In order to effectively assess, educate, and advice patients, it's really important to be familiar with the scientific literature, or a lack thereof, that you're using for your particular botanical. In addition, knowing the risks and benefits inherent to not only the botanical, but to the patient themselves is also crucial, and being to effectively communicate this with patients in language they understand. In this particular lesson, we'll be learning various botanicals that are useful in the respiratory as well as dermatology world, and we'll be evaluating the level of scientific evidence for these botanicals, as well as how we apply this in patient care settings. Heinrich and Mai will be our simulated patients, and you'll be learning more about them in just a little bit. Healthcare providers have an important role when patients are considering botanical and pharmaceutical options. Let's start by seeing if you can remember what that role is. I'd like you to meet Heinrich. Heinrich, poor guy is a 45-year-old male seeking pain relief from his cold symptoms. Coughing, stuffy nose, dry scratchy throat, all of this sounds familiar. Common cold symptoms can affect everyone, no matter how young, how old, or where you live in the world. Children suffer on average four to six colds per year, whereas adults get by with about two to three colds per year on average. While there is no magic here for these viral infections, there are treatments that can help with the management of symptoms. You'll learn about several botanicals that may be able to help people get on the road to feeling better a bit faster. Meet Mai who is a 21-year-old female, looking for a natural approach to treat her atopic dermatitis, or more commonly known as eczema. Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is represented by inflammation of the skin, resulting in a dry, itchy rash. Genetics, environmental factors, and immunology all play a role in this chronic disease. It typically starts in childhood and continues into adulthood. The goals of treating eczema are to reduce inflammation and restore barrier function. Topical steroids creams are the mainstay pharmaceutical treatments for atopic dermatitis. But certain botanicals may be helpful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis as well. After you learn more about botanicals for these conditions, and apply what you learn to assessing, educating, and advising patients, we're going to get you started on your final project in the second half of this week.