The essay topic for this unit is: the effectiveness of topically applied remedies (i.e., essential oils such as CBD oil) in treating internal ailments – real medicine or a marketing gimmick?
The use of topically applied remedies for treating various ailments has been around for tens of thousands of years. Ancient tribes commonly rubbed oils, pastes, and even animal blood on their bodies to treat different ailments, both external and internal. But did they ever actually work and, if so, which ones did and HOW (i.e., the mechanism) did they work?
Today, we are bombarded with companies advertising that they have topical creams, oils, lotions, balms, and pastes that treat internal ailments such as digestive issues, infertility, headaches, sore joints, and impotence. The most common such products on the market are essential oils, which include CBD oils.
When thinking about any medicinal treatment, whether it’s a pill or an oil, there are two key things to consider – (1) delivery and (2) mechanism. Delivery refers to how a drug reaches its target area and mechanism refers to the actual chemical and/or physical way it changes something. As you have learned so far, the cutaneous membrane, or skin, is our first line of defense and is structurally arranged to NOT let substances into the body. The epidermis is composed of hard keratinized cells that are anatomically designed to repel substances and prevent their entry. So, this begs the question – how would topically applied remedies intended for internal ailments ever reach the circulatory system and, ultimately, the intended target?
Your task for this assignment is to research this topic, evaluate the scientific evidence, and determine IF and HOW essential oils, like CBD, are able to penetrate the cutaneous membrane, enter into the circulatory system, be carried to a target site, and have a medicinal effect.
Each student must research the topic and critically think about the scientific evidence that is available. Once you have completed your research, you will evaluate the evidence and carefully craft a concise 600 – 800 word essay response outlining the evidence you found and your conclusions on the topic (i.e., yes there is sufficient evidence or no there isn’t). This assignment is not intended for you to simply convey unsubstantiated opinions on the topic. If you have an opinion on the matter, you must substantiate your position using scientific evidence. You must provide justification for your conclusions and cite your sources of information using APA format.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|