CSPH5421: Botanical Medicines in Integrative Healthcare

Botanical medicines have been used since ancient times in many cultures yet it is still not a significant part of what is considered “traditional” medicine in our current healthcare model in the United States. Yet there is a growing interest among people in the U.S. looking for alternative treatments for a variety of common illnesses due to concerns of safety, efficacy, and a desire for more “natural” products than more conventional pharmaceuticals. However, despite this growing interest, healthcare providers may have little to no knowledge regarding botanical medicines in regards to their therapeutic properties, efficacy (or lack thereof), and/or adverse effects. This is further compounded by a wealth of information on botanical medicines in the media and internet, much of which may be misleading and can lead to confusion regarding botanical medicines. The goal of this course is to learn basic properties and preparations of the most common botanical medicines in addition to their therapeutic effects for common disease states. Students will also learn about regulations, quality control, and safety concerns regarding use of botanical medicines. Included in this course is a discussion on the frequently overlooked botanical medicine we use everyday: our food! Relevant plant-based foods will be discussed periodically throughout the course to provide a practical application of the material learned in this course. prereq: Jr or sr or grad student, or instructor consent

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