Author Archives: Steffan

Medicinal herbs and plants, however, gathered for the production both of modern drugs and of herbal remedies are not generally found in garden cultivation, but are gathered from the wild in many countries throughout the world, or cultivated in commercial plantings for specific purposes. Their use in the manufacture of medicinal drugs is limited as this method aims to make synthetic replicas of the active ingredients by chemical means. In contrast, great volumes of raw herbs and plants are required for drying for herbal teas, for powder used in tablets or for the liquid plant extracts which provide the bottled medicines we find in health food shops and in herbal dispensaries.

Professional herbalists have the responsibility of undertaking considerable study in order to learn which herbs are best prescribed and in what doses, as well as learning the cautions which are required as to those plants which are best avoided. …

Medicinally, magnesium oxide is used as a short-term laxative for rapid elimination of the bowels, especially before surgery. It is also used as a dietary supplement when the amount of magnesium in the diet is not sufficient. Magnesium oxide use is not recommended for persons with heart and kidney problems. It is also not advisable for pregnant and lactating women. Magnesium oxide can interfere with other drugs like warfarin, aspirin, ranitidine, etc.

Apart from medicine, magnesium oxide also boasts several industrial uses. Magnesium oxide lined with carbon forms a tough refractory brick for metallurgical furnaces. Such magnesia bricks are resistant to corrosion and high temperature.

Magnesium oxide cement is also a good industrial binder. Magnesium oxide is high temperature resistant and so it is used to sheath thermocouples and also as filler in high temperature appliances such as rings of electric cookers.

Magnesium oxide is a highly versatile compound. Due …

An Invisible Epidemic
A great deal has been written about alcoholism and drug addiction over the last two decades. However, information regarding prescription drug abuse and addiction only seems to surface when someone famous has a problem and needs treatment or dies.

Historically, prescription drug addiction has been the most underreported drug abuse problem in the nation( National Institute of Drug Abuse). It is also the least understood. Addiction to and withdrawal from prescription drugs can be more dangerous than other substances because of the insidious nature of these drugs.

Two types of the most commonly abused drugs are opioids and benzodiazepines. Opioids are generally used to control pain. Benzodiazepines, or tranquilizers, are used to manage anxiety. These drugs are prescribed for short-term use such as acute pain and anxiety that is in reaction to a specific event. They may also be prescribed for chronic pain or generalized anxiety.

Chronic …

Major retail chain pharmacies are participating in these discount medication plans. The list includes: Walmart, Kmart, Target, Ekert and Walgreens. Make sure you double check that these stores are working with these discount benefits plans. Any individual with limited coverage or without any prescription drug coverage can benefit from a discount prescription benefit plan. Instead of paying full price for prescription drugs, members can save when they purchase their prescriptions.

People, who have insurance coverage, may still find these discount plans very useful as it can discount their prescription drugs not covered by their health plan. Members just show their card at a participating pharmacy and receive substantial discounts on their prescription drugs. Usually twenty-five percent on most brand names and up to fifty percent on most generics, it is that easy.

Drug costs are continuing to rise and are one of the fastest growing health care expenditures. It is …

Today, customizing a medication, creating accommodating methods of drug dosages and providing other methods of dispensing drugs, are fundamental underpinnings of the role of compounding pharmacies. The goal is to provide a drug that fits the unique needs of a patient. Physicians may prescribe compounded medication for a patient with a unique health need that can include:

• Used in the Veterinary profession for a change in the method of administration, a change in dosage, and to make it more pleasant tasting for the animal.
• Patients having the need of medicines that require a certain dosage not available in regular mass produced forms. An example would be a small dosage strength such as an infant who requires a tiny dose of a particular medication.
• Patients undergoing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy It is used as an alternative to synthetics for patients suffering from menopausal symptoms
• Patients requiring allergen-free medications
• Children who require