2015, Pages 175–202
Chapter 6 – Native Medicines and Cardiovascular Toxicity
Native
medicines are available in various forms and can be obtained in a
number of ways: prepared and used at home, prescribed as alternative
medicines, and/or provided by traditional healers as has been done since
the beginning of civilization. They contain not only botanical
ingredients but also mineral- or animal-derived substances. Mostly these
medicines are naturally occurring biological materials that are
incorporated into home remedies or recipes, and they are generally
believed to be harmless. However, the physiological, pharmacological,
and potential toxic effects of native medicines are less known to health
professionals, paramedics, social workers, and the public. Health care
professionals, therefore, should encourage their patients to disclose
the nature of any native medicines they use and recognize the effects
that these medicines may have on an underlying disease, in addition to
their associated interactions with any prescribed drugs. Diagnosis is
made mostly from the clinical history and circumstantial evidence, and
treatment is largely supportive. To achieve safety and efficacy,
education and awareness programs for patients, the public, health care
workers, practitioners of all specialties of medicine, and policymakers
should be encouraged. Regulatory and legal systems have to be
strengthened to establish and/or enforce standard guidelines. Future
directives in relation to clinical, education, training, research, and
regulation are also necessary.
Keywords
- native medicine;
- folk medicine;
- home remedies;
- herbal medicine;
- traditional medicine;
- complementary and alternative medicine;
- adverse effects;
- interaction;
- dysrhythmia;
- cardiotoxicity
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
