Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine is the use of plant remedies in the treatment of disease.
It is the oldest form of medicine known. Our ancestors, by trial and error, found the most effective local plants to heal their illnesses.
Now, with the advancement of science enabling us to identify the chemical constituents within these plants, we can better understand their healing powers.
People have always relied on plants for food to nourish and sustain the body. Herbal medicine can be seen in the same way. Plants with a particular affinity for certain organs or systems of the body are used to 'feed' and restore to health those parts, which have become weakened.
As the body is strengthened so its ability and power to fight disease is increased, and when balance and harmony are restored, health will be regained.
Herbalism, in this country, is now classed as an 'alternative' or 'complementary' discipline but it is still the most widely practised form of medicine worldwide with over 80% of the world's population relying on herbs for health. Its aim is to heal the underlying cause and to increase the body's natural resistance and vitality.
Many people think that herbal medicine is Chinese due to the explosion of chinese herbalists in UK shopping centres and high streets. They have their own tradition and we have ours, called Western Herbal Medicine or as I prefer to call it Traditional British/European Herbal Medicine. What grows round us heals us so why not use your own indigenous herbal medicine?
Our tradition is rich, but often overlooked for the more exotic forms, partially due to bad media coverage and many years of misunderstanding about the difference between say homeopathy, and naturopathy, which are often confused with Herbal Medicine. Other modalities may have studied herbs briefly, but the professionals in the field of herbal medicine are Medical Herbalists who have completed diplomas or degree courses purley devoted to the study of herbs and nutrition. These courses are long and arduous in order to train the herbalist to GP standards and to learn the art of Herbal Medicine.
At the moment, nothing protects our title, but the medicines control act protects our function, which is why you will only get professional herbal medicine from qualified herbalists, as we are the only herbalists that can diagnose and prescribe herbs and have access to Schedule 3 herbs whcih we sometimes employ for more serious conditions.
There is also some confusion over herbal medicine being available OTC (over the counter). What you buy over the counter, from health food stores, high street chains and supermarkets etc , are purely manufactured herbal products. These are very efficacious for many people, but are not to be confused with professional herbal medicines, which are specific prescriptions dispensed from a herbal dispensary by a herbalist.
DISCLAIMER: The following is in no way meant as dispariging remarks to the many other excellent alternative therapies out there, and the hard work done by all of them. Hopefully it will illustrate and explain the differences in easy terms for the lay person and members of the public.
As there is a great deal of confusion surrounding Herbalists and what they do/are, in short and to avoid confusion a herbalist is not:
a homeopath , who uses homeopathic remedies, dilute substances based on herbs, minerals etc that treat like with like. a bit like fighting fire with fire
an osteopath, who manipulates bodies and backs but may also give/recommend herbal products due to naturopathic training.
a sales assistant in a store (unless they happen to have a BSc or Dip in Herbal Medicine and happen to be working there in their capacity as a medical herbalist) Bear in mind that Holland & Barratts one of the biggest chains give the suggestion that their staff are qualified. What they mean here is that staff members undergo a training programme teaching them about the PRODUCTS they sell, in order to recommend them to you. They run a lot of good in store training programmes for staff, but they are not a substitute, nor should they be confused with a qualified medical herbalist. Independently run health food stores are great too because they know that some customers simply cannot self medicate for certain illnesses and will frequently refer you to a professional herbalist (if its herbs you are after!).
a naturopath, someone who has studied herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, nutrition, and other forms of comp therapies. Some Naturopaths do specialise and study further to obtain a fuller qualification in one or more of their subjects.
and finally...REMEMBER THE EXPERTS .....
IF YOU WANT ACUPUNCTURE....SEE AN ACUPUNCTURIST
IF YOU WANT HOMEOPATHY.... SEE A HOMEOPATH
IF YOU WANT NUTRITION ... .... SEE A NUTRIONALIST
IF YOU WANT TO BUY THE LATEST TRENDY SUPPLEMENT OR HERBAL PRODUCT DISCOVERED IN SOME FAR FLUNG CORNER OF THE WORLD AND MARKETED AS A CURE ALL......GO TO THE HIGH STREET.
IF YOU WANT REAL HERBAL MEDICINE .....SEE A WESTERN/BRITISH/EUROPEAN MEDICAL HERBALIST.