Botanical Medicine and Pharmacology
What this domain tests
This domain covers herbal actions, preparations, dosing, safety, and drug interactions, plus topical botanical use in hair and scalp care. Questions often hinge on dilution and interaction risk.
Core rules and concepts
- Actions: astringent, emollient, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, rubefacient.
- Preparations: infusion, decoction, tincture, essential oil, fixed oil. Vehicle and concentration change both effect and risk.
- Essential oils are volatile and potent: dilute before topical use and patch test. Tea tree is commonly used around 5% for dandruff; keep it away from eyes and broken skin.
- Interactions: many herbs alter bleeding risk with warfarin; St John's wort induces CYP3A4 and can reduce levels of many drugs.
- Phototoxicity: expressed bergamot and other furocoumarin-rich citrus oils can cause phytophotodermatitis.
Worked example
A client wants tea tree oil for flaking. Reasoning: dilute to roughly 5% in a carrier oil, patch test, and avoid the eye area. If the scalp is broken or inflamed, refer instead of treating. If the client takes warfarin, note that some botanicals affect bleeding and refer to the prescriber before recommending internal use.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating "natural" as synonymous with safe.
- Applying undiluted essential oils to the scalp.
- Missing herb–drug interaction questions.
- Forgetting that citrus oils can be phototoxic.