HERBAL MEDICINE

• Herbal medicine is also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine. Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practiced based on plant's seed, berries, roots, bark or flowers, and plant extracts for medicinal purposes.
• history

  Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient and Egyptian papyrus writing describes medicinal uses for plants. In the early 19th century, scientists began to extract and modify plant active ingredients. In the last 20 years in the United States, there is an increase in herbal medicine use due to public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications and interest

  in returning to natural or organic remedies.
• acapulko (acapulco) - For the treatment of insect bites, itchiness, ringworms, infections, scabies, and eczema.

  ampalaya (bitter melon/gourd) - As a supplement in treating diabetes, burns, coughs, and hemorrhoids.

  bawang(garlic) - As a supplement in reducing blood cholesterol levels; also used as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drug.

  
• Bayabas(Guava) - They are used as an antioxidant: anti-allergy,antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic drug.

  Lagundi (Five-leaved chaste tree) - For the treatment of cough, colds, and fever.

  Niyog-niyogan (Chinese honeysuckle) - For the elimination of intestinal parasites.

  
• Sambong (Blumea orngai camphor) - As a supplement in treating hypertension, kidney stones, rheumatism, cough, and colds

  Tsaang gubat (Wild tea) - For the treatment of skin allergies

  Yerba Buena (Peppermint) - For insect bites, coughs, and colds.

  
• Ulasimang bato or pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida) - For treating arthritis and gout

  
• HERBAL MEDICINE SOLD IN STORES:

  The herbs come in several different forms: teas, syrups, oils, liquid extracts, tinctures, and dry extracts (oils or capsules).
• Ventosa is an alternative medicine in which glasses are placed on some essential points at the back of a person. This technique is useful in creating a kind of suction because of the vacuum inside of the glass. The suction created by the glass and the heat (candle or fire) supports blood flow and promotes healing of the body.

  
• REFLEXOLOGY is another type of alternative medicine. It can be done by applying pressure to the ears, feet, or hand employing the thumb or a particular finger. They are where the pressure is applied to reflex points. These points are pressured because they are believed to correspond to a person's central area of the body or human organ.

  
• MASSAGE THERAPY - This is another form of alternative medicine

  where it is used to improve one's well-being. It can result in good blood circulation and helps reducing muscle pains and stiffness. It also helps in relieving stress and very popular because of it's relaxing effect.

  NATUROPATHY - It is from the word "nature" thus uses natural ways to treat a patient. The physicians who employ this kind of treatment try to restore the balance of the mind and body.

  
• Quackery is the promotion of fraudulent or ignorant medical practices by unskillful doctors or people who pretend to be doctors. "anything involving over promotion in the field of health."
• RECOGNIZING QUACKS

  Does the seller:

  • claim that traditional medical treatment is more harmful?
  • use scare tactics?
  • claim that the medical profession doesn't recognize the product / service?
  • guarantee a quick cure?
• HEALTH FRAUD - This is advertising, promotion, and selling of products and services that have not been scientifically proven safe and effective. in almost all if not all, kinds of trading. Consumers are the

  usual victims of these unfair acts.
• List of Medical QUackeries and Health frauds

  • Medical Quackery
  • Cancer Quackery
  • Food Quackery
  • Arthritis and Rheumatism Quackery
  • Device Quackery
  • Beauty Quackery
  • Psychological Quackery
  • Balding Quackery
• The law that safeguards and protects all the consumers in the Philippines is the Republic Act. 7393 (R.A 7394). This republic act

  promulgated on July 15, 1992, where it stated the state's policy to

  protect the interest of the consumer, promote his general welfare,

  and establish standards of conduct for business and industry
• The following are the objective of R.A 7394:

   Protection of consumer against hazards to health and safety;

   Protection of consumers against deceptive, unfair, and

  unconscionable sales acts and practices;

   Provision of information and education to facilitate sound

  choice and the proper exercise of rights by the consumer.

   Provision of adequate rights and means of redress (remedy or

  to set right);

   Involvement of consumer representatives in the formulation of

  social and economic policies.
• GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN PH IMPLEMENT THE RA 7394

  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

  DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
• Basic Rights of a consumer

  • Basic Needs - affordable price and good quality prime commodities
  • Safety - should be protected from hazardous services
  • Information - should be protected from dishonest
  • Choose - right to choose from various products
  • Representation - right to express interests
  • Redress - right to be compensated for misrepresentation
  • Consumer Education - right to acquire knowledge
  • Healthy Environment - work and live in a non threatening environment