Herbal Medicine Consultations Prescriptions FAQ Press Pricelist Contact Me Frequently Asked Questions Does Herbal Medicine work? Is Herbal Medicine safe? Should I stop taking my prescribed medication if I come for herbal treatment? How long will it take me to get better? What does M.N.I.M.H. stand for? Can children take Herbal Medicine? Is Herbal Medicine the same as Homeopathy? Q. Does Herbal Medicine work? A. Many people find herbal medicine to be as effective as pharmaceutical drugs for some conditions. Sometimes herbal medicine can be of benefit where orthodox medication has had little or no effect, or causes too many unpleasant side effects. Herbal medicine can also be especially effective for some chronic conditions or non-specific ill-health e.g. 'tired all the time'. Some herbs have been well researched. However, due to the fact that whole-plant extracts cannot be 'owned' by anyone, funding for research on the majority of herbal medicines is limited or non-existent because it does not lead to financial profit. Practitioners of Western Herbal Medicine also draw on historical texts and records of traditional usage, and hundreds (sometimes thousands) of years of empirical evidence. Q. Is Herbal Medicine safe? A. No-one has ever died as a result of taking herbal medicine under the supervision of a practitioner qualified in Western Herbal Medicine. Herbal Medicines also have very few side-effects, and most are completely non-toxic. Medical Herbalists who are members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (carrying the letters M.N.I.M.H. after their names) are fully trained to be aware of drug/herb interactions and to recognise undiagnosed serious illness, for which they would refer patients to a GP. Q. Should I stop taking my prescribed medication if I come for herbal treatment? A. No. You should not stop taking prescribed medication without first constulting your GP. Always tell the Medical Herbalist about any drugs or supplements you are taking. A qualified Medical Herbalist will be able to work safely alongside orthodox medication. Q. How long will it take me to get better? A. As people will respond at different rates to herbal medicine, it is difficult to estimate how long treatment will last, and impossible to generalise. However, patients should be noticing some improvements in 3 - 6 months. The length of treatment also depends very much on the severity and duration of the illness, and on the individual's constitution. It is more useful to think in terms of a long-term commitment than a 'quick fix'. However, for long-term treatments, the initial frequent appointments can be replaced by repeat medicines, with occasional check-ups. Q. What does M.N.I.M.H. stand for? A. M.N.I.M.H. stands for Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (N.I.M.H.). N.I.M.H. is the oldest and foremost professional body of herbalists in the UK. It was founded in 1864 and now has upwards of 700 members, a number which is increasing all the time. In order to become a member of N.I.M.H. herbalists must undergo a lengthy (3 or 4 year) training programme following standards laid down by the European Herbal Practitioners Association (E.H.P.A.). Members are bound by a strict code of conduct and ethics. For more information please visit the N.I.M.H. website: www.nimh.org.uk or the website of the E.H.P.A.: www.ehpa.eu. Q. Can children take Herbal Medicine? A. Yes. Under the supervision of a qualified professional, herbal medicine is completely safe for children. It can also be safely used by pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly. Some herbs are particularly well suited to children and the elderly due to their gentle yet effective nature. The dosage will be altered accordingly. Q. Is Herbal Medicine the same as Homeopathy? A. No. Homeopathy uses substances which are diluted many times, sometimes until the active ingredients can no longer be detected. Herbal medicines are whole-plant extracts containing measurable amounts of active constituents. The philosophy behind the treatments also differs, although both can be described as 'complementary therapies', and are based on holistic principles. Website Design by PJ Web Design