بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Herbal medicine

Can be defined as the use of the plant derived products to promote health and relieve illness. Herbal traditions exist in both Eastern and Western traditions

Since long period of time, humans have used the stems, roots, leaves, branches, and fruits of different plants. The scope of herbal medicine sometimes extended to include fungal and bee product, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.

Herbs and related products are commonly used by patients who seek conventional health care. There are a large and increasing number of patients use medicinal herbs or seek the advice of their physician regarding their use.

Popular use of medicinal herbs makes it necessary for physicians to become a ware of their health benefits, risks, and uncertainties so that they can educate their patients about these issues.

Herbs used for health purposes are drugs Herbs used for health purposes are drugs. They are chemicals that can affect the human body in helpful or harmful ways. Some herbal preparations are effective, many are not, and a few can be harmful or even fetal.

Herbal medicine is the most common form of alternative medicine Alternative medicine: is the art of offering choices, or several options, that exist and function outside the ordinary medical practice, it include a large and diverse group of theories and practices. Among these are: massage therapeutic touch acupuncture treatment with high dose vitamins herbal products

Herbal medicine is used to treat many conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Herbal product can interact with conventional drugs resulting in increased toxicity and decreased therapeutic effects, example of herbal and conventional drugs interactions:

1- Several herbal products, including garlic, ginkgo biloba, feverfew and ginger, suppress platelet aggregation and hence can increase the risk of bleeding in patients receiving antiplatelet drugs (aspirin) or anticoagulant ( warfarin or heparin). 2- Ephedra plant contains ephedrine, a compound that can elevate blood pressure and stimulate the heart and CNS. Accordingly, ephedra can intensify the effects of other drugs such as cardiac stimulants and CNS stimulants.

3- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is well known for its antidepressant effect, can increase the activity of liver enzymes and thereby accelerate the metabolism of many drugs, causing a loss of therapeutic effects.

Aloe plant: product from aloe plants are used as: Aloe gel for topical therapy. Aloe latex orally Aloe is used topically for the treatment of burns, sunburn, psoriasis, eczema, acne, orally is used to relieve constipation (laxative).

Black cohosh: used for treatment of symptoms of menopause including hot flushes, vaginal dryness, palpitation, depression and sleep disturbance. Black cohosh may interact with conventional drugs it may potentiate the hypotensive effect of antihypertensive drugs and the hypoglycemic effect of insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs.

Chamomile: has mild sedative effect, but also has demonstrated antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and some antimutagenic and cholesterol- lowering effects in animal.

It is used in the treatment of GIT discomfort, peptic ulcer disease, mouth& skin irritation, pediatric colic, teething, mild insomnia & anxiety In vitero chamomile has demonstrated moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant prosperities and significant antiplatelet activity, as well as preliminary results against cancer. Disadvantage: allergic reactions may occur.

Feverfew: Common use: Migraine prophylactic Feverfew: Common use: Migraine prophylactic. Investigational use: Antiarthritic . Side effect: Oral ulcers, rebound headaches, allergic reaction (rare).

Garlic: its uses include reduce level of lipids in blood (triglyceride, LDL, and cholesterol). Reduce blood pressure. Suppress platelet aggregation. Decrease formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Adverse effects: Unpleasant taste. Bad breath. Heartburn. Flatulence. Nausea

Interaction with conventional drugs: 1- Garlic has significant antiplatelet effect, so it can increase the risk of bleeding in patients taking antiplatelet drugs e.g. aspirin. 2- Garlic can increase insulin level and hence can potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of drugs used for diabetes.

Goldenseal: has been used to treat bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infection of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Adverse effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypertension and convulsion

Ginger: used as antiematic Ginger: used as antiematic. In lab animals,the ginger have analgesic, sedative, antipyretic, antibacterial, and GIT motility effect. Side effect: heart burn and allergic reaction (rare).

Kava: it used in the treatment of : anxiety and stress relax muscles Adverse effect: kava can impair vision and cause muscle in coordination, and can cause skin disorder that resemble psoriasis.

Interaction with conventional drugs: kava is CNS- depressant action, can increase the action of other CNS-depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids.

Valerian: valerian root is a sedative preparation used primarily to promote sleep. Averse effects Drowsiness Dizziness Depression Pruritus Headache

-headache, diarrhea, upset stomach . Saw palmetto: it is used to relieve urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperatrophy. Adverse effects: -headache, diarrhea, upset stomach .

Nigella sativa: it's uses include: - relieve the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and cough. - treat abscesses and tumors of the abdomen, eyes, and liver. - effective in treating opioid dependence. - reduce calculi formation in rats' kidneys. -in treatment of diabetes. -Inhibition of cancer cell growth. -Improvement of immune system. -in viral infection. -psoriasis.

Side effect: in large doses and nigelline is paralytic, so this spice must be used in moderation.

Castor oil: uses are -as a laxative for treatment of constipation. -skin disorders or skin problems. -Has anti inflammatory effects. -The use of castor oil to induce labor is controversial. Because the irregular, painful contractions of castor oil-induced labor can be stressful on the mother and fetus. It also leaves the laboring woman quite dehydrated as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea

side effect: it can produce painful cramps, fecal incontinence and explosive diarrhea. Its action can go on for hours.

Green tea: Green tea has been extensively studied in people, animals, and laboratory experiments. Results from these studies suggest that green tea may help treat the following health conditions: -Atherosclerosis. - High cholesterol - Cancer -diabetes. - reduction of body weight.

Feverfew: Common use: Migraine prophylactic Investigational use: Antiarthritic. Side effect: Oral ulcers, rebound headaches, allergic reaction (rare).