top of page
Homemade Remedies

What is herbal medicine and how does it work?

Herbal medicine (or phytotherapy) is the oldest and still the most widely used form of medicine in the world, in fact around 60% of all drugs were, or still are, obtained from plants, with pharmaceutical companies still examining plant constituents or biochemicals, for the next breakthrough drug.

​

However, the use of the whole herb instead of a single chemical is believed by herbalists, backed-up by research, to better reflect the complexity of a person.  It seems that this mix of constituents provide a much wider and holistic effect than a drug with little evidence of side effects. 

 

Used appropriately by a trained medical herbalist, herbal preparations are individual mixes of herbs, unique for each patient and their needs.  They are influential remedies, addressing many physiological and mental illnesses, deficiencies or excesses. 

 

In today’s highly stressful world, many chronic conditions can be managed by herbal medicine, thus providing a return to real health and well being.

What it isn't

Herbal medicine is a distinct practice from homeopathy, flower essences, crystals, magic, astrology, dowsing, chanting, faith or energy manipulation.

 

Herbs contain concentrated plant biochemicals and have modern evidence supporting their therapeutic use.

​

*PS, I do not mean to upset anyone, but I practice scientific based medical herbalism, though this does include a little older science such as Physiomedicalism alongside cutting edge research like Autonomic Nervous System diagnosis and Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology.  However, should you prefer a practitioner who does utilise flower essences, etc, contact me and i'll try to recommend a suitable herbalist.

Reiki Treatment
Scientist

Any real evidence that herbal medicine works?

There are many scientific studies proving the validity of herbal medicine either as a single plant, in combination with other herbs or with orthodox medicine, a brief sampling includes;

​

  • A 1993 study compared a mix of Bearberry and Dandelion against a placebo in 57 women with recurrent cystitis for 1 month, over the next year none of the herb group suffered with cystitis, yet 23% of the placebo group did. (1)

  • In a 1994 trial comparing a Hawthorn and Passion flower mix against a placebo, the herb group showed a lowering of heart rate at rest, BP during exercise and serum cholesterol levels in patients with stage II heart failure. (2)

  • In a 2000 study compared Feverfew to placebo in the treatment for migraine, over 3 months, sufferers reported significantly fewer attacks on Feverfew than on placebo. (3)

​

References

  1. Larsson B, Jonasson A, Fianu S: Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 53(4):441-443, 1993.

  2. Von Eiff M et al: Acta Ther 20:47-66, 1994.

  3. Ernst E, Pittler MH: Pub Health Nutr 3(4A):509-514, 2000.

bottom of page