Herbal Medicine
What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal Medicine is the use of plants as medicines and thus
encompasses many
forms of practice. It is fundamental to primary health care
worldwide.
How do I identify a trained practitioner of herbal
medicine?
Members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
have trained for 4 years
before becoming members of the Institute. Training involves
western medical
sciences such as; anatomy and physiology, diagnosis, clinical
methods, plant sciences
such as pharmacology, botony and pharmacognosy, plant actions
or materia
medica, philosophy and therapeutics and finally nutritional
influences on health and
illness. Members of The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
adhere to a strict
professional code of ethics, have full professional insurance
and programme of
continuing professional development. The NIMH was founded
in 1864 and
membership has been by examination since 1902. It has departments
for education,
research, quality and safety, information dissemination,
media relations,
thnobotony and clinical audit.
What is a herbal practitioner?
Herbal practitioners see members by appointment, take a
full medical history, make
physical examination as appropriate and discuss relevant
factors such as diet,
nutrition, exercise, home circumstances and emotional influences.
Prescriptions are usually made up at the consultation.
Practitioners vary in the range
of herbs used but, as a guide, I have over 150 in my dispensary
made from
European, North American, Chinese and some tropical plants.
What will happen if I visit a NIMH member?
Initial consultations usually last between 60 and 90 minutes.
One of the practitioners
aims will be to enable an individual to become more involved
in their health care
and health promotion. Herbalist and patient will try to
identify underlying causes of
illness thus working holistically and individually. Many
people who seek help from
practitioners have chronic (long term) and interconnected
symptoms, may be taking
pharmacuetical drugs and require careful monitoring and
evaluation.
Following an initial visit the practitioner may see the
patient two to three weeks
afterwards depending upon the severity of their symptoms.
Combinations of herbs
in different forms are prescribed and as progress is made
the prescription and
outcomes are evaluated and the choice of herbs reviewed.
Herbalists may also make
dietary recommendations to individuals where appropriate.
Can’t I simply buy some herbal tea bags and
use those?
Many herbs can be used safely in the home for acute, self
limiting conditions or to
enhance health and well being. The National Institute of
Medical Herbalists
recommends the following: if you have a chronic health problems,
are taking
prescribed drugs from your doctor, are pregnant or breastfeeding,
seek help from a
qualified practitioner.
Can you give me examples of conditions that herbalists
treat?
Herbalists treat people first! No one prescription will
be the same for two people.
Underlying causes of illness, resistance to stress, hereditary
tendencies, medication
all dictate an individual approach.
However herbalists can and do treat a wide variety of people
with conditions
affecting all systems of the body i.e, digestive problems,
circulatory problems (such
as high blood pressure), gynaecological problems (such as
pre menstrual or
menopausal problems), emotional health symptoms such as
depression, insomnia,
panic attacks etc, conditions affecting the joints and the
urinary system.
How do I find a practitioner in my area?
Call the NIMH head office for a list of qualified members
world wide. If you would
like advice on any aspect of herbal medicine you can also
call the head office who
will put you in contact with a qualified practitioner.
Information Courtesy of
:
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
56 Longbrook Street
Exeter
Devon
EX4 6AH
01392 426022
Please enclose an A5 SAE for 100g postage weight.
For Further information visit the website
Website: The
National Institute of Medical Herbalists
