Prescription Drug Abuse Essay

Prescription drug abuse has had a strong hold on American society for decades and it does not appear to be diminishing. While some drugs have decreased in popularity over the years others have increased. For instance, there has been a surge in the popularity of Ecstasy and other â€Å"Club† drugs and an increase in marijuana use over the past few years. While society has taken steps in the right direction by supporting treatment programs for addicts and drug abuse prevention programs much more must be done to lower the current trend of substance abuse in our culture. For now, we will be arguing upon the abuse of prescription drugs. What Are Prescription Drugs? Prescription drugs are medications regulated by the U.S. government. These medications are helpful in treating a variety of health conditions and are only available when prescribed by a doctor or other healthcare professional. The government restricts these medications because they may be harmful if they are not taken properly or if they are combined with other medications (Firshein, 2005). Doctors and other healthcare professionals are highly trained and experienced at selecting the best medication to use for a certain condition. The type of medication and the dosage prescribed is carefully determined. It’s very important that the doctor’s directions are followed exactly to help treat the condition for which it was prescribed and to make sure the medication doesn’t cause unwanted effects (Kalb, 2001). Two recent events of deaths occurred due drug abuse. Tabloid star Anna Nicole Smith’s son Daniel died of a drug overdose, an inquest jury in the Bahamas ruled on March 31st 2008 (Reuters). Australian actor Heath Ledger’s death was an accident caused by the abuse of prescription medications, the New York City medical examiner’s office said on February 6th 2008 (Reuters). Taking prescription drugs in a way that hasn’t been recommended by a doctor can be more dangerous than people think. In fact, it’s drug abuse. Moreover, it’s just as illegal as taking street drugs. But some people experiment with prescription drugs because they think they will help them have more fun, lose weight, fit in, and even study more effectively. Prescription drugs can be easier to get than street drugs: Family members or friends could have a prescription. But prescription drugs are also sometimes sold on the street like other illegal drugs. A 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that among all youths aged 12 to 17, 6% had tried prescription drugs for recreational use. Most patients take medicine responsibly, but approximately 9 million Americans used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in 1999, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Non-medical purposes include misusing prescription drugs for recreation and for psychic effects–to get high, to have fun, to get a lift, or to calm down. Experts stress that prescription drug abuse isn’t about bad drugs or even bad people. It involves a complex web of factors, including the power of addiction, misperceptions about drug abuse, and the difficulty both patients and doctors have discussing the topic. Why? Some people think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than street drugs. After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use. But prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them. That’s because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the right dose of medication for a specific medical condition. The doctor has also told them exactly how they should take the medicine, including things to avoid while taking the drug — such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking other medications. They also are aware of potentially dangerous side effects and can monitor patients closely for these. Other people try prescription drugs because they think they’re not doing anything illegal because these drugs are prescribed by doctors. But taking drugs without a prescription — or sharing a prescription drug with friends — is actually breaking the law. Some people mistakenly think that prescription drugs are more powerful because you need a prescription for them. But it’s possible to abuse or become addicted to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, too. For example, dextromethorphan (DXM) is found in some OTC cough medicines. When someone takes the number of teaspoons or tablets that are recommended, everything is fine. But high doses can cause problems with the senses (especially vision and hearing) and can lead to confusion, stomach pain, numbness, and even hallucinations. A Look In The Past According to the 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, in 1998, an estimated 1.6 million Americans used prescription pain relievers non-medically for the first time. This represents a significant increase since the 1980s, when there were generally fewer than 500,000 first-time users per year. From 1990 to 1998, the number of new users of pain relievers increased by 181 percent; the number of individuals who initiated tranquilizer use increased by 132 percent; the number of new sedative users increased by 90 percent; and the number of people initiating stimulant use increased by 165 percent. In total, in 1999, an estimated 4 million people – almost 2 percent of the population aged 12 and older – were using certain prescription drugs non-medically: pain relievers (2.6 million users), sedatives and tranquilizers (1.3 million users), and stimulants (0.9 million users) (oas.samhsa.gov). More Recently†¦ Data from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicate that 4.0 percent of youth ages 12 to 17 reported non-medical use of prescription medications in the past month. Rates of abuse were highest among the 18-25 age group (6.0 percent). Among the youngest group surveyed, ages 12-13, a higher percentage reported using psychotherapeutics (1.8 percent) than marijuana (1.0 percent) The National Institute on Drug Abuse Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders found that the non-medical use of opioids, tranquilizers, sedatives/barbiturates, and amphetamines was unchanged between 2003 and 2004. Specifically, the survey found that 5.0 percent of 12th graders reported using OxyContin without a prescription in the past year, and 9.3 percent reported using Vicodin, making Vicodin one of the most commonly abused licit drugs in this population. Past year, non-medical use of tranquilizers (e.g., Valium, Xanax) in 2004 was 2.5 percent for 8th graders, 5.1 percent for 10th graders, and 7.3 percent for 12th graders. Also within the past year, 6.5 percent of 12th graders used sedatives/ barbiturates (e.g., Amytal, Nembutal) non-medically, and 10.0 percent used amphetamines (e.g., Ritalin, Benzedrine) (oas.samhsa.gov). Which Drugs Are Abused? The most commonly used prescription drugs fall into three classes: Opioids Examples: oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and meperidine (Demerol) Medical uses: Opioids are used to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea. How they work: Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord), preventing the brain from receiving pain messages. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Examples: pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax) Medical uses: CNS depressants are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. How they work: CNS depressants slow down brain activity by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. The result is a drowsy or calming effect. Stimulants Examples:  methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) Medical uses: Stimulants can be used to treat narcolepsy and  ADHD. How they work: Stimulants increase brain activity, resulting in greater alertness, attention, and energy (Vranken, 2007). What Are the Dangers of Abusing Medications? Whether they’re using street drugs or medications, drug abusers often have trouble at school, at home, with friends, or with the law. The likelihood that someone will commit a crime, be a victim of a crime,  or have an accident is higher when that person is abusing drugs — no matter whether  those drugs are  medications or street drugs. Like all drug abuse, using prescription drugs for the wrong reasons has serious risks for a person’s health. This risk is higher when prescription drugs like opioids are taken with other substances like alcohol, antihistamines, and CNS depressants. CNS depressants have risks, too. Abruptly stopping or reducing them too quickly can lead to seizures. Taking CNS depressants with other medications, such as prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, or alcohol can slow a person’s heartbeat and breathing — and even kill. Abusing stimulants (like some ADHD drugs) may cause heart failure or seizures. These risks are increased when stimulants are mixed with other medicines — even OTC ones like certain cold medicines. Taking too much of a stimulant can lead a person to develop a dangerously high body temperature or an irregular heartbeat. Taking several high doses over a short period of time may make a drug abuser aggressive or paranoid. Although stimulant abuse might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal, the feelings these drugs give people can cause them to use the drugs more and more often so they become a habit that’s hard to break. The dangers of prescription drug abuse can be made even worse if people take drugs in a way they aren’t supposed to. Ritalin may seem harmless because it’s prescribed even for little kids with ADHD. But when a person snorts or injects Ritalin, it can be serious. And because there can be  many variations of the same medication, the dose of medication and how long it stays in the body can vary. The person who doesn’t have a prescription might not really know which one he or she has. Probably the most common result of prescription drug abuse is addiction. People who abuse medications can become addicted just as easily as if they were taking street drugs. The reason many drugs have to be prescribed by a doctor is because some of them are quite addictive. That’s one of the reasons  most doctors won’t usually renew a prescription unless they see the patient — they want to examine the patient to make sure he or she isn’t getting addicted. (Vranken, 2007) Extent of Use Data from the National Drug Intelligence Center’s 2006 National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) reveal that 78.8% of state and local law enforcement agencies reported either high or moderate availability of illegally diverted pharmaceuticals (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2006). According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 49.8 million Americans aged 12 or older reported non-medical use of any psychotherapeutic at some point in their lifetimes, representing 20.3% of the population aged 12 or older. Nearly 7 million Americans aged 12 or older reported current (past month) use of psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes, representing 2.8% of the population. In this report, psychotherapeutics include any prescription-type pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative but do not include over-the-counter drugs (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2007) Percent of U.S. Household Population 12 and Older Reporting Past Month Non-Medical Use of Psychotherapeutics, 2006, by Age    12-17 18-25 26 or older 12 or older Non-medical use of psychother.   Ã‚  Ã‚  3.3%   Ã‚  Ã‚  6.4%   Ã‚  Ã‚  2.2%   Ã‚  Ã‚  2.8%   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pain relievers 2.7 4.9 1.5 2.1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  OxyContin 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tranquilizers 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.7   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stimulants 0.6 1.3 0.3 0.5   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sedatives 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Additional data from the 2006 NSDUH show that 2.2 million people, aged 12 or older, initiated nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers within the past year. Each year, the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study asks drug use and related questions of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders nationwide. MTF provides usage estimates for alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and substances that are only legally available by prescription. The study includes data for the non-medical use of amphetamines, stimulants including Ritalin, and sedatives (barbiturates) including: methaqualone, tranquilizers, the narcotic pain relievers Vicodin and OxyContin, as well as GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol, which is not legal for prescription in the United States. Survey respondents were asked to exclude from their responses any use of prescription drugs that occurred under medical supervision (National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, 2007). MTF data for 2007 show that lifetime prevalence rates for amphetamine use without a doctor’s orders were 6.5% for 8th graders, 11.1% for 10th graders, and 11.4% for 12th graders. Percent of Students Reporting Lifetime Non-Medical Use of Psychotherapeutics, 2007, by Grade Drug 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade Amphetamines   Ã‚  6.5%   11.1%   Ã‚  Ã‚  11.4% Sedatives n/a n/a 9.3   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Methaqualone n/a n/a 1.0 Tranquilizers 3.9 7.4 9.5 Approximately 9.6% of 12th graders surveyed in 2007 reported annual (past year) use of Vicodin without a doctor’s orders. Percent of Students Reporting Annual Non-Medical Use of Prescriptions, 2007, by Grade Drug 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade OxyContin   Ã‚  Ã‚  1.8%   Ã‚  Ã‚  3.9%   Ã‚  Ã‚  5.2% Vicodin 2.7 7.2 9.6 Amphetamines 4.2 8.0 7.5   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ritalin 2.1 2.8 3.8 Sedatives n/a n/a 6.2 Methaqualone n/a n/a 0.5 Tranquilizers 2.4 5.3 6.2 According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 21.3% of State prisoners and 16.9% of Federal prisoners surveyed in 2004 indicated that they abused depressants at some point in their lives. For this report, depressants were defined to include barbiturates, tranquilizers and Quaalude (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2006) Tips for Taking Prescription Medication What if a doctor prescribed a medication for you and you’re worried about becoming addicted? If you’re taking the medicine the way your doctor told you to, you can relax: Doctors know how much medication to prescribe so that it’s just enough for you. In the correct amount, the drug will relieve your symptoms without making you addicted. If a doctor prescribes a pain medication, stimulant, or CNS depressant, follow the directions exactly. Here are some other ways to protect yourself Keep all doctors’ appointments. Your doctor will want you to visit often so he or she can monitor how well the medication is working for you and adjust the dose or change the medication as needed. Some medications must be stopped or changed after a while so that the person doesn’t become addicted. Make a note of the effects the drug has on your body and emotions, especially in the first few days as your body gets used to it. Tell your doctor about these. Keep any information your pharmacist gives you about any drugs or activities you should steer clear of while taking your prescription. Reread it often to remind yourself of what you should avoid. If the information is too long or complicated, ask a parent or your pharmacist to give you the highlights. Don’t increase or decrease the dose of your medication without checking with your doctor’s office first — no matter how you’re feeling. Finally, never use someone else’s prescription, and don’t allow a friend to use yours. Not only are you putting your friend at risk, but you could suffer, too: Pharmacists won’t refill a prescription if a medication has been used up before it should be. And if you’re found giving medication to someone else, it’s considered a crime and you could find yourself in court (Vranken, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion, abusing prescription drugs can affect your relationship with your family. It can create problems at school and with your future education. You may end up losing some longtime friendships or be forced to give up some of your favorite activities. Moreover, you could get into some serious problems with the law. Listed above are so many reasons not to abuse what can be of good use. As Albus Dumbledore said in book one of Harry Potter, â€Å"use it well†. Bibliography David Friedman. Drugs, Violence and Economics. Retrieved on May 2 2008, from http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Academic/drugs_and_violence/Drugs_and_violence.html Kalb, Claudia. (2001). Playing With Painkillers. Newsweek. 45-47 Firshein, Moyers. (2005). â€Å"Our Current Policy† PBS Home. PBS. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-32, DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4293). Rockville, MD. Retrieved on May 2 2008, from http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results.cfm Michele Van Vranken, MD, November 2007. Retrieved on May 2 2008 from The Nemours Foundation. http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&article_set=39861&cat_id=20140& â€Å"Prescription Drug Use and Abuse† by Michelle Meadows. Retrieved on May 2, 2008 from http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/501_drug.html. U.S. Food and Drug Administration National Drug Intelligence Center, National Drug Threat Assessment 2007, October 2006 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, 2007 National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, 2007 Monitoring the Future Drug Data Tables, December 2007 Bureau of Justice Statistics, Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners, 2004, 2004, October 2006

