herbalist

Herbal Medicine is the most ancient system of medicine, still used extensively today. It is medicine made exclusively from plants and plant products

The World health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 80% of the world's population uses Herbal Medicine as their primary form of treatment and therefore supports its use.

The Herbalist's philosophy is that humans, like plants, are biologically complex. This means that to achieve a long lasting medicinal benefit with few or no side effects, a plant with its complex active principles will be utilised by the body more easily than a single isolated drug.

Although Herbal Medicine is the oldest system of medicine, it also has a valid scientific basis for its effectiveness. Herbal Medicine acknowledges and seeks to understand the active chemistry of the plant, however the basic philosophy of Herbal Medicine is that these plant chemicals should be used in their crude, most natural form.

There is an enormous body of modern scientific data on medicinal plants to support the use of Herbal Medicine as an effective medicine, either as an alternative or to complement pharmaceutical drugs.

Many drugs derive their active chemicals from herbs and modern medicine has obtained many of its drugs from the plant world. The active chemical in a plant is isolated and refined to yield a drug, which is then administered. An example of this is Aspirin, which was originally isolated and refined from the white willow (Salix species).

A Medical Herbalist is a trained health care practitioner who has knowledge in both plant medicines and in human health and disease. They will advise and give information on diet and lifestyle as an inportant part of any treatment regime, and will refer on to other health care providers where necessary.

A major aspect of the philosophy of Herbal Medicine is of the person as a whole, rather than treating only symptoms. The Herbalist seeks to treat the underlying cause of the disease or ill health. Fundamental to Herbal Medicine is the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, therefore treatment should enhance this quality.

A recognised Medical Herbalist should be a member of a professional association

The National Herbalists Accociation of Australia (NHAA) is the oldest association in Australia representing Herbalists.

Full Practitioner Members of the NHAA are trained to practice Herbal Medicine, are insured, abide by a rigorous Code of Ethics, are subject to disciplinary procedures and outgoing professional education, and are recognised by most Health Funds.

Practitioner members of the NHAA have studied and passed examinations in the following subjects:

History and Philosophy of Herbal Medicine
Herbal Therapeutics
Herbal Identification and Cultivation
Manufacturing, prescribing and dispensing of herbal medicines
Plant Chemistry and Toxicology
Herb/Drug Interactions
Anatomy and Physiology
Biology and Biochemistry
Clinical Symptomatology and Diagnosis
Pathology and Physiology

What are the benefits of consulting an accredited Herbalist?

To obtain professional, natural and safe health care, diet and lifestyle advice.
To maintain good health and prevent disease.
To treat disease and improve well being.

Consulting a Herbalist - What to expect

During a consultation, the practitioner will examine and discuss in detail the reason for your visit and your presenting complaint. A herbalist will discuss your diet, lifestyle or other factors which may be affecting your health.

Herbalists are interested in all aspects of health; our aim is to treat each person individually and holistically.

Prescriptions dispensed are usually in liquid form, chosen specially for the individual. The combined action of the different herbs provides a complete medicine for the whole person. From time to time the practitioner may choose to use tablets, capsules or teas.

To take herbal medicine, the prescribed dose (if in liquid form) is usually diluted in a small amount of water or juice before drinking.

Herbal medicine supplied by an NHAA member will be marked with clear instructions on dosage and any other requirements. These instructions should be followed precisely as they offer the maximum benefit to be gained from the medicine.

How long does treatment take?

Improvement times vary widely from individual to individual, however some change or improvement in symptoms should be noticed within 4-6 weeks for chronic complaints, or within hours to a day for acute complaints such as a cold or the flu.

Chronic problems are particularly well suited to treatment with herbal medicine. The treatment may take several months, however the positive changes which occur, together with very few if any side effects, are well worth the effort.

Is Herbal Medicine safe and are there any side effects?

Herbal Medicine is an extremely safe and effective health treatment. No poisonous plants are used in Western Herbal Medicine. Reactions rarely occur when Herbal Medicine is professionally prescribed. In the event that there is a reaction, you should consult your prescribing practitioner straight away.

Alfred Bellanti - Medical Herbalist, Clinical Hypnotist, NLP Master Practitioner, Time Line Therapy™Master Practitioner, Biomesotherapy/Biopuncture

Member of the National Herbalists Association of Australia

Home Page