dept at Zeller AG, Herbal Medicines, Romanshorn, Switzerland. Medical plant researcher at ETH, Department of Pharmacy, Zurich. Developed modern strategies for analysis of herbal medicines, especially in the field of HPLC. University teacher in pharmacognosy and phytochemistry. C/O Zeller AG, Ch-8590 Romanshorn, Switzerland. ... meier

The decision to quit smoking if rarely strong enough to actually put a stop to this addiction. However, if you are determined and feel that this would be a good day to stop smoking, you may want to try an herbal remedy before rushing off to the pharmacy. Many people are concerned about the fact that quitting smoking will make them gain weight. That’s only partially true. Since smoking is more a social habit, some people feel the need to replace cigarettes with something else and they usually choose food. That’s why you might gain a few pounds. However, there are a number of teas capable of inhibiting this reaction, so do not despair! How a Tea for Quitting Smoking Works A Tea for Quitting Smoking’s main goal is to make the need for nicotine gone once and for all. Usually, these teas contain an important amount of active constituents which resemble a lot to nicotine, but don’t cause you any harm. They will trick your body into thinking that you’re still taking nicotine, while actually cleansing your body. Alternative medicine practitioners explain how, in time, you’ll no longer feel the need to smoke. Some say that these teas have no effect whatsoever and that if they work it’s only thanks to your power of suggestion. If it’s true or not, you be the judge of that! Efficient Tea for Quitting Smoking When choosing a Tea for Quitting Smoking, you must keep in mind the fact that it must be both one hundred percent safe and very efficient. In order to be effective, a tea needs to contain the right amount of tannins, volatile oils, acids, minerals (iron, manganese, magnesium and sodium) and nutrients. Also, a tea with an elevated level of antioxidants will help you cleanse your respiratory ways and restore your initial health. If you don’t know which teas to choose from, here’s a list to guide you on: - Mimosa Tea – can induce a calming and relaxing state thanks to its great active ingredients which can also bring relief to stress, anxiety and depression (a smoker struggles with these symptoms during the quitting process). Don’t take more than 2 cups per day in order to avoid nervous system problems, such as sleeplessness or hallucinations. - Skullcap Tea – is well known for its ability to reduce stress and nervous tension. This Tea for Quitting Smoking could also be effective if you’re suffering from anxiety, asthenia or anemia. - Chamomile Tea – the world’s greatest panacea has a few benefits in store for you in case you’re trying to quit smoking. It has a pleasant taste and a lovely smell and it’s one hundred percent safe, so you can drink as much as you want. - Jasmine Tea – probably the most aromatic tea in the world, Jasmine Tea is well known for its curative actions which include general health improvement. Add a hint of ginger, mint, honey or lemon and you’ll have a delicious drink on the table. However, make sure you don’t take more than 2 cups per day in order to avoid any nervous system complications. Tea for Quitting Smoking Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, exceeding the number of cups recommended per day might lead to diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, skin rash and hallucinations. Don’t take a Tea for Quitting Smoking if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners or anticoagulants. The same advice if you’re preparing for a surgery (some of the active constituents may interfere with your anesthetic). But if you have your doctor’s approval and there’s nothing that could go wrong, choose a Tea for Quitting Smoking that fits best your problems and enjoy its great benefits!... tea for quitting smoking

Leopard’s Bane. Wolf’s Bane. Arnica Montana L. German: Wolferlei, Arnika. French: Arnica, Aronique. Spanish: Arnica. Italian: Arnica, Polmonaria di Montagna. Dried flowerheads.

Action: external use only.

Uses: Bruises and contusions where skin is unbroken. Severe bruising after surgical operation. Neuralgia, sprains, rheumatic joints, aches and pains after excessive use as in sports and gardening.

Combination, in general use: 1 part Tincture Arnica to 10 parts Witch Hazel water as a lotion. Contra- indications: broken or lacerated skin.

Preparations: Compress: handful flowerheads to 1 pint boiling water. Saturate handtowel or suitable material in mixture and apply.

Tincture. 1 handful (50g) flowerheads to 1 pint 70 per cent alcohol (say Vodka) in wide-necked bottle. Seal tight. Shake daily for 7 days. Filter. Use as a lotion or compress: 1 part tincture to 20 parts water. Weleda Lotion. First aid remedy to prevent bruise developing.

Nelson’s Arnica cream.

Ointment. Good for applying Arnica to parts of the body where tincture or lotion is unsuitable. 2oz flowers and 1oz leaves (shredded or powdered) in 16oz lard. Moisten with half its weight of distilled water. Heat together with the lard for 3-4 hours and strain. For wounds and varicose ulcers.

Wet Dressing. 2 tablespoons flowers to 2 litres boiling water. For muscular pain, stiffness and sprains. Tincture. Alternative dosage: a weak tincture can be used with good effect, acceptable internally: 5 drops tincture to 100ml water – 1 teaspoon hourly or two-hourly according to severity of the case.

Widely used in Homoeopathic Medicine.

First used by Swiss mountaineers who chewed the leaves to help prevent sore and aching limbs.

Note: Although no longer used internally in the UK, 5-10 drop doses of the tincture are still favoured by some European and American physicians for anginal pain and other acute heart conditions; (Hawthorn for chronic).

Pharmacy only sale. ... arnica

Herbal products are chiefly used to relieve symptoms of self- limiting conditions. Such products are either P (pharmacy only) or GSL (General Sales List). The Medicines (Labelling and Advertising to the Public) Regulations 1978 (SI 1978 No 41) state the range of conditions on schedule 2, parts I-IV. Dried herbs on sale under their plant or botanical name over the counter are exempt, provided no medicinal claims are made. ... over-the-counter products

n. (in pharmacy) a sweet substance that is combined with a medicinal preparation to make it suitable for administration.... confection

n. 1. a unit of weight used in pharmacy. 1 drachm = 3.883 g (60 grains). 2. a unit of volume used in pharmacy. 1 fluid drachm = 3.696 ml (1/8 fluid ounce).... drachm

Thanks to their anti-inflammatory action, medicinal teas can be taken by almost anyone. All you have to do is make sure you follow the specifications. Sore throat means a severe pain, localized in the neck area, which has internal trigger. Sometimes, this pain can be caused by colds or flu and some other times it’s a reaction to all kinds of external parasites. A very powerful smell, an environment abundant in toxins can also be a cause for sore throat. However, you can treat it by using a Tea for Sore Throat, even if we’re talking about a pain caused by an infection or by overexposing the laryngeal cords. When using a Tea for Sore Throat, not only that you help your system detoxify, but also lower the amount of infection triggers, such as bacteria or microbes. How Tea for Sore Throat Works Generally, their action involves a medium amount of time. In other words, you need to be patient when you decide to go with a Tea for Sore Throat instead of a traditional treatment. The improvement is only noticeable after a while. The main characteristic of a Tea for Sore Throat is that its action, although safe and focused on the affected areas, is based on a number of chemical substances that lower or increase your antibodies level. Usually, when choosing a Tea for a Sore Throat, make sure you’re buying the one that contains a high amount of vitamins, such as vitamin C or D, in order to fight parasites. Also, choose the safest teas and don’t go for a rare and dangerous decoction in order to avoid other health complications. Efficient Tea for Sore Throat In order to function properly, a Tea for a Sore Throat needs to be safe and have a pleasant taste, mostly, since the importance of these teas consists in their ability to warm up your throat. If the tea you picked is also rich in vitamins, you’ve got yourself a winner! Here are some teas you might find useful in case you’re suffering from a sore throat: - Chamomile Tea – also used to treat headaches and migraines, Chamomile Tea is a very popular Tea for Sore Throat as well. If you suffer from colds of flu and you’re experiencing a wide range of symptoms, such as sore throat, fever and respiratory distress, Chamomile may come in hand. - Honey and Lemon – although this is not particularly a tea, but more a decoction, it’s the ultimate organic treatment when it comes to sore throats. Aside from its elevated vitamin C level, this tea has also a huge impact on your immune system, thanks to the special ingredients contained by honey. Not only that honey contributes to a better health system, but it also provides strength and an energy boost. - Black Tea – a very important Tea for Sore Throat, Black Tea not only that energizes your coronary system and improves your blood circulation, but it also has antiseptic and detoxifying properties. But, be careful if you’re thinking about starting a treatment based on Black Tea: it is not recommended for abdominal pain, such as menstrual or menopause pain. If you have a sore throat and you’re also on your period, it’s best to go for a safer tea, such as Chamomile Tea. - Mint Tea – thanks to its volatile oils and its active substances, Mint Tea can treat sore throats in no time, as well as a series of respiratory problems. It’s also one hundred percent safe and it can successfully replace your morning coffee. Teas you should avoid Sore throat is a mild affection of your system, caused by minor infections and it’s best to keep that in mind when choosing a Tea for a Sore Throat. Go for the most popular and the safest teas that could not trigger other problems. Tansy Tea is also a good remedy for a sore throat, but since it’s very dangerous, it’s best to avoid it. Tea for Sore Throat Side Effects When taken according to specifications, these teas are perfectly safe. However, high dosages may lead to a series of affections of the digestive tract, such as diarrhea and upset stomach. In order to avoid that, don’t drink more than 6 cups of Tea for Sore Throat per day.When in doubt, ask a specialist for guidance. If you suffer from a sore throat and you’re feeling too sick to go to the pharmacy or you just want to give natural remedies a chance, try one of these teas and enjoy their health benefits!... tea for sore throat

