University of Cambodia

Herbal Medicine

A Case Study in Cambodia

Course: Introduction to Anthropology Prepared by Group II:

Instructor: Kep Bunly Keo Chanosophea

Mun Thim

Ngoem Sophanny

Sao Layhour

Set Soriya

20 May, 2014

OBJECTIVES• Explore origin of herbal medicine

• Understand the use of medicinal plants for treatment

• Understand quality, safety, and efficacy of using herbal medicine for treatment

• Find out whether or not herbal medicine should be used in this contemporary society

2

OUTLINE• Definition & history

• Herbalism

• Herbal treatments

• Effects of herbal medicines

• Herbal Medicine practice in Cambodia

• Should herbal medicine continue being used?

• Conclusion

3

4

UNDERSTANDINGHERBAL MEDICINE

DEFINITION

Herbal medicine is the

study or practice of the

medicinal and therapeutic

use of plants; kind of animal

(wild life) or combined the

insects with the plants.

5

HISTORY The use of medicinal plants dates at least to

the  Paleolithic, approximately 60,000 years

ago.

The earliest known Greek herbals were those

of Diocles of Carystus, written during the 3rd

century B.C, and one by Krateuas from the

1st century B.C.

6

In ancient Egypt, herbs are mentioned

in Egyptian Medical papyri, represented in tomb

or on rare occasions found in medical jars.

Ancient Chinese describe medicinal uses for

plants as early as 3,000 BC.

Herbs were also common in the medicine of

ancient India, where the principal treatment for

diseases. 7

HERBALISMs

CHINESE HERBALISM

9

The History of Chinese Herbalism

• Chinese started using Herbalism

since the stone age

• Traditional Chinese medicine

dated back to the period of Huang

Di Nei Jing

• It was dramatically improving

since the development of Chinese

nation

THE PRINCIPLE OF YIN AND YANG

The concept of Yin and Yang is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy (Miller, 2003; Watts, 1999).

10

AYURVEDIC HERBALISM (AYURVEDA)

Ayurveda is a medical system primarily practiced in India

that has been known for nearly 5000 years

11

Ayurveda

Ayur(Life)

Veda(Knowledge & Science)

The science of life

12

Concept of Ayurveda

To promote good health longevity Beauty

WESTERN HERBALISM

is a form of healing art that draw from herbal traditions

of Europe and the Americas

is based on

physicians and herbalists clinical experience and traditional

knowledge of medicinal

pharmocognosy

13

HERBAL TREATMENTS

In ancient time

Herbal medicine had function of important role in Cambodia based on:

Historical

Cultural

economical

15

The way of herbal treatments

herbal medicine used of natural products that are derived from natural source:

Plants

Animal and Micro-organism

16

Type of plants using

Plant regarded as the medicines that have their own ability to synthesize a wide variety of chemical compounds.

Whole plant using

Herb combining

Diagnosis

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera using17

Usage of Animal Blood or Micro organisms in herbal medicine

Freshly or clear blood can treat the disease:

Found in animal’s blood (ox, cow…etc.)

Transfusion

18

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF HERBAL MEDICINE

• Reduced Risk of side effects

• Low cost

• Widespread availability

19

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF HERBAL MEDICINE

• Inappropriate for many conditions

• Poison risk associated with wild herb

• Lack of regulation

20

21

ENSURING SAETY OF HERBAL MEDICINES

22

CAMBODIAN HERBAL MEDICINE

Cambodian herbal medicine is influenced by 3 countries

• India in 1st Century

• Chinese in Angkorian Era

• Vietnam in 1980s

23

Herbal medicine is provided by several providers

In 1890s, there were two providers

• Kru thnam

• Kru thump

Nowadays, there are three providers

• Kru Khmer

• Kru Chol Ruup

• Buddhist monks 24

Illness can be identified by two techniques

• Inquiry technique: ill-health history and

examining the patient

• Magical-religious technique: prediction about ill health

25

Cambodian herbal treatment is often associated with “hot” and “cold” notions

• Hot illness is treated by cold medication using

plants with acid, bitter or astringent taste.

• Cold illness is treated by hot medication using

plants with spicy or sweet taste, or essential

oils

26

Herbal medicine can be prepared in 6 forms• Solid form

• Powder form

• Herbal tea

• Fresh herb

• Decoction

• Fluid extract

27

Herbal medicine has both positive and negative sidesPositive

• Effective and fast

• Inexpensive

Negative

• Anybody can claim themselves as healer

• No standard criteria to check

• threaten plant species

• Difficult for individual to develop their skill28

DISCUSSION

• Herbal medicine is effective with no side effect

• More accessible

• The negative part is only derived from poor

administration

• So, herbal medicine should continued being

used

29

CONCLUSION• Herbal medicine has been used since 60,000 years

ago

• Three kinds of herbalism: Ayurvedic herbalism,

Chinese herbalism and Western herbalism

• Herbal medicine is good for curing ill-health, and its

negative effect is usually derived from poor

administration

• Herbal medicine should be promoted, but it needs

better law enforcement.30

Thank for your attention!

Q & A SessionWarmly welcome to all your questions