complementary therapies

four common causes of chronic disease

• no physical activity

• poor nutrition

• tobacco use

• excessive alcohol consumption

allopathic

western medicine, backed by a lot of money and a lot of research

why should you assess a patient’s use of complementary therapies?

• need to d/c 2-3 wks prior to surgery

• pt’s don’t tell their HCP because they’re afraid of disapproval

• herbal preparations have many ingredients

• may cause side effects or adverse interactions

herbal product labeling components

• name

• manu

• description of product effects, can’t “cure”

• recommended dose

• cautions

• disclaimer of no FDA evaluation

herbal classifications

• class 1: can be safely consumed when appropriate

• class 2: restrictions for use and application

• class 3: herbs w/ data to back up

• class 4: herbs w/ insufficient data to classify

herb advantages

• less toxic

• less SE

• corrects underlying cause

herb disadvantages

• little research/tradition

• questionable quality control

cranberry

• helps UTIs

• breakdown kidney stones

• antioxidant

• mixed w/ vit C or probiotics

• prevent e.coli from attaching to urethra/bladder

garlic

• fresh is best, 20 min cooking loses effectiveness

• contains allicin - antimicrobial

• inhibits plt activity

• lowers BP

• reduces ASHD

• prevent blood clots

• dec LDL

• lower BG lvls

• dec prostate size in BPH

• stop 7 days prior to surgery

saw palmetto

• useful for BPH

• inc bleeding risk w/ anticoags

• do not use for more than 3 mths

ginseng

• stimulant

• improve stamina

• aid disease resistance

• protect from flu/cold

• SE: HA, insomnia, restless, anxiety, GI symptoms

• inc energy

• inc immunity

• inc memory

ginkgo biloba

• vasodilates

• antioxidant

• plt aggregation inhibitor

• treat alzheimer’s. vascular and cognitive disorders

• stop 36 hrs prior to surgery

green tea

• antioxidant

• dec cholesterol

• inc HDL

• prevent cancers

• regulates BG and lowers Hgb A1C

kava plant

• treats anxiety

• dec s/s parkinson’s

• hepatotoxicity risk

st. john’s wort

• for depression

• don’t combine with anti-depressants

black cohash

• for hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, vertigo, heart palpitations, tinnitus, sleep disturbance, nervousness, irritability (postmenopause symptoms)

• Native Americans use for musculoskeletal pain, fever, PNA, cough,

• european’s use for women’s reproductive health

valerian

• restlessness

• sleep disorders

• nervous disorders

• HA

• depression

• irregular heartbeat

• trembling

echinacea

• enhance wound healing

• relieve arthritic pain

• take for short periods

• germany approved for colds

ginger

• anti-emetic

• antioxidants

• prevent stress/damage to dna

• fight chronic diseases