Heartsease Herbal Practice
What is herbal medicine? Herbal medicine is the use of
medicinal plants to treat disease and maintain good
health by supporting the natural mechanisms of the body involved in restoring and maintaining a
healthy balance within the body systems. Sometimes
herbal medicine is confused with homoeopathy. In fact,
the two have nothing in common beyond initial use of
certain herbs and a holistic approach.
Herbalism is more concerned with the response of the body to disease and the previous condition of the body when the problem began, rather than targeting effects on the disease itself. The holistic approach of herbal medicine includes reviewing diet, exercise and stress factors. This practice together with the ability of herbs to restore, protect and strengthen tissues; often brings considerable improvement for patients with chronic and painful conditions. All conditions may be treated with herbs except cancer where orthodox medical treatment is recommended. Herbs can be helpful, however, in alleviating side effects and for after treatment of cancer.
Western herbal medicine has a different theory and principles of practice to Chinese or Ayurvedic herbal treatment, for instance. Western herbal tradition shares its origins with those of modern orthodox medicine. Since then herbalism and orthodox medicine have taken different paths. Christina is personally very familiar with traditional herb use in Britain from Roman medicine onwards as she has been studying it for a number of years and tutors practical workshops on identifying herbs and making traditional recipes.
The same disease does not affect all patients in exactly the same way therefore Western herbal medicine involves individual prescriptions prepared by a knowledgeable and skilled practitioner. After a full consultation with the patient the herbalist is able to select the most suitable herbs for that person who is often suffering from more than one problem at a time. Use of the whole herb rather than what is seen as the main active constituent is important to retain natural balances, helping to avoid side effects.
Patients have often tried other treatments first. Occasionally taking one or several herbs they have bought. When advising on home first aid and medicine chests and treatment Christina makes clear three safety rules. The first is that if you would normally attend a doctor’s surgery for treatment of this condition, or you are unsure of the diagnosis, then you should either still go to your GP or consult a medical herbalist. The second is that if you are gathering fresh herb you must be absolutely certain of the identification of what you have picked. The third is to keep to an authorised dose, do not assume it is safe to increase it just because you feel it is doing you good, but not fast enough. A fourth matter to consider when buying herbs to treat yourself is that you may be unaware of contraindications because of another condition you may have. |