WESTERN MEDICAL
HERBALIST
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WESTERN MEDICAL HERBALIST
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WHAT IS WESTERN HERBAL MEDICINE? Western Herbal medicine is the
traditional British and European use of plant remedies in the treatment of disease.
These days it is often
referred to as 'complementary' or 'alternative' medicine (CAM) but it is the oldest
and most natural form of medicine known to man.
Our ancestors used the most effective local plants to heal their ailments. To day we
combine that knowledge with cutting edge research, analytical chemistry and
modern medical science. Herbal medicine is still the most widely practiced form of
medicine in the world with over 80% of the world population relying on the
proven and effective use of herbs for
their health. Many pharmaceutical drugs are based on plants and when
scientists seek new cures it is still to the plant world that they turn.
Often what is thought to be a single active ingredient is extracted, synthesized and
manufactured on a commercial scale. Traditionally Herbalists use pure whole plant, (roots, leaves, flowers etc.)
herbal remedies not plant based concentrated or standardized extracts. Plants contain thousands of
constituents, active constituents being balanced within the plant by many other
substances which make them more or less powerful. Ephedra sinica contains the alkaloid ephedrine which is used
in orthodox medicine to treat asthma however it has the side effect of raising the
blood pressure. In the whole plant there are six other alkaloids one of which
prevents a rise in blood pressure. Synthetic diuretics reduce the level of potassium in the body
and this has to be corrected by using potassium supplements. Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) leaves
are a potent diuretic but contain potassium to replace that which is lost.
Just two example of the balance of nature.
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