Dear colleagues,
in our country, Pharmacyfaculties, those who successfully complete 5 years of undergraduate education and possess competence at every stage from the production of medicine to its delivery to the patient are called PHARMACISTS.As Pharmacists, who are the only professionals receiving phytotherapy education during this training, we have unfortunately over time virtually surrendered the title of HERBAL THERAPY SPECIALIST to other professional groups.
By bringing this issue back to our agenda with our professional organizations, academic faculty members, and Faculties, we must emphasize and enhance the role of the Pharmacist in herbal therapy. Just as in Germany, we should be able to prepare medicinal herbal teas without a prescription for our patients who come to the pharmacy with simple sleep disorders, menstrual cramps, cough complaints, or digestive system ailments.
This week, I wanted to draw attention to the topic of phytotherapy with a MEDICINAL TEA formula THAT CAN BE USED IN COLD CONDITIONS.
Phytotherapy
- Maintaining the state of health
- Prevention of diseases
- Relieving daily ailments
- Supporting treatment with synthetic drugs and accelerating the healing process
It means utilizing natural products appropriately for these purposes.
Historically, treatment began with roots (Medicinal plants). Towards the end of the 18th century, an extraordinary shift occurred in Western medicine, and treatment with chemical drugs (e.g., salicylic acid) gained prominence. Towards the end of the 20th century, PHYTOTHERAPY took its place alongside modern Western medicine as “complementary medicine” (CAM – complementary alternative medicine). Humanity began to return to its “roots” once again. Today, it is understood that both approaches should be used together.Phytotherapy; It consists of many areas such as aromatherapy, herbal medicines, plant extracts, phytocosmetics, and food supplements. But in this article, we will talk about medicinal herbal teas, the oldest and simplest form of phytotherapy.What is medicinal tea?These are teas prepared from drug(s) containing active substances with therapeutic value in relieving complaints referred to as daily ailments (Remedium Cardinale), along with drugs supporting the action (Adjuvans), and taste and/or odor correctives (Corrigens).
Medicinal teas can be prepared from comminuted drugs as well as in the form of instant teas.Instant teas;These are granulated teas prepared from drug extracts by lyophilization that dissolve in hot water. Teas containing comminuted drugs can be mono-teas prepared from a single drug, or blended teas prepared from multiple drugs. Blended teas consist of several parts.Remedium Cardinale (Principal drug):The drug responsible for the desired effect of the tea. The principal drug generally consists of 1 drug; in certain special cases, it may consist of 2 or 3 drugs. It should not exceed 3 drugs.Adjuvans (Adjuvant drug):It enhances the effect of the principal active drug or directs the effect to a specific area. Having one or two adjuvant drugs is recommended.Corrigens (Corrective drugs):Drugs that correct the taste and aroma of the tea. They are generally chosen from essential oil-bearing drugs and from drugs that act in the same direction as the main active drug.Constituens (Vehicle / Bulking drugs):Complementary drugs that improve the appearance.Sample tea formula for dry cough;Primulae radix (primrose root)….… 20.0
Plantaginis lanceolatae herba (ribwort plantain herb) ……………………20.0
Thymi herba (Thyme)……………………20.0
Foeniculi fructus (Fennel fruit)…10.0
In the formulation above, Primulae radix (primrose root) is our main active drug, Plantaginis lanceolatae herba (ribwort plantain herb) is our adjuvant drug, Thymi herba (Thyme) is our corrective drug, and Foeniculi fructus (Fennel fruit) is our vehicle/filler drug.
