HERBS

1
HERBS

• Lisa Meister
• February 27, 2009

1
2
Objective

• Discuss common uses of herbal remedies that are
  popular in Mexican culture
• Review of the evidence
• Develop awareness of potential adverse reactions
  and/or drug interactions
• Will talk about Nopal, Aloe, Chamomile and
  Peppermint

2
3
Nopal Opuntia ficus indica, streptocantha, etc.
3
4
Uses
4

• Diabetes
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Obesity
• Alcohol-induced hangover
• Colitis
• Diarrhea
• BPH
• Atherosclerosis

5
Nopals Active Components
5

• Fibrous Polysaccharide (Fiber)
• Pectin

6
The Evidence
6

• decreases in LDL, TGs, while HDL unchanged.
• Hypoglycemic effects as well as increases in
  insulin sensitivity
• BPH?
• Anti-inflammatory- Alcohol Hangover study

7
Adverse Effects
7

• Diarrhea, nausea, increased stool volume and/or
  frequency, abdominal fullness and headache
• If already taking hypoglycemic drugs, watch out
  for hypoglycemia

8
8
Aloe Vera
9
Uses
9

• Ulcerative Colitis, ulcers, constipation,
  colitis, laxative
• Osteoarthritis, bursitis
• Diabetes
• Asthma, psoriasis
• Cold sores, radiation related mucositis, burns,
  sunburn, frostbite, wound healing
• Epilepsy
• Bleeding
• Varicose veins

10
Aloes active ingredients

• Emodin anthrone
• Dithranol
• Chrysarobin
• Carboxypeptidase
• Magnesium lactate
• C-glucosyl chromone
• Salicylate
• Allantoin
• Aloe Latex (Anthraquinone family)

10
11
The Evidence

• Plaque Psoriasis
• Decreases serum blood glucose
• Lichen planus

11
12
Adverse Effects

• Topical- allergic reaction, delay in surgical
  wound healing
• Oral- hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, bleeding,
  uterine contractions

13
13
Chamomile Matricaria recutita, chamomila
14
Uses

• GI Flatulence, nervous diarrhea, spasms,
  colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids
• Nasal mucus membrane inflammation
• Allergic rhinitis
• ADHD
• Restlessness, insomnia
• Dismenorrhea
• Mastitis
• Varicose ulcers

14
15
Active Ingredients

• Quercetin
• Apigenin
• Coumarins
• Essential oils matricin, chamazulene, alpha
  bisaboloid, bisaboloid oxides

15
16
The evidence

• Dyspepsia
• Oral mucositis
• Eczema

16
17
Adverse reactions

• Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis,
  allergic conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis
• Drug interactions

17
18
Peppermint Mentha Piperita
18
19
Uses

• Common cold
• Inflammatory processes of mouth, sinuses,
  pharynx, liver, gallbladder and bowel
• Nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia
• Headache
• Morning Sickness
• Dismenorrhea

19
20
Active Ingredients

• Acetaldehyde
• Amyl alcohol
• Menthyl esters
• Limone
• Pinene, etc. etc. etc.

20
21
The evidence

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Dyspepsia
• Barium enema related colonic spasm

21
22
Adverse effects

• Heartburn, nausea, vomiting
• Allergic reactions
• Flushing
• Headache
• Hepatotoxicity at high doses
• P450 inhibitors
• Testosterone may decrease
• amphB

22
23
The end