FAQ
Herbal Medicine
What is a Medicinal Herbalist?
A qualified medical herbalist is an expert in natural medicine. However, herbalists take a holistic approach to illness, aiming to identify and treat the root cause of the disease, rather than supress the symptoms.
Besides botanical medicine, herbalists’ study medical modules such as Anatomy, Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Skills. They are also able to prescribe herbal remedies to be used safely alongside other medication and treatments, and many patients are referred to a Herbalist by their GP for treatment.
Medical herbalists are able to assess your health and prescribe safe and effective natural medicines tailored to your needs.
How Long Does it Take for Herbal Medicine Work?
Each case is individual and unique. Herbal medicine treats the root of the illness, therefore it may seem to take longer to notice any changes than when using allopathic medicines which tend to suppress symptoms. With long term chronic conditions there may be very subtle changes over the course of six weeks, saying that people often report very quick positive changes, such as better digestion and improved sleep. The aim of herbal medicine is not to create dependency on long term use of medicines, even if they are natural. When treating the root cause of an illness it should stay resolved after treatment is finished. You should generally allow one month of treatment per each year that a condition has been present. So, if you’ve been suffering with digestive problems for 4 years, you should give herbal treatment a chance to work fully for 4 months.
Another major factor in timescale is how committed a patient is to follow the lifestyle and dietary recommendations given. Generally, the more able you are to take the recommendations on board, the shorter the period of treatment required. You can be assured that we will discuss progress and likely timescales at each appointment, so you know where you are at all times.
What to Expect During a Session
During the first consultation your Medical Herbalist will build up a picture of you and your health by:
Exploring your main health concerns and any existent conditions in detail
Finding out about any medication or supplements you take
Taking your full case history
Asking about your family’s medical history
Discussing your diet and lifestyle
Asking questions regarding your psychical and mental health
Performing other physical examinations if necessary
This allows your herbalist to assess the underlying causes of your illness and formulate a mixture of herbs and supplements as well as give you dietary advice. It may also be necessary to arrange for other tests to be done.
After the initial consultation, three or four shorter consultations are usually necessary to assess your progress, followed by check-ups every three to six months, depending on the nature of your condition. Because herbal medicines work in a gentle and subtle way, they can take longer to work than orthodox drugs, but their effects are long lasting and there should be no side effects.