Certainty and Doubt

Certainty is a pleasurable feeling to have. We often times take these feelings for granted and do not realize that nothing in the world is a hundred percent certain. Many are convinced that certainty allows one to achieve dreams and desires; but this is untrue. Many do not realize that just because something has not been proven wrong, does not mean it is necessarily true. The intelligence to have a certain amount of doubt regarding everything is truly a blessing to have. Doubt allows us to make discoveries and motivates us to achieve greatness, while certainty can on courage complacency.However, with both, a person can uncover an excess amount of greatness within oneself. Through doubting of the accepted logic of society, many have risen to greatness by discovery in the past. Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Christopher Columbus are all pioneers that led the world to new discoveries on different frontiers. From the creation of the light bulb and the telephone, to the discove ry of the new world, these well-known men of action had begun their journey based on their individual doubts.Due to their doubts, these men were able to make such breakthroughs that they changed the whole world. Without the doubt of the general knowledge of the time, these men would have amounted to something less than what they are given credit for today. Although, having too much doubt can lead to distrust, a person who completely lacks in doubt is considered extremely gullible. In order to avoid gullibility, you must have an amount of doubt on specific subject. Within high school, there are many lies and rumors spread throughout the student body.To avoid gullibility in this particular environment, one must start by searching for the truth. Having doubts on the rumors that are spread throughout the student body can reveal what is the truth. On the other hand, acquiring an excessive amount of doubt can lead to distrust and misunderstandings amongst one’s peers. Doubt can oft entimes be just as polluting to the mind as gullibility. Being doubtful could lead to stress-related health problems such as paranoia and anxiety.We oftentimes do not realize the depth of seriousness of stress that doubt could lead to and we tend to brush it away without giving it recognition. Just like doubt, some certainty in moderation contributes to peace of mind, just as doubt would. Certainty itself is birthed from doubt. It is from ones doubts that a person gains their individual certainty. Without doubt, certainty would never be reached. Many had doubted Thomas Edison when he had attempted to invent the light bulb. It is because that Edison had doubted their beliefs that he had certainty within his own.It was because of this combination of doubt and certainty that Edison was able to progress the discovery of the light bulb. Having one without the other, it would have been nearly impossible for most leaps and bounds in any field of discovery. However, by having both, a person can have the motivation to explore the unknown world. By having doubt in another’s ideals can give a person purpose to search for another explanation. And by having certainty in one’s own beliefs, due to doubt, a person has the self-confidence to make the steps necessary to achieve their goal.A balance of both could lead to plethora potential in any area of ideals and concepts. To achieve one’s goals, it is certain that doubt is a major contribution to success. Having doubt is a great motivator to acquire, but an abundant amount could lead to paranoia and anxiety. Being certain on a specific subject can lead to peace of mind, but it also can prevent society world from feeling the need to make new discoveries. Both of these states of mind are needed to truly unlock one’s own potential and imagination.

Financial Plan for Small Business Research Paper

Financial Plan for Small Business - Research Paper Example The financial plan in this case is based on NASDAQ listed 1st Century Bancshares, Inc (Ticker: FCTY). The total market capitalization of the company is $66.44 million as on May 9, 2014 (Yahoo Finance, 2014). The balance sheet is the most important financial statement of any business irrespective of its size or market capitalization. It presents the financial position of the business on a given date. It is divided into three sections namely, assets, liabilities and owners’ equity. Assets and liabilities are further classified on basis of period of maturity. Assets include, cash, accounts receivables, inventory, land & buildings, goodwill, etc. Liabilities include account payables, debt capital, creditors, etc. The positive difference between total assets and total liabilities is the shareholders’ equity (Ramachandran and Kakani, 2009, pp.3-9). The historical balance sheet of business reveals that during the period 2011 to 2013, the company had very strong cash and its equivalents. However, the net cash and cash equivalents declined by 5.7 percent annually to $0.155 million in 2013. The total current assets of the company comprised of net receivables, cash and cash equivalents only. The total assets of the business increased by 15.2 percent historically from 2011 to 2013. In comparison, the current liabilities and total liabilities of the business increased by 15.8 percent historically from 2011 to 2013. The company does not intend to issue debt instruments as it has sufficient cash resources available for attaining its financial objectives. Historically, the shareholders’ equity increased by approximately 10.9 percent at compounded annual growth rate. The historical information about the financial position of the business will assist in determining the probable course of action of the business through projected fin ancial forecasts. The pro-forma balance sheet of the business is presented below: By observing the historical information about the

Teenage Suicide & Homicide Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Teenage Suicide & Homicide Trends - Essay Example s are the victims) is very likely to lead to a severe disruption of the person’s psychosomatic balance (if able to survive from the relevant attack). On the other hand, there are data that lead to the assumption that race can be a decisive criterion for the criminal behaviour against juveniles. The views of the theory do not seem to agree totally on such an aspect, however it would be rather difficult to formulate a precise assumption since the identification of the exact reasons of a specific criminal behaviour can just be assumed (as already explained above). A series of issues like the personal experiences and stress can severely affect human behaviour and in these terms the criminal behaviour against juveniles could not be considered as having a particular cause. However, the weakness of juveniles to respond to the attack (psychological or physical) is regarded as a common reason for the development of criminal behaviour against them. In the case of suicide, it is also this weakness of juveniles to respond to the pressure of a particular difficulty. The statistics involving in the criminal behaviour against juveniles are indicative of the extension of the problem. More specifically, in accordance with a series of statistics published by the Youth Violence Research Bulletin (2004) ‘between 1981 and 1998, 20,775 juveniles ages 7–17 committed suicide in the United States—nearly as many as were homicide or cancer victims; males were the victims in 78% of these juvenile suicides; over the same period, the suicide rate for American Indian juveniles was far higher than for any other race’. Between 1980 and 2000 52% of juvenile victims were black and 46% white. The rest were American Indians, Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islander. (Juvenile Justice Bulletin, 2004) Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native youth of 15 -24 years old with such prevailing risk factors as depression and substance abuse. (Youth

Concert report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Concert report - Assignment Example When I walked into the church there were a bunch of chairs directly in front of the stage for the audience, but there were also two rows of chairs on the stage. This was so when the group of performers finished their parts then they could take a rest over there and watch the solo parts of the concert. The audience extremely enjoyed the concert because the Avanti Chamber Singers put on a great show for everyone. This concert was very special for me because it was the first time that I was privileged enough to hear a choir live. Throughout the first half of the program, I would have to say that three songs stood out to me, and all of them were composed by the Brock professor Matthew Therrien. The piece, titled "Requiem," created a warm and sweet image in my mind. The sounds of the violin and piano provided wonderful background music and made me really comfortable. When the female voice came in, I felt like many angels were singing the song at that moment. After the intermission, I would have to say that my most favorite piece was "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." The reason is that it was one of the very few that I had already heard before that night. This song invoked a range of emotions for me, but I guess I enjoyed the deepness of the voices. It gave me a feeling like I was in church or something because it felt like there was power in the air. Although the song was repetitive in a way, I liked that the choir changed key for each new chorus so that it provided a new sound. The song is very old yet it is still powerful today, and I think that this shows the songs popularity too. This song would have to be my favorite of the night because I could just not resist getting up and clapping in time with the beat. If I had to choose one song for a movie sound track, then it would have to be "Aint Got Time to Die" by Hall Johnson. This song made a real impact on me because it gives hope where there does not seem to be any. I would use in a

