It is the oldest form
of medicine known (texts date from the time of the pharaohs
but its origins go much further back) and is still the most
widely practised form of medicine world-wide with over 80%
of the world’s population still relying on herbs. Some
of the very plants used today were dispensed by the father
of medicine, Hippocrates, including St John’s Wort.
. Indeed it was not until the 1930s with the advent of drugs
like antibiotics and corticosteriods that the study of plants
and botany was dropped from the undergraduate curriculum
of some medical schools. Modern herbal medicine combines
the traditional wisdom gained over countless generations
with evidence based scientific research to provide the best
possible solution for each individual patient.
Many of today's drugs were sourced from plants however drug
companies often extracted just one of the pharmacological
constituents present whereas herbalists believe in the synergy
of the whole plant. A good example is Dandelion leaf, a potent
diuretic. Unlike many diuretic drugs it does not work by
irritating the kidneys (hence the need for annual kidney
function tests for those on such drugs) and, because it naturally
contains potassium, the body is not depleted in this vital
mineral, a common side effect of diuretic use.
Herbal medicine can treat all the same conditions, both
chronic and acute, that are commonly presented to GPs. -
joint problems, skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne and
eczema, allergies, infections, high blood pressure, circulatory
problems including varicose veins and ulcers, gynaecological
complaints, stress, insomnia, migraine and IBS are just a
few examples. Some plant medicines have significant interactions
with drugs, for example St John’s Wort, and so medical
herbalists always take into account pre-existing medical
conditions and all medications, prescribed and otherwise,
when deciding on a herbal prescription. Professional advice
will ensure safe, complementary remedies are identified.
Medical herbalists do not simply dispense remedies - a complete
treatment may also include dietary and lifestyle advice tailored
to the patient’s needs. Healing is a partnership between
the patient, practitioner and the herbs. The first consultation
typically lasts an hour during which a detailed case history
is recorded and, if required, a physical examination is undertaken.
Blood pressure, weight and height are measured plus other
diagnostic procedures as appropriate, e.g. urinary analysis,
lung function tests. The follow up appointment is normally
after 2 weeks with any subsequent consultations following
monthly to allow time for treatments to take affect. There
can be no hard and fast rule about the length of treatment
but generally the longer you have suffered from compliant
the longer it will take the body to heal itself. Children,
with their dynamic metabolism, usually respond very quickly
to herbal medicine. Degenerative conditions, such as oestoarthritis,
cannot be cured but permanent low dose herbal medicine can
relieve symptoms, improve the quality of life and reduce
the need to take conventional drugs, beneficial in itself
given their many unpleasant side-effects. In this example
regular visits would not be necessary once a successful treatment
regime was achieved but a repeat prescription for medicines
with bi-annual consultations to review the situation.
The herbal treatment may be given in the form of:-
- Tinctures, these are taken with water or added to
juice, a teaspoon three times daily
- Creams, especially for joint and skin problems
- Teas, to drink or even bathe in!
- Syrups, usually for coughs and sore throats
- Capsules containing dried herbs
- Pessaries or suppositories for local conditions such
as thrush or haemorrhoids.
Wherever possible, those used at Physic are prepared
using organic plants and always with plants from sustainably
managed sources.
For more information contact the National Institute of Medical
Herbalists www.nimh.org.uk
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