The 5th Annual Conference of the Egyptian Arabic Society for Health and Therapeutic Nutrition

The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Ali El-Shamy contributed in the 5th Annual Conference of the Egyptian Arabic Society for Health and Therapeutic Nutrition and presented his research under the title" Evidence – Based Phytotherapy In Management of Common Git Disorders "

This article was presented by Prof. Ali El-Shamy:

During the past decade, traditional systems of medicine have become a topic of global importance. Current estimates suggest that, in many developed countries, a large proportion of the population relies heavily on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants to meet primary health care needs. Although modern medicine may be available in these countries, herbal medicines (phytomedicines) have often maintained popularity for historical and cultural reasons. Concurrently, many people in developed countries have begun to turn to alternative or complementary therapies, including medicinal herbs.

Few plant species that provide medicinal herbs have been scientifically evaluated for their medical application. Safety and efficacy data are available for a considerable number of plants, their extracts and active ingredients, and the different dosage forms containing them.

Because of the poorly regulated herbal medicine market in our country, as many of the developed countries, I will make certain emphasis on EVIDENCE –BASED PHYTO THERAPY IN MY PRESENTATION. 

Fortunately, a reasonable number of such herbs are proved to be safe and effective not only in management and controlling of functional complaints of, but also in complete cure of GIT disorders.

The common disorders and the specific herbs used for include:

I) Mouth and Throat Diseases:

Certain antiseptic and antifungal herbs and their effect in treatment Gum and throat infections and inflammations.

II)Stomach diseases:

1) Anorexia  and Dyspepsia :  groups of used herbs:

- Simple Bitters.

- Aromatic Bitters.

- Astringent bitters.

- Acrid bitters.

- Biliary remedies including cholagogues.

2) Bloating, Meteorism and flatulence :

Different safe carminative herbs and the suggested formula suitable for Infants, children and adults.   

3) Acute and Chronic Gastritis and Ulcer diseases:

Mucilagenous herbs, Chamomile, Liquorice their preparations, mode of use, and the role of their active ingredients in treatment.

III) Intestinal Diseases:

1) Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Symptoms, Epidemiology &approaches to treat by certain drugs as Peppermint oil, indications, dosages, and contraindications will be discussed,

2) Acute Diarrhea:

Tannin-containing drugs, Opium and others.

3) Constipation:

Symptoms, causes, general measures, the role the different types of drugs used for treatment classified according to their different ingredients: Bulk forming drugs, Osmotic agents, Fixed vegetable and Mineral Oils, Anthraquinone containing drugs will be discussed.

4) Haemorrhoids:

Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and promote healing herbs will be reported

IV) Liver and Biliary diseases:

- Considering improving the Patient subjective symptoms, and shortening the duration of the disease, the common ant hepatotoxic and liver protective herbs and their role in controlling alcohol and viral hepatitis will be illustrated.

- The attached chart summarizes the entire subject.