Applied international macroeconomics projet between 1956 1986 Essay

Applied international macroeconomics projet between 1956 1986 - Essay Example Tunisia, officially known as the Tunisian Republic, is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, bordering with Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. Tunisia got its independence from the French colonialism in March 20, 1956 and Habib Bourguib became the president of new state. He established a strict one-party political system with a strong hold on economy and state resources and their allocation. One of Tunisia’s outstanding characteristics is its remarkable economic development, sustained over many decades and currently driven by a process of market liberalization and integration into world markets (Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and Tunisia 2005–2009, 2006, p. 7).Historically, Tunisian economy has gone through fluctuating periods of growth and instability. Its has gone through a transition period of a centrally planned to a more privately managed economy and stabilization and later as a structural reform programs.The purpose of f ollowing paper is to briefly highlight the important aspects of Tunisian economy during1956 to 1986 period. The paper discusses important economical during this era by splitting it into two sub-periods; namely;- Transition period of a centrally planned to a more privately managed economy and the stabilization (1956- 1970), and - An era of structural reform programs (1971- 1986).Tunisia, officially known as the Tunisian Republic, is situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, bordering with Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. ... crisis and instability. Its has gone through a transition periods of a centrally planned economy to a more privately managed economy and the stabilization (since 1956 to 1970) , and structural reform programs 1986-87. W can divide this entire period of economic developments into two sub- periods namely; - Transition period of a centrally planned to a more privately managed economy and the stabilization (1956- 1970), and - An era of structural reform programs (1971- 1986). Transition Period of a Centrally Planned to a more Privately Managed Economy and the Stabilization ;1956- 1970. At the time of independence in 1956, Tunisia was facing a crippling economic position mainly because of the huge transfer of money abroad by the wealthy Europeans, who had left the country. Yet the country and its leadership were quite optimistic and had strong determination in their potential and progress. They set their targets mainly focusing on education, modernization agriculture and infrastructure and industrialization and heavily invested in these sectors. Although these were fine priorities, yet unfortunately in sixties, they could not reap enough of the benefits to the masses because of their long term investment requirements and strict government policy control over theses sectors. During this period per capita income could not increase with an increase in investment. Government strict policy control over economy resulted a rapid increase of money supply and aggregate demands. These factors considerable increased the inflation rate and above all raised foreign payment imbalance. More than 70% of investment was public. More than half of total investment was based on

Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Criminal Justice - Essay Example Having in mind that there are many thoughts and perspectives on different theories that describe what contributes and constitutes to criminal behavior, psychopathic murderers should not face harsh judgments. The criminal justice practitioners in this case may have many special skills that allow them operate under any form of pressure, which does not happen due to the high levels of corruption. Such murderers hardly know what they are doing and it is the responsibility of the society to try to eliminate their chances of killing people since psychopathic murderers lack the capacity to control their behavior (Siegel, 2006). Traditional thinking inhibits change in the criminal justice and I believe that the current criminal justice should spare such murderers. In order for this to happen, command structures must get the priority for notable change to occur. Having talks with the community members are also, ways that the criminal justice practitioners seek to enhance their participation i n the policymaking and through such psychopathic murders can reduce (Siegel, 2006). When it comes to Schoenthaler’s study on diet and crime, I do not think there is any relationship between the two unless the study argued based on diet that may cause mental health problems. Previously, analysts have only been in a position use the previous cases in any situation to combine it with any public information to make crucial decisions unlike in other stages and at no one time did they have anything related to both crime and diet. Without understanding diet and crime, same mistakes would keep repeating, themselves where analysts will come up with all sorts of theories to relate crime o diet or vice versa. Diet only helps people to make guidance on the activities related to the body. On the other hand, diet can course crime where people commit crimes to get food for their families. In such a case, I totally agree with schoenthaler’s study on diet and crime (Siegel, 2006).

IBM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

IBM - Essay Example rless cars and the use of big data systems to understand and predict human behavior and human and other physical and social systems (Hewett et al., 1996; National Science Foundation, 2014; Sankar, 2012). At IBM the work on human-computer interaction is extensive and goes back through time, evidenced by the presence of academic and scientific studies dating back to at least the late 1990s with works such as those relating to determining the intention of humans to speak to computers in systems that are able to detect human language, for instance. The cues in this latter example are detected by computers not only through voice but also through visuals, indicating an ability on the part of the computer to interact with humans on the level of sight and voice (Cuetos and Neti, n.d.; Neti et al., n.d.). Elsewhere IBM makes use of other terms to discuss and evolve technologies that amount to variations of the same set of technologies related to HCI, and a standout term that IBM has come to u se of late is the term and concept of cognitive computing (IBM, 2015). An example of cognitive computing breakthroughs and projects that IBM has come to pursue of late is evolving the natural language processing capabilities of its computing systems, making use of Watson for instance as a model and a repository of what IBM has developed in this area. In Watson for instance, the test of effective HCI was its joining and winning a Jeopardy Challenge in the early part of 2011, besting some very tough human competition. This is an instance of HCI in IBM breaking ground to the extent that computing systems are able to match and surpass the cognitive capabilities of the most successful human contestants (IBM, 2015b). More pragmatic applications of HCI at IBM include using HCI advances to further the interaction between humans and business systems to improve productivity for instance, and to extend the advances to the management of systems of business IT (IBM, 2015c; Muller and Druin,

McDonald's Corp as a Best Corporate Citizen of 2010 Research Paper

McDonald's Corp as a Best Corporate Citizen of 2010 - Research Paper Example The idea is to ascertain the strategies of the company that allowed it to earn this status and to write about its socially responsible business activities. The paper will outline how McDonald’s activities improved its sustainability in contributing towards making the world a better place. A discussion will be made of the company’s specific business values that motivate its activities relative to accountability, transparency, and employee engagement for improving sustainability.  The paper will also focus on what further innovations the company might make to continue to improve sustainability. McDonald’s Corporate Social Responsibility For the last several years, McDonald’s Corporation has been setting examples of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which primarily includes the creation of a sustainable supply chain system and engagement in community based developmental projects. CSR basically relates to a company’s behavior whereby it behaves i n a social and responsible manner and deals with other businesses that adopt the same policies. With the increase of public awareness, recent years have seen increasing demand for socially responsible businesses, which is why contemporary companies give importance to CSR while making plans for socially responsible business processes. It cannot be doubted that McDonald’s Corporation has excelled in the implementation CSR practices in most of its functions across its offices throughout the world (McDonald's, 2011). In being the world’s biggest chain of fast food restaurants, McDonald’s considers that CSR is about taking concrete action, accomplishing results and sustaining openness in communicating with consumers and other major stake holders. The company closely collaborates with its suppliers in promoting socially responsible systems within the supply chain in keeping with its supply chain policy and complying with its larger strategy based Framework for Corpora te Social Responsibility. McDonald’s has clearly stated on its CSR website that it abides by its code of conduct prescribed for suppliers, which explains how the company requires its suppliers to deal with their workers. In keeping with its supply chain strategy, McDonald’s will carry forward its policy of social accountability across all its supply chains. It has already been successful in improving conditions of farm workers in several locations who in turn promote positive environmental systems in land based agriculture supply chains, thus creating sustainability in agricultural activities. For instance, by inroducing industry leading growing standards for tomato farmers in Florida, McDonald’s made improvements in the working environment of tomato growing establishments and transformed them into sustainable businesses. Community Involvement through Community Based Projects One of the approaches to engage in CSR is by adopting community based developmental pro jects. Community driven and community based developmental projects are considered important forms of providing development support by international socially responsible organizations. Economic relationships in this regard mean the adoption of strategies involving the larger community in the main business activities of the organization. This allows communities to become effectively involved in corporate supply chain stra

My Choice Is Illinois State University Personal Statement

My Choice Is Illinois State University - Personal Statement Example In fact, the idea of getting out of school has crossed my mind. Unfortunately, not much had changed when I started college because of struggling with a degree in psychology. Honestly, I was not genuinely passionate about that endeavor and at the same time, I lacked the necessary skills in effective learning. Concurrently, despite the challenges, one’s love for my family and recognition for a desire to pursue a career in nursing prompted me to move on.  After reflecting on all of my mistakes, I realized that these experiences were instrumental in making me a strong, independent and passionate woman that I am today. Being a full-time mom, worker, and the student is hard and only after I quit my full-time job to fully devote one’s time for my family and my schooling, was I able to capitalize on my full potentials. There is this innate desire for a healthcare profession and realized that I enjoy assisting people in need. By providing patient care, there is a rewarding fee ling for being able to give my time for a good cause while gaining some knowledge about nursing care. I even volunteered at the hospital down the street from home once a week for a few hours to fulfill my desire for serving and learning. I began to study like I have never before, got a tutor in the spring semester of this year, and was able to learn some very valuable skills in studying. I plan not to let anything hinder me in receiving my nursing degree and I am a testimony to other students who are struggling in school, that with the right tools one can overcome weaknesses and succeed in the plans earmarked in life. My academic strengths are studying, time management, being focused, and learning the necessary skills required to support one’s field of endeavor. My GPA is only 3.15 but my nursing prerequisite GPA is 3.66.

