Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Products

The educational objective of the teaching is to acquire the main concepts concerning the efficacy of herbal products and their conscious and rational use to avoid adverse effects and toxicity. Knowledge on the health effects of herbal products will be provided, paying particular attention to mode of action and daily doses. In addition to health effects (efficacy), the aspects related to the correct use of herbal products will be taken into account (safety). In this regard, some examples of how plants can cause toxicity and poisoning, if used incorrectly or unknowingly (adulterations, sophistications, or accidental exchanges) will be considered. The main concepts underlying plant allergies, and allergens that can trigger them will be discussed.

At the end of the course, students will be expected to know health effects of natural products and their active components, paying particular attention to human studies. In addition to health use of botanicals, students will be able to understand the aspects underlying efficacy of botanicals and potential adverse effects which may occur (safety).
At this regard, students are expected to know and understand the toxic effects, the mode of action of poisonous plants and their toxic components finding, when available, possible therapeutic strategies for the treatment of toxicity.