Medical Herbalism is the most ancient and natural form of healing known throughout all cultures and peoples world-wide. Over the thousands and thousands of years of empirical use, plants have been employed as food and medicine to procure health. It is only in the latter years (since the end of the 19th century) that modern medicine, (known as “orthodox” or “allopathic”) has made its mark in an attempt to procure “magic and instantaneous cures.” Unfortunately, any such “miracles” are fraught with danger and the side effects we are  increasingly aware of from the tragedy of Thalidomide to Vioxx.

 

In reality, there is no magic in healing. We become sick (dis-eased) as a result of a hostile environment, lack of care and attention to our dietary and other needs or as a result of genetic predisposition.

 

Professionally practised Herbal Medicine is more than simply substituting a chemical drug for a more natural or less harmful one. Medical Herbalism is seen as part of the naturopathic and holistic health movements and emphasis is placed on providing the best environment for the individual’s own, natural self-healing ability. Given the right conditions, the body is capable of healing itself.

 

Visiting a Professional Medical Herbalist

 

The first consultation with a medical herbalist usually lasts from between an hour and hour and a half; follow-up visits from thirty minutes to an hour.

As well as assessing the symptoms of the body, the herbalist evaluates the overall health of the body and other aspects that may be contributing to ill health such as poor nutrition, general lifestyle and lack of exercise. Medical Herbalist are trained in many of the diagnostic skills of a doctor; but also use the benefits of a holistic viewpoint, traditional knowledge and diagnosis. The Herbal Practitioner approaches each case from an individual point of view, while searching for the root caue of the problem. Treatment is aimed at restoring health; not suppressing symptoms.