Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine uses plant medicine from the roots, bark , leaves or flowers of a herb to alter the course of a disease or as a preventive approach to maintaining good health. These days Herbal Medicine is well researched and evidence based with many studies dedicated to it’s use. It offers a safe and effective medicine to manage many illnesses and offers unique scope for conditions that are typically difficult to manage. Herbal Medicine dates back to ancient Egypt over three thousand years ago and is still used by 80% of the worlds population.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Herbs are prescribed by a qualified herbalist either as a capsule, tablet, liquid, powder or tea usually 2-3 times a day. Liquid herbs are often utilised because we can put together a specific formula for each person we see and tackle several issues at once. For example we might add licorice to reduce cortisol levels and reduce stress, we might add valerian to help keep you calm, or Withania to help you withstand the daily demands you might be feeling and we can add a hormone altering herb to help with PMS. Herbs can act in acute illness such as infection as natural antibiotics or can work on a more preventive level such as offering nourishment and support to make you more resilient to infection, stress etc.
Vital health offers non alcohol based liquid herbs where possible which are more pleasant tasting than those that are alcohol based. They also provide a safer option for children, adults wishing to avoid alcohol such as pregnant women, recovering alcoholics and those that require a zero alcohol blood level such as L and P plate drivers. Other herbal preparations may be in powdered or tablet or capsule form.
TREATMENT
Our Herbalists will discuss with you your health goals and concerns, then examine your medical/health history and eating habits to determine if dietary changes (as well as lifestyle factors) could improve your health. We might also offer recommendations to follow up pathology testing if the nature of your health problem is serious. Specific evidence-based herbal supplements may be prescribed in some circumstances.
Our Herbalists can also provide you with ideas, recipes and shopping tips to help you integrate what you have learned. There goal is to get you well and give you the tools to stay that way.
FAQ’s
- How long do I have to take herbs for?
- This will depend on how chronic your problem is, how long you have had it, how many changes you need to and choose to make and how closely you follow the recommendations. On average allow one month of a care program for every year you have had the problem. People often comment they start to get results within a week or two, and for those with a acute problem such as a urinary tract infection, may find relief within 24 hours.
- Herbs taste disgusting – do I have to take them?
- We can cater with the sweeter non alcohol based mixes or use capsules or tablets.
- Are herbs safe to take with my other medicines?
- Generally yes, but that is why it is important to tell both your herbalist and your medical doctor what you are taking as interactions can occur and can be serious. Your herbalist is trained to recognise this potential and can customise your herbal medicine accordingly.
WHO DO I SEE?
Violet Wasson is Vital Health Care Centre’s Herbalist.