Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an updated overview of plants, natural drugs and natural compounds recently introduced in the worldwide herbal market. Paricular emphasis will be devoted to provide the students with all the cultural tools necessary to develop a constructive criticism towards phytotherapy, non conventional medicines and herbal products.
Prerequisites
Although not mandatory, a good knowledge of Pharmaceutical Botany and Pharmacognosy is strongly advised
Course unit content
<br />The course is organised in different monographs regarding:<br /><br />Insights of the worldwide herbal drugs market; the discovering of new herbal drugs via ethnobotanic, scientific and industrial research; methods of validation in phytotherapy; the semiology of the herbal products.<br />Phytocosmesis: natural ingredients, with particular emphasis on lipid compounds from vegetal sources. Differences between a natural cosmetic and a dermofunctional product.<br />Continuative education in phytotherapy: how to keep pace with research in natural compounds; definition of the limits in medicine, research, phytotherapy; how to develop a constructive criticism towards phytotherapy, non-conventional medicines and commercial herbal products.<br />Emerging areas in phytotherapy, nutraceuticals, phytocosmesis: phytoestrogens, antioxidants, veterinary phytotherapy. Monographs of recently marketed plants and drugs.<br />Non conventional medicines: basic principles. The troublesome definition of validation in non conventional medicines<br />Critical analysis of commercial herbal products
Full programme
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Bibliography
<br />Fitoterapia. Capasso, Grandolini, Izzo. Springer Ed.<br />Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Mills, Bone. Churchill Livingstone Ed.<br />Rational Phytotherapy. Schultz, Hansel, Tyler. 4th edition, Springer Ed.<br />Herbal Medicine. Weiss, Fintelmann. 2nd edition, Thieme Verlag.
Teaching methods
<br />Oral examination. The student will be asked to demonstrate a thorough comprehension of the concepts described during the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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