Scholar and physician. Of the eclectic school of physicians whose pharmacy was drawn from botanic medicine. In 1829 he founded the Medical Society of the United States for teaching the various branches of medical science and botanic medicine. Their methods became so popular that the American Government granted many charters for schools to teach the system.

Beach made many long visits to Britain gleaning information from the British Museum, Guy’s Hospital and from consulting medical herbalists. Ex-Professor of several American universities, he organised herbal medication into a system defined in his books: “American Practice of Medicine”, “Midwifery”, and “Family Physician” which proved a bestseller. ... beach, dr wooster (1794-1868)

n. a preparation in which fine droplets of one liquid (such as oil) are dispersed in another liquid (such as water). In pharmacy medicines are prepared in the form of emulsions to disguise the taste of an oil, which is dispersed in a flavoured liquid.... emulsion

n. a jelly-like substance formed when tendons, ligaments, etc. containing *collagen (a protein) are boiled in water. Gelatin has been used in medicine as a source of protein in the treatment of malnutrition, in pharmacy for the manufacture of capsules and suppositories, and in bacteriology for preparing culture media.... gelatin

n. (pl. guttae) (in pharmacy) a drop. Drops are the form in which medicines are applied to the eyes and ears.... gutta

n. 1. (in pharmacy) any solution, usually an aqueous solution. 2. the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus.... liquor

n. (in pharmacy) a thick aqueous solution of a gum used as a lubricant in skin preparations (see also glycerin), for the production of pills, and for the suspension of insoluble substances. The most important mucilages are of acacia, tragacanth, and starch.... mucilage

The Government and health authorities of the UK and Europe express their desire that citizens take more responsibility for their own health. Also, the public’s disquiet towards some aspects of modern medicine leads them to seek alternatives elsewhere. As a generation of health-conscious people approach middle age, it is less inclined to visit the doctor but to seek over-the-counter products of proven quality, safety and efficacy for minor self-limiting conditions. This has the advantage of freeing the doctor for more serious cases. Intelligent self-medication has come to stay.

Prescriptions. While specimen combinations appear for each specific disease in this book, medicines from the dispensary may be varied many times during the course of treatment. The practitioner will adapt a prescription to a patient’s individual clinical picture by adding and subtracting agents according to the changing basic needs of the case. For instance, a first bottle of medicine or blend of powders may include a diuretic to clear the kidneys in preparation for the elimination of wastes and toxins unleashed by active ingredients.

The reader should never underestimate the capacity of herbal medicine to regenerate the human body, even from the brink of disaster.

Acknowledgements. I am indebted to my distinguished mentor, Edgar Gerald Jones, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, to whom I owe more than I could ever repay. I am indebted also to the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, and to the British Herbal Medicine Association, both of which bodies have advanced the cause of herbal medicine. I have drawn heavily upon the British Herbal Pharmacopoeias 1983 and 1990, authentic publications of the BHMA, and have researched major works of ancient and modern herbalism including those pioneers of American Eclectic Medicine: Dr Samuel Thomson, Dr Wooster Beach, Dr Finlay Ellingwood and their British contemporaries. All made a vital contribution in their day and generation. I have endeavoured to keep abreast of the times, incorporating the latest scientific information at the time of going to press. For the purposes of this book I am especially indebted to my friend Dr John Cosh for checking accuracy of the medical material and for his many helpful suggestions.

A wealth of useful plants awaits further investigation. Arnica, Belladonna and Gelsemium are highly regarded by European physicians. It is believed that these plants, at present out of favour, still have an important role in medicine of the future. The wise and experienced clinician will wish to know how to harness their power to meet the challenge of tomorrow’s world.

Perhaps the real value of well-known alternative remedies lies in their comparative safety. Though largely unproven by elaborate clinical trials, the majority carry little risk or harm. Some have a great potential for good. The therapy is compatible with other forms of treatment.

The revival of herbal medicine is no passing cult due to sentimentality or superstition. It indicates, rather, a return to that deep devotion to nature that most of us have always possessed, and which seems in danger of being lost in the maze of modern pharmacy. It is an expression of loyalty to all that is best from

the past as we move forward into the 21st century with a better understanding of disease and its treatment. I believe the herbal profession has a distinguished and indispensible contribution to make towards the conquest of disease among peoples of the world, and that it should enjoy a place beside orthodox medicine.

Who are we to say that today’s antibiotics and high-tech medicine will always be available? In a world of increasing violence, war and disaster, a breakdown in the nation’s health service might happen at any time, thus curtailing production of insulin for the diabetic, steroids for the hormone-deficient, and anti-coagulants for the thrombotic. High-technology can do little without its specialised equipment. There may come a time when we shall have to reply on our own natural resources. It would be then that a knowledge of alternatives could be vital to survival. ... self medication

Deadly nightshade. Atropa belladonna L. German: Amaryllis. French: Belladonne d’Automne. Spanish: Belladonna. Italian: Amarilli a fiori rosei. Indian: Suchi.

Action. Antispasmodic, antasthmatic, anti-sweat, sedative, lactifuge.

For use by qualified practitioner only.

Uses: Spasmodic asthma; colic of intestines, gall bladder or kidney; spasm of bladder and ureters. Whooping cough, excessive perspiration (night sweats, etc), spermatorrhoea, bed-wetting (dose afternoon and at bedtime), dribbling of saliva in Parkinsonism. The common cold, hay fever, acidity – to inhibit secretion of stomach acid.

Contra-indications. Glaucoma, rapid heart, pregnancy, enlarged prostate. Side-effects – dry mouth, dilated pupils, mental disorientation. Used for a millennia in China as an anaesthetic (Kiangsu – 1719)

Widely used in homoeopathic medicine.

Preparations: Unless otherwise prescribed – up to thrice daily. Dried herb, 50mg in infusion. Tincture, BHC (vol 1). 1:10, 70 per cent ethanol, 0.5ml.

Initial dose recommended per week by British Herbal Compendium, Vol 1; dried leaf, 200mg (max 1g); tincture, 2ml (max 10ml).

