Cinnamon and Cassia Nomenclature Confusion: A Challenge to the Applicability of Clinical Data.

Several Cinnamomum species' barks are generally labeled as cinnamon, although only Cinnamomum verum carries the common name of true cinnamon. Cassia, a common name for a related species, is rarely used on labels; instead, various cassia types may also be labeled "cinnamon." Confusion of true cinnamon and cassia spices in foods generally does not present a risk to health, except possibly at the highest intake levels. However, clinical studies with Cinnamomum investigational products have been published that inadequately describe or lack botanical identification information. The results of such studies are confounded by an inability to determine which species was responsible for the observed effects. Due to differences in the quality and composition of various Cinnamomum species, safety and efficacy data are not generalizable or transferable. Pharmacopeial monographs for characterizing the identity, composition, purity, quality, and strength of Cinnamomum investigational products should be applied to remove the ambiguity of cinnamon.

Economic botany collections: A source of material evidence for exploring historical changes in Chinese medicinal materials.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Many Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs) have changed over centuries of use, particularly in terms of their botanical identity and processing methods. In some cases, these changes have important implications for safety and efficacy in modern clinical practice. As most previous research has focused on clarifying the evolution of CMMs by analyzing traditional Chinese materia medica ("bencao") literature, assessments of historical collections are needed to validate these conclusions with material evidence. AIM OF THE STUDY: Historical collections of Chinese medicines reveal the market materials in circulation at a given moment in time, and represent an underexploited resource for analyzing the evolution of Chinese herbal medicines. This study compares specimens from a rare collection of CMMs from the 1920s with contemporary market materials; by highlighting examples of changes in botanical identity and processing that remain relevant for safe clinical practice in the modern era, this work aims to stimulate further research into previously unexplored historical collections of Chinese medicines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 620 specimens of CMMs that were collected from Chinese pharmacies in the Malay peninsula in the 1920s were examined macroscopically and compared with current pharmacopoeia specifications and authentic contemporary samples. These historical specimens, which are stored in the UK in the Economic Botany Collections (EBC) of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, were morphologically examined, photographed, and compared to authentic CMMs stored at the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Chinese Medicines Center at Hong Kong Baptist University, as well as authentic herbarium-vouchered specimens from the Leon Collection (LC) at the Kew EBC. Case studies were selected to illustrate examples of historical changes in botanical identity, used plant parts, and processing methods. RESULTS: This investigation confirmed that confusion due to shared common names and regional variations in the botanical identity of certain CMMs has been a persistent issue over time. Additionally, historical changes in processing methods and the plant parts used were observed for some CMMs. In some cases, these changes have direct implications for the safe clinical practice of Chinese medicine. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary assessment illustrated the significant potential of collections for clarifying historical changes in CMMs. More research is needed to investigate pre-modern collections of CMMs, including a more comprehensive assessment of the holdings in the Kew EBC and other European collections that have not yet been explored from the perspective of Chinese medicine.

Avaliação do conhecimento e percepção dos profissionais da estratégia de saúde da família sobre o uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterapia em Petrolina-PE, Brasil / Knowledge assessment and perception of professionals of the family health strategy on the use of medicinal plants and phytotherapy in Petrolina, PE, Brazil

RESUMO Este trabalho objetivou verificar se os profissionais de nível superior, ligados a Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) do Município de Petrolina-PE percebem a importância, utilização e indicações de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de caráter exploratório e descritivo, no qual participaram 96 profissionais de nível superior locados em Unidades da ESF. Os dados foram obtidos através de entrevista individual utilizando questionário semiestruturado. Para análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste Pearson Qui quadrado. As plantas medicinais mais citadas foram o Boldo (Plectranthus barbatus A.) e a Camomila (Matricaria recutita L.). Os fitoterápicos foram indicados apenas por 5 (5,2%) médicos e os mais citados foram Guaco® e Maracugina®. 36 (37,5%) dos profissionais acham que não estão preparados para repassar as informações sobre o uso de plantas medicinais e apenas 35 (36,5%) se sentem preparados para prescrever fitoterápicos. Observa-se a necessidade de capacitação e motivação desses profissionais para a utilização correta e segura das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine if the top-level professionals of the Strategy of Health of the Family, perceive the importance, use and indications of phytotherapy and Medicinal Plants. This is a cross-sectional, exploratory and descriptive study, with the participation 96 professionals serving in the family health strategy units. Data were collected through individual interviews in a semi-structured questionnaire. For statistical analysis, we used the Pearson Chi-square test. The most cited medicinal plants were the Boldo (Plectranthus barbatus A.) and Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.). The phytotherapics were indicated only for 5 (5.2%) physicians and the most cited were Guaco® and Maracugina®. 36 (37.5%) of the professionals think are not prepared to pass on the information about the use of medicinal plants and only 35 (36.5%) feel prepared to prescribe phytotherapy. One observes the need for training and motivation of these professionals for the correct and safe use of Medicinal Plants and phytotherapy.

