How does it work?
Many drugs used in conventional health care are based on substances isolated and extracted from plants. Herbalists have found that using the whole plant is an effective yet gentler approach - which avoids many of the side effects which can be caused by drugs. Since plants play such an important part in the human diet, using plant medicines can be seen as an extension of good diet, harnessing the substances which occur naturally in plants and our bodies, to correct imbalances which cause ill health.

Who uses Herbal Medicine?
Many people are finding that herbal medicine can help restore their health and wellbeing. Some of the conditions which can be treated are found below although this is by no means an exhaustive list: 

• Acute conditions (e.g. colds and viruses)
• Allergies (including asthma and hayfever)
• Candida overgrowth
• Cardiovascular problems (e.g. high blood pressure, cholesterol, varicose veins)
• Childhood illness (including glue ear, frequent infections and eczema)
• Fatigue and depression (including post-viral and ME)
• Fertility problems 
• Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. heartburn and IBS)
• Insomnia
• Menstrual Problems (PMS, PCOS, fibroids and endometriosis)
• Menopausal symptoms
• Skin diseases (including acne, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis) 
• Stress and anxiety
• Urinary problems (e.g. recurrent cystitis)
  

What happens during the consultation?
The first appointment takes around an hour. During this time the practitioner will try to build up as complete a picture as possible of your health, to gain an holistic perspective on the current problem. This covers discussion of the presenting complaint and current symptoms as well as personal and family medical history, diet and lifestyle and a general health check. Tests may be performed as appropriate including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar (high levels of which can indicate diabetes) and haemoglobin (which if low can indicate anaemia). It is helpful if you can bring details of any prescribed medication, supplements or herbs you may be taking along to the first consultation. At the end of the first appointment, the practitioner will usually devise a herbal prescription or prescriptions. 

A follow up is usually scheduled for two weeks later. This takes half an hour and is an opportunity to see how the herbs are working, whether the condition is improving and to further develop an understanding of your constitution and individual health needs. The prescription may be changed slightly at this point as the body and mind start to respond to the herbs. Frequency of subsequent consultations depend on the condition and are agreed between you and Paula. Typically they might be anything from fortnightly to six-weekly. As well as monitoring progress, specific issues such as diet may be addressed.

How are herbs taken?
Each herbal prescription is custom blended from a dispensary contains around 300 herbs. Herbs are prepared in a number of different ways, whilst all forms are effective, a judgement will be made on the most appropriate form for you. 

Alcohol-based tinctures are perhaps the most commonly prescribed, being convenient to take and highly effective. They are a concentrated form of the plant which can be taken in small doses and which keeps well without refrigeration. Some people find tinctures unpalatable, but they can be mixed with fruit juice to make them easier to take.

Another excellent way to take herbs is dried in the form of teas or tisanes. Some people find teas less convenient to carry around and take than tincture, but they are particularly useful in some conditions and always used if alcohol cannot be tolerated for religious or health reasons. Most herbal teas taste pretty good, being a combination of the leaves, flowers or roots of plants with no artificial additives.

Herbs are also very effective externally and are often used as creams, lotions, ointments and oils. Essential oils are often added to external preparations for maximum therapeutic efficacy.

Is it Safe?
Medical Herbalism is a complex therapy and requires a long period of training in order to meet the requirements of the National Institute of Medical Herbalism (NIMH). Our herbalists are both affiliated to professional governing bodies, and are happy to discuss personally whether or not a particular health problem is likely to respond to treatment, just phone the clinic to arrange a phone consultation. To find out more about medical herbalism go to www.nimh.org.uk.