What is herbal medicine?

The practice of Herbal Medicine uses plant remedies in their many different forms to treat disease. It is the oldest form of medicine dating back thousands of years to the ancient civilisations of Greece and Egypt. In Britain we have a very rich tradition of Western Herbalism and the books of Herbalists for example Culpeper from the 1700s are still relevant today.

Western Herbalists in the 21st century also incorporate the
knowledgeable traditions of the Native Americans. Using the plethora of wonderful herbs that are found on the North American continent for example Echinacea, a fever remedy of the First Nations, that is now used extensively in Europe.

Advantages of herbal treatment

Herbal Medicine has been used for many thousands of years, therefore any side affects are well recognised. In the hands of a qualified practitioner using diagnostic skills to asses each individual case, herbs are used to bring about health and vitality in the gentlest of ways.

Many pharmaceutical drugs are the active principles of plants that have been isolated and often chemically copied, therefore increasing the risk of side affects. In contrast, the whole herb usually has a balance of principles that compliment each other to avoid this difficulty.

When a Herbalist creates a formula they combine several herbs to enhance each others actions and avoid over stimulating the system. When herbs are used to treat disease, they not only help cleanse the system rather than suppress it, but also bring the mind and body back to a state of strength and recovery.


Treatment

Herbal Medicine can treat almost any condition that a person could take to their doctor. In the initial consultation a case history is taken to pinpoint the problem behind the symptoms exhibited and this is what the Herbalist treats. The patient will then be given their medicines in the form they require, this can be as , a liquid tincture; herbal teas; creams or tablets.

Conditions that may respond favourably

Human examples

• allergies
• arthritis
• asthma
  
• headaches
• infections
• migraines
  

• Digestive disorders; peptic ulcers, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
• Exhaustion, nervous disorders
• Gynaecological disorders; pre-menstrual, menopausal problems, and general menstrual difficulties
  
• Problems with the circulation; blood pressure, angina and varicose conditions
• Skin problems; acne,psoriasis and exzema
  
  
  

Canine examples

• allergies
• arthritis
• diarrhoea
• digestive problems in general
• discomfort
• hormonal problems
• inflammation
• skin problems
• sprains and strain
• lameness
• mild infections
• nervousness
• nutritional deficiencies (iron, calcium)
• post injury or illness recovery
• post season issues (lethargy, phantoms)

Equine examples

• allergies
• arthritis
• coughs
• digestive disorders
• diarrhoea
• fertility
• hoof problems
• hormonal problems
• respiratory difficulties
• laminitis
• mild infections
• mud fever
• nervousness
• nutritional deficiencies (iron, calcium)
• parasites
• sprains and inflammation