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WHAT IS HERBAL MEDICINE?
Herbal Medicine, or Phytotherapy as it is also called, is one of the oldest systems of medicine, yet also one of the newest. Plant remedies have been used for over three thousand years and are still the most extensively used treatments world -wide. In the West, herbal medicine has tended to take a back seat to conventional chemical medicine, but at last this is changing. New research has confirmed many of the old practices and introduced new ways of using plants to promote health and enhance healing. WHAT CAN HERBAL MEDICINE DO?
Herbal Medicine treats the whole person, not just the disease or complaint. It aims to restore the function of all systems, thus helping the body heal itself. This means that Herbal Medicine can be effective for an astonishing range of conditions, anything from Asthma to Varicose veins. Chronic conditions that may resist conventional treatment often respond well to a Herbal approach. Herbal Medicine is a gentle form of treatment, with few if any side effects or long term complications.
WHAT ABOUT PRACTITIONERS?
The College of Phytotherapy Practitioners is a Professional organisation ensuring that members give the highest standards of care to the public.
Currently membership is by examination, following a four-year course in medical and botanical subjects.
Both bodies are working with the government to regulate the field of Herbal Medicine and membership to either of these bodies allows the public to have faith in their Herbal Practitioner.
WHAT DOES HERBAL TREATMENT INVOLVE?
The first consultation will usually last a full hour. In this time, the Herbalist will take a detailed case history and perform such physical examinations as may be necessary (including blood pressure). She will then discuss with you all options for treatment including any relevant diet and lifestyle changes. Finally she will prepare an individualised prescription for you, using perhaps 4 or 5 different herbs.This combination of herbs will have been chosen specifically for your needs and will be altered as your condition progresses so that your body receives maximum support during each stage as it heals itself.
Nowadays, plant medicines are usually prepared as individual alcoholic extracts or tinctures which the Herbalist will blend appropriately for each prescription. Teas may also be used, especially if alcohol is undesirable. If required, topical applications usually take the form of creams or lotions.
Follow-up consultations of 30-minute duration will usually be required at two to four week intervals to monitor progress.
Because of the length of time required for each visit, consultations are by appointment. 24 hours cancellation notice is required for appointments.
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WHAT DOES IT COST?
Initial Consultation:
Adults £35
Children under12 £23
Follow-Up appointments:
Adults £20
Children under 12 £15
Herbs:
Tinctures per 100ml
(usually lasts 1 week) £5.50
Creams
per 60 gramme jar £3.50
Creams
per 120 gramme jar £5.50
Tablets
per 60 tablets £15.00
NEW DROP IN CLINIC FOR SIMPLE, ACUTE AILMENTS £7.00
Wednesdays 2.30pm - 5.30pm
You can drop in without an appointment during this session, and have a 10 minute consultation for simple, acute, ailments such as a cough, cold, tonsilitis, tummy upset, period pain etc. In many cases it will be possible to give a remedy to help you over the acute condition, though in some, it may be that a full consultation would be necessary.
Cost: £7.00 plus the usual charges for herbal remedies. |
