Phytotherapy and Food Supplements

General knowledge of Organic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, provided in the respective curricular units.

• Lectures using audiovisual and interactive resources, supported by scientific material.
• Practical classes using the resolution of practical cases, group work and bibliographic research, as well as sensory experimentation of herbal medicine products and brand recognition of the various subjects taught.
• Students are monitored throughout the semester with clarification of doubts, whenever requested and as a complement to their training.
• Presentation and discussion of simulation cases of the professional context in the counseling of Phytotherapy, Homeopathy and Veterinary Pharmacy products

The framework of integrated contents allows the acquisition of knowledge and skills to understand Phytotherapy and Food Supplements, leading to its proper use in the context of Community Pharmacy or LVMNSRM. It allows the acquisition of skills for counseling, information to the user and good practices in the use of these products, their pharmacological bases and the relationship with the safety aspects of the products.

O1 – To deepen specific and fundamental technical and scientific knowledge about the main groups of drugs of natural substances and respective medicinal plants;
O2 – Develop knowledge about medicinal plants and their bioactive metabolites aimed at pharmacological advice, dispensing and use in situations subject to self-medication
O3 – Create skills in dispensing and advising on products and medicines of natural origin and food supplements
O4 – To acquire knowledge and skills in the regulatory area of herbal health products and food supplements, with an emphasis on Portuguese and European legislation.
O5 – Provide multidisciplinary knowledge of clinical and scientific evidence to support the use of herbal medicine and food supplements.

Theoretical Program

1.Introduction to Phytotherapy
1.1.Historic evolution
1.2.Consumption of medicinal plants
1.3.Cultivation, collection, drying and conservation of medicinal plants. Extraction methods and quality
control
1.4.Introduction to botanical nomenclature.
1.5.Monographs of medicinal plants.
2. Counselling and dispensing herbal medicines
2.1.Phytotherapy for the Digestive System.
2.2.Phytotherapy for the Genito-urinary System.
2.3.Phytotherapy for the Respiratory System
2.4.Phytotherapy for the Cardiovascular System.
2.5.Phytotherapy for Excess Weight and Obesity.
2.6.Phytotherapy for the musculoskeletal system and skin.
2.7.Phytotherapy for the Immune System
2.8.Phytotherapy for the Nervous System
2.9.Toxic effects and plant/drug interactions
3.Food supplements
3.1.Borderline products between food supplements and medicines
3.2.Nutrients in Food Supplements
3.3.Prebiotics and Probiotics
3.4.Nutraceuticals and other substances with nutritional or physiological effect
3.5.Herbal food supplements

Practical Program

Presentation and discussion of clinical cases and counselling simulations.

NAO

Main bibliography

• Proença da Cunha, A; Gaspar, N; Roque, OR. Cultura e Utilização das Plantas Medicinais e Aromáticas. 2ª edição. Lisboa : Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2013. ISBN 9789723113723.
• Proença da Cunha, A; Roque, OR. Plantas Medicinais da Farmacopeia Portuguesa: constituintes, controlo, farmacologia e utilização. 2ª edição. Lisboa : Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2011. ISBN 978-972-31-1257-3.

Secondary bibliography

• Heinrich, M [et al.]. Fundamentals of pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. Edinburgh; London; New York, etc.: Churchill Livingstone, 2004. 978-0-443-07132-2.
• Aronson, JK. Meyler’s Side Effects of Herbal Medicines. Amsterdam [etc.]: Elsevier, 2009. ISBN 978-044-453269-5.
• Leite, João Paulo Viana. FITOTERAPIA – Bases científicas e tecnológicas. 1ª edição. Editora: Atheneu,2009. ISBN 978-85-7379-237-9.
• Proença da Cunha, A; Teixeira, F; Silva, AP; Roque. Plantas na Terapêutica – Farmacologia e Ensaios Clínicos. 2ª edição. Lisboa : Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2010. ISBN 9789723112245.
• A. Tabor, R.M. Blai (Eds.) Nutritional Cosmetics.2009. Elsevier ISBN: 978-0-8155-2029-0 
• UE Directive 2002/46/CE. “Directive 2002/46/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to food supplements