Lesson 1: Introduction to safety
Disclaimer Through research and clinical experience, knowledge in medicine is subject to constant change. Our author Jeremy Ross has compiled and checked the diagnosis, safety, and therapy-relevant information in this online course to the best of his knowledge and belief. However, this does not release the users of this online course from their obligation to […]
Lesson 2: Safety before prescribing
The following stages are necessary for safe prescribing of herbs and herb combinations: Individual consultation and assessmentThe herbs and herb combinations included in this database should only be supplied to a patient following an individual consultation and assessment of that patient by a licensed health practitioner. Conventional diagnosis & treatmentThe herbs and herb combinations included […]
Lesson 9: Dose check before prescribing
Any medical drug, including herbal drugs, should be used within the recommended therapeutic dose range. This is listed for all herbs in database, and will appear on screen, for each of the herbs in the combination, when the practioner has chosen a prescription for the patient, and clicks on Dose and dispensing. It is the […]
Lesson 8: Separate dropper bottles
Introduction Some herbs, especially Capsicum, Humulus, Sanguinaria, or Valeriana, are often prescribed in dropper bottles, separate from the main prescription. Then, a specific number of drops, eg. 1-20 drops, of the separate herb can be added to each dose of the main prescription. This is because some patients may be sensitive to these herbs, and […]
Lesson 7: Conversion to grams
In this database, most of the formulas are described as tinctures or liquid extracts, using water and alcohol as solvents, and the relative proportions of the herbs in a combination are shown as ratios. However, if the practitioner prefers to use dried herbs as infusions, decoctions or powders for a particular patient, these tincture ratios […]
Lesson 6: Recommended strengths for tinctures and liquid extracts
Based both on the failure of some 1:5 tinctures in practice, and in many trials in my seminars, it has been found that 1:3 tinctures are much more effective for most herbs. For some weaker herbs, 1:2 or 1:1 liquid extracts are preferred to 1:3 tinctures: see below. The following table describes the three main […]
Lesson 5: Dose and forms
Medicinal plants can be taken orally in a variety of forms, including: Each form dose form has its advantages and disadvantages, which are summarized in the table below. Capsules Hard-shelled capsules are preferred when the patient cannot tolerate alcohol, or when the patient does not have the compliance necessary to prepare decoctions. Children In older […]
Lesson 4: Dose and situations
Age is only one of the variables affecting dose. A fuller list is:
Lesson 3: Dose and age
Infants, children, and the elderly are given smaller doses than people of other age groups, as shown in the table. These are individual doses, to be taken three per day. Note The age-appropriate dosages given in this table supersede dosages given in previous texts by the author. These dosages are intended as a guide only […]
Lesson 2: Dose levels
Therapeutic dose range Each herb has a recommended therapeutic dose range, within which a suitable dose for most adults will be found. Minimum therapeutic doseThis is the smallest dose that will have a therapeutic result. Below this is the sub-therapeutic dose, which is too small to have a therapeutic effect. Maximum doseIn the case of […]
Lesson 1: Introduction and main sources
Disclaimer Through research and clinical experience, knowledge in medicine is subject to constant change. Our author Jeremy Ross has compiled and checked the diagnosis, safety, and therapy-relevant information in this online course to the best of his knowledge and belief. However, this does not release the users of this online course from their obligation to […]
Lesson 15: Introduction to safety
How To Prescribe Herb Combinations safely It may be true that herbal medicines have fewer adverse effects than conventional medications. Nevertheless, even when used within the therapeutic dose range, some herbs may produce adverse effects with some people under some circumstances. It is therefore important to identify these potential risk situations for specific herbs before […]
Lesson 6: Introduction and main sources
Where to find information Information on dose and dispensing can be found in three sections of this database: SafetyCorrect dose and dispensing is an essential part of safe herbal treatment. SectionsThis article is divided into the following sections (click for detailled information … ): In this lesson, the majority of the references to books or […]
Lesson 20: Cautions and contraindications according disorders
Arthritis and Rheumatism Some alterative (blood cleansing) herbs may occasionally aggravate arthritis and rheumatism, by release of accumulated toxins from the cells into the blood, at a faster rate than the detoxificatory and eliminative processes can clear them from the body. These herbs should be initially given in small doses, and the dose should gradually […]
Lesson 19: Cautions and contraindications according normal functions or life stages
Breastfeeding Acorus contraindicatedArtemisia abs. contraindicatedBerberis contraindicatedChelidonium contraindicatedCimicifuga contraindicatedConvallaria contraindicated: until more is knownHydrastis contraindicatedJuniperus contraindicated: until more is knownLobelia contraindicatedMentha pul. contraindicatedPhytolacca contraindicatedPiscidia contraindicatedRheum contraindicatedRuta contraindicatedSalvia off. contraindicated: except to reduce milk flowSanguinaria contraindicated: until more is knownSarothamnus contraindicatedThuja contraindicatedCinnamomum bark contraindicated or caution: avoid if there are strong heat signsFoeniculum contraindicated or caution: aqueous infusion only (ESCOP), but ▶ note belowPanax gin. contraindicated or caution: avoid if mother or child are hot or restlessSanguisorba […]
Lesson 18: Cautions and contraindications according prescription situations
Allergy Allergy-related problems are not given in the database as a disorder, except for allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis (Respiratory Disorders), urticaria (Skin Disorders), and food intolerances Digestive Disorders). Allergy to specific plants or plant groupsHowever, there are concerns that a small number of people may be allergic to the following plants, although I have […]
Lesson 17: Monitoring safety
Monitoring of the patient means keeping a watch for side effects in the course of a treatment. It can be done by both patient and practitioner. Frequent monitoring is adviseable for combinations including herbs with potential side effects, and is essential for combinations containing herbs with the potential of severe adverse reactions for a specific […]
Lesson 16: Safety before prescribing
The following stages are necessary for safe prescribing of herbs and herb combinations: Individual consultation and assessmentThe herbs and herb combinations included in this database should only be supplied to a patient following an individual consultation and assessment of that patient by a licensed health practitioner. Conventional diagnosis & treatmentThe herbs and herb combinations included […]
Lesson 14: Dose check before prescribing
Any medical drug, including herbal drugs, should be used within the recommended therapeutic dose range. This is listed for all herbs in database, and will appear on screen, for each of the herbs in the combination, when the practioner has chosen a prescription for the patient, and clicks on Dose and dispensing. It is the […]
Lesson 13: Separate dropper bottles
Introduction Some herbs, especially Capsicum, Humulus, Sanguinaria, or Valeriana, are often prescribed in dropper bottles, separate from the main prescription. Then, a specific number of drops, eg. 1-20 drops, of the separate herb can be added to each dose of the main prescription. This is because some patients may be sensitive to these herbs, and […]