When preparing medicinal teas, the correct plant species must be selected, it must be ensured that the plant was grown in a suitable cultivation environment, the correct parts of the plant must be harvested (crude drug) and dried under proper drying conditions, the dried drug must be stored under appropriate storage conditions and comminuted to the correct size prior to tea preparation, suitable tea formulas must be formulated, and the tea prepared according to the formula must be packaged under appropriate conditions with an expiration date specified, and under proper dispensing conditions, the patient must be accurately informed to ensure the correct preparation and use of the medicinal tea.Comminution of herbal drugs: Leaf and herb drugs should be cut to the size of a lentil grain and should not be powdered. Flower and fruit drugs should not be fragmented. Root or tuber drugs should be sliced into thin slices and should not be powdered. Those that cannot be sliced should be coarsely chopped to ensure homogenization. Seed drugs should not be crushed or powdered; their hulls/seed coats should be cracked before adding to the mixture. Bark drugs can be broken or fragmented to 1 cm2in size. They should not be powdered.PREPARATION OF MEDICINAL TEAS
Infusion (Brewing):Tea is prepared by the infusion method from flower, leaf, or essential oil-bearing drugs. A specific amount of drug or drug mixture is placed into a porcelain or glass teapot or teacup, and boiling water is poured over it. The teapot or cup is covered and left to infuse for 5–10 minutes. It is then strained and drank.Decoction: For medicinal teas containing roots, barks, fruits, and seeds, the crude drug is placed in a glass or enamel boiling vessel (aluminum should be avoided as it may interact with the drug). A specific amount of cold water is added to the mixture, left to stand for 30 minutes, and boiled; once boiling begins, it is kept on low heat for 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, it is filtered and consumed.Maceration:Teas are prepared using the maceration method from drugs containing substances degraded by heat and mucilage in their structure. After placing the drug or drug mixture into a suitable container, water at room temperature is poured over it. It is left at room temperature for 6-8 hours, then filtered and consumed.MEDICINAL TEA FORMULATION FOR USE IN COMMON COLD CONDITIONSTilia flos…………………………10.0 parts
Salvia folium…………………….10.0 partsCinnamomumverum……..5.0 parts
Hibisci flos…………………. 5.0 parts
Zingiberis rhizoma………..…..5.0 parts
Rosae caninae fructus……..10.0 parts
Foeniculi fructus………………5.0 partsTilia flos(Linden flowers): Contains major essential oil components (linalool, germacrene, geraniol), flavonoids (tiliroside, kaempferol, and quercetin glycosides), caffeic acid derivatives (chlorogenic acid), mucilages, and tannins. It has no observed side effects. It is used in viral and bacterial throat infections,
to alleviate common cold and accompanying cough complaints.
In addition to its diaphoretic, expectorant, and analgesic effects, it is used for stress and sleep disorders due to its sedative
effect.Salviae folium (Sage leaf): It contains essential oil major compounds (thujone, cineole, camphor, borneol), caffeic acid derivatives (rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid), diterpenes (carnosolic acid, picrosalvin), flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin glycosides), and triterpenes (ursolic acid derivatives). Due to its antiseptic properties, it is effective in gum, palate, mouth, and throat inflammations. Due to the volatile compounds it contains, it supports the relief of the respiratory system. Due to the antispasmodic effect of sage oil, it helps in the treatment of menstrual cramps and stomach cramps. Sage suppresses perspiration; therefore, it is beneficial in relieving night sweats,
hot flashes, and symptoms during menopause. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon) It contains essential oil major components (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, linalool), oligomeric proanthocyanidins, and mucilages. It relieves gastrointestinal spasms, flatulence, and bloating, and is used in digestive insufficiency. It is used in the formulation of common cold preparations due to its antimicrobial effects. It is used for its blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering effects. It poses no risk when consumed as tea in recommended amounts. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy.Hibisci flos (Hibiscus flower): It contains fruit acids, particularly ((+)-allohydroxycitric acid lactone, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, anthocyanins (delphinidin and cyanidin glycosides), flavonoids, and mucilage. Due to the fruit acids it contains, it has a mild laxative effect and can be used for constipation. Due to its mucilage, it acts as a demulcent and expectorant. It is used as a refreshing and thirst-quenching beverage. It is particularly recommended for individuals engaging in sports to help maintain electrolyte balance in the body.Zingiberis rhizoma (Ginger):Contains essential oil, organic acids, bitter principles, and various glycosides. It helps increase sexual desire. It is used as an aid in resolving inflammation in the throat and bronchi.Rosae caninae fructus(Rose hip fruit):It contains carotenoids, flavonoids, fruit acids (malic, citric acid), glucides (monosaccharides, oligosaccharides), pectins, proanthocyanidins, vitamin C, and minerals. It is used as an adjunctive treatment in infectious diseases such as colds, flu, and rhinitis. It helps in expelling kidney stones. It has diuretic, mild laxative, and anti-inflammatory effects. Since it eliminates edema from the body, it is included in weight-loss diets.Foeniculi fructus(Fennel Fruit):It contains essential oil major components (trans-anethole, fenchone, estragole, alpha-pinene, camphene), flavonoids, fixed oil, and pyranocoumarins.
Drinking fennel tea after meals aids digestion, increases gastric and intestinal motility, and relieves gas and spasms. It has expectorant properties in the respiratory system and is used for coughs. It is used to relieve gas and cramps caused by digestive insufficiency in infants and children of all ages, as well as in diarrhea. When used in the recommended amount in the form of tea, it does not pose any risk. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
For contributing with their valuable knowledge to the writing of this article, I would like to thank Fitovision drugs and Specialist Pharmacist Mürşit Koçtürk.
Wishing you a good week…
Spec. Pharm. Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657
http://www.majistralformul.com/