A weaker solution may sometimes be used with good effect: 5 drops tincture to 100ml water – 1 teaspoon hourly. (Dr Finlay Ellingwood)

Pharmacy only sale ... belladonna

n. (in pharmacy) an oil.... oleum

n. (in pharmacy) a liquid preparation that is applied to the skin or mucous membranes. Paints usually contain antiseptics, astringents, caustics, or analgesics.... paint

n. (in pharmacy) a medicinal preparation of a soft sticky consistency, which is applied externally.... paste

adj. relating to pharmacy.... pharmaceutical

n. (in pharmacy) a medicinal preparation consisting of a mixture of two or more drugs in the form of fine particles.... powder

(in pharmacy) the trade name of a drug: the name assigned to it by the firm that manufactured it. For example, Taxotere and Herceptin are the proprietary names of docetaxel and trastuzumab, respectively.... proprietary name

Hypersensitiveness to a foreign protein which produces a violent reaction taking the form of asthma, hay fever, urticaria, eczema, migraine, catarrh, irritable bowel. Sensitivity covers a wide range of irritants including animal odours, pollens, insect bites. All kinds of food may be responsible: milk, eggs, pork, tomatoes, strawberries, coffee, tea, etc, also preservatives and artificial colourings.

Substances that cause allergic reactions are known as allergens. Their number are limitless. Against these, the body produces antibodies to fight off invaders. If we are allergic, such defence mechanisms over-react. The reaction has the effect of releasing various chemicals such as histamine which causes irritation and swelling of mucous membranes. Removal of dental amalgam fillings sometimes relieves.

Perhaps the most common allergy is hay fever. It is now known that most sufferers have a family

history of the complaint. Asthma is a serious form, but with the aid of certain herbs (Lobelia, etc) sufferers may lead normal lives.

Premature babies fed on cow’s milk are at risk of cow’s milk allergy with increased histamine release. (Dunn Nutrition Unit, Cambridge)

Food allergies from shell fish and cereal grain fungi are difficult to detect. A large body of opinion favours Garlic (corm, tablets or capsules), being observed that Garlic eaters seldom suffer allergies. Agrimony tea.

Skin reactions may be severe. Hives, dermatitis and blisters can be the result of allergies triggered off by insect stings or animal bites, drugs, food additives, colourings, monosodium glutamate, chocolate, wines, aspirin, penicillin and other drugs. Cytotoxic tests are made to discover foods to which a person may be allergic.

Heredity predisposes, but forms vary. A ‘nettle rash’ father may have a ‘hay fever’ son. Stress is an important factor. While allergy is not a psychosomatic disturbance, there is general agreement that emotional distress – fright, fury or fatigue – can be related. An allergy can also be due to a flaw in the immune system, the body over-reacting to an allergen. Some allergies are treated with the antihistamines of orthodox pharmacy but which may induce drowsiness.

Treatment. The phytotherapist’s primary agent is Ephedra.

Teas. Chamomile, Centuary, Elderflowers, Ground Ivy, Lime flowers, Nettles, Plantain, Red Sage. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. 1 cup 1 to 3 times daily.

Liquid Extract. Ephedra sinica BHP (1983): Dose – 1-3ml. Thrice daily.

Tincture. Ephedra sinica BHP (1983) 1:4 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 6-8ml thrice daily.

A Vogel. Devil’s Claw, thrice daily.

J. Christopher. Burdock, Marshmallow root, Parsley root.

Valerian. Add to prescription in cases of nervous hyperactivity.

Diet. Low salt, low fat, high fibre. Eggs and dairy products are known to cause allergies. Raw salad once daily. Add more protein, cooked and raw vegetables. Rice is not known to cause any allergic reactions. Supplements. Daily. Vitamin A, B-complex, Vitamin C. Bromelain, Selenium, Zinc.

Note: No animals or birds in the house. ... allergy

Red Indian paint. Sanguinaria canadensis L. French: Sanguinaire. German: Kanadisches Blutkraut. Spanish: Sanguinaria. Italian: Sanguinaria del Canada.

Constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids.

Action. Antiseptic, antispasmodic, cardio-active, emetic (large doses), expectorant, escharotic, antibacterial, stimulant to the womb and general circulation. Mild local anaesthetic.

Though extensively used by pharmacy in the past, is no longer used internally. Traditional among Mohawk Indians.

Uses: Internal, drop doses for asthma, croup, whooping cough, pneumonia, bleeding of the lungs as in tuberculosis, emphysema.

External. Warts, ringworm. fungoid tumour. Nasal polypi (powder injected into nostril). Preparations. Thrice daily. Accurate dosage is not possible by infusion or decoction. Liquid extract BHP (1983) 0.06-0.3ml.

Tincture BHP (1983) 0.3-2ml.

Ointment: tumours. ... blood root

A personal and social problem. Over-activity of the sweat glands. Offensive smell is caused by the action of bacteria on stale sweat. The purpose of antiperspirants is to reduce skin bacterial action on apocrine sweat. Almost all antiperspirants sold over the counter are made from aluminium salts which have been implicated in skin granulomas. Deodorants that bear labels describing contents as dangerous to the eyes, nose and mouth should be rejected.

Bowel and kidney function should be investigated, as body odour is not normally offensive when these organs are healthy. Zinc is a powerful deodorant – zinc and castor oil cream being a traditional combination of pharmacy. Key herbal agent is Thuja, but it is sometimes advisable to add to this an agent for liver and kidneys.

Alternatives. Teas: Sage, Pennyroyal, Thyme, Betony. Decoctions: Sarsaparilla, Wild Yam.

Tablets/capsules. Seaweed and Sarsaparilla. Wild Yam, Thuja.

Formula: equal parts: Dandelion Root, Clivers, Thuja. Dosage – Powders: One-third teaspoon. Liquid Extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons in water, thrice daily.

Topical. Dilute oil of Sage, or Sage tea, to under-arms, hands, feet.

Diet. Lacto-vegetarian. Safflower oil.

Vitamins. B-complex.

Minerals. Zinc. Dolomite. ... body odour

n. a unit of weight used in pharmacy. 1 scruple = 1.295 g (20 grains). 3 scruples = 1 drachm.... scruple

n. (in pharmacy) a small disc containing one or more drugs, made by compressing a powdered form of the drug(s). It is usually taken by mouth but may be inserted into a body cavity (see suppository).... tablet

n. (in pharmacy) an ointment.... unguentum

n. (in pharmacy) any substance that acts as the medium in which a drug is administered. Examples are sterile water, isotonic sodium chloride, and dextrose solutions.... vehicle

Borago officinalis L. French: Bourrache. German: Boretsch. Spanish: Borraja. Italian: Borrana. Oil from seeds.

Constituents: pyrrolizidine alkaloids, choline.

Action: adrenal gland restorative, galactagogue, demulcent, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, anti- depressive. Stimulates production of prostaglandin EI. Oil contains two important fatty acids: gamma- linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid. Assists assimilation of iron.

Uses: To strengthen adrenal glands weakened by intake of steroids (cortisone, etc). Stress, mental exhaustion, depression. Helps to prevent inflammation of stomach and intestines in cases of toxicity, allergy and infection. Colitis, Gastritis, Gastric ulcer. “Borage cheers the heart and raises drooping spirits” (Dioscorides). Old Italian remedy to increase breast milk in nursing mothers. Chronic catarrh. Borage oil is combined with Evening Primrose oil to reduce cholesterol deposits. Leaky-gut syndrome (Borage seed oil). External use said to defer wrinkling and skin dryness of old age. Used internally under directions of a qualified practitioner.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea: 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Home tincture: 1oz cut herb to 20oz 45 per cent alcohol (Vodka, etc) in wide-neck bottle. Macerate and shake daily for 4 days. Filter. Bottle. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water.

Liquid Extract: half-1 teaspoon.

Capsules: (oil) (Salus).

Fresh juice: 1 teaspoon.