Mother Teresa Essay Example for Free

Mother Teresa Essay Mother Teresa has dedicated her life to helping the poor, the sick, and the dying around the world. She is one of the most well known and respected people of the 20th century. The movie that viewed in class displayed it very well. It showed how much she cared about the un-cared for and how she preached to millions of people around the world. In her speeches she spoke of blessing the misfortunate and loving them as well. She also spoke of how easy it is to help them. All we have to do is show some love towards them that they would normally never get. Mother Teresa is one of the most kind people on the planet and goes around spreading the love and affection. She was born in Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Yugoslavia. Her parents were Albanians who settled in Skopje near the beginning of the century. He father was a owner of a major construction company so Mother Teresa grew up in a very comfortable environment. In 1928 she suddenly decided to become a nun and traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to join the Sisters of Loreto. After studying with the Sisters in the convent, she left to join another convent in northeast India. On May 24, 1931, she took the name of Teresa in honor of St. Teresa of Avila. At first, Mother Teresa was assigned to teach a small Geography class at St. Marys High School in Calcutta. Mother Teresa noticed all the beggars, lepers, and homeless people on the streets of Calcutta. There lives were horrible, living on other peoples scraps and letting babies that they couldnt support die in trash bins. She decided to ask the archbishop if she could stop her teaching and dedicate her life to helping the less fortunate. When Mother Teresa received a written consent that it was okay, she began her work. In 1948 Pope Pius XII gave Mother Teresa permission to be a totally independant nun, so she became an Indian citizen. After studying about nursing, she founded the Missionaries of Charity. This was a group of nuns who go around and help the sick and dying. All the nuns that agreed to work in the Missionaries of Charity had to devote their lives to helping the poor and not to receive any money or material things. To the side is a  picture of a letter that Mother Teresa sent to a nun that wanted to join the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa welcomed her into the group with praise. Now to the movie. The movie did a very good job of showing how much Mother Teresa cared for the sick. The main part of the movie that I remember was the part when Mother Teresa and her nuns were starting a whole new center to the sick and dying. When the person that owned the building was telling the nuns and Mother Teresa about all the nice things they has in the building, the nuns almost simultaneously said, I dont think we will be needing that. The nuns and Mother Teresa live in such low living conditions and dont seem to mind. Unlike most of us, she doesnt need material things to get along. All she needs is some running water and the necessary materials to help the sick. Mother Teresa did such great work for the poor that she received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1971. Pope Paul VI honored Mother Teresa by awarding her the first Pope John XXIII Peace Prize. The following year the government of India presented her with the Jawaharial Nehru Award for International Understanding. In 1979 she received her greatest award, the Nobel Peace Prize. Mother Teresa accepted all of these awards on behalf of the poor, suing any money that accompanied them to fund her centers. By 1990 over 3,000 nuns belonged to the running centers in 25 countries. Obviously, Mother Teresas missions to help the poor were a tremendous success. There are also some kinds of summer groups like Habitat for Humanity. Unlike Habitat for Humanity these groups of kids go out and help the sick and dying just like Mother Teresa. The leader of these groups is a well known priest by the name of Johann Christoph. These kids love to do what Mother Teresa does best and make many dying people happy in there last days of life. The School that did this was the Wake Forest University. Or as they prefer to be called the City of Joy Scholars. The kids spent 18 long days in Calcutta as Mother Teresas first help center. The kids remember the varied cultures and races that Mother Teresa and the nuns love so very much. No matter how sick they looked. The kids were forever changed mentally and  emotionally after seeing and helping the helpless. The Missionaries of Charity and Mother Teresa are probably the most caring people on Earth. Mother Teresa is already called a Saint. She is the one and only living Saint. I enjoyed the movie and learned a lot about Mother Teresa and here mission to help the sick, lepers, and homeless. I trust she will succeed but she will need more nuns to join the famous Missionaries of Charity.

