Are Herbal Medicines Safe for Health

Many people have a common misperception that herbal medicines are safe for health. However, is that so? In reality, after researching on these medicines, I just found that the real fact is something else. Accordingly, I want to discuss in this article concerning the real facts of herbal medicines.

What is herbal Medicine?

Herbal or botanical medicine is a kind medicinal practice that is based on the exercise of herbs and herb extracts. This medicinal practice is the oldest but most widely used in all cultures and societies. In addition, herbal medicine is also known as "traditional medicine", "botanical medicine", "phyto medicine" and "natural medicine".

Why People Have Common Misperception About Herbal Medicines?

In fact, after reviewing several forums on this medical practice, I found that there are several interesting reasons for having misperception. Firstly, many people believe that if a remedy came from herbs or herb extracts, it must be harmless and safe.Secondly, most of the manufacturer of these medicines advertises their products as natural with no adverse effects.Thirdly, most of these medicines are OTC (over the counter) in many countries, and there are no strict guidelines for the preparation and administration of these products.Finally, the safety and effectiveness these medicinal products are not ensured to common people.

Why Use of Herbal Medicine Could Be Harmful to You?

These medicinal products and practices can cause risky and serious adverse reactions if the product is not administered appropriately, or in combination with other medicines or the therapy or product lacks quality. In addition, according to several studies, many of these medicinal products can cause dangerous drug-drug interactions with modern allopathic medicines as well as with other herbal products. Further, these herb-drug interactions could alter the efficacy and bioavailability of the prescribed medications. Moreover, you need to know that, with only a few exceptions, most of these herbal or phyto medicinal products have not experimented for safety, efficiency and effectiveness through clinical trials or studies. As a result, many researchers said that these medicines could cause serious health hazards that many consumers are not concerned. In addition, according to the scientific and medical community, these medicines may possibly threat the life or well-being of the consumer when administered instead of allopathic medicines.
Finally, before concluding I want to recommend that if you are interested in taking herbal medicines, you must consult with your healthcare provider first. For the reason that you need to make sure that the medicine or herb you are taking into consideration is safe for use, or will not cause side effects and safe to use in combination with other allopathic drugs.

Alternative Medicine Or Conventional Medicine

Before we can understand the term: Alternative Medicine, it is necessary for us to first understand what Conventional Medicine is. Now Conventional Medicine is the current medical system of hospitals, doctors, medicine and chemists. In short, the general accepted health care system of any country. Doctors go to university, study for seven or more years, do an internship at a hospital, and then join or start a medical practice. When you are sick, you go to a doctor, who will prescribe some medicine, send you to a hospital, and/or do an operation.

Under the term: Alternative Medicine, we understand that it contains practices and medicine not recognized by conventional medicine. This is medicine that is not taught at universities and not available at hospitals. Sometimes they are used together with conventional medicine. We then call it: Complimentary Medicine. Alternative medicines include some of the following: acupuncture, Chinese medicine, chiropractic medicine, folk medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy, faith healing, naturopathy, new age healing, massage, and music therapy.

Why do people visit Alternative Medicine practitioners?

Statistics show that more people visit Alternative Medicine Practitioners than visit Conventional Practitioners, preferring to pay out of their own pockets rather than use the healthcare system. Why is that? It is perhaps because Alternative Medicine is more traditional, for example, Ayurvedic medicine, which is traditional Indian medicine, has been practiced for the past five thousand years and traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for over three thousand years. Alternative medicine believes in the body's natural ability to heal itself, and just helps in the process. In addition to that, most alternative medicines are natural and non toxic.

By further comparison we see that alternative medicine excels in the treatment of chronic diseases. It strives to find the cause for the disease and is also more focussed on prevention. Conventional medicine, by contrast, focuses on the relief of symptoms, and rarely looks at prevention or the cause of the disorder. Alternative medicine sees the person as unique and focuses on a holistic approach to healing him. Conventional medicine focuses on the organ that has a problem; hence you get cardiologists, neurologists, etc.

Traditional Chinese Medicine - Introduction

Pressure from the payers in developed markets with publicly funded healthcare plans to curb drug spending growth, patent expiries, the entry of lower-cost alternatives and declining growth rates in developed markets are major challenges the global pharmaceutical market faces. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry's research and development programs have to adjust to the broad availability of low-cost generic options in many chronic therapy areas. Higher growth will occur in therapy areas with significant unmet clinical need, high-cost burden of disease, and innovative science that can bring new treatment options to patients.

IMS Health, an international consulting firm servicing the pharmaceutical industry, reports that the market reached a size of US$837 billion in 2009. Whilst emerging markets are expected to grow at a 14 - 17 percent rate, developed markets will only grow by 3 - 6 percent. The U.S. will remain the single largest market, with 3 - 6 percent growth expected annually in the next five years and reaching US$360 - US$390 billion in 2014.

