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Herbal Medicine at Healing Thyme

What is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal Medicine is the use of plant remedies in the treatment of disease. It is the oldest form of medicine known, and although it is classed as an alternative or complementary discipline in this country, it remains the most widely practised form of medicine worldwide.

Medical Herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic skills as doctors. They consider each patient holistically and with herbs, seek to treat the underlying cause of disease by restoring the balance of the body thus enabling it to mobilise its own healing powers.

Thérèse Hickland BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine; MNIMH is the medical herbalist at Healing Thyme.

What can the Herbalist Treat?

Herbalists can treat almost any condition that patients might take to their doctor.

Herbal Medicine provides families and individuals with a choice in healthcare which enables them to choose the most appropriate solution for their health problems. Children often respond particularly well to drop doses of gentle herbs. While parents should always be aware of the possible risks of using herbs without appropriate advice, they are generally very safe to use for children, including small babies.

Qualified herbalists know when a condition is best seen by a doctor and will advise you accordingly.

The Herbalist's Approach

You should anticipate the first consultation taking between one and two hours. I will ask you detailed questions about your current health problem, medical history and diet. I am seeking to build a picture of you as a whole person, not just an ailment.

What types of condition can be treated?

• Long term problems in all ages often respond well to the safe, consistent use of herbs e.g. skin problems, digestive conditions, chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions and allergic responses.

• Conditions which are specific to women such as menopausal symptoms or premenstrual syndrome can be treated safely with the appropriate herbs.

• For men there are herbs to treat such problems as a benignly enlarged prostate or some forms of impotence (especially if stress-related).

• Many acute conditions such as earache, influenza or tonsillitis respond well to herbs.

How Do Herbs Work?

Although the term herbal medicine is commonly used it can lead people to think only of the commonly used culinary herbs. Plant medicine may be a better descriptive term for what actually happens.

People have used plants to nourish and heal their bodies since before the discovery of fire enabled them to cook meat.

Plants with a particular affinity for certain organs or parts of the body are used to nourish and restore to health those parts which have become weakened. As the body gains strength, its ability to heal itself and fight off disease is also strengthened.

As a herbalist I will work with you, the patient, through the plants to help restore balance and harmony to your body, thus restoring a sense of health and well-being.

Availability of Herbal Remedies

Many simple herbal remedies are available at pharmacies. It is important to remember that many of them are designed for simple problems and are not tailored to individuals. As a Medical Herbalist I am trained to diagnose a condition and make up a remedy individualised to both patient and problem - no two are alike. I will also monitor your condition and adjust the medicine as the needs of your body change.

As a Medical Herbalist I prescribe each individual medicine based on the whole plant or a particular part of it, depending on the action required.

I generally prescribe a combination of herbs to suit each patient. They are most commonly given in the form of a liquid (tincture), which is made by steeping a herb in alcohol; in a tea - the herbs are infused in water; or in a cream or ointment to apply to the skin.