Pharmacy only. ... borage

Fibroma, myoma, lipoma, polyp, etc. When any of these breakdown bleeding can cause anaemia and melaena. Rarely painful. May obstruct intestinal canal causing vomiting. Periodic vomiting of over one year suspect.

Symptoms (non-specific). Loss of appetite, anaemia, weight loss; pain in abdomen, especially stomach area. Vomit appears as coffee grounds. Occult blood (tarry stools).

Causes. Alcohol, smoking cigarettes, low intake of fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in salt and nitrites including bacon, pickles, ham and dried fish. (Cancer Researchers in Digestive Diseases and Sciences) Long term therapy with drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion increase risk of stomach cancer.

Of possible value. Alternatives:– Tea. Mixture. Equal parts: Red Clover, Gotu Kola, Yarrow. Strong infusion (2 or more teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. As many cups daily as tolerated.

Formula. Condurango 2; Bayberry 1; Liquorice 1; Goldenseal quarter. Mix. Dose: Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. Thrice daily in water or honey.

Traditional. Rosebay Willowherb. Star of Bethlehem.

Chinese green tea. Anti-cancer effects have been found in the use of Chinese green tea extracts. Clinical trials on the therapeutic effects against early stomach cancer were promising. (Chinese Journal Preventative Medicines 1990. 24 (2) 80-2)

Chinese Herbalism. Combination. Oldenlandia diffusa 2 liang; Roots of Lu (Phragmites communis) 1 liang; Blackened Ginger 1 ch’ien; Pan-chih-lien (Scutellaria barbarta 5 ch’ein; Chih-tzu (gardenia jasminoides) 3 ch’ien. One concoction/dose daily. Follow with roots of Bulrush tea.

William H. Cook, MD. “Mullein greatly relieves pain, and may be used with Wild Yam and a little Water- Pepper (Polygonum Hydropiper).” The addition of Water-Pepper (or Cayenne) ensures diffusive stimulation and increased arterial force. Burns Lingard, MNIMH. Inoperable cancer of the stomach. Prescribed: Liquid Extract Violet leaves and Red Clover, each 4 drachms; Liquid Extract Cactus grand., 2 drops. Dose every 4 hours. Woman lived 30 years after treatment attaining age of 70.

Arthur Barker, FNIMH. Mullein sometimes helpful for pain.

Wm Boericke MD. American Cranesbill.

George Burford MD. Goldenseal.

Maria Treben. “After returning from a prison camp in 1947 I had stomach cancer. Three doctors told me it was incurable. From sheer necessity I turned to Nature’s herbs and gathered Nettle, Yarrow, Dandelion and Plantain; the juice of which I took hourly. Already after several hours I felt better. In particular I was able to keep down a little food. This was my salvation.” (Health Through God’s Pharmacy – 1981) Essiac: Old Ontario Cancer Remedy. Sheila Snow explored the controversy surrounding the famous cancer formula ‘Essiac’. This was developed by Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse born in Bracebridge, Ontario, in 1888. Rene noticed that an elderly patient had cured herself of breast cancer with an Indian herbal tea. She asked for the recipe and later modified it. Rene’s aunt, after using the remedy for 2 years, fully recovered from an inoperable stomach cancer with liver involvement, and other terminal patients began to improve.

Rene’s request to be given the opportunity to treat cancer patients in a larger way was turned down by Ottawa’s Department of Health and Welfare. She eventually handed over the recipe to the Resperin Corporation in 1977, for the sum of one dollar, from whom cancer patients may obtain the mixture if their doctors submit a written request. However, records have not been kept up.

In 1988 Dr Gary Glum, a chiropractor in Los Angeles, published a book called ‘Calling of an Angel’: the true story of Rene Caisse. He gives the formula, which consists of 11b of powdered Rumex acetosella

(Sorrel), 1 and a half pounds cut Arctium lappa (Burdock), 4oz powdered Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm bark), and 1oz Rheum palmatum (Turkey Rhubarb). The dosage Rene recommended was one ounce of Essiac with two ounces of hot water every other day at bedtime; on an empty stomach, 2-3 hours after supper. The treatment should be continued for 32 days, then taken every 3 days. (Canadian Journal of Herbalism, July 1991 Vol XII, No. III)

Diet. See: DIET – CANCER. Slippery Elm gruel.

Note: Anyone over 40 who has recurrent indigestion for more than three weeks should visit his family doctor. Persistent pain and indigestion after eating can be a sign of gastric cancer and no-one over 40 should ignore the symptoms. A patient should be referred to hospital for examination by endoscope which allows the physician to see into the stomach.

Study. Evidence to support the belief that the high incidence of gastric cancer in Japan is due to excessive intake of salt.

Note: A substance found in fish oil has been shown experimentally to prevent cancer of the stomach. Mackerel, herring and sardines are among the fish with the ingredient.

Treatment by or in liaison with hospital oncologist or general medical practitioner. ... cancer – stomach and intestines

See: CAYENNE.

CAPSULES. A convenient vehicle for administration of powders, seeds, oils, balsams, Castor oil, Garlic, Rose Hip, etc, having the advantage to mask nasty tasting or smelly medicines. Ideal for regulating dosage for children. Swallowed, they soon reach the stomach where their contents are slowly released. Gelatin capsules are of animal origin but cellulose non-animal materials are available. Their use extends also to gynaecological and rectal problems, inserted into the vagina or anus.

Standard sizes range from size 5 to 000. Size 00 is most popular in European pharmacy. See: POWDERS.

To fill empty capsules, take apart the two sections, ‘dab’ open end into powder on a flat surface; fill to capacity and affix unfilled half-shell. Manufacturers use a special filling machine for this purpose.

Patients should remain standing for at least 90 seconds after taking capsules, and followed up with sips of water. Swallowing failure is possible when capsules are taken in the recumbent position when they may adhere to the oesophageal membrane delaying disintegration time.

Equipment suppliers: capsules and capsule-making machines – Dav-Caps, PO Box 11, Monmouth, Gwent NP5 3NX. Also: The Herbal Apothecary, 120 High Street, Syston, Leicester 1E7 8GC. ... capsicum

Peruvian bark. Jesuit’s bark. Cinchona officinalis L. Source of the alkaloid quinine used in the treatment of malaria. German: Chinabaum. French: Quinquina. Italian: China. Part used: stem-bark and root.

Constituents: quinoline alkaloids, (quinine is extracted from the bark) resin, tannins, glycosides.

Action: anti-protozoal, anti-cramp, anti-malarial, appetite stimulant, bitter, febrifuge, tonic.

Uses: Cinchona was named after the Countess of Cinchona, wife of the Viceroy of Peru who was cured of a malarial fever with the powdered bark. News of her recovery spread like wildfire through the high society circles of Europe which started a world demand for the bark.

Its temperature-reducing effect is felt by other fevers with shivering chill and violent shaking. Enlargement of the spleen due to abnormal destruction of blood cells. Iron-deficient anaemia. Atrial fibrillation of the heart. Alcoholism. Debility. For recovery from excessive diarrhoea, loss of blood and exhausting liver and gall bladder conditions. Persistent flatulence. Polymyalgia. Loss of appetite (with Hops).

Practitioner only use. The remedy is on the General Sales List, Schedule 2, Table A up to 50mg per dose (Rla); over 50mg per dose it is obtainable from a pharmacy only. Herbal practitioners are exempt up to 250mg per dose (750 daily).

Tincture (BPC 1949). Dose: 2 to 4ml.