China is not only assessed to become the world's third-largest market in 2011, it also fuels the gross output of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which has been growing at a pace faster than the average rate of the entire pharmaceutical industry. In 2008, the size of the TCM market was about US$26 billion and the yields totaled 1.2 million tons. By November 2009, the cumulative sales value of the TCM industry increased by 23 percent and amounted to RMB 222.166 billion, approximately US$32 billion.

Xinhua News Agency reported that in 2006 China exported traditional Chinese medicine to 164 countries and regions around the world, with export earnings reaching an all-time high of US$830 million. The export earnings represented a 14.5 percent increase from the previous year.

The implementation of the new medical reform as well as the launch of the Project of the Developing Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry stressed the backup and promotion of the TCM industry from the Chinese government. TCM is gaining on popularity for the environmentally friendly and holistic and alternative way of therapy it represents.

TCM Going Global

In 2006, more than 3,000 clinics of traditional Chinese medicine have been opened in Britain. Some 2.5 million British people spend a total of 90 million pounds annually to receive treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, including Chinese herbal medicine, massage and acupuncture. In France, there are 2,600 clinics of traditional Chinese medicine with 7,000 to 9,000 acupuncturists.
The United States has more than 20,000 traditional Chinese acupuncturists and 400 companies specializing in the sale of Chinese herbal medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Demystified - History and Philosophy

To find the origins of TCM we have to go back in time. Way back, into ancient history. Into the China of over 2,000 years ago and entering the mythical world of Fu Xi, Shen Nong and Huang Di, three legendary rulers.

Fu Xi created the Book of Changes and developed the trigrams of Yi Jing (I Ching). Trigrams are eight diagrams used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality, seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts (Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Earth). Each consists of three lines, each line either "broken" or "unbroken," representing yin or yang, respectively.

Medicine is For Veterinary

Medicine that falls under the Fluoroquinolone class of antimicrobial anti-infective pet medications. It is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Baytril meds and other pet medication were a huge development in the veterinary field as they are very effective and easy to use. Earlier it was difficult to treat bacteria like Pseudomona. It is a medicine suggested or prescribe by veterinarians to treat various number of infections in dogs and cat. In dogs and cat it is used to treat problem like respiratory, urinary tract infections and digestive problem. Baytril is also recommended by veterinarians for the treatment of skin, wound infections and ear problem as well.

Baytril is a medicine that falls under the Fluoroquinolone class of antimicrobial anti-infective pet medications. It is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Baytril meds and other pet medication were a huge development in the veterinary field as they are very effective and easy to use. Earlier it was difficult to treat bacteria like Pseudomona. It is a medicine suggested or prescribe by veterinarians to treat various number of infections in dogs and cat. In dogs and cat it is used to treat problem like respiratory, urinary tract infections and digestive problem. Baytril is also recommended by veterinarians for the treatment of skin, wound infections and ear problem as well.

Baytril is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of espiratory, urinary tract infections and digestive problem in cats and dogs. Its main ingredient is Enrofloxacin. This medication is available in form of eye drops and by generic name. This medicine is for Veterinary use only. Keep it away from the reach of the children. Before using this medication on your pet you should know full information about the medicine including its side effect too. If your pet is pregnant or nursing you should not use Baytril in that case. You should avoid using Baytril in pet suffering from fits. Make sure that you give or provide dose of the medicine as prescribe by the veterinarian to avoid inside damage. This medicine is a eye drop used in cats and dog. It is available in form of eye drop, tablets and injections.

This medication is for veterinary use. Use this medicine as suggested and directed by the vet. All medicine has some common to serious side effect. Baytril also has some side effect such as vomiting and stomach upset due to overdose, cartilage can damage in small puppies, can produce crystals in the urine. You should inform your vet if you are using any other medicine on your pet to avoid any side effect. Inform your vet if you are using Sucralfate, Theophylline, Cyclosporine and any medicine contains zinc and magnesium to avoid any interaction with Baytril in your pet. The recommended dosage for this medicine is about 5-10 drops, every 11-12 hours for 2 weeks. Do not increase or decrease the dose of the medicine on your own as it may lead to serious side effect.

Medicine For Hemorrhoids

When the bleeding becomes severe and when the bleeding does not stop or cannot be stopped, a lot of blood can be lost that could then lead to anemia.

The condition as with any other condition will then need immediate medical attention. There are several hemorrhoid medicines in the market today that is readily available in the market today. Hemorrhoid medicine varies in its price, contents and dosages.

