Chapter 7 - Over-the-Counter Drugs and Herbal and Dietary Supplements

• Alternative medicine - Herbal medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, reflexology, and any other therapies traditionally not emphasized in Western medical schools.

• Complementary medicine - Alternative medicine when used simultaneously with, rather than instead of, standard Western medicine.

• Conventional medicine - The practice of medicine as taught in Western medical schools.

• Dietary supplement - A product that contains an ingredient intended to supplement the diet, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other botanicals.

• Herbal medicine - The practice of using herbs to heal.

• Herbs - Plant components including bark, roots, leaves, seeds, flowers, fruit of trees, and extracts of these plants that are valued for their savory, aromatic, or medicinal qualities.

• Iatrogenic effects - Unintentional adverse effects that are caused by the actions of a prescriber or other health care professional, or by a specific treatment.

• Integrative medicine - Simultaneous use of both traditional and alternative medicine.

• Legend drugs - Medications that are not legally available without a prescription from a prescriber; also called prescription drugs.

• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs - Medications that are legally available without a prescription.

Phytochemicals - The pharmacologically active ingredients in herbal remedies