MEDICAL HERBALIST & CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

BSc (hons) Herbal Medicine;CSTI&II SERI; M.N.I.H.M & NHSTA

• What is Herbal Medicine and its history?
• How can Herbal medicine help me?
• What happens in a consultation?
• Confusion
• Herbs used
• Herbal training

What is Herbal Medicine and its history?

Herbal medicine also sometimes referred to as Herbalism, Western herbal medicine or Phytotherapy is the use of medicinal plants in a holistic treatment approach

Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of medicine that we know of. We know from archaeological studies that we can trace the use of herbs as medicines as far back as prehistoric times, and was used as the most available form of medicine until the late 19th century and was even used during the 2 world wars. It in the 20th century it lost a great of appreciation due to the major advances in medicine, however it is now going through a renaissance as many find that some limitations in orthodox medicine can be helped with a more natural approach.

In the UK herbal medicine is classed as ‘alternative/complementary ‘therapy but worldwide, it is the most practised form of medicine. And even here in the UK, many commercially produced pharmaceutical products are derived from herbs (for example Digoxin a common drug for people suffering from congestive heart failure is derived from 1 constituent found in the foxglove called Digitoxin

How can Herbal medicine help me?

The gentle healing effect of herbal medicine is suitable for people of all ages as well as pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding.  Herbal medicine serves to promote health as well as restoring balance within the body

The following is just a short list of many common complaints that can be treated with herbs:

1. Allergies,  hay fever
2. Arthritic and rheumatic disorders
3. Candida
4. Acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis
5. Headaches, migraines, anxiety,    neuroses, depression, insomnia, stress, constant tiredness
6. PMS, fertility problems, heavy or painful periods, menopausal complaints, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, cystitis, thrush, prostate problems
7. Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colic,  constipation / diarrhoea  
8. Bronchitis, recurring colds, catarrh, sinusitis, coughs, chronic asthma, ear  infection, low immune system
9. High blood pressure, varicose veins, circulatory problems

What happens in a consultation?

The first consultation will last approximately 1 hour, with subsequent appointments lasting 30 minutes.  A very detailed medical history will be taken as well as looking at your lifestyle and diet.  Your blood pressure and pulse may be taken and other physical check-ups carried out if necessary.  All information received is strictly confidential.  Following this, a treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and some advice on lifestyle, relaxation, stress management, exercise and diet may be given in order to complement your treatment.
The first consultation allows the herbalist to develop a picture of you and your state of health.

Herbs may be given in various different forms (tinctures, teas, creams and syrup) according to your needs.

Herbal Medicine can be used alongside conventional treatment for a wide range of common health problems and in qualified hands is a safe natural approach to health care.

Follow up visits are usually arranged 4-6 weeks after your first consultation. This allows me to assess your progress but also to make any adjustments to your medication if necessary. Depending on your illmess, further follow up visits will be made in order to have regular check ups and monitor your progress.

Confusion

There is a lot of confusion between Traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy and herbalism.

Traditional Chinese medicine concentrates its healing around the belief of Chi, also called ‘vital energy’, and uses various types of treatments to help the patient such as tongue and pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, acupressure and herbs which get imported from Asia. There is currently no strict regulation for traditional Chinese medicine for herb import or for practitioners; it is up to the person seeking treatment to evaluate if the treatment is right for them.

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 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.

Herbal Medicine is getting more regulated and to be a herbal practitioner nowadays, a herbalist as to study for 4 years for a university degree , sit a clinical examination and need to be eligible to register as a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, also called NIMH.

Herbs used

Please see the list of individual herbs in 'A little bit about herbs' section.

Herbal training

In the UK, the training to become a qualified Herbalist takes 4 years. The Degree (BSc hons) includes subjects such as pathology, clinical diagnosis, materia medica, clinical medicine, toxicology, biochemistry, nutrition etc.

Medical herbalists as you can see from the list above are highly trained in orthodox medicine. They use their knowledge of plants & their knowledge of medcal science to blend the two successfully together in order to reinstate balance, by easing symptoms, supporting the body’s natural defences and functions bringing about a speedier recovery.

A registered and qualified medical Herbalist will have the following letters attached behind their names ::

MNIMH :: this means that they are a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists

BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine :: this means that they have undergone & qulaified from a 4 years University Program

MCPP :: The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapists. This means that they are graduated from the College before the year 2000 will hold a Diploma in Phytotherapy ( Dip.Phyt) The College then obtained validation from The University of Wales and its students graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Phytotherapy. A qualified herbalist will either have MCPP or BSc next to their name.

All the above professional organisations mentionned above maintain a high level of training, continual professional development and have strict professional codes of conduct.

For more information please visit the NIMH website.