Tonic Mineral Water. On open sale. A palatable way of taking quinine for malaria prevention. ... cinchona bark

Pre-eclampsia. Toxaemia of last 3 months of pregnancy. Due to a number of causes, one of which is calcium deficiency. Calcium controls muscular spasms that are a feature of the condition. Eclampsia is due, in part, to a traffic jam of blood through the placenta causing a compensatory rise in blood pressure. Black women run 12 times the risk of developing pre-eclampsia during their first pregnancy as non-black women. (American researchers)

Women who use barrier contraceptives are more than twice as likely to develop pre-eclampsia in pregnancy than those using non-barrier methods. (North Carolina Memorial Hospital)

Symptoms. Headache, dizziness, nausea, upper abdominal pain, twitching of face and limbs, albumin in the urine. Extreme cases: high blood pressure, rigidity, congestive heart failure.

Treatment. Hospitalisation. To be treated by qualified obstetrician.

Formula. Cramp bark 2; Motherwort 1; Black Cohosh 1. Dose: Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). Liquid extracts: one to two 5ml teaspoons. Tinctures: 1-3 teaspoons. Hourly, or more frequently as tolerated; in water or honey. Magnesium sulphate for fits.

Suppression of urine. Dilation of kidney arterioles to increase flow of blood and to re-start kidney function.

Bearberry (Uva Ursi) tea. 1-2 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup freely. Bearberry Liquid extract. 2-4ml hourly, or as tolerated, in water or honey.

White Willow. Conventional treatment places high-risk women on low-dose aspirin therapy. As White Willow is a source of natural aspirin, it would appear to offer some benefit. White Willow reduces platelet aggregation, and encourages placental blood flow. Aspirin of pharmacy cuts the risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure by two-thirds.

Diet. Pre-eclampsia: oily fish or fish oil supplements. (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1990, 97 (12) 1077-79)

Supplements. Calcium. Magnesium.

Note: A serious condition which can be fatal but which can be prevented by regular antenatal examinations by a qualified obstetrician. ... eclampsia

Ephedra sinica stapf., Ephedra equisentina Bunge and Ephedra gerardiana Wall (including Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo). Twigs. German: Meertra?ubchen. French: Ephe?dre. Italian: Uva di mare. Iranian: Huma. Japanese: Ma oh. Indian: Butshur. Chinese: Ma Huang.

Constituents: Alkaloids – ephedrine, pseudoephedrine.

Action: brain, heart and circulatory stimulant, antasthmatic, bronchodilator, anti-allergic, vasodilator, hypertensive, diaphoretic. Dilates vessels of the heart causing a rise in blood pressure. Cough sedative. Febrifuge, antispasmodic. The essential oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Uses: Practitioner’s first choice for asthma. Bronchitis, breathlessness, whooping cough. Used for such chest conditions for over a millennia in Chinese medicine.

Allergies: hay fever, irritative skin rashes. Low blood pressure. Hypothermia. Bed-wetting. Myasthenia gravis BHP (1983). Chinese Barefoot doctors inject the tea into nostrils for hay fever.

Usually given with expectorants: Liquorice, Lobelia, Senega, Sundew. “Combines well with Lobelia and Skunk Cabbage for bronchitis; and with Horsetail for frequency of urine.” (Fletcher Hyde) Contra-indications: hypertension, coronary thrombosis, thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma. Not given with anti- depressants (MAO inhibitors).

Preparations: Thrice daily. Average dose: 15-60mg.

Tea. Quarter to half a teaspoon herb to cup water simmered gently 5 minutes. Half a cup. Liquid extract. BHP (1983) 1:1 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 15-45 drops (1-3ml). Tincture BHP (1983) 1 part to 4 parts 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 6-8ml.

Ephedrine. Maximum dose: 30mg. Maximum daily dose 60mg.

Store in airtight container out of the light. Pharmacy only medicine. Practitioners only. ... ephedra

Olibanum. Boswellia thurifera.

A milk-like sap from the trunk of the tree hardens into resinous tears. The chlorophyll of the ancient world, with power to neutralise offensive odours. Used as incense in religious ceremonies. Modern use chiefly external.

Action: mild expectorant, carminative, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, stimulant.

Uses: bronchitis and congested nasal passages (inhalant). Leprosy (China). Avicenna (10th century physician) advised it for ulceration and tumours. Used in embalming of bodies, and as a preservative in pharmacy.

Preparations: In the ancient world it was steeped in strong wine for use in drop doses for the pestilence and as an antiseptic wash for infections.

Modern use: throat pastilles.

Inhalant. 1 teaspoon, tincture, is added to a bowl of boiling water and the steam inhaled. ... frankincense

Yellow Jasmine. Gelsemium sempervirens L. German: Gelber Jasmine. French: Gelse?mie luisante. Spanish: Gelsomina. Italian: Gelsomino della Carolina. Chinese: Hu-wan-ch’iang. Dried root and rhizome.

Constituents: alkaloids, coumarins, tannins, iridoids.

Action: powerful relaxant to the central nervous system, vasodilator, analgesic; to calm down physical violence in hysteria and reduce a dangerously high pulse rate. Antispasmodic, hypotensive (transient). Tranquilliser. Combines well with Hawthorn for cardiac arrhythmias. No evidence of dependence in clinical use.

Use s. Pressive nervous headache (constrictive migraine). Facial neuralgia, cramp, intermittent claudication, pain in womb and ovaries, temporal arteritis. Pain in tail bone at base of the spine (coccydynia). Spasm of the osteopathic lesion. Great restlessness, convulsions, contracted pupils and circulatory excitement.

Avoid in heart disease and low blood pressure. Practitioner use. Tincture Gelsemium, 2-5 drops, 2-3 times daily. Pharmacy only sales.

A weaker tincture may frequently be used with good effect: 5 drops to 100ml water – 1 teaspoon hourly. (Dr Finlay Ellingwood) ... gelsemium

Leprosy. Progressive infection by Mycobacterium leprae. Two forms: (1) tuberculoid; infection of the nerve endings and membranes of the nose, with loss of feeling and pale patches on the body. (2) Lepromatous; with inflamed thickened painful red skin exacerbated by ulceration, fever, neuritis and orchitis. Distorted lips and loss of nasal bone as infection progresses.

Symptoms: numbness, nerves may swell like iron rods. Infected nerves kill all sensation. In endemic areas, pins and needles in hands may call attention to it. A disease of nerves rather than skin. NOTIFIABLE DISEASE.

Many laymen and practitioners will never have seen a case. In the absence of modern medicine some good can be achieved by traditional remedies. Ancient Hindu and Chinese records refer to the use of Gotu Kola (internally and externally). Dr C.D. de Granpre? (1888) refers. (Martindale 27; p.441)

Oil of Chaulmoogra was used up to one hundred years ago before introduction of modern drugs. It fell into dis-use until discovered by a Director of Health in the Philippine Islands during World War I when he used it successfully in combination with camphor. In South America, where the disease is still active, Sarsaparilla has a long traditional reputation. Walnut oil is used as a dressing, in China. An anti- staphylococcal fraction has been isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia for use in leprosy. (Indian Journal of Pharmacy 26: 141, 1964)

Tea. Gotu Kola. Half a teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Drink freely. Stronger infusions may be used externally to cleanse ulceration.

Decoction. Combine: Sarsaparilla 1; Gotu Kola 1; Echinacea 2. Half an ounce to 1 pint water gently simmered 20 minutes. Dose: Half a cup 3 times daily.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Sarsaparilla 1; Gotu Kola 2. Dose. Powders 500mg. Liquid Extracts 3-5ml. Tinctures 5-10ml. Thrice daily.

Note: Antibody-positive cases of AIDS are vulnerable to leprosy, both diseases being caused by a similar bacterium.

To be treated by infectious diseases specialist. ... hansen’s disease

White thorn. Crataegus oxyacanthoides Thuill. Or C. monogyna Jacq. French: Aube?pine. German: Hagedorn. Spanish: Espina blanca. Italian: Marruca bianca. Parts used: Dried flowers, leaves, fruits. Keynote: heart.

Constituents. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, amines.

