1. HERBAL AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

2. HERBAL AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Herbal medicine also known as:
Botanical medicine
Phytotherapy
Herbal medicine is used by 80% of the world’s population.
More than 750 herbs are available on the market.
About $ 5 billion a year is the cost of herbal medicine in the USA.
Herb

3. HOW HERBS WORK
Synergism
Phytonutrients
Antioxidants

4. SYNERGISM
The action of more than one ingredient in the herbs produces specific therapeutic effects.
Example: Tea tree oil
Has many ingredients
Each ingredient by itself does not have a strong antimicrobial effect.
But a combination of more than 8 ingredients in the oil produces antimicrobial ability.
Due to this complexity in tea tree oil, microbes will have difficulties developing resistance.
This is opposite of what we see in conventional medicine today. Microbes are getting resistant to antibiotics.

5. PHYTONUTRIENTS
Chemicals found in the plants that make them biologically active.
They serve as defense mechanisms against insects.
They are in groups that enhance the healing effect of each other.
They are the source for:
Plant’s color
Plant’s flavor
Plant’s natural disease resistance

6. PHYTONUTRIENTS Example of phytonutrients: Alkaloids Bitter principles
Carbohydrates
Carotenoids
Essential oils
Fatty oils
Glycosides
Isoflavones
Tannins
See Textbook page 125 for properties and use/effects.

7. ANTIOXIDANTS Group of: They protect body from free radicals Vitamins
Minerals
Enzymes
Herbs
They protect body from free radicals
Free radicals naturally occur in the body.
Some of the oxygen molecules lose one pair of electrons as the body goes through normal process to fuel the body.
Consequently, they attempt to use the extra oxygen from the other stable molecules.

8. PRODUCTION OF FREE RADICALS
Internal sources:
Oxygen consumption
Emotional stress
Strenuous exercise
External sources:
Air pollution
Cigarette smoke
Factory exhaust
Car exhaust
Pesticides
Herbicides
Food contaminants
Chemotherapy
Radiation

9. ANTIOXIDANTS Control the free radicals.
They act as free radicals scavengers.
We produce less antioxidants as we age.
Dietary antioxidants are advised as we age or become ill.

10. ANTIOXIDANTS Sources of Antioxidants Vitamin C Vitamin E Carotenoids
Selenium
Fruits and vegetables
Herbs such as:
Bilberry
Ginkgo
Grape seed extract
Green tea
Fruits and vegetables

11. SAFETY
Plants were used safely in the past by our elders due to their knowledge and wisdom.
The safety of uses is not clear today.
Plants and herbs may interact with prescribed and over the counter (OTC) medications.
So, it should be supervised by a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of integrative medicine.
Nurse practitioners, knowledgeable in herbal medicine, can be excellent integrative practitioners to prescribe herbs and nutritional supplements.
Please advise your patients to seek professional help.