10 Things To Know About Herbal Medicine | The Herb Clinic

What is Herbal Medicine? How does it work? Which herbs are good for Eczema? Can herbs help with PMT? Read on to find out….

1)    Whole plant extracts contain lots of beneficial plant chemicals in their natural ratios and these are what Western Herbalists use to make up their medicines. No animal bits!

Tinctures are made by soaking herbs in water mixed with a small amount of alcohol. The alcohol helps to extract the important bits that we need from the herbs and also helps to preserve the medicine. After about 6 weeks and regular turning, the herbs are pressed to extract all of the liquid and the ‘good bits’, leaving the plant remnants behind.

2)    Herbs that can help soothe and heal the skin include: Marigold (Calendula), St Johns Wort, Marshmallow, Plantain, Gotu Kola and Chamomile. These can be applied as creams and oils to inflamed, dry, cracked skin or for skin conditions such as Eczema, acne, psoriasis. It is of course ideal to address the root cause of the problem too, which means taking a medicine to work from the inside out.

3)    Several herbs are used in each tailor made medicine so that they can work together to help address the underlying problems. We don’t want to just mask the symptoms, we are looking to achieve longer term relief. For example, if you are suffering with diarrhoea, we need to establish why and work on that as well as settling the diarrhoea in the short term. If its anxiety related we help reduce anxiety, if its diet related we help to identify the likely culprit and make changes, if there’s potential infection we use anti-infectives, if its due to an upper digestive issue we address that etc.

A combination of herbs are put together in one convenient medicine

4)    Herbal Medicine is not the same as Homeopathy. In fact they are very different both in principle and practice. In essence, Herbal Medicine uses plant extracts with active natural chemicals to change the way the body is working when its dysfunctioning whereas Homeopathy uses the energy of a substance that has been diluted out of the tablet/liquid to rebalance the energy in the body when it is unbalanced. 

5)    Herbs are carefully chosen and combined into a tailor-made medicine so that each patient receives a unique prescription. We are all different and have individual needs; even if we appear to have the same health problem as someone else. We don’t believe that one-size fits all.

6)    Echinacea isn’t the only herb used to improve resistance to infection. Others include Siberian ginseng and herbs with antiviral or antibacterial action such as liquorice, thyme, wild indigo, myrrh and sage.

7)    Registered Herbalists are required to meet high standards of training and continuous professional development to make sure they practice safely and ethically and keep up to date on current developments in the field. I also have a Medical Science degree from Birmingham Medical School as well as my degree in Herbal Medicine. I am Registered with both the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy and with 11 years of clinical experience I am here to meet your specific herbal needs!

8)    Vitex agnus-castus (chaste berry) can be used for a wide range of women’s hormone issues such as PMS/PMT, menopause, irregular periods, period pain, PCOS and heavy bleeding. It needs careful dosing and to be taken at the most appropriate time of the day.

9)    Watch this wonderful ‘A Short History of Herbal Medicine’ cartoon. Its 3 minutes well spent! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8SHvgM1bMc

10) Herbal Medicine is suitable for most people from babies to the elderly and can help a huge range of health issues. I offer a free confidential conversation to discuss how it could help you, so give me a call now on 07736829755 or email consultation@theherbclinic.co.uk