HERBS, HEALTH & HEALING
PLANT BASED MEDICINE
"In some native languages the term for plants translates to those who take care of us”
~ Robin Wall Kimmerer
Plants as Medicine
Herbal Treatment
Using plants for healing forms part of the history of mankind. Plants were once the primary source of most medicines in the world.
Advances in science and technology now help us understand why certain plants can be used as medicine and others not. The active ingredients in different parts of the plant, e.g. roots, leaves or flowers all have different medicinal properties. This determines the therapeutic action of the plant.
When considering the use of medicinal plants, it is essential to get professional advice.
Phytotherapy
Phytotherapy is derived from the word 'phyto', which is the Greek word for plant. It is the modern and scientific version of herbal medicine.
A clinical approach is followed and medicinal plants are used therapeutically to treat illnesses and enhance health.
Having access to a herbal dispensary enables a Phytotherapy Practitioner to formulate and dispense personalized prescriptions.
When visiting a registered phytotherapy practitioner, a thorough medical history and clinical examination will provide the foundation for formulating an individual treatment plan.
Practitioners are aware of potential drug herb interactions and will treat their patients accordingly.
Some plants can be used fresh, or dried in herbal teas or put into capsules. In other instances, the fresh or dried plant material can be steeped in alcohol to make a tincture or infused as therapeutic oils.
Therefore herbal medicines are offered in the form of tinctures, tablets, herbal teas, creams or oils.