HERBAL MEDICINE
A herbalist uses plants to help correct health problems or to maintain good health. Herbs are often given in tincture form or as dried herbs or powders, but there can be many other types of preparation, such as syrups, creams and oils.
Medical herbalists train for many years and complete 500 hours of clinical placement hours working side by side with experienced herbalists before attaining qualification. This means that the training is both of an extremely high academic standard, but also rooted in practical experience, with many opportunities to learn from the wisdom of herbalists who came before.
HERBAL MEDICINE IS HOLISTIC MEDICINE:
The knowledge of medical herbalists has grounding in traditional folk medicine and many classical herbal texts are an important part of study. Alongside this, medical herbalists refer to the growing body of scientific research into plant medicine, to give them the tools they need to most effectively approach treatment.
Herbalists treat the whole person and aim to not only reduce symptoms but also to find the root causes of illness and restore optimal health.
Herbal medicine is safe and rarely produces adverse reactions or side effects. Medical herbalists cross-reference the herbs given with any conventional medications a patient is taking to make sure the prescriptions are compatible, and to ensure the patient receives the most effective treatment possible.
What can be treated with herbal medicine?
There is no limit to the conditions that can benefit from herbal medicine treatment. However, there are some illnesses that also require pharmaceutical medicines, and there will be some occasions where the herbalist will recommend you consult with your GP.
Herbal medicine can be very helpful in the treatment of long-term chronic conditions.
Herbs can help to ease the transition through menopause, and can help to regulate the menstrual cycle. Herbs are also very helpful in improving digestion and reducing the pain of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Other conditions that can be improved through herbal medicine treatment include insomnia, high blood pressure, liver and kidney diseases, and migraines.
Because herbal medicine is holistic, it can be used to improve health in all areas. The body and mind are viewed as interconnected, and the entire body and mind is taken into account when the herbalist forms a treatment plan and creates a prescription.