Harmonising Traditional
and
Modern medicines
Name: Fong Zi Seng
Class: 5 Gigih
Subject: Chemistry
Characteristics of medicines – 3
Difference between Traditional and Modern medicine –4
Type of Traditional Medicine – 5
Ginger – 6
Aloe Vera – 7
Ginseng – 8
Tamarind – 9 Contents
Type of Modern Medicine – 10
Analgesics – 11
Antimicrobials – 12
Psychotic Drugs – 13
Anti–allergies – 14
Corticosteroids – 15
Effectiveness and Drug Abuse or Misuse - 16
Characteristics
of medicines:
• Chemical substance that is used to help us
treat or prevent disease
• Classified into traditional medicine and
modern medicine
• Safe if used correctly
• Misusing it may be harmful
3
Difference between Traditional and Modern medicine
Traditional Medicine Modern Medicine
• Obtained from herbal plants or animals and are not • Come from plants, microorganisms or synthetic
chemically processed. chemicals
• Usually prepared by crushing certain parts of the plants • Utilize new technologies such as biotechnology,
using pestle and mortar. nanotechnology and genetic engineering.
• Traditional medicines have evolved through processing, • Modern medicine comes in various form including pills,
and marketed in the form of pills or capsules. capsules, powders and liquids.
4
Type of Traditional Medicine:
Ginger
Aloe vera
Ginseng
Tamarind
5
Ginger (Zingiber officinale):
• Remove wind (gas) from the body.
• Prevent colds.
• Help to warm the body.
Ginger is used mainly to treat stomach issues such
as nausea, stomach ache and so on.
Benefits of Ginger:
Can help lower cholesterol levels
Contains ingredients that can help
prevent cancer
Can help treat chronic digestive
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problems
Aloe vera
(Aloe barbadensis miller):
• Treat skin diseases.
• Treat wounds caused by burns.
Aloe vera can help heal wounds and treat skin
problems. The reason is because it has
antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties.
Benefits of Aloe vera:
Helps to accelerate wound healing
Improves skin and prevent wrinkles
Helps reduce dental plaque
7
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) :
• Build immunity against infections.
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol level.
Ginseng can increaseresistanceagainstcancer,
heart disease and so on.
Benefits of Ginseng:
Helps to boost the immune system
Has potential benefits against cancer
Helps to increase energy level
8
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica):
• Juice of the fruit relievescoughs.
• Brighten the skin.
Tamarind can be used to treat diarrhea, fever, heal
wounds and so on. This is because it has antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory properties
Benefits of Tamarind:
Helps to lose weight
Can help reduce blood sugar
Reduces the risk of cancer
9
Type of Modern Medicine:
Analgesics
Antimicrobials
Psychotic Drugs
Anti allergies
Corticosteroids
10
Analgesics:
Type of Analgesics:
Aspirin
Paracetamol
Codeine
Aspirin, Paracetamol and Codeine should be taken
according to the doctor’s prescription.
Function of Analgesics: Side effects of Analgesics:
•It can cause stomach ulcers to gastric patients
Aspirin and paracetamol can be used to or children as it is acidic.
relieve pain in conscious •Paracetamol overdose can cause liver
Codeine can help relieve pain, damage.
•Codeine can cause a person to feel drowsy.
alleviates coughs and treats diarrhoea
11
Antimicrobials
Type of Antimicrobials:
Antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin.
Antiseptics,such as hydrogen peroxide, iodine and
boric acid.
Disinfectants,such as alcohol and formaldehyde
Function of Antimicrobials:
Antibiotics can help kill bacterial growth Side effects:
Antiseptics are applied externally on the skin.
Disinfectantsdestroy pathogens found on non living If antibiotics is not consumed fully, the
objects. bacterial will become immune to the
Ways to use it: antibiotics and the disease will reaccure
•Antibiotics needs to be consumed fully.
•Antiseptic should only be rubbed on the outside. It will cause allergies that can potentially
•Clean the surface using soap and water first before using be fatal such as penicillin allergy.
Formaldehyde to disinfect. 12
Psychotic Drugs
Type of Psychotic Drugs
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Clozapine
Psychotic Drugs should be taken with a doctor’s
prescription.
Function of Psychotic Drugs:
•It can be used to treat psychosis which is a Side effects:
symptom of mental illness that causes patients to Can cause abnormal involuntary facial
see, hear and believe something that is not real. and body movements
Can cause stiffness and shakes
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Anti-allergies:
Type of anti-allergies:
•Antihistamines
Anti allergies can only be taken as presribed by
a doctor.
Function of Anti allergies:
Side effects of Anti allergies:
•To help relieve runny nose and itchiness.
Anti allergies can cause drowsiness
If Antihistaminesis taken in high dosage, it can
also cause dry mouth (xerostomia),blurred
vision and constipation.
14
Corticosteroids
Types of Corticosteroids:
•Betamethasone valerate
•Predinisolone
Corticosteroidshould only be taken with doctors
prescription.
Functions of Corticosteroids:
•It can provide relief to the inflamed area.
Side effect of Corticosteroids:
•It can help reduce swelling, redness, itchiness, Long term intake can cause moon face
allergic reactions, asthma and arthritis.
(facial swelling), high blood pressure
and increase blood sugar level.
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Although the efficacy level may differ
between traditional and modern medicines,
both kind of medicines can treat many of
the same illnesses.
Effectiveness and
The wrong dosage can lead to drug abuse,
Drug Abuse or which concernsboth traditional and
modern medicines.
Misuse:
Traditional Medicine and Complementary
Act and Policy was introduced to ensure
the safety and quality of traditional
medicine as well as to ensure that it meet
the criteria set by the government.
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