Herbal Medicine

What  is Herbal Medicine?

erbal medicine is a modality of non-invasive healing of human body  using plants in an appropriate preparation. Herbal medicine is effective  and completely safe when used in their whole and natural state. A herbalist  uses natural herbal preparations to assist the body to heal, cleanse  and empower itself.
 
Today's  herbal medicine is a science and herbs can be classified according to  their energetic qualities and their photochemical constituents. Pharmacology  is a study of the interactions of biologically active constituent within  the living system. Plants consist of a wide rage of combinations of  active constituents just to mention only few such as: polysaccharides,  phenols, glycosides, mucilages, flavonoids, tannins, resins, saponnins,  alkaloids, salicins and polyssacharides.

The  healing power of herbs is very diverse. Any plant can be broken down  into some of the above mentioned complex pharmacological constituents  and because of the perfect combination of active constituents the healing  power of herbs is unlimited. Also, a herb can have several properties  depending on the part used and method of preparation.

How  herbal medicine work?

Medicinal  plants (herbs) have extremely complex chemical structure, which cannot  be copied by human. Nature has created medicinal plants to maintain  and restore human health.
 
The  combination of active constituents gives medicinal plants many actions  such as: diuretic, chologogue, sedative, purgative, anti-inflammatory,  hypotensive or carminative; just to name only few.
 
One  medicinal plant always has several actions. For instance olive leaf  extract is diuretic, hypotensive, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal  and anti-parasidal. This allows treating several health problems at  the same time using only 4-6 herbs in a formula. Some herbs used in  combination have synergistic effect, which means that their therapeutic  effect is enhanced and is more effective than each individual herb when used along.

What is expected at the consultation

The  holistic approach of an alternative medicine is well adopted in my clinic.  This means that a herbalist treats the whole person not a disease. Thus  the herbalist uses the whole plant and not an isolated constituent.  A detailed client case history shall be taken including an assessment  of diet, lifestyle and emotional and other factors influencing patient's  condition. Subsequently a diagnosis is made. A herbalist is treating  not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes. This means, that  a herbalist is assisting the patient to remove influencing other factors  in order to attempt to restore health and vitality.
 
According  to practitioner's assessment, a herbal formula will be dispensed. It  will usually consists of 4-6 herbs given in a liquid form, as liquid  is easily absorbed. If patient has difficulties taking liquid extracts  tables or capsules can be prescribed. Every patient is prescribed an  individual formula which is adjusted at follow-up consultation. If necessary,  nutritional supplements are recommended.

Naturopathic  testing

When  necessary some tests are undertaken at the clinic or patient is referred  to specialised analytical laboratories. There are many tests available,  just to mention only few:

Zinc status
It will determine a deficiency of zinc in the body  as zinc is responsible for assisting more processes in the body than  any other mineral.
 
Live blood analyses
Reveals valuable information about the body function, particularly digestive and immune system.
 
Hair mineral analyses
Indicates the level of the minerals and toxins in the body.
 
Intestinal permeability test
Assisting in the treatment of food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.
 
Helicobacter pylori test
Common pathogen implicated in gastrointestinal diseases
 
Vega allergy testing
Assisting in allergy treatment by identifying  the foods, airborne allergens, toxicity of the body and nutritional deficiencies.

	Aloe  Vera The aloe leaf contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including  20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins.    Aloe  Vera juice, extract, drink or concentrate is used by patients  with gastritis and irritable bowel with very satisfying results. Aloe  Vera juice stimulates your immune system with resulting decrease in  allergy symptoms and significant decrease in your respiratory infections.  Patients, who suffer from allergy and upper respiratory infections,  are more than encouraged to take 1 ounce daily mixed in a favorite  drink or straight.   Applied  to wounds, Aloe Vera Gel is a mild anesthetic, relieving itching,  swelling, and pain: it also is antibacterial and antifungal, increases  blood flow to wounded areas, and stimulates fibroblasts, the skin  cells responsible for wound healing.
	Star  anise (Illicium verum) Helpful  with coughs and cold, at menopause and to increase flow of breast  milk because it contains weak plant oestrogens. Caution:  Aniseed oil is toxic internally in large doses. Not recommended for  young children and babies.
	Bay Leaves Historically  Bay leaves (Laurus nobilus)  were used in infusions  to aid in digestive disorders, and were applied to injured areas to  ease sprains. Bay  leaves, also known as Sweet Bay or Sweet Laurel, are one of the most  commonly used herbs.
	Tumeric  (Curcuma longa)  is nature's finest medicine,  a powerful antioxidant and antinflammatory herb.