Alison is a fully qualified medical herbalist with a home clinic in Redland Bristol.
A common name for hawthorn (Crataegus oxicantha), which I use for my logo, is Mayflower — the name of the ship that carried the early settlers from the West Country to America. They took samples of the seeds and roots of English herbs with them and combined them with Native American herbs, thereby creating the basis for the tradition of herbalism we use today. Hawthorn can be seen in abundance in Bristol, especially on the Downs, with its white blossom flowering in Spring.
SERVICES
What are the Differences between Pharmaceutical and Herbal Drugs?
Many of the pharmaceutical drugs used today are based on plant constituents and when scientists are seeking new cures for disease it is to the plant world that they turn. They find, extract and then synthesize in the laboratory a single active constituent from the plant, which can then be manufactured on a large scale.
Herbal drugs, however; are extracts from a part of the whole plant (e.g. leaves, roots, berries etc.) and contain hundreds, perhaps thousands of plant constituents.
Herbalists believe that the active constituents are balanced within the plant and are made more (or less) powerful by the other substances present. For example, the herb Ephedra sinica is the source of the alkaloid ephedrine, which is used in orthodox medicine to treat asthma and nasal congestion but it has the side effect of raising blood pressure. Within the whole plant are six other alkaloids, one of which prevents a rise in blood pressure.
Extracted from A Caring Profession.
A National Institute of Medical Herbalists publication
Tradition Combined with Science
Herbalism is the most-widely-used form of medical treatment in the world, and the longest-established. It continues to produce excellent results, often where other approaches have not been successful, Medical Herbalists today combine a knowledge of this time-honoured tradition of healing, with a sound understanding of its scientific basis, and a training in diagnosis similar to that of orthodox doctors.
A Safe Approach
Herbal medicine has shown iteself to be a comparatively safe form of treatment. This is largely because the healing components of the whole plant are moderated by the plant's many other constituents. This makes it less likely to cause problematic side effects than conventional drug-based medicines.
Restoring Balance
Herbalists aim not simply to suppress symptoms but to redress any imbalance that may be at the root of the problem, thereby supporting the immune system and helping the body mobilise its own healing powers.
Treating the Patient as an Individual
At the first appointment time is taken to explore all aspects of your case history; This forms the basis from which a prescription can be derived, using a large repertoire of herbs each with a number of known actions on the constitution. By selecting a range of herbs and combining them in a single mixture a medicine can be produced that is tailor-made for you, designed to restore optimum health, and not simply devised to allay symptoms.
The Pattern Treatment
Your first consultation will last about an hour. This generally includes taking a full medical history, an assessment of previous treatments and current medication and a discussion of diet and life-style. Where necessary, a simple physical examination will be undertaken, You will then be prescribed and dispensed an appropriate herbal remedy, most commonly in the form of a tincture diluted in water. Sometimes infusions, tablets, creams, emolients or poultices are suggested. Follow up appointments are shorter and arranged at intervals appropriate to monitoring your progress.
The Scope of Herbal Medicine
Experience shows that herbal medicine can be used to treat a wide range of health problems. They include —- Digestive: irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, peptic ulcers, colitis.
- Circulatory: angina, high blood pressure, varicose veins.
- Gynaecological: pre-menstrual tension, menopausal problems, menstrual irregularities.
- Respiratory: coughs, colds, flu, hay fevei bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsilitis, asthma.
- Skin problems: psoriasis, acne, eczema.
- General: arthritis, insomnia, stress, migraines, headaches, chronic tiredness.
However I am happy to advise whether herbal medicine would help other conditions.
About Myself
I have had a longstanding interest in plants which came to fruition when I was liying and working at a residential centre for the arts in the French countryside. I designed and planted a herb garden and began to explore their medicinal properties. This eventually propelled me into an intensive four-yer BSc degree course in Herbal Medicine at the College of Phytotherapy in Sussex/ On graduation I was honoured o receive the Arthur Barker Award for academic achievement from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (founded in 1864). As a member of the Institute I am bound by its strict professional code of ethics. I work from home and can offer consultations in relaxed surroundings at mutually convenient times.
MAP
Service Categories
Herbalists
|
|
 |
