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| Other Treatments / Herbal Medicine |
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For thousands of years we have depended on plants to provide the essentials of life - food, shelter, clothing, fuel and medicine. In many respects little has changed. For most of the world's population, plant medicine is still mainstream medicine. Now many in the more developed world are looking again at ways in which plant medicine can offer them a naturally healthy life.
In the developed world today we face challenges such as pollution, long-term stress, drug resistance and side-effects, and modern diseases of affluence such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. At the same time, we know more about our own bodies, and how we should protect them.
So it's not surprising that more and more often, people look to the benefits of herbal medicine. This works with the body's natural defence systems in a gentle and well-tolerated way, to provide long term relief from both physical and mental disorders.
Herbal medicine will play an increasingly important part in our personal healthcare programme, so it's good to know that there are experts in the field to turn to - Members of The National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF PRACTICE
NIMH practitioners use remedies made from whole plant extracts, and are trained to look beyond and beneath the obvious, to find the root cause of a problem, helping the body to correct imbalances and heal itself. To sum up our approach to our patients; we do not treat symptoms, we treat people.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM HERBAL MEDICINE?
Patients of all ages, from infants to the very elderly, can find benefit from herbal medicine. Those already receiving treatment from their doctor may also be helped, and are prescribed only herbs which do not adversely interact with other medication. If appropriate, and with the patient’s consent, GPs or consultants are kept fully informed of the herbal regime.
WHAT CAN HERBAL MEDICINE TREAT?
Herbal medicine is appropriate for most of the conditions for which you would visit your GP. It is particularly suited to conditions that don't respond well to the conventional 'magic bullet' approach, such as
• Improving immune response
• Treatment of viral & bacterial infections
• Chronic degenerative diseases
• Most forms of allergy or auto immune disease
• Nervous system imbalances
Other common complaints that can benefit from herbal medicine include:
Digestive: IBS, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, candida, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis), nausea, liver disorders and poor absorption.
Circulatory: high blood pressure, varicose veins, poor circulation, swollen ankles, varicose ulcers, and Raynaud's disease.
Respiratory: hay fever, asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, coughs and colds, sore throats, and recurrent infections.
Gynaecological: menopausal symptoms, period pain, PMS, irregular cycles, infertility, endometriosis, fibroids anaemia, pregnancy related and post-natal problems.
Urinary: urinary infections (cystitis), irritable bladder, thrush and prostate problems.
Skin: eczema, psoriasis, acne, fungal infections, scabies, ring worm and warts.
Musculoskeletal: muscle and joint pain, arthritis, gout.
Chronic immune disorders: rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, MS and other autoimmune diseases.
Nervous System: stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, neuralgia, headaches, migraine, cold sores and shingles.
Babies: colic, teething, chronic nappy rash, fevers.
Childhood illnesses: chicken pox, tonsillitis, croup, ear ache, glue-ear, worms, head lice, impetigo, conjunctivitis and hyperactivity.
Metabolic: hyper/hypothyroid, diabetes.
Allergies and intolerances
CONSULTING AN INSTITUTE MEMBER
During your first consultation, which lasts about an hour, your herbalist takes a detailed case history, covering not only your present problems, but also your wider medical history, present medication, lifestyle, diet and social circumstances. A blood pressure check and other examinations are carried out where relevant. The medical herbalist then makes a diagnosis based on their findings, and, where necessary, may refer the patient on for further tests. They discuss and draw up a management plan in co-operation with the patient, and prescribe as necessary. A prescription may be a tincture (a blend of herbal extracts in an alcohol/water base) or a tea. Capsules and tablets are also sometimes used. For external use, creams, lotions or oils may be prescribed. No two patients are alike, even if they appear to be suffering similar symptoms, so no two prescriptions are exactly the same. Follow-up consultations are of shorter duration, and usually every two to three weeks. Adjustments may be made to the medication during this time to ensure it is at its most effective.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL HERBALISTS?
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists was founded in 1864. Admission to the Institute follows graduation from an accredited university or equivalent course, where students are trained in both medical and plant sciences. Members are required to carry out Continuing Professional Development, and commit to a career-long learning programme organised by our Post Graduate Training Board. All members are governed by a strict code of ethics and practice, and a complaints and disciplinary procedure. They are also covered by professional indemnity and malpractice insurance. The letters MNIMH or FNIMH after the name of a herbalist are your assurance of a professional practitioner you can depend on.
For more information about herbal medicine and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists visit the NIMH website http://www.nimh.org.uk |
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Registered with BUPA, PPP, CIGNA, WPA, Standard Life
and all other major Health Insurance companies.
Member: Society of Orthopaedic Medicine, Association
of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine. |
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