What is the difference between natural and synthetic chemicals?
Natural vs. Synthetic
Natural
- Natural chemicals are produced by nature without human intervention.
- Purified natural chemicals are in the purest form with only essential chemical(s)
- Synthetic chemicals are made by humans using different methods than nature, and these chemical structures may or may not be found in nature.
- A synthetic chemical can be made from a natural product (i.e. naturally derived).
- In the food industry, “artificial” is used instead of “synthetic”.
Pros of Using Natural Herbal drugs, and Purified natural drugs
PROS:
- Reduced risk of of side effects
- Fewer consequences than pharmaceutical drugs, more effective long-standing health complaints that don't respond well to regular medicine,
- Lower cost
- Availability (available without prescription, you can grow simple herbs such as peppermint, chamomile).
- Example: herbal drugs help arthritis
Pictures of Synthetic and Natural/Purified Drugs
- Glencoe Science Chemistry Concepts and Applications
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/synthetic-drugs-k2-spice-bath-salts
- fda.gov
- http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Advantages_and_Disadvantages_of_Herbal_Medicine
Synthetic Drugs
Herbal/Purified Drugs
Natural vs Synthetic Molecular Structure
Natural Herbal/Purified, and Synthetic Drugs Continued
Synthetic
Taxol: A cancer drug
- Synthetic drugs are more effective and can treat a wide range of illnesses
- FDA regulates synthetic drugs, but not natural and herbal drugs
- Chemical Formula: C21H30O2
- Molecular Structure:
- Chemical Formula: C47H51NO14
- Found in Pacific Yew Tree
- Chemist Andrew and Donald Stierle found a taxol-producing fungus on one tree
- 1994 - Succeeded in producing pure taxol in the lab
- The chemical structure of natural taxol and synthetic taxol is identical
Cons of Natural Herbal/Purified Drugs:
- Modern medicine treats serious illnesses and accidents more effectively than herbal or alternative treatments
- The quality of herbal drugs: varies between manufacturer, and brands
- Herbal supplements are not approved by the FDA, which means that they have not passed any safety, efficacy, or human clinical trials.