Globalization And The Toyota Company

Globalization And The Toyota Company The world today has been seeing the strong globalization. The process is reflected not only in trade but also in manufacturing, services, finance, investment as well as socio-culture and environment in various forms and levels. Economic globalization promotes close relationships, interdependence and rapid interactions among national economies. Through the process of liberalization, the globalization creates advantages motivating the development of productive forces and economic interactions between nations. Accordingly, comparative advantages of the participatory nations are strengthened and optimized. Besides, needs for development by enterprises is a growing and indispensable trend in the integrated global economy. Their scales of development are not limited in a geographical country or region, but in the whole world. In such a world of increasingly economic globalization, enterprise managers should be able to manage both internal and external influencing factors. Owing to that the managers will have better prediction, management of resources, and business direction towards set targets. In the course of global organizational environment, there are totally 12 sessions. Out of those, in following part, I will summarize 7 sessions. Particularly, among those selected sessions, I found session 12 an interesting one, even though it is the most challenging topic for me. This session helps the managers draw up both positive and negative perspectives of their businesses. This process strictly requires good understanding of their business situation, so that they can actively cope with and overcome difficulties that they already included in the drawing negative perspective Session 1: Organizational forms and purposes: In this session, we learn about some types of establishment, such as private organizations, state-owned organizations and 3rd regional organizations, etc. Understanding of these types is an important factor for a start-up business. Selection of type has great impact on the existence and development of an enterprise. Basically, distinguish features resulted in by different types of business are: Prestige due to consumption habits, Ability in capital mobilization, Investment risks, Complexity of procedures and business establishment costs, Corporate governance institutions. In addition, we may know how to analyze business by looking at its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT method) or through Mendelow matrix that tabulates values and priorities of involving factors influencing the business. Analysis results will strongly support the managers in identifying and prioritizing factors, and then developing proper strategies accordingly. Furthermore, we also obtain better understanding of role of business types and their influencing factors. Understanding of the relationship between the organization and its environment is fundamental to development strategy. While making strategic decisions on organizational direction and scope of business, all the factors relating to goals and members expectations should be taken into consideration. From the different goals, they put questions that: to whom they offer services and how to offer, or how to deal with the business with consideration of the shareholders profits? Once answering those questions, they will determine business goals and directions as well as type of business they will adopt. References of this topic are various. Internet is such a great source where I can find lots of references. From this session, I would like to obtain an overall understanding of business types, scales, scopes, socio contributions and to whom the business offers services. One of the key points obtained from this session is to employ Medelow matrix to analyze resources and every activity of the enterprise. In such a long time, the concept of corporate governance remains a debating topic, and it is such a challenge to me. After this course, I will be more confident because I absorbed the knowledge and will learn more from my work Session3: Managerial Environment Through this session we can determine the importance and nature of external environment. Classification of environment toward business orientation needs taking into consideration of different aspects and their complexity, variety and stability of markets and competing environment. The managers can identify the importance of environmental conditions and manage them. At that moment, the managers need to know how to analyze the environment by employing PEST framework. PEST framework is a support tool for effective analysis of business environment. (Andrew Harrison, Feb 16, 2011) Political environment has effects on the business operation of an enterprise. Stable political environment will help the enterprise having better business operation and long-term strategic directions. On the contrary, it may hinder the business operation in both short and long run. Business operations are also affected by the national economy. In such a developing economy, the enterprise has more business opportunities due to increasing income of consumers and their willingness to pay. However, the enterprise should have to consider the environmental impacts on the host country from its development. The impacts which can be overuse of energies and natural resources will lead to environmental pollution and resource exhaustion. Other factors affecting the business environment which are social situations i.e. population proportion and averaged age of a country should be considered while running business. Besides, the application of advanced technologies in the business operations helps increasing yield of production and reducing labor forces. The boom of application of technologies has been changing the sales methods by applying electronic technologies, such as online sale. Online sale also changes the buying tradition of the customers that the products are delivered directly to home. Analysis of the environmental factors aims at identifying opportunities and threats through which the enterprise can reduce and actively manage risks, and at the same time optimize their strengths in doing business. In addition, we can determine business strategy to cope with and manage changes of the environment. Owing to that we become more proactive and are well prepared to deal with the crisis. This process may be associated with the strategic vision of enterprise in the future scenarios. Session4: Economy and the role of government In this session we learn about the economy and the role of government. The government governs the country with respect to set economic goals. In reality, those goals are essential part of the macro-economy and listed as follows: a modest rate of inflation, a reasonable rate of economic growth, low rates of unemployment, a balance of payments in equilibrium or surplus. These goals can be achieved through market forces. In fact, in the past the government tried to achieve all these goals simultaneously and by doing so it has encountered other problems. Today, the government focuses on management of macro-economy instead putting its efforts on a certain issue. The most important task is to keep everything under control. Example is to ensure low-enough inflation rate as compared with those of other countries. If the inflation rate is too high, it can even weaken the common currency system. How can the government manage the economy? Government must consider the tools available to achieve the set goals. Two common tools are fiscal policy and monetary policy. Fiscal policy in which use of taxes and spending is announced in the budget is part of the Governments efforts to affect demand in the economy. By using this tool, an economy can be adjusted through changing the amount of tax and expenditure. The fiscal policy is used to increase or decrease demand. The fiscal policy is basically a method to smooth the economic cycle for achievement of the goals. The government mainly uses interest rates to influence demand in the economy for restraining inflation. Increase in interest rates would increase savings and reduce consumption and investment spending. Although it is a short-term solution, it is worth achieving benefits from restraining inflation. Similarly, interest rates affect exchange rates and those involved in the trade are often affected significantly when interest rates change. Interest rates are also used to change the money supply by affecting the ability to create credit by the banking sector. Monetary policy uses the money supply and interest rates to affect demand. The interest rate affects short-term demand and is mainly used to achieve realistic goals of the Government-that is low inflation rate. The use of tax incentives designed specifically to improve labor productivity are referred to as the supply side, which is a long-term strategy designed to reduce unemployment. The government also sets out the framework of laws and regulations to govern the operation of enterprises. Accordingly, the Government acts as an important actor in the economy. Management of the economy to achieve the goals is a complex operation. In short, the government uses interest rates as a tool for short-term demand management and other taxes and spending on long-term supply side to achieve macroeconomic goals. Session 7: Economy has emerged on three continents. In the 7th session, we consider the emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). How do these emerging economies affect the world economy in the future and whether or not the emerging economies will usurp the U.S. position as number-one world economy? The fact is that emerging economies have been contributing largely to the development of world economy. BRIC are among the first countries getting out of the crisis. In the future, those economies can be considered as core pillars of a newly-ordered world gradually appearing and they will dominate the global economy. Even though they have distinguished economic infrastructures, each of them has particular and significant advantages. Brazil has the strength of iron and agricultural raw materials; Russia is a large country with huge reserves of crude oil and gas, India is an exchanging point and can provide information, computing services, while China has a giant consumption market and considered as a world factory with huge cheap labor forces. BRIC economies are booming with continuous high growth rate and gradually proving their important positions in the world trade. During this financial and economical crisis, BRIC is expected to have an important role in stabilizing the world economy and its role as an organization to influence the world political and economic situation following G8 and G20. Most analysts have reckoned that the prospects of the BRIC cooperation are very positive and bring opportunities to the communities of developing countries. BRIC countries have distinguished characteristics of economic development. They will complement with each other in different fields such as finance, energy, services, technology, agriculture, environmental protection and food safety as well as in the multilateral trade negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). BRIC countries are emerging and market-oriented economies and they are playing an increasingly important role in changing the structure of the current global economy. Most economists agree that, if nothing happens than expected, in 50 years the BRIC countries will be the economic entity having great power to the global economy. In 40 years, the economic size of the BRIC countries will surpass the G7 countries in GDP. The Indian economy scale will overtake Japan in 2032, while China will overtake the U.S. in 2041. In 2050, six major economies in the world will be ranked as China, America, India, Japan, Brazil and Russia. Chief economist of Goldman Sachs Investment Bank Gim predicted these four economies will form the dominant force the world economy in 2050. (Goldman Sachs, Feb 16, 2011) That is just the analysis and prediction of scientists on the future BRIC group. However, the open and developing economy together with a stable political environment are overwhelming advantages for the BRIC countries in the coming decades. Session 10: Delivering Customer Value In 10th session, we will study the goals and position of the enterprise in the market of providing products and services to customers. Customer value is the total benefits received by the customer who owns the product or service. It includes the benefits offered from products and services offers, additional services, brand image and also personal relationships. Comparison of customer value and cost of customer will form the concept for value for customers. Although competition remains tough, the quality is no longer a dominant competitive advantage. The product innovation and quality are no longer a basis for competitive advantage. Some companies turned to internal improvements by trying to work through better structure and process changes. Downsizing, restructuring, re-establishment emerged as a common management tool to create enterprise streamlined. However, whether or not the experience of these tools has made their promises is still uncertain. The operational processes are certainly changed, but the expected impacts on performance are yet achieved. The quality and organizational structure improvement keeps on going and there are continuous and strong pressures on improvement coming from outside markets a process of seeking for competitive advantages begins. A question of what the comparative advantage is becomes important to the enterprises. Instead of focusing on the improvement of activities and internal structure, a change and improvement in management is unavoidable for the enterprises that are interested in outside markets and their customer benefits. Delivering customer value is a consistent and proper strategic direction. First of all, the application of customer value delivered orientation requires the enterprises to have careful and concise study of the market and their customers. Decisions on the methods of competing in customer value delivery becomes more effective if the enterprises consider the questions: What do the customer exactly need? Out of all the values appreciated by the customers, which value should the enterprises target to for their advantages? How do the customers think of the ability of the enterprises in delivering the values? How do the appreciated values change in the future? Secondly, the managers should have to translate their customer studies into action in order to offer better services. For example, the internal processes that provide values need to be adjusted to coincide with the values that customers appreciate. If businesses become more competitive in providing better customer values, they will need a set of corresponding tools for delivering customer value. Using these tools, organizations in the future will become more qualified in integration of internal quality management and outward strategies which is consistent with the customer view of the values. Session11: Managing Market Performance In this session, we will learn about the market activities and the businesses, business regulations in a certain market and how to manage market businesses and exist in a market. In a particular market if companies are about to succeed, they must study seriously and understand well that market and their products in that market. In order to do