Herbal drugs history

When obtaining the drug history, the nurse must always question the patient about the use of herbs, teas, vitamins, or other nutritional or dietary supplements. Many patients consider herbs as natural and therefore safe It is also difficult for some to report the use of an herbal tea as a part of the health care regimen. Display 1-4 identifies teaching points to consider when discussing the use of herbs and nutritional supplements with patients. Although a complete discussion about the use of herbs is beyond the scope of this book, it is important to remember that the use of herbs and nutritional supplements is commonplace in many areas of the country. To help the student become more aware of herbal therapy and nutritional supplements, Appendix B gives... 

Obtain a thorough history of non-prescription, prescription, and alternative or herbal drug use. Determine adherence with the medication regimen and whether barriers to care exist. Does the patient have the financial ability and transportation to obtain their prescriptions ... 

Yohimbine can cause hypertension in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants. A drug history should include the use of herbal remedies before conventional treatments are prescribed. 

Take a careful drug history. Bear in mind the possibility of interaction with substances the patient may be taking without your knowledge, such as herbal or other nonprescribed remedies, old drugs taken from the medicine cabinet or drugs obtained from friends. 

In Taipei, 319 children aged 1-7 years were screened for increased blood lead concentrations (145). The consumption of Chinese herbal medicines was significantly correlated with blood lead concentrations. In 2803 subjects from Taipei a history of herbal drug taking proved to be a major risk factor for increased blood lead concentrations (146). 

Medicinal plants are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. Medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of diseases since antiquity. India and China have been on the forefront when we talk about history of herbal drugs. The traditional systems of medicines viz. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathy have roots in medicinal herbs. Herbal medicine has produced number of distinguished researchers and due to its accessibility to traditions it is still practiced even by lay practitioners. 

The history of Traditional Chinese Medicine is glorious and they have preserved the herbal system beautifully. It originated about 3000 years ago and is a popular science in western countries. Some of the medicinal herbs mentioned in Chinese medicine are common with Ayurveda. Traditional Chinese medicine favors the use of medicinal herbs in natural form rather than extraction. The herbal drugs have different history in Europe and America and they have produced healers like Culpeper. The use of tinctures in Homeopathy is based on medicinal herbs. 

Conduct a medication history (prescription, over-the-counter, and dietary supplements) to determine conditions or causes of hypertension. Does the patient take any medications, supplements, herbal products, or foods that may elevate SBP or DBP Does the patient have drug allergies ... 

Obtain a thorough history of prescription drug, nonprescription drug, and herbal product use. 

Obtain a thorough medication use history, including present and past drugs prescription and nonprescription drugs the patient s self-assessment of response and side-effect problems use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and illicit substances and use of herbal products and dietary supplements, as well as any allergies and adherence difficulties. 

In many developing countries of the world, there is still a major reliance on crude drug preparation of plants used in traditional medicines for their primary health care. Pharmacognosists employed in the different institutions are aware of the changing trends of herbal medications and a number of useful texts on the analysis, uses, and potential toxicities of herbal remedies have appeared recently, which serves as useful guides in pharmacy practice. The history of medicine includes many ludicrous therapies. Nevertheless, ancient wisdom has been the basis of modem medicine and will remain as one important source of future medicine and therapeutics. The future of natural products drug discovery will be more holistic, personahzed and involve the wise use of ancient and modem therapeutic skills in a complementary manner so that maximum benefits can be accmed to the patients and the community. 

The long history of marijuana use both as a recreational drug and as an herbal medicine for centuries has been reviewed (3). Cannabis sativa contains more than 450 substances and only a few of the main active cannabinoids have been evaluated. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2001, 83 million Americans and 37% of those aged 12 and older had tried marijuana (4). 

Pharmacist can help a patient know if there are any drug-drug or drug-food interactions with their OTC medications. A thorough medication history of both prescription and non-prescription medication including herbal supplements is a vital component to pharmaceutical care. By evaluating the medication history, the pharmacist can help the consumer make... 

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