Herbals, characteristics

The different types or classes of phytochemicals can have multiple influences on the GIT (Kitts, 1994). For example, caffeine stimulates the motor, hormonal and secretory functions (Boekmaefa/., 1999). Although many phytochemicals reduce nutrient quality or availability, traditional herbal medicines have exploited some of these characteristics to improve health. Moreover, some of the systemic responses attributed to certain phytochemicals (beneficial or detrimental) can be explained by their influences on the GIT (Carbonaro et al., 2001). To date, the most of the information about phytochemicals is focused on the reductions in the functional capacities of the GIT (the bad), or the toxic properties (the ugly). There are also numerous examples of phytochemicals that can be used to obtain desirable GIT characteristics (the... 

GIT characteristics, either to improve or limit specific function, and thereby influence host health. However, the complex, multiple and varied nature of the combinations of phytochemicals present in plants and traditional herbal medicines has complicated efforts to better understand the specific interactions between phytochemicals and the GIT (Yuan and Lin, 2000). Phytochemicals have other applications, such as the use of guar gum as a vehicle to deliver therapeutics (Krishnaiah et al, 2001). 

Coumarin 162 (Structure 4.49) is a naturally occurring lactone in crystal form found in hay and tonka beans. It is one of the most used fragrance materials and is responsible for spicy green notes. Dihydrocoumarine 163 is also present in various essential oils with a characteristic sweet herbal odour. Umbellif-erone 164, scopoletin 165, bergaptene 166 and coumarin are found in Rutaceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae oils. Nepetalactones 167 are confined to the oils of Nepeta species [1,3, 21-23, 63]. 

Xue Min et al 1979 Chinese herbal medicine (Zhong Yao Xue 1 ). Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Yifan Yang 2002 Chinese herbal medicine - comparisons and characteristics. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh... 

It was with great pleasure that I read the first book of Yifan Yang in 2002. This was Chinese Herbal Medicines Comparisons and Characteristics. What was so refreshing about Comparisons and Characteristics was the clear and detailed description of the functions of the different temperature and taste properties, so that the reader understood why different herbs have different actions. The author then developed this into the excellent contrasts of similar herbs based on differences in temperature, taste, and action. This is vital to the clinical practice of herbal medicine. If the practitioner does not understand the detailed differences between herbs, then they cannot make effective herb combinations. 

Two outbreaks of human liver disease in India have been attributed to the consumption of plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. In the first instance, the disease was caused by eating cereals contaminated with seeds of a Crotalaria species.56 Haemodynamic studies were carried out on eight patients suffering from the characteristic veno-occlusive disease. In the second study, two cases of sudden liver failure that are believed to be due to the ingestion of herbal concoctions made from seeds and plants of Heliotropium species are reviewed.57... 

The herbal infusions donate antioxidant characteristics to vermouths, primary from the addition of phenolic compounds. This may provide some protection against the oxidative stress. 

The tea tree, or sometimes ti-tree, is actually a general name for members of the Melaleuca plant genus. The term tea tree comes from local usage as a type of herbal tea prepared from the leaves. Melaleuca alternifolia is a worldwide top-selling essential oil. Other oils from this family include cajeput (Melaleuca cajeputi) and niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora), which are distinctive essential oils with their own characteristics. 

The methods used to identify cannabis products depend upon the nature of the products themselves. Herbal material can be identified on the basis of its morphological characteristics alone, provided that certain of these are present. Where they are not, and in the case of resin and hash oil, the identification is made on the basis of phytochemical identification and the proof of the presence of A -THC (1), its precursor, cannabidiol (CBD) (3) and its breakdown product, cannabinol (CBN) (4). However, it should be remembered that the presence of the breakdown product, CBN, precludes the use of the sample for comparative purposes. 

Herbal products are considered a type of alternative medicine (e.g., herbal medicines, Chinese herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, biofeedback, color therapy, music therapy, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy. Ayurvedic medicine, massage, therapeutic touch, Bach flower remedies, chiropractic, reflexology, naturopathy, and more). According to the Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), characteristics of alternatives medicine include treatments that lack sufficient documentation in the United States for safety and effectiveness against specific disease and... 

A 59-year-old man developed renal insufficiency after self-medication for 5 years with a Chinese herbal remedy to treat his hepatitis (17). Renal biopsy showed signs characteristic of Chinese herb nephropathy. Analysis of the remedy proved the presence of aristolochic acids I and II. 

Three Singapore patients with chronic arsenic poisoning with characteristic skin changes had taken Chinese herbal remedies for many years to treat their asthma two had cancers likely to be due to arsenic (150). 

Polygalaceae), Virginia (Aristolochia serpentaria, Aristolochiaceae) and white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum, Asteraceae). In the United States, a list of standardized common names called Herbs of Commerce (American Herbal Products Association, 1992) was adopted by the FDA as the only permitted source for common names on product labeling. Products that contain plants not listed in Herbs of Commerce are required to use the correct Latin name of the plant on the label. In addition to difficulties with nomenclature, problems have arisen because of the difficulty in determining exactly which plants are present in a finished product. Capsules that contain more than one plant and/or a dried crude extract make identification of the plant(s) by traditional means such as microscopy virtually impossible (Betz et al., 1995). Determination of the identity of a misidentified plant then becomes a matter of looking for specific toxic chemical constituents, which is usually a needle in a haystack approach unless symptoms are characteristic of a particular compound. Good quality assurance of raw material obviates the need for this detective work. 

Differences in criteria and methods of assessment of the characteristics and properties of herbal products may represent a risk for consumers and an obstacle to their free circulation within the Community. Therefore, in 1997, an ad hoc working group was established at the EMEA, which was tasked with addressing the problems of demonstration of quality, safety and efficacy. Subsequently the group became a permanent Working Party of the CPMP and developed a set of guidelines on the requirements and assessment of herbal medicines. 

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