that the enterprises must understand both the current and potential markets and evaluate the attractiveness of the market. They also must define the strengths and weaknesses of existing businesses and the potential. That does not mean to set standards for the best market. The market attractiveness can be understood in different ways depending on on specific situations of that market. A market is considered more attractive if it possesses such factors: (large, growing, high profit, competition and competitive intensity is low, low immigration barriers, the market is less sensitive to occurrences due to loss of control). Similarly, the evaluation of the companys strengths and potentials in providing services, meeting the market needs should be conducted at the same time with the evaluation of the customer needs, advantages and strengths of competitors through following criteria: The company holds a big market share, grows faster in the market, has unique and valuable and high quality products and services, higher profits, effective production and marketing, protected technology properties. In the context of the analysis of two factors including market attractiveness and the company strength, we must consider the relative importance of each factor to achieve a comprehensive assessment that helps us choose a target market. Session12: Making Sense of Uncertainty. Participating in the current rapid globalization environment, the enterprises and managers need to study the nature of the environment to be ready coping with rising problems in their businesses. In a constant and simple environment, while dealing with possible future situations, the managers often refer to the past and use the methods of prediction and assumption of unchanged situation in the future.. But this approach is no longer appropriate and it is even dangerous if it is applied in nowadays rapidly changing environment. The managers are more active in their businesses if they must make a detailed plan predict an operational process to deal with both advantages and disadvantages. Design of the good or bad scenario for business case, management and the leaders will avoid the thing happening unexpectedly they might encounter. At least two scenarios will be conducted: Script that will achieve positive business and other cases, specific activities, if their business is in good point Is a bad scenario worst for business and corporate actions as well as managers to avoid losses to the company. Advantage of both scenarios shows that the specific actions that managers need to do beside the support tools to control the actions for promotion of business activities. However, in the case of a complex and dynamic environment, more sophisticated techniques are needed. In a dynamic environment, understanding the past situation does not always help the manager see what is going to happen. A commonly used technique is the creation of scenarios, allowing users to explore the broader possibilities and thus to terms with uncertainty. Task 2 (60% of module mark) Toyota Haier Airbus British Airways Sony-Erickson Marks and Spencer Ikea HSBC SAB Miller TUI Cadburys Tata Steel You are required to select one of the above companies in class and write a report (3000 words) in which you address the following issues: Type of organisation and its scope The organizations purpose and an analysis of its key stakeholders with an underpinning rationale for the power/interest of each stakeholder group The key external environmental issues (both general and competitive) impacting the organization in 2010 and beyond The organizations market position and its segmentation in 2010 The key opportunities and threats/challenges facing the organization in 2010 with a rationale for their selection The role and purpose of scenarios as a management tool illustrating your answer with an example of a scenario for your organization based upon the key challenges generated in task 2. Answer: I will write a report for the Toyota. In todays modern society, owning a car to transport is no longer a distant issue with consumers worldwide. Therefore business has a lot invested in the manufacturing sector and business vehicles such as GM, Ford, Nissan, Toyota the new launch of car companies that will create a competitive environment is very strong in business car. And expanding business market to other countries in the trend of global integration is becoming a serious urgency to this enterprise. Enterprises need to learn a lot about the conditions, standards and procedures of the different business environment affects how for production work and their business, of course if you want, they will be, they will have to adapt and to see changes to conform and survive in the environment they want to participate. Also businesses can take advantage of available resources such as cheap labour force, and natural resources abundance in the developing countries to produce their product and then sell in local market and export ed to other countries. Toyota is one such company that I also had a long interest in newspapers, articles on the website and on other media. In this article I will analyze and learn about the business environment impacts how for this business. Toyota is an automotive group transnational headquarters in Japan. Toyota was founded by Kiichiro Toyota on 28/08/1937 from a section separate from Toyota Industries. After a long development time, Toyota has now emerged to become the largest car manufacturing group in the world in terms of sales (Kendra Marr, Jan 22nd 2009). According to the annual report fiscal year 2009 (from 01/04/2008 to 31/03/2009), Toyota provides jobs for 320,808 workers, with 529 subsidiaries, with total capital of the company up to 397.05 billion yen. Major activities of the company are to design, assemble and sell cars, race cars, trucks, transportation vehicles and related spare parts. Toyota is known for the famous brands such as the Prius (hybrid vehicles with clean fuel), Lexus and Scion (luxury), Tundra (truck) Toyota owns a large amount of shares in the company Car Daihatsu and Hino, Fuji Heavy Industries, Isuzu Motors, Yamaha Motors, and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. In addition to manufacturing automobiles, Toyota provides financial services (Toyota Financial Services), involved robots, biotechnology Toyotas market share worldwide spread. Of these 26% in Japan, 29% in North U.S., 14% in Europe Toyota to build factories in all parts of the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles in serving the needs of that market. Major changes in the global business environment, has changed rapidly in the business environment for Toyota. The growth of global markets and expanding into resource-rich countries or emerging markets has led to a decline in the U.S. market. Due to environmental problems and threats of global warming, interest in a low carbon society has led to rising petrol prices and rapid growth in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. Finally, rising raw material prices caused the increase of raw materials used in the automotive industry, especially steel. Moreover, the challenge is now recession that has led Toyota to develop effective strategies to overcome financial losses. According to Business Week magazine in Toyotas profit fell 10% last year in the United States because the economic downturn. For this recession, Toyota has launched two short-term strategies (for example, for production systems optimized to meet the demand in the U.S.) and long-term strategies (for example, to increase hybri d production). That is the strategic goal of the Toyota business in the state of the global economy today. Mendelow I will use the matrix to analyze the role of environmental factors affecting the operations of Toyota: Figure 1: Through consideration Mendelow matrix we can see the role of the factors that affect decisions relating to Toyotas strategy as follows: With business partners, suppliers and local communities Toyota put them in the table that have less impact to Toyota because most of these factors contributing only a small part and depending on decisions of Toyota and Toyota can replace these elements with new elements even more valuable and more relevant. These factors are not vital element of the business. Actors like competitors and shareholders are located in the Keep inform the Toyota because of all the activities of Toyota and its competitors are analyzed when any new product or any act are reviewed information that is harmful or beneficial, must be treated thoroughly before using for business purposes, especially when competitors launch new products to market. The elements of the customer and the government (including provisions for legal, tax,..) of the host country where Toyota market are placed in the Keep satisfied. Consumers are objects that Toyota wants to target and their assessment is objective and is crucial to the e xistence or destruction of the Toyota. Toyotas products when launched without the support and acceptance from customers will be very difficult for Toyota business in the local market and can even lead to bankruptcy of enterprises. And finally the factors that play an important role for Toyota as owners, managers, employees, and banks. Owners have the important decision to make leadership and development company in the right direction and purpose. Bank could help Toyota help on the financing to complete the project and product development objectives and expand into new markets. And finally the officers and employees of the company they are the factors that make our products and contribute to the value of the product, they will promote and increase the value of brand products as well as Toyota Toyota is still considered the pinnacle of creativity, production quality and the power industry in Japan especially after the company passed General Motors (USA) to become the largest carmaker in the world. But now they are facing catastrophic why? Most problems related to Toyotas business environment is currently facing that are: The recovery (recall), nearly 8.5 million cars Toyota worldwide with technical deficiencies endangering the safety for the users have caused a serious crisis. From November 2009 Toyota has a withdrawal of 3.8 million cars to repair parts of the accelerator, to overcome unwanted vehicle acceleration. During the period Jan to May 2010, Toyota had recalled 2.3 million vehicles on the same reason, and stopped production at five factories in the U.S.. On 2nd September 2010, Toyota additionally recalled 440,000 hybrid vehicles (both cars have gasoline-electric), including the popular Prius model, to fix a problem in parts wins. According to Reuters news agency on 23rd February 2011, Toyota is also considering withdrawal Corolla the second best selling car after the Camry due to problems in parts of the wheel. (TBKTSG, Feb 26, 2011) The competitors with the Toyota U.S took advantage of Toyotas crisis by pushing up a promotion campaign Giving up Toyota to buy their vehicles.. Before Hyundai, two U.S. carmakers General Motors (GM) and Ford have also adopted similar measures to attract customers. GM and Ford pledged to donate $ 1,000 for consumers to switch Toyota car to their products. Customers who wish change from Toyota to GM car could get a loan to buy the car for 5 years without paying any interest(vneconomy.vn, 20 Feb, 2011) Otherwise, Toyota is also facing environmental problems for example earths warming, gas prices, increasing demand for less fuel consumption. and finally the rise of raw material will cause an increase in the price of the product in the future. Toyotas goal is to maintain its position as the worlds No. 1 in sales and continue to upgrade and further improvements in product quality and will regain its image. In 2010 it has been seen that the combined fuel vehicles of Toyota Prius sales break record for a single model in Japan. Prius sales increased program support by the Japanese Government for consumers to buy environmentally friendly vehicles. Toyota predicted that car sales reached 8.61 million vehicles in the global market in 2011 However, according to analysts, because of the recall crisis that Toyota faced in the past year, which is accompanied by a wave of claim and the record fines, there will be chasing this car in the process to regain the confidence of customers. Being number one in term of sales is not important for us, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco told AFP. Our objective is to become number one with the customer, in terms of service and customer satisfaction. (Tokyo-AFP, Jan 24, 2011) According to AFP, Toyota is still the worlds largest car maker. Its sale increases 8% in 2010, reaching 8.418 million units. Meanwhile, any U.S. rivals General Motors (GM) sold 8.39 million vehicles. Particularly in Japan, Toyotas group sales including both car Daihatsu Motor and Hino Motors downs 10% in the past year. However, the groups sales in foreign markets increased 7%. Toyota sold 7.528 million vehicles last year, increasing 8% from last year. According to data provided by Goodcarbadcar.net in 2010 new car sales at Toyotas U.S. market have fallen behind both GM and Ford Motor to GM: more than 2.2 million vehicles, Ford Motor: more than 1.9 million vehicles, and Toyota: more than 1.76 million units, and the rest belong to other companies such as Hyundai, Kia, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦about 900,000 units. (Good car guy, Jan 5, 2011) Figure 2: Through the above analysis and data can be found despite declining sales in the U.S. and Japan, but Toyotas sales is still increasing in other markets, especially emerging markets like China Asian Nations. Opportunities: Situation in world oil prices is raising, customers tend to use the car consumer oriented products that save fuel or use clean energy sources. Toyota is pursuing projects to build natural gas vehicles and hydrogen by applying and technical achievements of the modern world and the results of R D. While customers are looking for alternative sources of oil, this is a lucrative project for the company. Currently, in many countries where have high demand for vehicles but the supply is still limited. Toyota may expand its market to these countries. Toyota can produce the cars that meet requirements of geographical conditions and target the young generation. These are opportunities Toyota to raise its market share. Threats: As discussed above, there are many other vehicle manufacturers around the world who have joined market. This is a big challenge for Toyota that requires Toyota has to improve the quality and price in order to compete with the existing and potential competitors. Besides, changes in the exchange rate between the dollar and yen also cause a profit decline. The increase in price of raw material is also a threat to the production. After the prolonged economic crisis, the governments are expected to proclaim tight fiscal policy that lead to the decrease in sales and sales of vehicle manufacturers. Government also encouraged their people to use less polluted means like a train, bus, high speed train instead of using polluted transport means like s cars, motorcycles. In addition, changing demographical structure, families now prefer to use the large models, the change in the use of family car as the car uses less than in making children to school, the home delivery services, also reduces the demand for cars fell significant. To analyse environmental factors I would use PEST model includes

