Part (1) – Understanding and acquisition of theoretical knowledge (40 marks)
Answer all subparts of this question.
(i) The subject, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) cover herbal remedies, biologically based remedies, Ayurvedic medicines, Jamu, manipulative therapies (like acupuncture, massage, “tui na”, “shiatsu” etc., energy medicines, yoga and meditation and so on.
Compare and contrast any TWO practices of CAM, and briefly describe (in not more than 300 words) similarities and differences; advantages and disadvantages etc. in the management of ANY ailment or disorder or health issues of your choice. You may present your answers in a tabulated format if you so choose. (25 marks)
(ii) For the ailment or disorder or health issues of your choice identified in Part (i) above, briefly indicate what a Western trained doctor (Conventional Medicine; CM) will do or prescribe for treatment. You may relate to your own experience and write down the names of the medicines that the doctor has or will describe for your condition for example Panadol for pain (5 marks).
(iii) Briefly describe (in not more than 250 words) any expected benefit(s) / synergy (or synergies) that may be obtained if you were to combine the CAM practices identified in Part (i) with CM treatment modalities identified in Part (ii) for management of the same ailment/disorder/health issue that you have chosen. (5 marks)
(iv) Briefly describe (in not more than 250 words) any issue(s), potential conflicts, resistance(s) or objection(s) that you may expect to encounter when trying to integrate CAM with CM. (5 marks)
Students are strongly advice to include any relevant references or citations in the report.
You may follow the format below for your course work.
1. Introduction
2. Body
A. Heading 1
B. Heading 2
C. Heading 3….
3. Conclusion
4. References
Part (2) – Ability to apply knowledge (60 marks)
Traditional discovery of herbal remedies be it in Chinese medicines, “Jamu jamu ” or Ayurvedic medicines are based on observations viz.:
(1) the unique characteristics of the plant and its environment
(2) unique shape, structure which may give clue to its function(s)
(3) Unique colour for example red may indicate that it is “heaty”
(4) Pungent smell
(5) Unique taste
(6) Historical usage
(7) Testing by physicians. Usually food, edible fruits and plants.
Look at photographs of the following 4 plants (A), (B), (C) and (D) that are found in nature:-
(A) Tohum Kapsülü (Turkish – Antirrhinum, dragon flowers or snap dragons)
(B) Datura inoxia (Devil’s trumpet)
(C) Pelargonium quercifolium (Oak leaved Geranium)
(D) Sanguinaria canadensis L. (Blood root)
(2) Choose ANY ONE of the four flowers (or plants) and answer ALL the following questions:
(i) With illustration or appropriate references, write a short anecdote (in no more than 300 words) about the plant / flower that you have chosen. You may include its climatic conditions for optimum growth, origins, how its common name originate and other similar plants that should not be confused with it (10 marks).
(ii) Based on preliminary observation, what Is likely medicinal or therapeutic benefit you may “think” it could offer? You should describe what makes you think so and give your rationale in deriving at your conclusion? (10 marks).
(iii) Next do a literature search and identified (with appropriate references) what medicinal or therapeutic purposes; the plant / flower has been reported to be used for. You may include plants / flowers of similar botanical genus or species (15 marks).
(iv) Briefly describe (in no more than 500 words) how you (as a scientist, botanist or herbalist) may try to test your theory. You need to apply sound scientific reasoning and take into consideration, safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines. (15 marks)
(v) Using sound scientific principles and rationale, briefly describe (in not more than 400 words), which physical parameter(s) or aspect(s) [or specification(s)], you may look out for that will indicate the quality of the raw or dried plant / flowers that you have harvested or sourced for commercial purposes. Explain the rationale of your choice(s) (10 marks).
(Hint / Explanatory Notes:
Physical parameters do not include chemical identity, purity (or concentration) or contents of heavy metals or toxins. Physical parameters evaluation should be rely largely on your five senses which is generally referred to as organoleptic properties.
