Herbal medicine is

• Safe, effective treatment in qualified hands
• The professional use of plants as medicine
• The basis of many modern pharmaceutical drugs
• Used throughout the world for centuries
• Still the treatment of choice in many countries
• A holistic system of treatment suitable for all ages
• Effective treatment for a wide range of complaints
• Less likely to produce side effects than isolated chemicals

Herbal medicine is a system of traditional healing which uses plants in the treatment of ill health and has been used effectively all over the world for thousands of years. Even today 80% of the world's population rely on local plants rather than pharmaceutical drugs for medicine. Now combining a scientific approach and modern clinical skills with traditional knowledge, herbal medicine is effective in the treatment of most common illnesses. Modern herbalists undergo a rigorous four-year training which includes diagnosis, physical examination and nutrition, as well as botany and plant pharmacy. We know which plants to use safely in any given circumstances and are aware of possible interactions between herbs and prescribed medicines.

Herbs are the basis of modern medicines

Until the 1930s many medicines used by doctors were extracted from plants which herbalists still use. These days the same original plant chemicals are manufactured in laboratories and used in orthodox medicines and drugs. Instead of using only the powerful “active ingredients” in plants, herbalists still use the whole plant which contains hundreds of different ingredients which act together in the body in a much gentler and safer way, with fewer side effects.
Although it is now possible to buy many herbal preparations over the counter, they are often standardised extracts of the active ingredients, which are less safe than the whole plant. Shop assistants are not trained in medicine or diagnosis and do not know how plants interact with each other and with other medicines.

Herbs have been used all over the world

We work within a European tradition shared by village wisewomen and gipsies and stretching back to a time when herbs were the only medicine available. All the great mediaeval hospitals had herb gardens attached. We also draw on other traditions and some of the theories and many of the plants of the North American Indians and, to a lesser extent, the Chinese and Indians, have entered mainstream modern herbal medicine. In general, we use plants which were (and often still are) common weeds in this country and have been used as medicine by country folk for centuries.

Herbal prescriptions are unadulterated

Wherever possible we use herbs which are organically grown, without the use of chemicals. We do not use herbs which are becoming scarce in the wild unless supplies are commercially grown and responsibly harvested. Plants used in herbal medicine are not genetically modified. No artificial colourings or unnecessary chemicals are used in our preparations, which are made with simple, traditional ingredients.
Prescriptions are usually made up on the premises and contain a mixture of herbs designed to relieve the symptoms of the disease as well as to correct malfunctions in the system and so treat the cause of the illness. The prescription is designed specially for the person taking it and is often changed as health improves. Herbs are usually dispensed as a bottle of liquid medicine in the form of a tincture, but we also use herbal teas, ointments and poultices and other preparations where appropriate.

Herbal medicine treats many conditions

Herbal medicine can be used effectively for a wide range of illnesses including: asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, hayfever, ear problems, vertigo; eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases; cystitis and kidney problems; indigestion, irritable bowel; painful or heavy periods, PMT, infertility, menopausal symptoms; high blood pressure, poor circulation, varicose veins; migraines and headaches. It can also help in the treatment of more serious conditions. It is particularly good at treating people who are generally unwell but have been told it is &quotall in the mind" because their symptoms do not fall into recognised patterns.
Because we treat the patient rather than the disease we use different herbs for different people who have the same symptoms. Prescribed herbs may be used safely and are suitable for all ages. Some herbs are safe in pregnancy and some even make the process easier.