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