What is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine describes the system of treating disease and maintaining health using plant remedies. It is the most ancient system of medicine, but is still the main method of treatment for 80% of the world's population. Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of plant medicines in treating a variety of physical and emotional illnesses.

Plants contain many complex and subtle substances which work together to bring a natural, gentle return to optimum health. Most of the herbs I use are from the Western herbal tradition, such as Nettle, Hawthorn, Vervain, Valerian and Mistletoe, plus some valuable international remedies such as Ginseng. The modern Medical Herbalist, or Phytotherapist, uses some of the same diagnostic methods as those used in orthodox medicine, however we place great importance on diet and other possible physical, emotional or spiritual causes of disease.

Most importantly, the Herbalist aims to treat the cause of an illness and not just the symptoms, thus our consultations are detailed and wide-ranging covering many aspects of an individual's medical history and lifestyle. Herbal treatment is based upon the individual needs of each patient.

Herbs are prescribed in the form of tinctures, teas, capsules, creams or other forms appropriate to the needs of the patient. In my Practice, I prepare and mix remedies in my Apothecary for each individual, based on their unique state of health at that time. All my remedies are free from animal products and, wherever possible, are organic .

What it can treat?

Herbal medicine is effective in treating many common medical conditions. Some health issues that can respond well to herbal medicine are:

• Digestive problems such as constipation, indigestion, colitis, IBS.
• Migraine and other headaches
• Hormone imbalances, period problems, menopausal symptoms
• Fertility and pregnancy
• Cystitis
• Prostate problems and other particular male health issues
• ME and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Skin conditions such as eczema, acne.
• Emotional problems, anxiety, stress, depression.
• Respiratory complaints, asthma, sinus infections and allergies.
• High or low blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.
• Recurrent infections due to poor immune function, fungal and parasitic infections.
• Allergies
• Auto-immune conditions

Patients may use herbal medicine alone or alongside their conventional medicines. As a professional Herbalist, I will be happy to liaise with others involved in your total health care.

The Herbalist appreciates the intimate link between physical and emotional well-being, as well as the impact of diet and lifestyle on total health. These issues will be examined during the consultation helping the patient to make appropriate changes to achieve better health.

Sometimes physical therapy will be recommended as a supplementary form of health support. Please refer to the section on aromatherapy to find out more about this aspect of my work

The Consultation Process

The Initial Consultation: This is a thorough and detailed process covering your current illness, medical history, family history, diet, lifestyle and will include appropriate physical examinations. I will then, in most cases, prepare for you a mixture of herbs to take away with you. You will need to allow up to 2 hours for this first consultation.
 
Follow Up Consultations: These will take up to an hour. Here we will be discussing your progress, any new health issues, how you are managing with any lifestyle/dietary changes and we will adjust the prescription as necessary. The first follow up consultation takes place after two weeks and any further consultations will normally be monthly, should they be needed.

Please contact me for further information about the fee scale. Concessions may be available.

Training

A Medical Herbalist undergoes a demanding degree level training of at least four years duration. We study medicine in detail and have a thorough grounding in anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well receiving training in more specialised subjects such as pharmacology, nutrition, dermatology, gynaecology and psychiatry.

I hold membership of the major professional bodies covering training and regulation in herbal medicine, notably the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, which has been in existence since 1864. I have a joint honours degree in Philosophy and Physics.

Our Western herbal heritage is my passion and I am keen to hear about old local herbal remedies. I believe that our health can be well served by the herbs and foods that grow in our locality. I give guided walks and presentations on herbs and wild plants.

..and the fruit thereof shall be for meat and the leaf thereof for medicine:
Ezekiel 47:12