What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is perhaps the oldest form of medicine having been used since ancient times. Modern western herbal medicine incorporates this knowledge and uses it alongside information gained from modern scientific research.
Modern medical herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic skills as orthodox doctors but approach a person's health in a more holistic way. By seeking the underlying cause of disease rather than treating the symptom we aim to help the body help itself by stimulating the natural healing process.
Modern pharmaceutical drugs are largely based on plants. A single constituent of which is identified to be active and is then extracted and manufactured chemically on a large scale. Herbal medicines are made from whole plants that can contain many hundreds of these constituents. Herbalists believe that these medicines are more balanced and are made more powerful by the other constituents present.
What can herbal medicine treat?
Herbal medicine is a natural and gentle form of treatment which can be beneficial for many different conditions.
Common complaints which can be helped with herbal medicines are:
Reproductive system
PMT, amenorrhoea, endometriosis, painful periods, fibroids and menopausal symptoms.
Digestion
Peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion
Skin
Psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections and acne.
Heart and circulation
Low and high blood pressure, heart problems,angina, varicose veins and poor circulation.
Respiratory system
Asthma, hay fever, chronic bronchitis, cold and flu, rhinitis and sinusitis
Nervous system
Stress, headaches, migraines, insomnia, and mild to moderate depression.
Genito-urinary
Cystitis and other urinary infections, prostate problems
Muscles and Joints
Arthritis, sciatica and gout.