Herbal Medicine - Supporting your health with the power of plants

Have you ever thought what herbal medicine could do for you..? I think it might be a fair guess that at some time you may have done, especially if you are interested in alternative therapies.

Even though they may never have never thought of consulting a medical herbalist, the number of people in the UK who have taken or regularly take herbal preparations is enormous. It is arguably the most popular of the alternative modalities with many people self-treating with over the counter preparations ranging from simple cups of chamomile tea to help with sleep or using more complex formulations for more complicated conditions. 

Herbs have been used by humankind as medicine since our beginnings and many animals are known to self medicate with plants. It is safe to say that herbs are our natural medicine chest and it is only relatively recently, with the development of the commercial drug industry, that herbs have taken a back seat.  The reasons for this are numerous and complex including cultural, social and economic factors, but they are not necessarily to do with the lack of efficacy of medicinal plants.

It always makes me smile when people ask me if plants are effective medicine– I just have to ask them  why they drink tea and coffee, a prosaic example of plants commonly used for their 'pick me up' properties. Morphine, still one of our best pain relievers is derived from the opium poppy and the drug digoxin (still synthesised from foxgloves) keeps many a heart regularly beating. These and many more examples of herbs in common use allow me to rest my case, but they are only a small selection of the wide range of plants that have real therapeutic benefits.

Plants still feature in medical phamacopoeias and are used as the basis for old and new drugs. Aspirin and ephedrine are two common plant derivatives in widespread use. Drug companies are even now keenly researching the plant medicines of many ethnic peoples around the world to feed into new drug development.

However, herbal medicines are different to the pharmaceutical drugs derived from herbs, in that they contain the whole spectrum of the plant's constituents rather than just chemical isolates. This gives them a different action derived from the interplay between these constituents, which can cut down on side-effects and give other benefits.

That people value plant medicine is clear from the high usage of herbal products.  One of the reasons often cited for this is that they are a more natural and gentler way of treating illness and don't have side-effects. This is largely true, but herbs do have side effects – they wouldn't work if they didn't (these are good side-effects!). In fact, bad side-effects are  quite rare, but herbs do have contra-indications, interactions with other medicines and dose restrictions just like orthodox medication. Also, not all herbs are suitable for everyone, so you always need to be careful and with certain herbs - it is always best to seek professional advice.

So, how is consulting a medical herbalist different from self-medicating with herbs from your health food shop? Essentially this is similar to self-medicating for minor conditions with over the counter drugs from your pharmacist against when you need more in-depth advice from your doctor about more serious and difficult to treat conditions. A herbalist will have access to a wider range of herbs than is generally available to the general public and will use their knowledge and skill to chose and blend herbs suitable for your condition, checking dosages and interactions.  Also herbalists are trained in medical and diagnostic skills.

The actual practice of herbal medicine is more than just the herbs themselves, just as the practice of orthodox medicine is more than just the drugs. Although western herbal medicine is firmly rooted in the orthodox medical tradition and medical herbalists undergo extensive training (now usually university based) which gives them a robust foundation in the medical sciences, it is a much more natural, holistic and patient-centred therapy.

So what will happen when you visit a medical herbalist? Well, it's very like visiting your GP. You will be seen in a confidential and comfortable environment and a full medical history will be taken.  Be prepared - this may take some time!  I can take up to two hours with patients on their first visit. This gives me a picture of your health now and what past circumstances may have had an impact on your condition. Usually I explore nutritional, dietary, life-style and emotional issues as these can all feed into your presenting complaint. If necessary and with your permission, I may carry out appropriate physical examination, much as your GP would do.

We will discuss any medication that you may be taking from your doctor and I will work round this checking for any interactions with the herbs that I will choose for your medicine. I will also, if necessary, refer you to your GP if I think that anything potentially serious needs checking out.  Herbal medicine can work very well and can be used as complementary to orthodox medicine, if required. 

At the end of your consultation I will formulate a herbal remedy based on your individual presentation . This is likely to be a combination of a number of herbs whose inclusion in the medicine will each be chosen to not only give symptomatic relief, but also to help you  towards a better state of health by supporting underlying conditions. I will make the medicine up from the extensive range of herbs that I have in my dispensary, many of which are not available on general sale. The herbs will be chosen on the basis of the actions I want them to bring to the medicine and their affinities with particular conditions. 

At first I will usually give 2-3 weeks worth of medicine and then see you for a follow-up appointment to assess your progress.  As the treatment progresses then I may change the formulation in response to changes in your condition.  The aim is to help the body regain and maintain a  more healthy future state, as well as to give symptomatic relief.  The length of time you may have to take herbal medicine will depend on your condition, but I aim to see an improvement in symptoms within the first  few weeks.

Herbal medicine can work very well for a wide range of conditions, particularly those that are often chronic and stubborn to treat. Skin conditions can respond well, as can digestive issues such as IBS and Crohn's. Respiratory complaints, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and menopausal and gynaecological problems, also men's health issues can be helped by herbs. Anxiety and stressed states also respond well.  This is by no means an exhaustive list and many different conditions cross my threshold, but if you are interested in finding out whether  herbal medicine might be suitable for you, telephone me for a no-obligation short chat, visit my website or email, I will be happy to help where I can.

