Herbal Consultations

During the first consultation with a patient, I go through a complete medical history, together with the presenting symptoms, which usually takes 1 – 1 ½ hours. Included in the consultation are diet and lifestyle factors, which may have a bearing on the condition. I do ask a patient to bring along with them any orthodox medicines that they are currently taking, as this may influence the herbal medicine I prescribe due to the possibility of certain herb/drug interactions. Also I like to have details of any vitamin/mineral supplements or herbal products that they may be taking.

A physical examination is carried out, if necessary, and patients pulse and blood pressure are measured as a matter of course. At the end of the consultation, I make up a prescription for a patient, which may be in form the of tinctures, herbal glycerils, tea (dried herbs), capsules (Vegicaps) filled with powdered herb(s), tablets or creams/ointments. If there is a choice of type of product, the patient’s preferences are taken into account.

I usually make up a prescription to last 2-3 weeks, and see the patient again after that time to assess the results of the treatment, and any diet/lifestyle changes that have been made. Whether or not any modification to the prescription is needed, the next consultation is usually after 3-4 weeks. In some cases, positive results take effect after quite a short time, sometimes just a few days. However with some chronic conditions that have been ongoing for a long time, it may take much longer (2-3 months) for improvements to be apparent. These changes, although taking longer than orthodox treatments, are usually longer lasting because herbal remedies act by helping the body balance itself by its own healing powers.

In some cases, if I believe that the condition is too serious to be treated by herbal medicine alone I will refer the patient back to their GP or other orthodox professional. In some cases, patients come to me after seeing no positive results from orthodox medicine. Herbal medicine can work successfully in combination with orthodox treatment, even in the case of cancer, where herbal remedies can help to alleviate the side-effects of radiation therapy, for example.

In the hands of a qualified herbal practitioner, such as myself, a patient can be assured of a treatment that is tailored to their own particular case, and is not a mass produced one. Healing should involve the patient, the practitioner and the prescribed medicine all working together to restore the body to health.