This past week has been an expansion of my efforts I listed for
you in my blog.
As an example, I just completed a presentation for my Advanced
Botanical Prescribing class to be presented next week. The
presentation is a review of the cardiovascular drug, digoxin, along
with referenced studies of botanical interactions on the efficacy
of digoxin's function in the human body. I chose to focus on three
botanicals. These are Hypericum perforatum or St. John's Wort,
Withania somnifera or Ashwagandha, and Crataegus oxycantha or
Hawthorne. The interactions between digoxin and these botanicals
were surprising and warrant further study. I'm sure my classmates
will be interested in the findings I present next week.
Many people take botanical supplements alongside their
pharmaceutical prescription drugs with the notion that botanicals
are all natural, not chemically derived, so they must be inherently
safe. What most don't realize is that botanicals have chemical
constituents that impact the human body and can interact with
pharmaceutical drugs by either increasing or decreasing the drug's
effect, to keep things simple for our purposes here.
Pharmaceuticals are prescribed for specific reasons and should
never be tampered with by altering the prescription or adding
supplements unless under the direction of a licensed provider. This
goes for the patient, friends, family, or those who wish to help
yet may not understand the impact of what appears to be friendly
advice.
With the exception of the myriad reports, presentations,
reviews, quizzes, and exams that are typical of eighth trimester,
my week has consisted of work, and a short break to the theatre to
see a movie. While things are a bit tedious right now, I'm certain
once this trimester is completed and "in the books" so to speak,
I'll be able to get out and about and let you guys know a bit about
the area this spring and summer! I can't wait for some nice warm
spring days to get to the lake and enjoy the scenery!
Until next week may your springtime arrive and the birds wake
you with song!