Catherine Schofield Bsc (Hons) BA (Hons) MSc MNIMH (Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists)

Catherine@naturesbestmedicine.co.uk

COMING SOON TO Bare Health - Catherine will shortly be announcing a regular clinic day to be held at Bare Health - if you would like to speak to Catherine or make an appointment for a consultation please contact Bare Health on 01260 408413

Eating your way to a Healthy Heart

This February is National Heart month and is designed to raise awareness of the UK’s biggest killer – Cardiovascular Disease. Around 2.6 Million People in the UK are living with coronary heart disease, and we will all know of someone who has it or we have very sadly, lost from it. Yet, it’s a disease that is preventable and as individuals, we have the chance to greatly reduce our risk of developing it by minimising the associated risk factors and making some key lifestyle changes. These changes may be life changing, not just for you but your family also. We are all responsible for our own health and by incorporating a few healthy changes to your daily routine you might just be adding years to your life! Go on start to today & keep your Heart Healthy!

A great starting point is your diet. This is one of the areas where we can make significant changes and reap the benefits of doing so. Certain foods have been shown to exert positive actions upon the cardiovascular system and by including a variety of these foods in your diet you are offering your body additional protection & support to lessen your risk of developing heart disease. Why not pop them onto your shopping list today? Make them part of your healthy balanced diet.

TOP HEART HEALTHY FOODS

• Pomegranate – pomegranates contain phytochemicals that act as antioxidants to protect the lining of the arteries from damage. A study published in Proceedings of Natural Academy of Sciences found that antioxidant rich pomegranate juice stimulated the body’s production of nitric oxide, which help keeps blood flowing & arteries open.
• OmegaOils – fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring, tuna & salmon are packed full of Omega 3 fatty acids. Eating oily fish twice a week can reduce your risk of heart disease by decreasing inflammation and lowering triglyceride levels, it may even boost HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Krill Oil is also highly recommended, this a sustainable and highly absorbable source of Omega 3 and protected from rancidity due to a naturally occuring antioxidant called astaxanthin contained within. The benefits of omega-3 fats go far beyond normalizing your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have shown these fats to be: Antiarrhythmic: counteracting or preventing cardiac arrhythmia, Antithrombotic: tending to prevent thrombosis (a blood clot within a blood vessel) and Antiatherosclerotic: preventing fatty deposits and fibrosis of the inner layer of your arteries from forming.
• Asparagus – according to Shane Ellison, author of ‘Over the counter Natural Cures’, Asparagus is one of the best natural artery clearing foods around. It works within 100,000 miles of veins & arteries to release pressure, thereby allowing the body to accommodate for inflammation that has accumulated over the years. It also helps ward off deadly clots.
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• Broccoli – full of fibre and vitamin K. A high fibre diet can also help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Turmeric – This spice is a powerful natural anti inflammatory – it contains curcumin which lowers inflammation – a major cause of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). A 2009 study found that curcumin helps reduce fatty deposits in arteries by as much as 26%. Also available in supplement form.
• Spirulina – A daily dose of this blue green algae, usually found in powder or supplement form can help relax the artery walls and help in normalising blood pressure. It may also help your liver balance blood fat levels – decreasing LDL Cholesterol (the harmful one) by 10% and raising HDL (the good one) levels by 15% according to a recent study.
•  Cinnamon – just one teaspoon a day of anti oxidant rich cinnamon can help reduce fats in the blood stream, helping to prevent plaque build up in the arteries and lower cholesterol levels by 26%. Sprinkle onto porridge daily. Also great in helping to balance blood sugar levels
• Spinach – Potassium & folic acid found in Spinach can help lower blood pressure and according to recent research one serving a day of nutrient packed leafy greens can reduce your risk of heart disease by 11%
• Nuts – A recent epidemiological study revealed that nuts offer many benefits for health – even reducing risk of serious chronic diseases. Nuts can impact heart health in numerous ways. For instance many (walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts) contain the amino acid L-arginine which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those at high risk. L-arginine is a key nutrient in promoting efficient blood flow and overall cardiovascular function. We cannot make enough of this amino acid in the body so we need to obtain it from our food. And contrary to popular belief – nuts will not make you fat. In fact, a study in the journal ‘obesity’ found that eating nuts two or more times a week was associated with reduced risk of weight gain. Be aware of quality though go for organic and raw where possible.
• BeetrootJuice– this bright red juice contains a naturally occurring chemical called nitrate which has been shown to dramatically reduce blood pressure, cutting risk of heart disease and strokes. Researchers at the William Harvey Research Institute at Queen Mary Institute in London compared patients given a 250ml glass of beetroot juice a day with those who took nitrate tablets. The researchers concluded that the two methods were equally successful in reducing blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension affects 16 million Britons (1 in 5) and is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• PlantSterols – plant sterols may be effective in lowering LDL Cholesterol levels by hindering its absorption in the body. Beans & legumes such as lentils, Brown Rice and rice bran, nuts & seeds, especially flax and chia seeds, fruit & vegetables are amongst the best examples of natural plant sterols. They can also be found in supplement form.
• Garlic – a herb which has been traditionally shown to have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties, however it is important to note that if on existing blood thinning medication you should always speak to your doctor first – as garlic can exert similar effects to that of blood thinning medication.

A healthy diet is just one of the key areas where you can make changes to help prevent or delay the onset of cardiovascular disease. You can also make progress by ensuring you are smoke free, reduce alcohol intake, engage in regular physical activity, keep your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels in check, maintain a healthy body mass index and adopt strategies to keep stress levels to a minimum.

For more information, please contact Bare Health, your local Independent Health Store on 01260 408413.

www.barehealth.co.uk

Always seek the advice of your GP or health care professional if taking prescribed medication or have an existing medical condition.