Modern phytotherapy (Greek phyton: plant; therapeia: care) involves the prevention (prevention) and treatment of diseases as well as disorders of well-being by administering plants or their components (e.g., flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, and seeds). These plants are also called medicinal plants. A distinction is made between rational phytotherapy (based on scientific knowledge) and traditional phytotherapy. Traditional phytotherapy is one of the oldest medical systems and includes, for example, Chinese or Indian-Ayurvedic medicine.So-called phytotherapeutics or phytopharmaceuticals differ from normal conventional medicines. The plants used are considered in their entirety as a mixture of substances, as this is the only way they can develop the desired effect. Isolated plant ingredients, which are usually produced chemically, are not phytopharmaceuticals (e.g. atropine or digitoxin). Phytotherapy is not an “alternative medicine” and it must be clearly distinguished from homeopathy. The more herbal agents are given, the stronger the effect. With homeopathy it is the other way round. Phytotherapeutics are mostly used for mild or chronic diseases. Traditional phytotherapy is also suitable for self-administration by the patient. The therapy is not suitable for the treatment of severe diseases (especially metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus) or in emergency situations. The possibilities in the application of phytotherapeutic mixtures of active substances are very wide. Each plant has its individual healing power and can be used in combination with other plants. Phytotherapy is characterized by high tolerance and few side effects.
Indications (areas of application)
In dentistry, phytotherapy is preferably used to treat diseases of the mouth and throat, usually in the form of rinses or solutions. The various plants can be used to effectively combat both viruses and bacteria. Pain can be relieved and swelling brought down. Some examples of diseases and problems that can be treated phytotherapeutically include:
- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
- Tonsillitis (tonsillitis)
- Pharyngitis (pharyngitis)
- Toothache
- Bleeding gums
The procedure
Phytotherapy is based on the use of phytopharmaceuticals, often called “drug”, which are subject to the same strict conditions as the chemical-synthetic drugs. For this reason, it is of rather secondary importance in the clinic. Many factors play a role in the selection of plants. These include the time of harvest, the location of the plant, storage and preparation. The following list shows a number of active ingredients that are part of phytopharmaceuticals:
- AlkaloidsThese are usually highly toxic substances with strong physiological effects (for example, morphine from the opium poppy or atropine from belladonna).
- Bitter substancesz. B. Gentian, milk thistle or pepper.
- Essential oilsThese oily plant secretions are particularly suitable for inhalation. They have a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant and diuretic effect (The following plants contain essential oils: thyme, juniper, caraway, ginger, sage, peppermint, rosemary and fennel).
- EmodinsThese are derivatives (variants) of anthraquinone or anthracene. These substances have a laxative effect (laxative, for example, sloth or senna).
- TanninsThese substances have an anti-irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes (eg, oak bark, blueberries or bloodroot).
- FlavanoidsFlavanoids have a very wide range of effects, they are, among other things, anti-edematous (help against water retention) and enzyme inhibitory (eg ginkgo, milk thistle, woolly flower or hawthorn).
- GlycosidesThese are partly toxic substances (eg chamomile, St. John’s wort, horseradish, cress, primrose and hawthorn).
- SilicaSilica is an essential component of connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, hair and skin. A deficiency can cause cellulite or varicose veins (eg, ribwort and field horsetail).
- Hormone stimulantsThese substances have a stabilizing effect and gently control the hormone secretion of the endocrine glands (eg.B. Pumpkin seeds, bean shells and bladderwrack).
- Salicylic acidSalicylic acid (known as acetylsalicylic acid/ASS) is an antipyretic agent that helps against headaches, toothaches and rheumatic complaints (e.g. marigolds, primroses or silver willow).
- MucilagesThese active ingredients are carbohydrate and stimulate the immune system or have an anti-inflammatory effect (eg marshmallow, linseed and red coneflower).
- SapoinsThis is a subgroup of glycosides (eg ginseng root, horse chestnut, primrose root, mullein or primrose).
- SteroidsThese substances have multiple functions and serve, for example, as a starting material for hormones (eg ginseng or licorice root).
- VitaminsVitamins are essential food components and are also found in medicinal plants (eg barley, spelt, sea buckthorn, watercress or rosehip).
The spectrum of plant active ingredient mixtures is very large and the forms of preparation diverse.Here are some examples:
- Infusion (Infusum) – fine parts of plants such as flowers, seeds or leaves are infused.
- Decoction (Decoctum) – coarse, very solid plant parts (eg roots, wood or bark) are boiled up
- Macerate (Maceratio) – cold water extract.
- Extract (Extractum) – dry or liquid extracts (tinctures).
- Pressed juice (succus)
- Syrup (Syrupus)
- Aromatic water (Aqua aromatica)
- Spirit solution (spirit) – for external use.
- Ointments (unguentum) – made from extracts or tinctures.
- Finished medicines – capsules, tablets, dragées, drops or juice.
The plants used come from:
- 50% from wild collections (here the quality is often different).
- 40% from plant cultures
- 10% from wild collections and plant cultures
For gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), bloodroot, oak and clove root have proven effective. A painful tonsillitis (tonsillitis) can be relieved with the help of anise or thyme. Sage can be used against bleeding gums, and lemon balm and cloves provide relief from toothache. These are just a few examples of the many possible applications of phytotherapy in dentistry. A special form of phytotherapy, which is also used in dentistry, is Bach Flower Therapy.This is successfully used in dentistry, among other things, to alleviate psychological complaints, such as:
- Fear of the dentist or the injection
- Panic during treatment
- Stress and overwhelm due to the treatment
- Restlessness, tension
- Feeling of being helplessly at the mercy
Benefit
Phytotherapy is a natural, gentle way to help your body.It is a versatile alternative to treatment with conventional medicines. Just the good tolerability makes this procedure a useful therapy.
