Why use Herbs?

Mankind has been using plant medicine for many thousands of years. Until relatively recent times they were our only source of therapeutic compounds and formed the basis of Orthodox Medicine. Although they are now consigned under the label 'Complementary and Alternative Medicine', to many people they are still the primary healthcare choice. Herbs in themselves have many advantages:

Low risk of side effects

 
Although herbs are plants of immense chemical complexity, they consist of compounds that our bodies recognise and utilise with ease and efficiency. They have a high degree of bioavailability, meaning that they are absorbed well in the gut and exert their actions with the minimum potential for side effects. However, it must be borne in mind that not all medicinal plants are safe to consume and there are a number of herbs that must be treated with the same caution as a pharmaceutical drug.
 
Natural Medicine

Herb medicines by their definition consist of natural plant material. They are not synthesised or fabricated in a laboratory. Minimal processing is involved in their preparation, ensuring that the active constituent chemicals in your medicine mirror those of the natural plant.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy involves viewing a patient as a whole person, taking into account an individual's physical, mental, spiritual and emotional status; looking for the underlying cause of a condition, rather than just suppressing symptoms. Greater emphasis is placed on optimising health and restoring normal organ function so that the body can fight disease more effectively.

Readily Available

Some of the most useful herbs such as dandelion, nettle, or chamomile may be found in your own back garden. With very little preparation you can make your own teas or tinctures, taking control of your own health and well being, at almost no cost! There are many good books and lately, TV programmes available to guide you in your choices concerning the treatment of minor complaints. There are, however, limits to what you can deal with yourself, and in those instances, you may wish to consult the help of a qualified medical herbalist. Ensure that your practitioner is a member of accredited institutions such as the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH), or The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP).

Non-Addictive

Herbal medicine is completely non-addictive. Tinctures and dried herbs can be used for long periods of time without the development of dependence. On stopping herbal medication, there will be no risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This can be especially beneficial for patients suffering with anxiety or insomnia, as conventional treatments can often induce dependence.