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Herbal Medicine |
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Herbal Medicine is the use of plant remedies in the treatment of disease. |
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It is the oldest form of medicine known. |
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Our ancestors, by trial and error, found the most effective local plants to heal |
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their illnesses. Now, with the advancement of science enabling us to identify the |
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chemical constituents within these plants, we can better understand their healing powers. |
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Herbalism, in this country, is now classed as an ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ |
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discipline but it is still the most widely practised form of medicine worldwide with |
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over 80% of the world’s population relying on herbs for health. |
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The Herbalist Approach |
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Medical Herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic skills as orthodox doctors |
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but take a more holistic approach to illness. |
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The underlying cause of the problem is sought and, once identified, |
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it is this which is treated, rather than the symptoms alone. |
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The reason for this is that treatment or suppression of symptoms |
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will not rid the body of the disease itself. |
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Herbalists use their remedies to restore the balance of the |
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body thus enabling it to mobilise its own healing powers. |
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The first consultation will generally take at least an hour. |
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The Herbalist will take notes on the patient’s medical history and begin to build a |
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picture of the person as a whole being. Healing is a matter of teamwork with |
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patient, practitioner and the prescribed treatment all working together to restore the |
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body to health. |
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Treatment may include advice about diet and lifestyle as well as herbal medicine. |
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The second appointment may follow in two weeks, subsequent ones occurring |
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monthly. this will depend on the individual herbalist, the patient and the illness concerned. |
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