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 Description: Several types of beta-glucan-type polysaccharides are known, differing in molecular composition and, accordingly, in degree of activity. The most active substances are extracted from yeast, oat bran, barley and various grain crops, which are used most often in syrups form. The source is also often oats and wheat. Extraction of component is a rather difficult chemical process. Raw materials require high-temperature conditioning to result in insoluble forms…
General Information: Description: Betony is a thick and bushy plant, which produces many flowering stems covered in purple red blooms. Composition: Betony herb is not the only type of raw material from the plant, suitable for use in natural medicine. People also use roots and flowers. All medicinal raw materials should be collected in dry weather, preferably in summer. The composition of the plant is very complicated. It contains flavone…
General Information Description: Betel nut is is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows up to 25 meters. Homeland of betel is Southeast Asia, but the tree also cultivated in many other areas of the globe. Betel nut has been used for 7000-9000 years and is one of the oldest psychoactive substances used by man. The use of betel nut is part of the culture in Southeast…
General Information Common Name: Guarana Latin Name: Paullinia Crysan Paullinia sorbilis Family: Sapindaceae Other Names: Brazilian cocoa; Brazilian cola; Uabeno; Guarana gum. Indications & Historical Uses Central Nervous System stimulant; Used for treatment of fatigue, nerve tonic; For Diarrhea, gastrointestinal complaints; For symptoms of PMS: listlessness, lack of concentration and headaches; Appetite suppressant; Historically used as an aphrodisiac; A popular beverage in South America. Contraindications & Precautions Guarana contains two…
General Information Common Name: Ginseng Latin Name: Panax quinquefolium (American Ginseng) Panax ginseng (China, Korea, Japan and Russia) Panax pseudo-ginseng Family: Araliaceae Other Names: Korean Ginseng; Panax Ginseng. Indications & Historical Uses CNS depressant, tranquilizer; Sedative, relaxant; Treatment for Insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite; Agitation; Increase vitality in conditions of weakness, prolonged stress, poor immunity, or chronic disease; Hypotensive; Improves gastro-intestinal motility; Immune system stimulant; Increase synthesis of cholesterol in liver;…
General Information Common Name: Glucosamine Scientific Name: 2_Amino-2 deoxyglucose Other Names: Chitosamine; Glucosamine sulphate. What is it? An Aminoglycoside or Aminosugar. Glucosamine is not an herbal extract. Glucosamine is prepared synthetically or extracted from shellfish. It is found in cell membranes, mucopolysaccharides, and chitin, the horny substance in the exoskeleton of crabs, beetles, and various marine invertebrates and microorganisms. It is included in this section because of its efficacy as…
General Information Common Name: Garlic Latin Name: Allium Sativum Family: Liliaceae Other Names: Allium; Camphor of the poor; Nectar of the gods; Camphor of the poor. Indications & Historical Uses Protect the circulation, lower cholesterol; Protect against and fight infections, colds, and flu; Enhances immune function; Aids in the treatment of arthritis, arteriosclerosis, digestive problems, insomnia, and liver disease; Contraindications & Precautions Nil known. Please See Caution. Precautions: See Caution. …
General Information Common Name: Feverfew Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium Family: Asteraceae Other Names: Altamisa; Featherfoil; Febrifuge plant; Midsummer daisy; Nosebleed; Wild chamomilee; Santa Maria. Indications & Historical Uses Feverfew was known to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks as a valuable herbal remedy and was used as an anti-inflammatory agent. It was used to treat headaches and for promoting menstrual flow. Recent clinical trials have substantiated its effectiveness as a remedy…
General Information Common Name: Flaxseed Oil Latin Name: Linum usitatissimum Family: Linaceae Other Names: Flaxseed Oil; Linseed Oil. Indications & Historical Uses Flaxseed oil is used orally as food oil, as a supplemental source of alpha- linolenic acid and for certain medical conditions outlined below: Arthritis; For hyperlipidemia; To prevent heart attacks; Cancer; Anxiety; Benign prostatic hypertrophy; Constipation; Vaginitis. Contraindications & Precautions Not to be used in pregnancy and if…
General Information Common Name: Echinacea Latin Name: Echinacea Purpurea Echinacea Angustifolia Echinacea Pallido Family: Asteraceae Other Names: American coneflower Black Sampson Missouri snake root Rudbeckia Scurvy root Indications & Historical Uses Immunity booster, especially against colds and flu. As an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative and anti-spasmodic. As an adjunct to treatment of throat infections. Anti-viral. Wound healing. For skin conditions like eczema ,psoriasis and herpes Echinacea is the forgotten herb ,…