Drugs in Traditional Herbal Medicine

Drugs in Traditional Herbal Medicine There are about 1.75 million known species of animals, plants, fungi, micro-organisms on earth. Each species contains a wide spectrum of chemical moieties that number hundreds to thousands. The use of plants as sources of medicine is as old as the history of mankind. Today, there are at least 120 distinct chemical substances derived from plants that are considered as important drugs currently in use in one or more countries in the world. A few of these chemical substances are shown in the table below. Several of the drugs sold today are simple synthetic modifications or copies of the naturally obtained substances. This chapter deals with a few of the traditional drugs used commonly in traditional herbal medicine in India, which are presently being explored for a wide variety of medical conditions where the allopathic system is either insufficient or disadvantageous. SATAVARI Common name: Shakakul, Chatwal, Satawar (Hindi) Biological Source: Satavari consist of dried tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus. Family: Liliaceae Morphology: The plant grows all over India in tropical areas and is found in the Himalayas up to an altitude of 1300-1400 meters. The plant is an armed climber, growing 1-2 meters in length. The leaves are green, shiny, small, and uniform and like pine needles. The flowers are tiny, white, in small spikes. The roots are finger-like, clustered, tuberous, 30 cm to 1 meter or more in length and tapering at both ends. The diameter of the root is 1-3 cm. The colour of the root is grey. The fruits are globose, pulpy berries, purplish black when ripe. The plant flowers in July and fruits in September. The roots of Satavari are adventitious, arising from a single point and become fleshy and tuberous, tapering towards the base and swollen in the middle. Charaka has categorized Satavari as balya promoting strength or a tonic, vaya sthapana promotes longevity, sukra janana (spermatogenic). Also, he has cited it as a rejuvenative to rasa and mamsa dhatus and mamsavaha srotasa. Susruta has mentioned it as sukra sodhana purifies the sperms or semen. Whereas, it is quoted as vajikara augments the sexual vigour and quantity of semen (Sarngandhara Samhita). It is also classified as samsamana neither it aggravates nor it eliminates the doshas from the body, but simply pacifies the aggravated doshas especially, pitta. Surface: More or less smooth in fresh samples and longitudinal wrinkles on the dried ones Fracture: Complete Root Plant Chemical constituents: Asparagus contains steroidal glycosides, bitter glycosides, asparagins and flavonoids. The plant contains four saponins, viz. Shatavarin I to IV. Shatavarin IV is a glycoside of Sarsasapogenin having two molecules of rhamnose and one molecule of glucose. It also contains mucilage and starch. Shatavarin IV Uses: Shatavari has been used in India for thousands of years for its therapeutic and tonic properties. It is an all-round tonic and rejuvenative which can be given to a person with any type, constitution, males or females, youngsters or elders. A few more uses include: Anti-oxytocic and anti-abortifacient Galactogogue, diuretic and antidysenteric Anti cancer, nutritive tonic and adaptogen. It has been used in combination with Ashwagandha for accelerating the healing of fractures. It improves the defense mechanism against infection. KANTAKARI Common name: Kateli Biological source: It is the dried ripe fruits of Solanum xanthocarpum . Family :Solanaceae Fruit Plant Plant Morphology: The plant occurs all around India, often in wastelands, on roadsides and in open scrublands. Kantakari, also known as Indian Solanum, is a prickly, branched perennial herb. The branches are densely covered with minute star-shaped hairs. The plant has yellow, shining prickles of about 1.5 cm in size. It has very prickly, sparsely hairy, egg ­ shaped leaves; purple flowers, round fruit, yellow colour with green veins and numerous smooth seeds. The fruit of the plant constitutes the drug. The fruits are globular drooping and loamy; yellow or white in colour with green veins surrounded by calyx. Seeds are very small and reniform; smooth yellowish brown in colour and the taste is bitter. Chemical constituents: Steroidal alkaloids like solasodine and solanin; sterols such as cholesterol and phytosterol derivatives. Solanin Solasodine Uses: Kantakari is a valuable remedy in the treatment of dropsy, a disease marked by an excessive collection of fluids in the tissues and cavities or natural hollows of the body. The drug helps increase the secretion and discharge of urine. It is also used as a steroidal precursor and an aphrodisiac. It is found effective in throat disorders like sore throat and tonsillitis. An extract of the plant should be used as a gargle in such cases. Kantakari root has been traditionally used in snake and scorpion bites. A paste of the root can be prepared by grinding it on a stone with lemon juice and applying to the affected part. BAEL Common name: Bilva, Shriphal Biological source: Bael consists of the entire unripe or half ripe fruits of Aegle marmelos. Family: Rutaceae Plant Fruit Fruit Morphology: It is a fruit-bearing tree indigenous to dry forests on hills and plains of central and southern India, southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. It is cultivated throughout India, as well as in Sri Lanka, northern Malay Peninsula, Java and in the Philippines. It is also popularly known as Bilva, Bilwa, Bel, Kuvalam, Koovalam, Madtoum, or Beli fruit, Bengal quince, stone apple, and wood apple. The tree, which is the only species in the genus Aegle, grows up to 18 meters tall and bears thorns and fragrant flowers. It has a woody-skinned, smooth fruit 5-15 cm in diameter. The skin of some forms of the fruit is so hard it must be cracked open with a hammer. It has numerous seeds, which are densely covered with fibrous hairs and are embedded in a thick, gluey, aromatic pulp. Type of fruit: Berry Colour: Unripe fruits are green and ripe fruits are yellowish brown Size: 7.5 to 20 cm Shape: Sub globose Surface: Smooth but hard and woody Epicarp: 3mm thickness, pulp containing mesocarp and endocarp is pale red in colour. Seeds: Numerous and sticky mucilage surrounding the seeds. Odour: slightly aromatic Taste: Mucilaginous Chemical constituents: Coumarins like marmesin, Imperatorin, alloimperatorin, xanthotoxol, scoparone, scopoletin, umbelliferone, psoralen, marmelide, tannins, reducing sugars Marmesin Imperatorin Umbelliferone Uses: Ripe bael fruit is regarded as the best natural laxative. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is very effective in treating chronic diarrhoea and dysentery where there is no fever. It is also beneficial in cases of sprue in irritable bowel syndrome, hyperacidity and flatulence. The root of this tree is used as a remedy for curing ear problems. A stiff piece of the root is dipped in neem oil and lighted. The oil that drips from the burning end is a highly effective medicine for ear problems. An infusion of bael leaves is regarded as a valuable remedy for peptic ulcer. Precautions- The ripe fruit should not be taken regularly at a stretch. When used without a break, it produces atony of the intestines or lack of normal elasticity and consequent flatulence in the abdomen. The bael fruit should also not be taken in excess at a time, as excessive intake may produce a sensation of heaviness in the stomach. RASNA Common name: Lesser galangal Biological source: It consists of the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum obtained from 4-10 years old plants washed, trimmed and cut into segments and carefully dried. It consists of not less than 0.5 % of volatile oils. Family: Zingiberaceae Plant Rhizome Morphology : Form: Cylindrical, irregularly branched and bent like knee Size: 5-10cm long and up to 2cm thick Colour: Copper red externally and cinnamon brown internally Surface: Marked with fine annuli of lighter colour than the general surface Colour: Copper red externally Odour: Aromatic Taste: Characteristic, spicy, aromatic and pungent Fracture: Fibrous and tough Chemical constitutents: Essential oils (0.5-1 %), Cineole, alpha pinene, eugenol, sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene alocohols; Alpinol resins or gelangol; tannins phlobaphenes and flavanoids -kaempferol, galangin a dioxyflavonol. The volatile oil and acrid resins are the active principles. Kaempferol Uses: Stomachic, stimulant and carminative, it is especially useful in flatulence, dyspepsia, vomiting and sickness at stomach, being recommended as a remedy for sea-sickness. It tones up the tissues and is sometimes prescribed in fever. It is used in rheumatism and catarrhal affections and Also acts as an antibacterial and anti fungal. GUDUCHI Common name: Gulbel, Madhuparni, Amritha Biological source: It consists of the stems and roots of Tinospora cordifolia. Family: Menispermaceae Stem Plant Morphology: Guduchi is a native plant from India, also known to be found in Far East, primarily in rainforests. The plant is a climbing shrub with heart-shaped leaves. It has stems about 6 cm in diameter, with light grey, papery bark. The leaves are 7.5-14 cm long, 9-17 cm broad, broadly ovate or orbicular, deeply heart shaped at the base. Tiny greenish yellow flowers occur in racemes 7-14 cm long. Flowers have 3+3 sepals in 2 layers; the outer ones are small, the inner large. Six stamens prominently protrude out. The plant flowers during the summer and fruits during the winter. Fruits are red when ripe, stems are closely with watery tuberoles and longitudinally fissured. Gulbel prefers acid, neutral or basic alkaline soil. It can grow in semi-shade or no shade; it requires moist soil. Gulbel grows easily without chemical fertilizers, and use of pesticides. Chemical constituents: Diterpenoids such as thiosporide, tinosporide and columbin; Sesquiterpenes like tino cordifolioside; Alkaloids berberine and jatrorhizine. Tinosporaside Uses : The root, stem, leaves and sattva (starch) of guduchi are used for medicinal purpose externally.The medicated oil of the plant is effectively used to reduce the pain and oedema, in gout and skin diseases. Guduchi is the drug of choice amongst all the remedies in treating gout. Internally, guduchi is one of the most effective rejuvenatives. It works well on all the tissues and keeps the systems in balance. It accords longevity, enhances memory, improves health, and bestows youth, betters complexion, voice, energy and lustre of the skin. It is immensely helpful in the digestive ailments like hyperacidity, colitis, worm infestations, and loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive thirst and vomiting. It is also used in liver disorders like hepatitis. Guduchi is one of the best bitter tonics useful in fevers especially of pitta origin. It alleviates body heat, thirst, burning sensation of the skin and vomiting if any, due to pitta. The starch (sattva) of guduchi is traditionally used as a household remedy, for chronic fever, to alleviate it as well as to reduce burning sensation and to increase the energy and appetite. It is beneficial in tuberculosis and general debility also. It also works well in the cutaneous rashes and condylomata, in the secondary stage of syphilis. Guduchi is one of the most versatile rejuvenative herbs. It works on all the tissue elements in the body. The Sanskrit name guduchi means the one, which protects the body. It is also called as amrita or nectar, as it is extremely useful in strengthening the immune system of the body and keeping the functions of its various organs in harmony. It possesses various synonyms like jvaranasi febrifuge, vayastha promotes longevity, rasayan- a rejuvenatPacifies all the three  Doshas  and maintain their balance with each other i.e. why it is said to be having  Rasayana  character; besides it find important place in the herbs useful in management of diseases having  Tridoshic  origin. Guduchi should be always used fresh for good results. KALIJEERA Common name: Black cumin, Kalonji Biological source: It consists of ripe seeds of Nigella sativa. Family: Ranunculaceae Plant Seeds Morphology: Attractive herb, 20-30 cm height Leaves: 2-5 cm in length, linearly lanceolate segments. They are pinnately arranged Flower: Delicate,pale blue and white with 5-10 petals, on solitary long peduncles. Fruit: The  fruit  is a large and inflated  capsule  composed of 3-7 united follicles, each containing numerous  seeds. Seeds: Trigonous and black in colour. Tubercular seeds containing yellowish brown volatile oil with an unpleasant odour. Chemical constituents: Volatile oils with an unpleasant odour, carvone, d-limonene, cyamine and nigellone. Nigellone Uses : It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, and for general well-being. It has been used to treat ailments including  asthma,  bronchitis, rheumatism  and related inflammatory diseases Also used to increase milk production in nursing mothers Helps to promote digestion and Fights parasitic infections. Its oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as  eczema  and  boils  and to treat  cold  symptoms. GOKHRU Common name: Gokshura, Land Caltrops, Puncture vine   Biological source: It consists of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Family: Zygophyllaceae Plant Fruits Morphology: An annual herb with diffused or prostrate stems. The branches are flexuous, covered with silky thread like hairs. Leaves: Pari-pinnate having 6 to 7 pairs of leaflets that are narrow-elliptic with round base and apex. Flowers: Yellow flowers, borne solitary and axillary. Fruit: Globose consisting of usually 5 hairy cocci each with 2 very long sharp rigid spines, several shorter spines and surface covered with many hairs . Seeds: Several in each coccus with transverse partitition between them. Chemical constituents: Steroid saponins and steroid sapogenins, furostanol glycosides protodioscin which on acid hydrolysis yields spirostanol and diosgenin a trace of lipogenin, glucose and rhamnose, hecogenin and neotigogenin. Furostanol Protodioscin Uses : The roots and fruits are sweet, cooling and emollient. It serves as an appetizer in anorexia and laxative; also good in dyspepsia Also shows cardiotonic and styptic action It is a lithontriptic and useful in strangury, dysuria, vitiated conditions of vata and pitta, renal and vesical calculi Useful in cough and asthma. The seeds are astringent, strengthening and are useful in epistaxis, hemorrhages and ulcerative stomatitis. The ash of the whole plant is good for external application in rheumatoid arthritis. Lithontriptic having the quality of, or used for, dissolving or destroying stone in the bladder or kidneys. Strangury  is the symptom of painful, frequent urination of small volumes that are expelled slowly only by straining and despite a severe sense of urgency, usually with the residual feeling of  incomplete emptying. These drops of urine are squeezed out in what sufferers describe as painful wrenching spasms.   