Avaliação da qualidade de amostras comerciais de leite de janaguba (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart. ) Plumel) em Fortaleza – Ceará / Quality assessment of commercial samples of janaguba’s milk (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart. ) Plumel) in Fortaleza – Ceará.

RESUMO Os fitoterápicos à base de leite de janaguba (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel), usados para o tratamento de câncer, úlcera gástrica e outras doenças, são muito vendidos em mercados públicos de Fortaleza (CE). No entanto, registros mencionam que é comum a troca deste leite por látex de mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes). O trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade físico-química, química e microbiológica de amostras comerciais do leite de janaguba. Dez amostras comerciais foram adquiridas de um mercado de Fortaleza; quatro amostras autênticas de látex de janaguba foram obtidas da chapada do Araripe e uma amostra de látex de mangabeira foi obtida em Paracuru (CE). Foram determinados o aspecto geral, densidade, pH, resíduo seco, volume de sedimentação, perfil cromatográfico e qualidade microbiológica das amostras. Os resultados mostraram elevada contaminação microbiológica nas preparações comerciais e adulteração em seis destas amostras, o que aponta a urgente implantação de uma efetiva farmacovigilância dos fitoterápicos a fim de tornar seu consumo mais seguro e racional.

ABSTRACT The herbal medicines made from janaguba milk (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel), used to treat gastric ulcer, cancer and other diseases, and arewidely sold in the public markets of Fortaleza (CE). However, records mention that it is common to make fake copies of the milk by using mango tree latex (Hanconia speciosa Gomes). This study aimed to evaluate the chemical, physical-chemical and microbiological quality of commercial samples of janaguba milk. Ten commercial samples were purchased from a Fortaleza market; four authentic samples of janaguba latex were obtained from the Araripe plateau, and one mango tree latex sample was obtained in Paracuru (CE). We determined the general appearance, density, pH, dry residue, sedimentation volume, chromatographic profile and microbiological qualities. Results showed high microbiological contamination in the commercial preparations and evidence of tampering in six of these samples, which indicates the need for an urgent implementation of an effective pharmacovigilance strategy for herbal medicines in order to make its consumption more secure and rational.

New categories for traditional medicine in the Economic Botany Data Collection Standard.

The Economic Botany Data Collection Standard (EBDCS) has been successfully followed by ethnobotanists investigating plant uses in many parts of the world. However, we have encountered some cases in our study of traditional medicine where the standard seems incomplete and inaccurate when it is applied to plant uses of rural or indigenous societies in developing countries. We propose two categories to be added to the EBDCS: Cultural Diseases and Disorders, and Ritual/Magical Uses. Adding these categories, we believe will give a more accurate insight into traditional medicine and will contribute to developing an integrative ethnomedicinal data collection protocol, which will make ethnomedicinal studies more comparable.

Plantas medicinais: quando a cura vem da natureza

Apresenta a importância das plantas medicinais, como elas podem auxiliar no tratamento de várias doenças e os cuidados necessários na utilização dos medicamentos feitos com elas. Explica o que é a fitoterapia, o uso de plantas no tratamento de doenças e mostra como funciona uma farmácia viva e como implantar uma horta na comunidade. Comenta que as ervas começam a recuperar o seu espaço e fala da enorme variedade da flora nativa brasileira. Explica as vantagens da fitoterapia em relação aos medicamentos químicos, mas alerta que as plantas medicinais também apresentam efeitos colaterais e contra-indicações, e que só devem ser utilizadas sob a supervisão de um profissional de saúde