Action. Positive heart restorative. Coronary vasodilator BHP (1983), antispasmodic, antihypertensive, adaptogen, diuretic, sedative to nervous system, cholesterol and mineral solvent. Action lacks the toxic effects of digitalis. Useful where digitalis is not tolerated.

Uses: To increase blood flow through the heart. Strengthens heart muscle without increasing the beat or raising blood pressure. Enhances exercise duration. Myocarditis with failing compensation. Improves circulation in coronary arteries. Arteriosclerosis, atheroma, thrombosis, rapid heart beat, paroxysmal tachycardia BHP (1983), fatty degeneration; angina, enlargement of the heart from over-work, over- exercise or mental tension, alcoholic heart, Buerger’s disease, intermittent claudication, risk of infarction, dizziness (long term), mild to moderate hypertension, insomnia. Used by sportsmen to sustain the heart under maximum effort.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea. Leaves and flowers. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. Dose: 1 cup. Traditional for insomnia or for the heart under stress.

Decoction. Fruits. 1-2 heaped teaspoons haws to each cup water; simmer gently 2 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup.

Tablets/capsules. Two 200-250mg.

Liquid extract. 8-15 drops in water.

Tincture. 1:5 in 45 per cent alcohol, dose: 15-30 drops (1-2ml).

Popular combinations:–

With Mistletoe and Valerian (equal parts) as a sedative for nervous heart.

With Lily of the Valley 1; Hawthorn berries 2; for cardiac oedema.

With Lime flowers, Mistletoe and Valerian (equal parts) for high blood pressure.

With Horseradish or Cayenne, as a safe circulatory stimulant.

Gradual onset of action. Low incidence of side-effects. No absolute contra-indications.

Note: Dr D. Greene, Ennis, County Clare, Eire, attained an international reputation for treatment of heart disease keeping the remedy a secret. Upon his death his daughter revealed it as a tincture of red-ripe Hawthorn berries. Pharmacy only ... hawthorn

King, Herbalist’s Charter. From the Book of Statutes, 1215-1572. “At all times from henceforth it shall be lawful to every person being the King’s subject, having knowledge and experience of the nature of Herbs, Roots and Waters, or of the operation of the same, by speculation or practice within any part of the realm of England, or in any other of the King’s dominions, to practise, use and minister in and to any outward sore, uncome, wound, apostemations, outward swelling or disease, any herb or herbs, ointments, baths, pultes and amplaisters, according to their cunning, experience and knowledge in any of the diseases, sores and maladies before-said, and all other like to the same, or drinks for the Stone and Strangury, or Agues, without suit, vexation, trouble, penalty, or loss of their goods.”

Since 1542 there have been many attempts to expunge this law from the Statute Book. A formidable attack was launched by the Pharmacy and Medicines Bill, 1941, which was fought so vigorously by a Mr Montgomery and Mrs Hilda Leyel that herbalists won the concession to continue the right to practise. ... henry viii

Today’s practice: only first grade organically grown herbs (European, British, American, etc) without the aid of pesticides or herbicides are the general rule, but standards vary in different countries. Some herbs are freshly picked and processed on the same day, and it is modern practice to cultivate in a remote location to avoid wind-blown chemical contamination.

Herbs are soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter. No artificial additives; no cruelty to animals; and no damage to the environment is the ideal in the preparation of herbal remedies.

All herbs are subject to natural variations such as weather, climate and constituents of the soil. In herbal pharmacy products are standardised as carefully as possible under strict laboratory conditions. ... herbs, source of

Henbane. Hyoscyamus niger, L. German: Schwarzes Bilsenkraut. French: Jusquiame noire. Spanish: Beteno. Iranian: Sickran. Arabian: Bazrul-banj. Italian: Jusquiame nero. Indian: Khurasani ajvayan. Chinese: Lang-tang. Leaves and flowering tops.

Constituents: The leaves contain hyoscine, hyoscamine, scopolamine, choline, mucilage.

Action: Powerful brain relaxant, antispasmodic on smooth muscle, sedative. Inhibits release of acetylcholine as a neuro-transmitter (action similar to Belladonna). Analgesic, narcotic.

Uses: Rabies, delirium tremens, delirium of fevers, cystitis, travel sickness, bronchitis, asthma, renal colic, whooping cough. See: TRANSDERMAL PATCHES.

Preparations: Poultice. Leaves once used for painful rheumatism.

Pharmacy only. Herbal practitioners are exempted up to 300mg daily (100mg per dose). HYPERACIDITY. See: ACIDITY. ... hyoscyamus

There are remedies that may be manufactured or assembled by any person carrying on a business or practice provided he or she is occupier of the premises which are closed to exclude the general public. The person (i.e. practitioner) supplies or sells the remedy to a particular person (i.e. patient) having been requested by or on behalf of that person and in that person’s presence to use his/her own judgement as to treatment.

Anyone may administer a herbal product to a human being, except by injection. Under Section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968, any remedy may be sold or supplied which only specifies the plant and the process. The remedy shall be called by no other name. This applies to the process producing the remedy consisting only of drying, crushing and comminuting. It must be sold without any written recommendation for use.

Those who have a manufacturer’s licence, or who notify the Enforcement Authority (the Secretary of State and the Pharmaceutical Society) can sell dried, crushed or comminuted herbs which have also been subjected to certain other limited processes (tablet-making, etc) but not those herbs contained in the Schedule to the Medicines (Retail Sale or Supply of Herbal Remedies) Order 1977 (SI 1977 No.2130).

This Schedule has three parts.

Part 1 contains substances that may only be sold by retail at registered pharmacies under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Part 2 refers to remedies that can be sold only in a registered pharmacy. There is, however, an important exception, as follows.

Part 3 contains a list of considered toxic herbs. A practitioner can prescribe all remedies that a shopkeeper can sell. He may also prescribe and sell remedies on Part 3 of the Schedule which a shopkeeper cannot. Such supply must be in premises closed to the public and subject to a clear and accurate indication of maximum dosage and strength. These remedies are as follows:... licencing of herbal remedies – exemptions from

May Lily. Convallaria majalis L. German: Lilienkonvallen. French: Muguet. Spanish: Lirio de los valles. Italian: Mughetto. Keynote: heart. Part used: dried leaves. The herbalist’s “digitalis”. Practitioner use only. In official use in Russia for heart conditions where it is used in place of digitalis, but at a low dosage. Similar action on the heart as digitalis. (Martindale 27th edn., p.489) Specific action on heart muscle alone.

Constituents: cardioactive glycosides, flavonoid glycosides.

Action: increases force of the heart, regularises the beat for distension of the ventricles. Restores an irritable heart. Increases size and strength of the pulse; slows down a rapid feeble pulse; restores regular deep breathing. Is a secondary diuretic which eliminates fluid retained in the tissues (oedema), leaving no depression or depletion of potassium. Cardiac stimulant. Mild gastric tonic.

Uses: Left ventricular failure, mitral insufficiency, sense that “the chest is held in a vice”. Congestive heart failure, endocarditis, cardiac dropsy with swollen ankles, cardiac asthma, renal hypertension. Effective in painful and silent ischaemic episodes. Bradycardia.

Combines well with Motherwort and Selenicereus grandiflorus for heart disease BHP (1983). With Echinacea and Poke root for endocarditis. Never combine with Gotu Kola. (Dr John Heinerman, Texas, USA)

Preparations: Maximum dose: 150mg dried leaf. Thrice daily.

Tea: 1 teaspoon shredded leaves to each cup water gently simmered 10 minutes. One-third of a cup. Liquid Extract BPC 1934: dose: 0.3-0.6ml (5 to 10 drops).

Tincture BHP (1983): 1:5 in 40 per cent alcohol; dose – 0.5 to 1ml (8 to 15 drops).

Juice. Fresh leaves passed through a juicer. 3-5 drops thrice daily.