Epistaxis nose bleed SHILAJIT Biological source: Its a herbomineral drug ejected out of fissures in the iron rich rocks during hot weather. In the raw form it is a bituminous substance, which is a compact mass of vegetable organic matter composed of dark red gummy matrix. It is bitter in taste, and its smell resembles cows stale urine. The botanical name of Shilajit is  Asphaltum  (mineral pitch). It is found to be produced naturally in mountainous area especially Himalayas, Vindhyas and other mountains in India and also in Nepal.. It is found in the Himalayas from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Kashmir in the west. It is also found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, and Norway, where it is collected in small quantities from steep rock faces at altitudes between 1000 and 5000 m. It may also be found as tar in earth crust formed due to decomposition of vegetable substance Shilajit samples from different region of the world have different physiological properties. Before refinement, Shilajit is a semi-hard, brownish black to dark, greasy, black resin that has a distinctive smell and taste. Different varieties : Iron shilajit: Blackish brown Copper shilajit: Blue variety Silver shilajit :White variety Gold Shilajit: Red variety Chemical constituents: Aluminoids, fatty acid, trace elements waxes,minerals, methoxy carboxy biphenyls. Shilajit contains at least 85 minerals in  Ionic  form as well as  humic acid  and  fulvic acid. Humic acid Humic acid  is one of the major components of humic substances which are dark brown and major constituents of soil organic matter  humus that contributes to  soil  chemical and physical quality and are also precursors of some  fossil fuels. They can also be found in  peat,  coal, many upland  streams,  dystrophic lakes  and  ocean  water. Uses: Shilajit is a most important drug for many diseases. It was used as a drug in prehistoric periods. There is evidence of Shilajit (Silajatu) in the Indus civilization. Traditionally it is used as power increasing tonic. The following health properties are found in Shilajit: Helps accelerate processes of protein and nucleic acid metabolism and stimulates energy providing reactions. Counteracts Diabetes and regulates the blood sugar level. Purifies blood, improves functioning of pancreas and strengthens digestion. Reduces fat, dissolves tumours, and counteracts thirst. Promotes the movement of minerals, especially calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium into muscle tissue and bone. Stimulates the immune system and improves restoration (recovery) after exercise. Increases levels of growth hormone in diabetic patients and is a potent anti-ulcer agent. It is considered to be an aphrodisiac, for the treatment of impotence and infertility in men and women. Used for strengthening the immune system. ARJUNA Common name: Koha, White marudah Biological source: It consists of the dried bark of Terminalia arjuna. Family: Combretaceae Bark Tree Morphology :Arjuna is a large, deciduous tree. The height of the Arjuna tree reaches upto 60 -85 feet. It is an evergreen tree with the yellow flowers and conical leaves. It has a smooth gray bark. Fruit is 2.5 -3.5 cm long, fibrous woody, glabrous with 5 hard wings, striated with numerous  curved veins. It has a buttressed trunk and a vast spreading crown from which the branches drop downwards. Its leaves are dull green above and pale brown beneath. Arjuna flowers between March to June and fruits between September to November. Shape: Flat, slightly curved Size: About 15 cm length, 10 cm breadth and 1 cm thick Colour: Ash coloured on the outer side but reddish and striated on the inner side Surface: More or less smooth Fracture: fibrous Odour: None Taste: Astringent Chemical constituents: Tannins (12%) pyrocatechol tannins, large quantities of calcium salts and small traces of aluminium and magnesium salts. Arjuna glycosides, phytosterols, organic acids and organic esters and sugars, colouring matter etc. A saponin like substance is responsible for its diuretic activity. Arjunolic acid Uses: It is used by  Ayurvedic  physicians for its curative properties in organic/functional heart problems including  angina,  hypertension  and deposits in arteries. This has also been proved in a research by Dr. K. N. Udupa in  Banaras Hindu Universitys Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi (India). In this research, they found that powdered extract of the above drug provided very good results to the people suffering from Coronary heart diseases. Research suggests that  Terminalia  is useful in alleviating the  pain  of  angina pectoris  and in treating  heart failure  and  coronary artery disease; it may also be useful in treating  hypercholesterolemia. The cardio-protective effects are thought to be caused by the  antioxidant  nature of several of the constituent  flavonoids  and oligomeric proanthocyanidins, while positive  inotropic  effects may be caused by the  saponin  glycosides. In addition to its cardiac effects,Arjuna may also be protective against  gastric ulcers, such as those caused by  NSAIDs. According to Ayurvedic texts, it also very useful in the treatment of any sort of pain due to a fall. Also used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases such as  gonorrhoea. CHIRATA Common name: Indian Gentian, Bhunimba Biological source: Chirata is the plant Swertia chirata collected in flowering stage and dried. Family: Gentianaceae Morphology: The drug consists chiefly of the stem, which is quite glabrous, and contains large continuous pith. In the upper part it branches freely, bearing numerous fruits and flowers, together with a few opposite leaves with prominent curving lateral veins. The root is short, stout, and oblique. Size of stem: About 1cm Colour: Dark purplish brown. Shape: Slightly wringed and much branched above branches slender opposite decussate leaves. Leaves: Opposite, ovate, lanceolate, glabrous, entire. Fruit: Bicarpellary but unilocular containing numerous minute brownish seeds Odour: none Taste: Extremely bitter. Chemical constituents: The plant contains the two bitter principles, ophelic acid and chiratin. The latter occurs in the larger proportion, and yields, by boiling with hydrochloric acid, chiratogenin and ophelic acid, but no sugar. Neither ophelic acid nor chiratin has been obtained in crystals. It also contains a glycoside Amarogentin. Uses: Chirata owes its action to its bitterness it is used in dyspepsia to improve the appetite. At one time it was believed to exert a specific action upon the liver, but there is no evidence to confirm this. It is usually administered  in the form of infusion. The preparations of Chirata are without tannin, and may, therefore, be prescribed with iron. It is also used as a febrifuge. TYLOPHORA Common name: Indian Ipecac, Antamul Biological source: It consists of the fresh and dried material of Tylophora indica. Family: Asclepiadaceae Morphology: Perennial, small, slender, much branched pubescent twining or climbing herbs or under  shrubs; sap yellowish, found in the sub-Himalayan tract from Uttar Pradesh to Meghalaya and in the central and peninsular India, ascending up to 1,260 m. Height 1.5 metres. Leaves: 6.0-10.5 x 3.8-6.0 cm, ovate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, acute to acuminate, cordate at base, thick, pubescent beneath when young, glabrous above; Flowers: Minute, 1-1.5 cm across, in 2 to 3-flowered fascicles in axillary umbellate cymes.; Calyx divided nearly to the base, densely hairy outside; segments lanceolate, acute. Corolla is greenish-yellow or greenish-purple; lobes oblong, acute. Fruit: a follicle, up to 7 x 1 cm; ovoid-lanceolate, tapering at apex forming fine mucro, finally striate, glabrous. Seeds: 0.6-0.8 x 0.3-0.4 cm, broadly ovate or ovate-oblong, flat, brown, dark coloured in centre Roots: Roots long, fleshy, with longitudinally fissured light brown, corky bark; sweet in taste, pleasant and aromatic odour. Fracture: Brittle Chemical constituents: Alkaloids like tylophorine, tylophorinine, tylophorinidine, septicine and isotylocrebrine; tannins, saponins and flavonoids. Tylophorine Septicine Uses: The leaves and roots have emetic, cathartic, laxative, expectorant, diaphoretic and purgative properties. It has also been used for the treatment of allergies, cold, dysentery, hay fever and arthritis. It is traditionally used as a folk remedy in certain regions of India for the treatment of bronchial asthma, inflammation, bronchitis, allergies, rheumatism and dermatitis. It has the reputation of being an alterative and a blood purifier, often used in rheumatism and syphilitic rheumatism. The root or leaf powder is used in diarrhea, dysentery and intermittent fever The dried leaves are emetic, diaphoretic and expectorant. It is regarded as one of the best indigenous substitute for Ipecacuanha. The roots are suggested to be a good natural preservative of food. It also seems to be a good remedy in traditional medicine as anti-psoriasis, seborrheic, anaphylactic, in leucopenia. APAMARGA Common name: Prickly chaff flower, Chirchidi Biological source: It consists of the dried whole plant of Achyranthes aspera. Family: Amaranthaceae Morphology: Annual or perennial herb, 30 90 cm tall, often with a woody base, branches obtusely 4 angled, striate and pubescent. Main root is long, cylindrical, thick secondary and tertiary roots are also present Yellowish brown, sweet and mucilaginous Stem: yellowish brown erect and branched, cylindrical, hairy, solid up to 60cm height Leaf: Petiolate, alternate, elliptical or suborbicular, acute entire pubescent above and usually white and wooly beneath. Flowers: Greenish white, numerous in axillary or terminal spikes. Bract and bracteole persisting and ending in spine. Seeds: Sub cylindrical at apex, rounded at base, black and shiny. Chemical constituents: Ecdysone, Ecdysterone, Inokosterone, triterpenoid saponins possessing oleonelic acid as an aglycone . It also contains alkaloids like Achyranthine and betaine, water soluble bases and saponin glycosides C D. Ecdysone Ecdysterone Uses: Used in abdominal, liver and birth related disorders Acts as a blood purifier. It is also used as an astringent and diuretic The decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of pneumonia and dropsy. It is also used in treatment of cancer. SHANKPUSHPI Common name: Dwarf morning glory, Shankhahuli Biological source: It consists of the aerial parts of plant Evolvulus alsinoides and Convolvulus pluricaulis. Family: Convulvalaceae. Morphology: The plant grows wildly in open grassy places throughout India, upto 1800 meters elevation. It is a small, diffuse perennial herb, much branched, hairy, with prostrate branches. The plant flowers and fruits during May to December. The roots are 15-30 cm long, 1-1.5 cm in diameter and greenish white in color. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its flowers. It is an erect annual with a winged stems and half a metre in length with decussate branches. Leaves: Sessile, 2.5 to 4cm in length, lanceolate and decussate with 3 prominent vertical lines, densely clothed with silky hair. Flowers: Axillary white (C. pluricaulis) or light blue (E. alsinoides) in colour and mostly solitary in upper axils. Fruits: Globose, 4- valve capsules and small. Chemical constituents: The plant contains an alkaloid called Shankhapushpine. The fresh plant contains volatile oil and potassium chloride. It also contains a neutral fat, an organic acid and saline substances. Three alkaloids evolvine, betaine and an unidentified compound have also been isolated. Uses: The whole plant of Sankhapushpi is used for medicinal purpose Externally; the medicated oil of the herb is useful as a hair tonic, to promote the hair growth. Sankhapushpi hair oil prevents the premature graying and falling of hair. Its paste is also applied externally in skin diseases. Internally, the plant is used in a vast range of diseases. The whole plant juice is traditionally used in various mental disorders. As one of the best psychotropic drugs, Sankhapushpi was held in high esteem by the ancient sages of India. In cases of minor memory disturbances, nervous debility and dementia, it is widely used as a brain tonic. The fresh juice of the plant stimulates appetite, is a mild laxative and de-flatulent. It also works well as a mucolytic and is useful in cough and hoarseness of voice. Sankhapushpi being a diuretic is useful in urinary disorders and hypertension. It promotes conception in females and is rewarding as an aphrodisiac in sexual debility in males. It is a great panacea for raktapitta, as it is styptic also. Sankhapushpi is one of the best herbs used as a general tonic and rejuvenative. It is also used as an antiviral against Ranikhet disease virus.