Herbs are nature’s most powerful gift to us.
Herbs can be used for any condition e.g. pain, digestive problems, anxiety, asthma, nausea, insomnia, to mention but a few. I mostly use liquid tinctures, also powders or capsules. Herbs can be used safely by anyone e.g. babies, pregnant mums etc.
Genesis 1.29: And God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed: to you it shall be meat.”
Herbal medicine is probably as old as mankind. Archaeological records show that herbal medicine was highly developed long before the earliest written records. It is one of the oldest forms of what is now called alternative/complementary medicine. Herbal medicine is the use of medicinal plants for health and healing. As a qualified herbalist, I combine a number of herbs in a prescription for optimum effect. Although some herbs are appropriate for specific ailments, herbs are most often used to support the body’s ability to heal itself. Herbs work on the person as a whole and not just the condition.
How does it work?
• Herbs can help revitalise the cells of the body.
• Herbs can help boost the body’s natural immune system.
• Herbs can be used as tranquillisers or to lift the doldrums
• Herbs can be used for pain relief both internally or as creams to rub on the skin.
• Herbs can be taken as powders to alleviate sinusitis or as creams to smooth skin irritations.
• Herbs gently aid the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
To summarise
Herbs are a safe, gentle and effective method for promoting good health and is suitable for all ages from the very young to the very old.
The Benefits
Herbs contain a variety of chemicals that are beneficial to health. A great number of prescribed drugs contain plant derivatives. For example salicylates are chemicals relating to Aspirin – they are analgesic (pain relieving), antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Plants containing salicylates (e.g. white willow or meadowsweet) do not irritate the stomach lining as they contain other soothing ingredients. In other words the plant as a whole is being used.
Think of an acorn; it contains all the wondrous ingredients to create an oak tree – if any of the components are missing the tree will not grow.
One example of a wonderful result using herbal medicine was a patient who had asthma and food sensitivities is now virtually free of these symptoms. The same patient again since taking herbs eighteen months ago has not required a single antibiotic despite previously having had 8 consecutive courses in the previous eighteen months . Herbs do work miracles at times.
Antibiotic herbs are herbs that are known to have an antibacterial or antiviral effect upon certain types of bacteria or microbes. Herbal antibiotics are not derived from micro organisms in moulds or fungi, but from tinctures and extracts prepared from the whole plant complete with its natural content of alkaloids, enzymes, minerals etc.
Examples are:
For chest infections – Wild thyme
Tonsilitis/glands – Poke root
Cystitis – Parsley, Juniper
Infective sore throats – Myrrh
(Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram)
Other examples of antibiotic herbs are – Pau d’arco, Wild indigo, Thyme, Echinacea angustifolia or purpurea, Garlic, Liquorice.
A few years ago a lady came to me who was breast feeding her baby. Her milk supply was diminishing and with the help of kinesiology, herbs were selected with a positive outcome and a very happy contented baby.
Conditions which can often be helped by herbal medicine
• Gynaecological disorders e.g. premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, and menopausal symptoms.
• Skin problems e.g. psoriasis, acne, eczema and rashes.
• Digestive problems e.g. indigestion & heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, peptic ulcers, hiatus hernia, gastro-oesophageal reflux.
• Heart & circulatory problems e.g. angina, raised blood pressure, varicose veins, leg ulcerations.
• Bowel problems e.g. constipation or diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome.
• Other conditions e.g. stress, insomnia, migraine & headaches, hay fever, asthma.
• Infections e.g. throat/tonsillitis, cystitis, kidney, kidney stones/gravel, chest infections.
• Can help dissolve kidney stones/gravel and gallstones.
• Arthritis or general joint pains.
• Babies e.g. colic, rashes, cradle cap, and earache.
If you are interested in Herbal Medicine in Northern Ireland by Vivien Hutchinson or Herbal Medicine near Belfast (just 30 minutes away) please feel free to contact me: 07776 430 440
