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Valerian is both one of the most established plant remedies in modern medicine yet its mechanism of action is still unknown. Today it is generally viewed primarily as a mild sedative, but in antiquity it had wider applications, including as a general tonic. Modern human studies of variable quality suggest that valerian may help with insomnia and improve overall sleep quality (particularly in poor sleepers), relieve tension, and support relaxation. Clinical experience however is that the herb can have other properties and may even be stimulating in some cases.
The
International Centre for Phytotherapy is the
virtual educational campus for Plant Medicine. The
EXTRACT evidence
base will form the basis of new educational courses for the
professional healthcare community.
Web-based teaching materials will provide healthcare professionals with the most relevant information for clinical practice. Professionals will have the opportunity to acquire Continuing Education Credits or Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters Degree qualifications at collaborating universities or medical schools. It is expected that the modules will accompany classroom teaching at the collaborating institution.
A
program of teaching materials is being compiled in which
students will be required to search the EXTRACT
database to complete their course
assignments. Rather than select from multiple choice answers to a question,
students will be encouraged to construct individual clinical protocols from the evidence
base. Such an approach will ensure that students have the maximum opportunity to
explore the evidence base and that the material is clinically relevant and oriented to
actual day-to-day problems.
In parallel therefore with the development of the EXTRACT database, outline problem-oriented course material has been drafted. The objectives will be to develop foundation educational packages as a basis for web-based CME and other continuing educational programs, provided to the North American, the Australasian, and to the British and European market in the first place; course titles so far include as potential core modules.
Pilot courses are to be developed with the Tai Sophia Institute, starting in 2008 with an interactive WebCT-based module:
plant-drug interactions
Other courses will follow, including the topics below
introduction to the use of herbal remedies (also as a stand alone taster course)
introduction to the evidence base
a review of safety issues
a review of quality issues
principles of herbal therapeutics
the use of herbs by children
plant consumption and the liver and kidney
long term management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
impact of plant materials on the digestive tract
plants in the treatment of inflammation and pain
Assignments will involve students searching the evidence base and building their own protocols. The EXTRACT database is designed to provide useful materials and links in each subject and there will be additional well-referenced reading materials.
The course materials will be developed and offered by academic institutions in the partnership, generally linked to their own classroom teaching. Appropriate postgraduate or continuing education credits will be sought.
