Herbal Medicine Frequently Asked Questions

This section gives examples of effective herbal treatment. It gives simple guidelines for use of herbal treatment and addresses the questions most frequently voiced by patients.

FAQ is with thanks to NIMH - please visit the NIMH website for more information.

How long will herbal treatment take?

The course and duration of herbal treatment depends on many factors such as how long the person has had the condition, the severity of the condition, medications, and the state of your general constitution. Generally, people may have had specific symptoms or a feeling of things not being right for some time without anything showing up in clinical tests.

Herbs generally act gently and may take longer to begin to achieve their desired effect on the body. Herbal medicines usually have a broad therapeutic range which makes them safer. Taking a little more or a little less is likely to yield the same result, and this is why dosages are more flexible than for pharmaceutical medication.

Can herbs and drugs be used together?

Yes, there are many instances in which herbs and drugs work well together – other situations whereby the medications do not interact either positively or adversely. Occasionally specific herbs and drugs should not be used concurrently. Your medical herbalist is in an ideal position to advise on each of these situations.

Will a herbalist use herbs to decrease the side effects of drugs?

Yes, There are many cases in which herbs strengthen the body’s response to prescription medications for example herbs can reduce the amount of NSAIDS taken for rheumatoid arthritis. This reduces the risk of side effects. Herbs such as Aloe vera, may be used for patients on irradiation therapy to reduce the risk of throat ulceration, and Astragalus to help maintain a healthy white blood cell count.

Herbal medicine is an effective alternative for people who have allergic and other adverse reaction to drug treatment. Some people who have arthritis may develop chronic gastrointestinal problems from taking non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). There is a wide range of herbs that relieve pain but without causing damage to the digestive tract.

People with mild depression take powerful drugs, but with side effects such as weight gain, loss of appetite, fatigue, emotional extremes, and loss of libido. Herbal medicines such as Ginkgo have been researched and shown to prevent many of these side effects.

Should I tell my GP and specialists that I'm taking herbs?

Yes, most definitely, Herbalists advocate the integrated safe use of medicinal plants for our patients working with other healthcare practitioners such as GPs, Nurse Practitioners, and specialists. It is very important that all healthcare providers responsible for your care are fully informed about the herbs and drugs you are taking, including over the counter products and food supplements. This is important in order to avoid possible herb/drug/supplement/food interactions. Your Medical Herbalist is aware of the difficulties involved and will provide information on request and with your permission will liaise with any of your other healthcare providers.

There are many situations in which medical herbalists work in multi-disciplinary health teams in co-operation with conventional practitioners, whilst remaining close to their roots in traditional medicine. We welcome and encourage the further integration of all medical professionals.

Is Herbal Medicine Homeopathy?

No, Homeopathy believes in the principle that what makes a healthy person unwell can be used to treat the same symptoms in someone who is unwell. Homeopathy is a relatively recent addition to alternative therapies; it was first coined by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1807. Homeopathy uses a system of Minimal Dosing :: the remedy given is taken in an extremely dilute form; normally one part of the remedy to around 1,000,000,000,000 parts of water. It is only given as a Single Remedy, no matter how many symptoms are experienced, only one remedy is taken, and that remedy will be aimed at all those symptoms. Herbal Medicine, on the contrary uses very concentrated forms of remedies (very often 1:1, 1:2, 1:3).

Herbal Medicine aims to strengthen the body and restore balance. It mostly uses the whole part of the herb, is usually given as a mixture of 4-5 herbs in a tincture (herbs preserved in alcohol) or as teas, creams or syrups. Herbal medicine can treat almost any condition on all age groups and as a practitioner I have found it especially useful for chronic (recurring) illnesses such as urinary tract infections, psoriasis, eczema, arthritis, headaches, migraines, PMT,allergies & the menopause but also for helping alleviating symptoms of more serious conditions such as high blood pressure,.

Herbs used in herbal medicine are mostly indigenous to the UK or Europe; in fact many grow as weeds and in your gardens such Dandelion, lemon balm, rosemary, marigold, feverfew etc.