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: 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 ,…
General Information Common Name: Dong Quai Latin Name: Angelica Sinesis Indications & Historical Uses Has historically been used for menstrual symptoms, fatigue, debility, and as a liver tonic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. Contraindications & Precautions Contraindications: This herbal has major contra-indications, and is not recommended. See Warning, and Pharmacology. Precautions: See below. Adverse Side Effects: Major adverse effects. See Pharmacology Drug Interactions: See below. Dosage Information Dosage: Not recommended. How Supplied:…
General Information Common Name: Trailing Swamp Cranberry Latin Name: Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait Family: Ericaceae Indications & Historical Uses For more than a century, American Indians consumed crushed cranberries to prevent and treat urinary tract infections (UTI). Today, even after the introduction of antibiotics capable of eradicating the bacteria responsible for the urinary tract infection, many women still swear by this remedy. Many women drink cranberry juice to treat cystitis (inflammation…
General Information Common Name: Chamomile Latin Name: Matricaria recutita; Matricaria chamomilla; Chamaemelum nobile(Roman chamomile). Family: Asteraceae(Compositae) Other Names: German Chamomile. Roman Chamomile Indications & Historical Uses Internal use is indicated in the following instances: Prevention and treatment of ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders, including indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, gastritis and diverticulitis. Soothes mucous membrane inflammations. Aids digestion and calms upset stomachs. For use as a mild sedative (to treat anxiety, nervousness,…
General Information Common Name: Cascara Sagrada Latin Name: Rhaminus purshiana Family: Rhamnaceae Other Names: Shittim Wahoo Indications & Historical Uses Indications: Constipation – Cascara Sagrada is the best herbal stimulant available. Cascara is probably the mildest of the anthraquinone stimulant laxatives, producing only minor effects on the small intestine. Because of its relatively mild action, Cascara is the least likely of the stimulant laxatives to cause undesirable side effects such…
General Information Common Name: Butcher’s Broom Latin Name: Ruscus aculeatus L Family: Liliaceae Other Names: Box holly. Knee holly. Pettigree. Indications & Historical Uses Treatment and prevention of: Hemorrhoids, proctitis, anal itching (pruritis ani), anal fissures. Varicose veins, chilblains, venous circulatory disorders. Menstrual problems, PMS. Contraindications & Precautions Precautions: May cause gastritis in susceptible individuals. Extreme caution is to be exercised by patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers,…
General Information Common Name: Bilberry Latin Name: Vacinium myritillus L Family: Ericaceae Other Names: Huckleberry Whortleberry Indications & Historical Uses Historical Use: More than 40 years ago, British pilots reported that eating the fruit of the bilberry bush helped to improve their night vision. Since this time, the bilberry fruit has been shown to have multiple beneficial effects which result from the ability of the plant to help maintain healthy…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Molluscum Contagiosum Common Name: None Specified Description: A harmless viral infection characterized by shiny, pearly white bumps on the skin surface. Causes: The causative factor is the DNA virus of the pox group This virus may be transmitted by local or sexual contact. The incubation period is 2 weeks to 6 months. Prevention: Contact avoidance. Signs & Symptoms Papules (small, raised bumps on the skin)…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Spontaneous Abortion Common Name: Miscarriage (Spontaneous abortion) Description: Spontaneous termination of pregnancy within 20 weeks of fetal age. At this stage. the fetus is considered to be unable to survive outside the uterus. About 20% of recognized pregnancies terminate in spontaneous abortions and 75% of these occur before the 8th week. Frequently the miscarriage occurs so early in pregnancy that the woman is not aware…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Meniere’s Disease Common Name: None Specified Description: Menieres disease is a disorder of the inner ear Probably results from an abnormality in the inner ear fluid regulation. Usually it involves one ear, but both ears may be affected in 15% of patients. Typical onset age is between 20 and 50 years of age. Both sexes are equally affected. Intermittent attacks of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the…
