Herbal Medicine is one of the oldest healing traditions and is still used by over 80% of the world’s population. Flowers, leaves, bark, berries, seeds, and roots may all help to restore our vitality and health, and can be used in a variety of ways. No animal products are used, and many of the herbs are familiar to us from our own gardens, parks, and fields.

Herbal treatment is used to restore our balance, supporting our body’s own healing processes, and may be particularly helpful in lowered vitality or chronic ill health. The heritage of Western herbalism combines the benefits of traditional wisdom and modern research, and can work well in conjunction with most orthodox treatments. Properly used, herbal medicine is safe for all, including babies and pregnant women.

Areas that can be helped by herbal medicine are many and varied, and include skin conditions, stress and anxiety, digestive disorders, circulatory problems, allergic conditions such as hayfever, chest infections and coughs, menstrual or menopausal problems, thrush, arthritis, and migraines.

The Herbalist's Approach
Medical herbalists are trained in similar diagnostic skills to doctors, and take a holistic approach to medicine. The underlying cause of the problem is sought and, once identified, it is this which is treated, rather than focusing largely on symptoms alone. The reason for this is that treatment or suppression of symptoms will not rid the body of the disease itself. Herbalists use their remedies to restore the balance of the body thus enabling it to mobilise its own healing powers.

People have always relied on plants for food to nourish and sustain the body. Herbal medicine can be seen in the same way. Plants with a particular affinity for certain organs or systems of the body are used to "feed" and restore to health those parts which have become weakened. As the body is strengthened so is its power and ability to fight off disease and when balance and harmony are restored, health can be regained.

What can Herbal Medicine Treat?
Herbal medicine can treat almost any condition that patients might take to their doctor. Common complaints seen by herbalists include skin problems such as psoriasis, acne and eczema, digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion. Problems involving the heart and circulation like angina, high blood pressure, varicose veins, varicose ulcers etc. can also be treated successfully as can gynaecological disorders like premenstrual syndrome and menopausal problems, also conditions such as arthritis, insomnia, stress, migraine and headaches, tonsillitis, influenza and allergic responses such as hayfever and asthma. Qualified herbalists know when a condition is best seen by a doctor or another therapist.