An Herbal Supplement Essay

This report is Part 1 of assignment for Marketing MBA 565-MBOL1 to Dr. Stephen Baglione

I would like to apply for an internship at Wild Herb Weekend to expand my current knowledge of growing and using herbs while aiding in my decision to pursue Herbalism/ Holistic Medicine as a career in the future. My interest in this opportunity was peaked when Jeff Rieves informed me of Wild Herb Weekend and the NCHA. In participating, I would gain important information pertaining to herbology and agriculture. This weekend would allow me to expand upon the knowledge I have, and help me to better apply my skills as a prospective herbologist.

In our experience with Pharmasim we learned that Marketing decision making must be very sensitive and responsive to everything going on in the industry which is very complex. Consumer responses to marketing tactics can be volatile and unpredictable and no idea is guaranteed to work well. Marketing is a matter of meticulous research, assumptions, planning, and volatility at times. Overall we took away two major points: 1) that it is important to consider the product lifecycle in evaluating how to promote businesses and, 2) that the “Sweet Spot” as a competitive advantage should be the greatest point of consideration when evaluating how to best gain leverage to beat the competition in the minds of

Holistic Medicine, commonly referred to as “Alternative Medicine”, is a vast and rapidly growing new scientific field. It is derived mainly from ancient, traditional methods of healing that have often been practiced in the East for centuries. These include a variety of techniques from herbal healing to acupuncture to homeopathy to energy channeling. Due to the large number of methods that are covered by the term, there are various definitions of Holistic Medicine. However, all literature seems to agree that Alternative Medicine, is exactly what the name suggests: an ‘alternative’ approach to healing and medicine. It is a more personal move toward health care, which attempts to connect the mind, body and spirit.

In particular, thyme has been known for being able to cure lower blood pressure, chest

Hawthorn Berry has been used to treat heart disease since the first century. Hawthorn Berry contains Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which may help cardiovascular health. Hawthorn Berry helps to dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow and protects the blood vessels from damage. Side effects of this supplement are very rare but may include headaches, nausea and the feeling of a racing

According to the 2002 Harris poll, seven out of ten adults in the United States take vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other supplements (Schardt 2). Due to media advertising, dietary supplements are becoming more popular. Companies compete to have the best supplements. It is said that forty percent of American adults take vitamin supplements and over the counter products, which total in several billion dollars (Farley 2). Although many of the supplements claim to be healthy and help lose weight, the dangers are endless. Dietary supplements can be illegally spiked and are not safe. Therefore, putting regulations on dietary supplements and their safety hazards is necessary.

The owner of Fine Fettle Herbal Shop will finance the opening of its shop by borrowing money from the owners’ mother. She will lend $50,000 to her daughter to help start her business. With this $50,000, the owner will use $29,990 of it to put 10% down on the purchased building. With the other $20,010, the owner will make the necessary changes to the building, use the money for marketing, for business expenses and for purchasing inventory. The costs associated with changing the building are painting the inside, $179.79, painting the outside, $884.50, two signs, $1,590, and shelving, $2, 310. The next items that this loan would be used for would be the initial running of the radio, $500, the initial running of the newspaper, $400, flyers, $35, brochures, $262.49, and business cards, $39.99. The next items it will be used for is the business expenses. This includes a POS system, $1,500, a computer, $799.99, the first month of phone and Internet, $75, the first month of utilities, $200, the first month of QuickBooks Online, $39.95, a My Passport Ultra, $60, and a dehumidifier, $187. The total of all these expenses comes to $9,210, leaving $10,796 for inventory and other unforeseen expenses.

Of course like with any other drug hawthorn has side effects which include nausea, stomach upset, fatigue, headache, dizziness and palpatatio and can also cause hypotension. Hawthorn can have bad reactions if given with digoxin, medications used for sexual dysfunction and nitrates.

Hawthorn is a remedy which was specifically used for heart disease. Dr. Clarke was a homeopathic physician was described hawthorn as extremely beneficial as it had successfully treated one hundred and eighteen of his patients who were suffering from heart disease. Hawthorn was also used for its diuretic and astringent possessions. It was used for extreme menstrual flow and kidney stones. In 1931, was used as a diuretic astringent however it was mainly used as a heart tonic (Hedley C. 2001).

The main use for Hawthorn dates back to the first century and is said to improve cardiovascular disease

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in complementary medicine, and indeed alternative medicine (Lee-Treweek 2002, Andrews 2004, Barry 2006). Moreover the number of professionally trained therapist and practitioners has increased giving the patient/client a better choice and at more competitive rates (Smallwood, 2005).

Modern medicine and healthcare system have categorized herbal medicine as a natural remedy used when people can’t afford to purchase conventional drugs. They are perceived inferior because they cost less but the health benefits are endless. However, there have been various situations and instances that prove that herbal medicine is good for health.

The World Health Organization has defined three types of health systems to describe the degree to which traditional medicine/complementary and alternative medicine is an officially recognized element of health care. "In an integrative system, TM/CAM [traditional medicine/complementary and alternative medicine] is officially recognized and incorporated into all areas of health care provision.... An inclusive system recognizes TM/CAM, but has not yet fully integrated it into all aspects of health care, be this health care delivery, education and training, or regulation.... With a tolerant system, the national health care system is based entirely on allopathic medicine, but some TM/CAM practices are tolerated by law."

Complementary and alternative medicine is one of the largest growing trends in the health care system today. Although this is a growing trend, many people are skeptical of whether this form of health care can heal and prevent illness the way that it claims it can. There are many forms of alternative medicine but the focal point of research will be naturopathy. Topics being discussed are what naturopathy is and what it has to offer as a form of health care, how naturopathic doctors treat their patients and what their credentials are, and how nutrition plays a role in this natural lifestyle belief system.