Since the symptoms of internal hemorrhoid are not obvious most of the time, people cannot notice or tend to ignore these conditions. Given the fact that it may come unnoticed, the affected areas may become infected due to the fact that they do not know that there is a condition that needs to be treated immediately. It is therefore advised to seek immediate medical attention if you notice that there is bleeding that is happening. The doctor will then give you immediate medical attention and will give you prescription medicines.

The medication may contain natural contents or chemical contents, you must be sure to know what your preferences are that is more suitable to your needs. These hemorrhoid medicines are formulated to stop the bleeding. You can opt for chemically formulated medications together with creams, ointments, pads, injections, suppositories, balms and oils. Or you may prefer to use an all natural medication that can be prepared at the comfort of your own home.

This hemorrhoid medicine provides quick relief for your pains and cannot be considered as a long term solution to your condition. During cases of emergency, you must have in hand an antiseptic and a petroleum jelly within your reach.

Majority of these medications are effective and can have chemicals or natural ingredients. They primarily work as quick relief and not as long term answer for your hemorrhoids. A patient who is suffering with bleeding hemorrhoid or even the external type of hemorrhoid should always keep antiseptics and petroleum jelly in handy during cases of emergency.

Natural Medicine in the 21st Century

Natural medicine is sometimes referred to as alternative medicine. Whatever one may choose to call it, natural medicine operates under a totally different philosophy from conventional forms of medicine. (Shui, 2008) While conventional treatments usually focus on treating an individual by checking on their respective symptoms, natural medicine takes a more holistic approach to the issue. The essay shall examine natural medicine in relation to evidence based practice.
How natural medicine draws on research from all levels of evidence to understand its place in 21st Century evidence based practice
In the United Kingdom, natural medicine has accounted for a large proportion of treatments. Some patients opt for acupuncture; others resort to botanical treatments while others choose to pursue other forms of treatment. Many people are in fact catching up with the trend rather than pushing it to the periphery. For purposes of this essay, more emphasis will be given to botanical treatment in Native American Indian Medicine as an example of a modality used in natural medicine.

There are a number of social, economical and environmental reasons that could be causing this paradigm shift. The first reason is that conventional medicine does not have a cure for everything. There are plenty of diseases that can be treated effectively using natural medicine yet the same may not be said of conventional medicine. ( Gregor, 2002)
The other reason why natural medicine is slowly becoming a viable alternative is linked to the economic situation. In the United Kingdom, the health care system is managed by the NHS. The latter group has concentrated a lot of effort in ensuring that the population's heath care needs are adequately catered for. Nonetheless, certain challenges inherent in a centrally managed health care system exist. First of all, not all patients can access the health care that they need. For instance, surgical procedures involving organ transplants are limited to certain demographic groups i.e. the young due to shortage of resources.

Additionally, some conditions may be given preference over others. Furthermore, health policies do not cover immigrants. In the end, it is the populace that suffers because the cost of heath care is too high especially for the latter mentioned group. In response to the problems inherent in conventional medicine, people are looking for alternatives that can allow them to seek medical care at affordable price and also in sobering environments. This has caused them to consider herbal solutions. (Ahten, 2007)
Natural medicine has secured a place in twenty first evidence based practice because a large amount of mainstream medicines are actually derived from conventional medicines.

This is a fact that people within the European continent have discovered thus drawing them to that area. Statistics released by the World Health Organisation indicated that seventy percent of mainstream medicines emanate from plants that were used in the same manner in the traditional setting such as the in the Native American Indian culture or the African culture. As if this is not enough, a substantial number of pharmaceuticals are dedicating their time and resources towards creation of drugs obtained from plant derivatives in rainforests that were initially used by traditional medicine healers. If mainstream companies are looking for botanical solutions, then patients have asked themselves why they should wait for the product to be extracted. People have decided to go to the source directly and have thus found out that they can benefit from those respective modalities.

TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT AND HOLISTIC MEDICINE

The Total Stress Management or Holistic Health incorporates blossoming of an individual and universe; and the various efforts in achieving this; include holistic perspective, accurate and appropriate policies and effective implementation at individual and global level in different fields of life; and these efforts in case of medicine; constitute holistic medicine.

The concept of holistic medicine emerges as a result of realization of the underlying unity, continuity and complementarity; amongst the apparently different disciplines of healing and preventive and social medicine (In fact it emerges from the realization of the universal unity, continuity and complementarity). This is emergence of SATVIKA JNAANA (Geeta 18.20).

Promoters and supporters of holistic medicine; accept and welcome; the healing products and services from all the walks of life; for can restoring and promoting holistic health.

It is usual for most of us to get stuck to the differences (in the study of different fields) as and when they strike our senses; and build our concepts; based on these isolated observations of ours. The knowledge and understanding of different fields or disciplines as separate disjointed or disconnected entities; is called RAJASA JNAANA (Geeta 18.21).

