The Consultation:
The first consultation usually takes 1.5hrs. This time is used to take a thorough medical history and perform any physical examinations that are needed in order to reach a diagnosis. I may also require laboratory tests to confirm a diagnosis. We then will discuss a treatment plan. Dietary advice and supplementation will form part of this discussion. Once we have a diagnosis and treatment plan, I will then formulate and dispense your unique herbal prescription.
Follow-up consultations usually take place 2-4 weeks later (depending on the condition).
Treating the individual:
There are no pre-made formulae in Phytotherapy. Each patient is a unique individual and therefore each patient will have a personalised prescription made up just for them. We aim to treat the whole person-holistically- and to take into account as many factors contributing to the condition as possible. At subsequent consultations your progress will be monitored and assessed. The prescription may be adjusted as needed.
Herb quality
It is essential that herbal medicines are of the highest possible quality. Phytotherapy selects herbs mainly from the Western herbal tradition (British, European and North American). Some indigenous and eastern herbs are also incorporated where there is sufficient scientific research into their pharmacology and safety.
I source my herbs from a small range of suppliers dedicated to the highest standards in herbal quality. Many of the products I use are certified organic & most are produced to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards. Most of my suppliers do not supply direct to the public but rather they work only with trained herbal professionals.
It is important to note that the vast majority of commercially available “herbal supplements” that are widely available over the counter in health shops and pharmacies are of poor quality and are generally not formulated by a trained phytotherapist. Often they do not even contain the correctly identified plant they are supposed to, or if they do, they may not contain the correct (active) part of the plant. For these reasons it is always advisable to seek the advice of a registered phytotherapist if you are interested in herbal medicine to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
Preventing disease and promoting long-term health
One of the main aims of Phytotherapy is disease prevention and promotion of long-term health. These aims are achieved by treating and rebalancing the individual patient as a whole.
Phytotherapy works beyond surface symptoms to heal the whole person at the deepest levels. It does this by tackling the underlying causes of disease, and by supporting long-term good health.
The gentle food-like nature of many herbs is particularly appropriate for treating children, where it is imperative to support developing self-regulation & self-healing capacities in the body rather than overriding or suppressing them. Children’s herb formulations can be given via a number of preparations including liquid tinctures, teas, topical rubs & lotions, & in baths.
Conventional medicine vs. Phytotherapy
Orthodox medicine often only has time to treat the patient’s immediate symptoms without addressing the underlying health imbalance, or looking at the whole person. It may sometimes prescribe medicines that mask the symptoms in the short term, like putting a plaster over a wound that does not heal, rather than seeking to establish why the symptom has emerged. In addition, the conventional medicine pharmacy is often limited to being able to either stimulate or suppress functions within the body.
Phytotherapy can also stimulate and suppress body functions, but additionally, due to the nutritive nature of herbs, can heal, tone, soothe, cleanse and restore organs of the body to their optimal functioning.
This does not mean that it has to be an “either-or” approach between conventional medicine and Phytotherapy. There is a place for both paradigms and I often work in conjunction with other medical professionals and conventional medication.
Is herbal medicine for you?
Do you want a natural alternative to conventional medicine that really works?
Are you looking for a real solution to your health problem instead of simply suppressing or controlling the symptoms by pill-popping?
Do you want an objective look at your overall health and how to improve this, instead of just addressing one symptom at a time?
Are you concerned about the environment: both internally- what you put into your body- and externally; the impact of pharmaceutical drugs on the earth?
Summary:
A 1,5hr 1st consultation allows enough time for a thorough medical history, examination and for a diagnosis to be reached.
An individual prescription is blended specifically for each patient.
The herbs used are (as far as possible) organically grown and ethically harvested.
Nutrition and lifestyle advice form part of the consultation and therapy.
Safety: Phytotherapists are trained to be aware of possible herb-drug interactions and can work in conjunction with conventional medicine, where necessary.
Education forms part of the consultation process, so that you are encouraged to become more aware of your health and your body’s functioning, thus empowering you to take responsibility for your own well-being.
What conditions do Phytotherapists treat?
Phytotherapy is extremely effective in treating a broad range of conditions. Almost anything you can think of will benefit from properly applied herbal medicine. Phytotherapy may also be used to improve the functioning of the non-diseased body: improving health and vitality; stamina; immunity; physical and mental performance; coping with stress,etc.