What Is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal Medicine, (Herbalism, Phytotherapy or Botanical medicine as it is also known), is the oldest system of medicine known to humankind and is still used in its traditional form as the main type of treatment in many countries, in fact, on a global scale it is used far more widely than conventional drugs.

The World Health Organisation estimates that some 80% of the world’s population depend on the use of plants and plant products for their healing properties and to promote better health. ³

Herbal medicine aims to treat each person as an individual with their own set of unique requirements for optimal health. This means that most people suffering from both long and short-term illness can be helped.

During the consultation the how and why an how an illness occurs  is explored and health is restored by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual. This approach is know as functional herbal therapy.

It also means that people apparently suffering from the same condition may be given different herbal prescriptions & the specific advice may differ slightly – the treatment is tailor-made.

A herbalist uses plants that contain specific active constituents which according to the condition they are prescribed for, will aid the body to heal itself and restore the balance of health. Disease (dis-ease) can viewed as an imbalance – whether it be physical or mental, (and there is commonly some interplay here).

Herbal medicines when prescribed by a fully qualified medical herbalist are 100% natural and are often prepared from organically grown plants.

In Western Herbal Medicine no animal or mineral substances are used, purely the plant material.

When prescribed correctly it is a very effective but gentle form of treatment. The whole plant part is used, (not just isolated constituents), whether it be the root, bark, berry, flower or leaf.

For more information about herbal medicine please go to: http://www.herbalist.org.uk/