Author: Chris Schwerdt
Chris Schwerdt, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist with over two decades of experience in long-term care, pharmacy operations, and regulatory consulting. He has led closed-door pharmacy businesses and serves on Pharmacy & Therapeutics committees for both industry and government programs. His work focuses on medication policy development, formulary strategy, and optimizing patient care through drug utilization review. Chris is affiliated with ASCP, ASHP, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Published Articles
General Information Common name: Bugleweed, Buglewort, Ground pine, Carpet bugle, Bugle Scientific Term: Lycopus Virginicus, Ajuga, Virginia Bugleweed Description: Bugleweed is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant that belongs to the family Lamiaceae, with most species native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and southeastern Australia. It grows to 5–50 cm tall,with opposite leaves. The fruit of Bugleweed is a nut. The plant grows on very moist soils, often the roots can be…
General Information Common name: Buchu Medical Term: Agathosma betulina Description: Buchu is a South African plant which has long been known for its medicinal properties. Composition: monoterpenes: limonene, linalool; ketones: menthone, isomenton, diosphenol (bucu-camphor), p-diosphenol; sulfur-containing sesquiterpenes: p-menthane-8-thiol-3-one (mercapto-menton) and its S-acetate. Pharmachologic effect: Buchu is a very useful plant in medicine, its leaves are used as a mild diuretic. Diuretic properties are associated with the content of flavonoids in…
General Information Common name: Danshen, red sage, Chinese sage, tan shen, danshen Scientific term: Salvia miltiorrhiza Description: Danshen is a perennial plant in the genus Salvia, which is highly valued for its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Composition: Danshen is rich in flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins, phytoncides and bitterness. It contains oleanolic, ursolic and chlorogenic acids. The plant is a supplier of nicotinic acid, bitterness and phytoncides. Essential Danshen oil…
General Information Description: Boron is an independent disinfectant antifungal, antiparasitic (anti-pedicidal) and antibacterial. Medicinal forms of boron: The medicinal form of boron application is diverse: An ointment for external use. Ointments, which include boric acid: boric petrolatum, Teimur’s paste, which is used as an effective remedy for removing odor of sweat; boron-zinc liniment is used for various skin diseases; Powder for external use. This is the salt of boric acid,…
General Information Description: Bovine Colostrum, also known as the first milk, is a milk secret produced by cows and other similar animals. The effects of this natural supplement are similar to effects of whey protein supplements, although Bovine Colostrum can produce a unique effect on the immune and digestive systems. Composition: Bovine Colostrum contains the following high-calorie components: Dietary protein (up to 70-80% of the total protein, compared to 1-2%…
General Information Common name: Boneset Medical Term: Eupatorium Perfoliatum Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a plant from the Asteraceae family. Parts used for medicinal purposes: leaves, petals / flowers. Composition: The plant is rich in oils, sesquiterpenes, acids, bitterness, kaempferol, rutin, quercetin, resins, sterol, diterpenes, polysaccharides and gums. Effects: lowers the sugar content in the blood; heals malaria; acts as an antipyretic; treats colds, flu, cough, arthritis; has anti-inflammatory effect; causes…
General Information: Description: Boldo is an evergreen plant growing in dry places of the Chilean state. It can be a tree or shrub. The maximum height is 6.0 meters. The greatest value in terms of medicinal preparations is its leaves, the sizes of which can reach 5×6 cm. Composition: Boldo plant contains ascaridol, eucalyptol and cymol, various alkaloids (larvae and others), a few flavonoids, essential oils containing eugenol, limonene and…
General Information: Description: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria) is a small herbal plant of the Poppy family. The plant hot its name due to the blood-like juice that appears when the root or base of the stem is damaged (“sangvis – blood”). The native land of the plant is the southern regions of Canada and the east of the United States, where it can be found in the natural environment. It grows in…
General Information Common names: Cimicifuga, Black Snake root, Actaea racemosa, Macrotys Description: Black Cohosh is a preparation of plant origin. Substances shengmanol and acetylsenschmanol have sedative effect and help to lower blood pressure, increase myocardial contractility, without affecting heart rate. Benefits Useful properties of the grass are constantly being studied, although it has long been famous for its therapeutic effect on human body. North American Indians knew that with the help of…
General Information Description: Bitter Melon or Momordica Charantia is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for various diseases treatment, one of which is diabetes mellitus. In study course, various powder extracts of fresh and dried whole fruits were prepared and a comparison of their hypoglycemic properties with oral administration in diabetic rats was made. It was found that powder of an aqueous extract of fresh immature fruits at a dosage of…