Contra-indicated in high blood pressure. Sale: Pharmacy Only. ... lily of the valley

DR & Co. West Germany

The firm was founded in Bonn in 1919 by the brothers Dr Gerhard Madaus, Friedemund Madaus and Hans Madaus, as a result of a personal family experience. As a child one of the brothers was seriously ill and his recovery was greatly aided by treatment with medicinal plants and herbs. Impressed by this experience the eldest brother studied medicine. After the First World War the three brothers began the manufacture of medicaments on a small scale.

In 1936 the first Biological Institute was established, in which the effects of constituents were examined. Intensive research work induced Dr Gerhard Madaus to publish, in 1938, a three volume work entitled “Manual of Biological Medicine” which, even today, still enjoys a high reputation in the professional world.

The House of Madaus has its own research departments in pharmacology, pathology, botany and immunisation biology.

Their preparation of Convallaria (Lily of the Valley) in natural compound form has outstandingly proved itself in heart failure. Work on Horse Chestnut, Echinacea and Agnus Castus has advanced herbal pharmacy worldwide. ... madaus

Viscum album L. German: Mistel. French: Gui blanc. Spanish: Liga. Russian: Olma. Indian: Banda. Italian: Visco quercino. Arabian: Kishmish-j-kawaliyan. Chinese: San-shang-chi-she?ng. Leaves and terminal twigs. Practitioner use only.

Constituents: alkaloids, glycoproteins, polypeptides, flavonoids.

Action: tranquilliser, vasodilator – reducing blood pressure after an initial rise. Cardiac depressant. Used as an alternative to beta-blocking drugs when they produce sore eyes and skin rash. Stimulates the vagus nerve which slows the pulse. Contains acetylcholine. Diuretic. Immune enhancer. Anti-inflammatory. Uses. Arterial hypertension, insomnia, temporal arteritis, nervous excitability, hyperactivity, limb- twitching, epilepsy, (petit mal), chorea, tinnitus, rabies (Dr Laville). Benzodiazepine addiction – to assist withdrawal. Arteriosclerosis (with Horsetail). Headache, dizziness, fatigue.

Cancer: some success reported in isolated cases. Juice of the berries has been applied to external cancers since the time of the Druids. Present-day pharmacy: Iscador (Weleda), Viscotoxin. Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79) and Hippocrates record its use in epilepsy and for tumours. The berries may be prescribed by a medical practitioner only (UK). As an immune enhancer it is used as an adjunct to surgery and radiotherapy for patients for whom cytotoxic drugs are inappropriate because of adverse side-effects. Lymphocytes divide more readily by production of interferon.

Combinations: (1) with Skullcap and Valerian for nervous disorders (2) with Motherwort and Hawthorn for myocarditis (3) with Blue Cohosh for menstrual irregularity (4) with Hawthorn and Lime flowers for benign hypertension. Never combine with Gotu Kola. (Dr John Heinerman)

Preparations: Average dose: 2-6g, or equivalent. Thrice daily.

Tea: 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup cold water steeped 2 hours. Dose: half-1 cup.

Green Tincture. 4oz bruised freshly-gathered leaves in spring to 1 pint 45 per cent alcohol (Vodka, strong wine, etc). Macerate 8 days, shaking daily. Filter and bottle. Dose: 3-5 drops: (every 2 hours if an epileptic attack is suspected).

Powder, capsules: 300mg. 2 capsules thrice daily before meals. (Arkocaps)

Plenosol. (Madaus)

Liquid Extract (1:1): 8-10 drops.

Sale: pharmacy only. ... mistletoe

An enabling Act allowing subsequent definitive statutory instruments to be issued at the discretion of the Medicines Control Agency. The Act controls all aspects of the sale of medicines in the United Kingdom; with no exceptions.

Medicines fall into three categories: POM (Prescription Only Medicines), P (Pharmacy Only), and OTC (Over The Counter). POM and P medicines must be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and dispensed by a pharmacist. P medicines can be sold only by a registered pharmacist. Health stores are concerned with the OTC products, the sale of which is governed by S.I. Medicines General Sales List, Order 1980, No 1922.

All medicines and substances used as medicine bearing a medicinal claim on label or advertising material must be licenced. Without a licence it is not lawful for any person, in his business, to manufacture, sell, supply, export, or import into the United Kingdom any medicinal products unless some exemption is provided in the Act or subsequent regulations. The prefix ML, followed by the Manufacturer’s number must appear on the label together with the product licence number prefixed by the capitals PL. For example, if any person other than a pharmacist sells a medicinal product which claims to relieve indigestion or headache, but the label of which bears no licence number, that shopkeeper (and the manufacturer) will be breaking the law.

All foods are exempt from licencing provided no claims are made of medicinal benefits.

A special licence (manufacturer’s) is required by any person who manufactures or assembles a medicinal product. (Section 8) He must hold a Product Licence for every product he manufactures unless some special exemption is provided by the Act. He may of course act to the order of the product licence holder. (Section 23)

“Manufacture” means any process carried on in the course of making a product but does not include dissolving or dispersing the product in, or diluting or mixing it with some other substance used as a vehicle for the purpose of administering it. It includes the mixture of two or more medicinal products.

“Assembly” means enclosing a medicinal product in a container which is labelled before the product is sold or supplied, or, where the product is already enclosed in a container in which it is supplied, labelling the container before the product is sold or supplied in it. (Section 132)

From the practitioner’s point of view, herbal medicines are exempt from the Act and no licence is required.

The consulting herbalist in private practice who compounds his own preparations from medicinal substances may apply to the Medicines Control Agency, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ for a manufacturer’s licence to authorise mixture and assembly, for administration to their patients after he has been requested in their presence to use his own judgement as to treatment required. Products thus sold, will be without any written recommendation and not advertised in any way.

The “assembly” aspect of his licence refers to his ability to buy in bulk, repackage and label. Where he uses prepackaged products and does not open the packet, or relabel, a licence is not required. He will not be able to use terms, “Stomach mixture”, “Nerve mixture”, etc, implying cure of a specific condition.

It is necessary for the practitioner to have a personal consultation with his patient before making his prescription. Subsequent treatment may be supplied by a third person or by post at the discretion of the practitioner.

A licence is required where one or more non-herbal ingredients (such as potassium iodide, sodium citrate, etc) are included. Dispensing non-herbal remedies constitutes “manufacture” for which a licence is required. (MAL 24 (3))

The main thing the licensing authority looks for before granting a licence is evidence of safety. The manufacturers’ premises must be licenced. A wholesaler or distributor, also, must have a licence.

Where a product is covered by a Product Licence certain medicinal claims may be made. Where claims are made, the Act requires a warning to appear on the label worded: “If you think you have the disease to which this product refers, consult a registered medical practitioner before taking this product. If you are already receiving medical treatment, tell your doctor you are also taking this product.” (SI 41, s.5)

Labels of all medicines, tablets, etc, must carry the words: “Keep out of the reach of children”.

Under the Act it is illegal for medicines to be offered for sale for cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma, kidney disease, locomotor ataxy, paralysis, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis; these diseases to be treated by a registered medical practitioner only.

Definition of a herbal remedy. A “herbal remedy” is a medicinal product consisting of a substance produced by subjecting a plant or plants to drying, crushing or any other process, or of a mixture whose sole ingredients are two or more substances so produced, or of a mixture whose sole ingredients are one or more substances so produced and water or some other inert substances. (Section 132)

No licence is required for the sale, supply, manufacture or assembly of any such herbal remedy in the course of a business in which the person carrying on the business sells or supplies the remedy for administration to a particular person after being requested by or on behalf of that person, and in that person’s presence, to use his own judgement as to the treatment required. The person carrying on the business must be the occupier of the premises where the manufacture or assembly takes place and must be able to close them so as to exclude the public. (Section 12 (1))

No licence is required for the sale, supply, manufacture or assembly of those herbal remedies where the process to which the plant or plants are subjected consists only of drying, crushing or comminuting and the remedy is sold or supplied under a designation which only specifies the plant or plants and the process and does not apply any other name to the remedy; and without any written recommendation (whether by means of a labelled container or package or a leaflet or in any other way) as to the use of the remedy. (Section 12 (2)) This exemption does not apply to imported products. Except where a herbal product is supplied for a medicinal use, legally it is not even a medicinal product.