Those who either practice mixed or integrated medicine or are not averse to dialogue or advocate it, may fit in this category.

The third variety is ignorance about every other medical discipline and adamant adherence to any given medical discipline alone; is a state of darkness called TAMASA JNAANA (Geeta 18.22).

Most of the warring factions from different medical disciplines; opposing the emergence of holistic medicine can fit in this category.

The word holistic is derived from the Greek word holos which literally means a) Taking in the whole of something b) Whole of organism is a more fruitful field of study than its parts or symptoms.

It can be stated for the sake of simplicity and further clarity; that:

The holistic medicine is trans-religious (not religious or not non religious i.e. neither holy nor unholy), trans-national (neither national nor non-national/anti-national), trans-cultural (neither of a particular culture nor against any particular culture), trans-intellectual (neither bound in a particular intellectual framework nor opposed to a particular intellectual framework), trans-ideological (neither committed to a particular ideology nor opposed to a particular ideology) and trans-scientific (neither unscientific nor locked in rigid criteria of physical sciences)!

Study of holistic medicine constitutes efforts to understand, visualize and realize the multi-charactered, multifaceted, multidimensional and multi-layered complex nature of life (in addition to what is learnt in allopathy or what is learnt in any one discipline).

Medicines That Can Cause Tinnitus

If you've done much research on your tinnitus, you have probably already discovered that there are lots of things that can cause your ringing ears. One of the more surprising potential causes of your tinnitus is the medicine you are taking. You read that correctly. It is actually possible that or more of the medications you are currently taking could be the cause (or at least one of the causes of) your tinnitus.

This possible link between prescription medications (the drugs that are supposed to help us be healthy) and ringing ears was certainly a surprise to me. The first I heard of it was when my nephew developed tinnitus from the drugs he took during chemotherapy for bone cancer. The medications helped eliminate the cancer & cure him, but part of the price he paid for his cure was long-term, likely permanent hearing damage.

Let me give you this list of the types of medications that have been known to cause ringing ears. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the types of medicines known to sometimes cause tinnitus or worsen existing cases of ringing ears:

• Antibiotics: Several antibiotics can cause problems, including chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin and bleomycin
• Cancer medications: Some of these powerful medications that can cause ringing ears include mechlorethamine and vincristine
• Diuretics: Bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, and furosemide
• Quinine medications and others (such as chloroquine) used to treat malaria
• Aspirin: When taken in extremely high doses (12 or more per day)

If you experience ringing ears and are taking any one of the medications listed in this article, you should talk to your doctors right away about a possible connection. They may be able to change the way they are treating you and provide you with tinnitus relief at the same time.

Drugs, medicine - pharmaceuti

Uighur ethnic Chinese medicine as an important part in recent years more and more widespread concern, developed rapidly. Recently, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Party Secretary Wang Lequan proposed, with the development of high technology to upgrade traditional industries in order to revitalize the Xinjiang Uygur Medicine represented the characteristics of potential pharmaceutical industry, medicine industry, which has brought to Victoria for further development of business opportunities.

Dimension into the development of gold drugs
Uygur medicine has 2,500 years of history, traditional Chinese medicine and the fine traditional culture of Uyghur important part, but also one of China's four major ethnic medicine. Dimensional type of drugs in medicine, processing, processing, recipe preparation, clinical applications have strong national characteristics and distinctive regional characteristics, in the treatment of vitiligo, skin disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other complex diseases have a unique efficacy in the Mainland and Central Asia, the Middle East countries have some impact on the market.

The past century, due to the introduction of modern medicine, Uygur medicine discrimination, exclusion, or even the verge of extinction. After the founding of New China, Xinjiang Uygur medicine gained a new life. Especially the "Eighth Five-Year" has been in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region party committee and government attach great importance to the national and regional authorities of the strong support of the Xinjiang Uygur Medicine has become the pharmaceutical industry to develop a new and important growth point.

According to statistics, Xinjiang Uygur has been established 40 medical institutions, drug production to Victoria main business of pharmaceutical companies have six, higher medical schools a Uighur, Uygur 3 medical research institutions, the basic formed health care, education, research, and coordinated development of the pattern of drug production. Victoria Xinjiang Uygur Medicine products manufacturers can produce 30 kinds of production value of more than 4000 million. Promulgated in 1998, "The People's Republic of China pharmaceutical standards (part of Uygur medicine)", collection contains 202 kinds of drug-dimensional, its 115 Chinese herbal medicines, Sprayed formulations 87 to Uighur drug production, use, supervision, management has been based, thus Uighur medicine has entered a new period of development.