Term
| What Act made dietary supplements – such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbal products, etc. – excluded from FDA regulation? |
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Definition
| The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) |
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Term
| 3) What factors affect herb quality? |
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Definition
Envrionment
• Is the herb commercially or wild-grown?
• Were fertilizers used?
• What was the climate and rainfall during the growing
season?
Plant
• Was the correct part of the plant harvested (i.e. seeds,
stalks, or roots)?
• Was the plant part harvested at the right time?
• Were the plants mature or young enough to contain the
desired active ingredient?
• Is the correct genus and species of the herb being used?
Handling
• After harvest, was the herb properly handled?
• After harvest, were temperature, sunlight, and humidity
maintained in the proper range? |
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Term
| List and briefly describe the various forms that are used to administer herbs to patients |
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Definition
Capsules and tablets
• Effective and convenient to give
• Variety of sizes available
Ointments
• Topical application for specific areas
• Should be applied to intact skin
Extracts
• Liquids come in water, alcohol tincture, and glycerin forms
• Powders come in capsules and tablets
• Standardized commercially to provide a certain number of milligrams of
active ingredient per dose
• Efficacy is more consistent.
Poultices and compresses
• A poultice is made by boiling fresh or dried herbs, squeezing out the
excess liquid, cooling the herb, and applying it to the skin. The herb is then
wrapped with gauze to hold the material in place. This is left on for a few
minutes to hours depending on the herb
Teas
• Best-known for human patients
• Most active ingredients of herbs are water-soluble and therefore available
to the patient in tea form.
• Commercial teas usually do not have adequate amount of herb to be
effective.
Bulk
• Herb purchased in loose form
• Form may be chopped, powdered, or fresh. |
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Term
| 5) According to the American Society of Anesthesiology, when should herbal supplements be discontinued prior to surgery? Why do you think this is a recommendation? |
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Definition
Generally should be stopped 2 wks before sx (varies for different herbs)
Herbs can affect a sx pt directly or interfere with other meds (ex: Ginseng inhibits warfarin, interference can result in death) |
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Term
| 6) What is the National Animal Supplement Council and the Compliance Plus Program? Do you think this provides the appropriate regulation that cannot be provided by the FDA for dietary supplements? |
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Definition
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