The 1968 Act has been a great step forward in the history of herbal medicine, The British Herbal Medicine Association and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists fought and won many special concessions. In years following the Act standards rose sharply. Practitioners enjoy a measure of recognition, with power to manufacture and dispense their own medicines and issue official certificates for incapacitation for work.

See: BRITISH HERBAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATION. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL HERBALISTS. ... medicine’s act, 1968. 

Britain’s oldest herbal establishment. Founded by Duncan Scott Napier, 1860, 17, Bristo Place. While run in the light of modern pharmacy it is still complete with its mahogany fittings, antique tincture bottles and bygones of the Victorian herbalist.

In those early days almost all herbs were collected locally and extracts made on the premises for the queues of patients which formed outside until ten o’clock at night. Today crude material comes from abroad for manufacture into their many preparations: Lobelia syrup, Compound Barberry bark, Composition Essence, Skullcap Herb Compound, Heart Tonic, etc. Ginseng, a supposed modern discovery, has been handled by Napier’s for over a century. ... napier’s of edinburgh

Phytoestrogens. Oestrogens are steroid sex hormones secreted mainly by the ovary, and in smaller amounts by the adrenals, testes and placenta. They control sexual development and regulate the menstrual cycle. In puberty they are responsible for pubic hair and secondary female sex characteristics.

Some herbs, having a similar effect, are known as oestrogenics, and which are given usually during days 1 to 14 of the menstrual cycle for oestrogen-deficiency disorders: night sweats, hot flushes, urinary and menopausal problems.

This group should not be given to patients taking oestrogens of orthodox pharmacy, or in the presence of growths on the female organs: fibroids, endometriosis, cancer, cysts. It has an important role in the metabolism of amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

More than 300 plants are known to possess oestrogenic activity including wholewheat and soya products.

Important oestrogenics: Aniseed, Beth root, Black Cohosh, Elder, Don quai, Evening Primrose, Fennel, Helonias (False Unicorn root), Hops, Liquorice, Sage, Sarsaparilla, True Unicorn root (Aletris). Any one, or more in combination, may be used for symptoms of the menopause or oestrogen deficiency.

The closer we enhance ovarian and uterine function to give true hormone replacement, the more effective is the science of phytotherapy.

See: OSTEOPOROSIS. ... oestrogens

Ointments are semi-solid preparations of a plant remedy in a non-aqueous base to protect, nourish or convey medication to the skin. They are made from a base. A herbal powder or fine- cut material is usually added to the base which will vary according to the substance used. Vaseline is popular as a base, yet many combinations are serviceable from which the following are a small selection. Ointments should not be made in plastic or aluminium vessels.

Perhaps the simplest base is lard or butter, as used by Maria Treben. 2 handfuls (4oz or 120g) finely chopped herbs are digested in 500g lard or butter. Heat gently one hour. Stand overnight. Should be sufficiently fluid next morning to filter through muslin or a wire-mesh strainer. Pour into jars. Very effective but its life is not more than a few weeks.

((a) Vaseline base. Dissolve vaseline. Place 1oz (handful) fresh herb (say . . . Chickweed) or tablespoon dried herb (or 2 teaspoons powder) in 7oz (100g) vaseline melted in low heat. Simmer gently 15 minutes, stirring all the time. Strain through a wire-mesh strainer while hot and pour into air-tight containers.

(b) Vaseline base. To incorporate essential oils; i.e. Oil of Eucalyptus 2ml; Oil of Pine 1ml; Oil of Peppermint 2ml; vaseline to 30 gram. Melt the vaseline. Add oils. Stir until cold. Makes a useful inhalant ointment applied directly to the frontal sinus areas, or inhaled from boiling water. (Fred Fletcher Hyde) (c) Mixed base, suitable for holding liquid extracts, tinctures. Ingredients: parts, Almond oil 12; Liquid Extract (say . . . Comfrey) 5; powdered gum Acacia 3; water (preferably distilled) to 100.

Method: Rub together a small equal amount of well-sieved Acacia powder and water to form a paste – best performed in a pestle and mortar. Add the Almond oil. Mix. Add liquid extract, tincture or oil slowly until a good consistency is reached. Slowly add remaining water and stir. Store in airtight glass jars.

(d) Olive and Beeswax base. Ingredients: 2oz beeswax; 16oz Olive oil.

Method: cut beeswax into slices and dissolve in the Olive oil on a low heat. Stir until all beeswax is dissolved. Place in a stone jar or pyrex vessel 12oz aerial parts of fresh herb material (Marigold, Plantain, Chickweed etc) or 4oz hard woody parts, roots or barks (Comfrey, Marshmallow, etc). Pour on the Olive oil and beeswax. Place in a warm oven for 3 hours; give an occasional stir. While still hot, strain through a wire-mesh strainer into pots. Store in a refrigerator. Where powders are used, the proportion is 2oz for every 16oz Olive oil.

((e) Coconut oil base. Dissolve 7 parts Coconut oil. Add 5 parts powdered herbs and 6 parts beeswax. Simmer gently 1 and a half hours. Strain through warm wire mesh strainer or muslin. Filter if necessary. Pour into jars.

(f) Pile ointment. Prepare, vaseline base. Add, Liquid Extract Pilewort 5 per cent, Liquid Extract Witch Hazel 5 per cent; Tincture Benzoin 5 per cent; Menthol 2 and a half per cent.

((g) Pain Reliever. Prepare, vaseline base. Add Menthol 2 per cent; Eucalyptus 2 per cent; Camphor 2 per cent; Oil of Mustard 0.2 per cent.

(h) Russian traditional. It is still common in country practice to simmer popular herbs (Marigold, Arnica, St John’s Wort) in butter, as above.

Preservatives. Length of life of above ointments is increased by addition of Benzoic acid, Nipagen, etc. Benzoinated lard was once a popular base used in pharmacy. Ointments containing volatile oils should be kept in porcelain or glass pots in preference to synthetic containers. All ointments should be stored out of the light and in a cool place.

Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment has a long traditional reputation as a general purposes ointment. ... ointment bases

1490-1541. Theophrastus Bombastus Hohenheim. Physician and alchemist. Owed his early education to his father, a physician. Learned the practice of medicine from many sources but lost faith in the orthodox profession of his day. Supported the Doctrine of Signatures, which is really a doctrine of analogies that suggest every herb reveals by its shape, colour and scent the disease it can cure. See: DOCTRINE OF SIGNATURES. The first to introduce into pharmacy the minerals antimony, mercury and sulphur, now known to be inimical to health and which have led the practice of medicine further away from the pure Hippocratic concept. He taught that diseases were specific entities and should be cured by specific remedies. ... paracelsus

(OSCE) a type of examination used increasingly in the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy) to assess clinical skills in examination, communication, medical procedures, and interpretation of results. The examination usually takes the form of a circuit of stations around which each candidate moves after a specified time interval (5–10 minutes) at each station. Stations are a mixture of interactive and noninteractive tasks. Some have an examiner and a simulated patient, either an actor for assessment of communication or history-taking skills or a manikin of a specific part of the body (e.g. to demonstrate how to use an auriscope). Other stations have investigation results with a list of questions that are to be completed on computer-marked examination papers. Each station has a different examiner and the stations are standardized with specific marking criteria, thus enabling fairer comparison with peers.... objective structured clinical examination