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.”
Genesis 1.29

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 sooth skin irritations.
• Herbs gently aid the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
• Herbs are a safe, gentle and effective method for promoting good health and are suitable for all ages from the very young to the very old.

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.

The stinging nettle Urtica dioica, a much-maligned weed, is a powerful healing herb. Used in the springtime it is a good blood tonic as it is full of chlorophyll, vitamins including Vitamin C, serotonin, histamine, acetyl-choline and minerals including iron, calcium, silica. Nettles can be used as a hypotensive (to help reduce raised blood pressure), to eliminate urates (gravel in kidneys), to detoxify the blood and many more uses.

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
Tonsillitis/glands       — Poke root
Cystitis                      — 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.

Bitter herbs are stimulants to the autonomic nervous system (the sympathetic and parasympathic nerves that control involuntary muscles and glandular secretion, over which there is no conscious control). Bitter herbs stimulate the stomach activity to enhance digestion and improve nutrient absorption.
Examples of bitters are: – dandelion, horseradish, coriander, wild lettuce, watercress, sorrel, chicory.

Conditions which can often be helped by herbal medicine

1. Gynaecological disorders e.g. premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, and menopausal symptoms.
2. Skin problems e.g. psoriasis, acne, eczema and rashes.
3. Digestive problems e.g. indigestion & heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, peptic ulcers, hiatus hernia, gastro-oesophageal reflux.
4. Heart & circulatory problems e.g. angina, raised blood pressure, varicose veins, leg ulcerations.
5. Bowel problems e.g. constipation or diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome.
6. Other conditions e.g. stress, insomnia, migraine & headaches, hay fever, asthma.
7. Infections e.g. throat/tonsillitis, cystitis, kidney, kidney stones/gravel, chest infections.
8. Can help dissolve kidney stones/gravel and gallstones.
9. Arthritis or general joint pains.
10. Babies e.g. colic, rashes, cradle cap, and earache.

Consultation

A typical consultation takes 1 to 11/4 hours. I take an in-depth medical history at the first consultation. Prescribed medications are also carefully noted. I use an holistic approach which means I look at the whole personality, physical, mental and emotional, not just the presenting symptoms. It is a time for the patient to talk and be heard. I use kinesiology (explained in Kinesiology section of website) to check how well organs are functioning. With this knowledge and the medical history I choose a selection of herbs to fit the needs of the patient. I check the suitability of each herb using the kinesiology muscle test. Mostly I use herbs in tincture form, mixed together in a bottle with an instruction label on how and when to take them.

I often use Bailey Flower Essences (see Bailey Flower website), which are very gentle and safe, for emotional balancing and we all need that. They can be safely used on small children.

Examples:

There are over 90 of these remedies.

I discuss in depth what fluids and foods are consumed daily. I ask each person to talk out loud about what they eat and drink during a typical day. This is often a serious wake-up call!!!

I look at the whole person, taking into consideration that home, work and “me time” (”what is that?!”) can all have a serious effect on our well–being.

It is a fascinating journey so be prepared for a magic carpet ride.
Working holistically is like peeling an onion, the layer presenting today will heal with the herbs and acupuncture treatment and then the next layer will appear!!!

Pregnancy

I worked for many years as an NHS midwife and still love all connected with new creation. I place great emphasis on maintaining good health pre-conception, during and after pregnancy.  Ideally both partners should prepare to receive the gift of a child. Dads need to take equal responsibility in caring for their health. If there is an imbalance, how do we expect to produce a perfect baby!

Pregnancy is a time when looking after your self is so important.  Dietary problems can suddenly rear their head during pregnancy.  I look at the eating habits of the mum-to-be and advise plenty of rest (such as delegating housework!).  Nutritional deficiencies can present as cravings and can be corrected with the right diet, herbs, vitamins and minerals.

It is so important during pregnancy to continue to focus on the whole person and to realize that other factors, such as emotional stress in the home or workplace, can have a huge effect on the Mum-to-be.

Correct exercise is as important as rest and healthy eating and also helps to shift the post-pregnancy pounds more quickly.  Inhalation of toxic substances affects the foetus as well as the Mum. For example, after a Dad or Mum smokes just one cigarette, a baby can inhale nicotine from their skin for up to eight hours.

Children (from birth) react very positively to herbal medicine, whether it is for asthma, hayfever or digestive problems. Children are very intuitive until they are eight or nine years old and very open to the God-given gifts of nature and herbal medicine.

Vaccination:- To alleviate fears about the side effects of vaccinations, I suggest boosting the child’s immune system a week before and after vaccination.
The principle applies to all age groups needing vaccination for any reason.

The human body is an amazing machine, which has learned to compensate due to our bad habits —— HELP your body by thinking before you eat.

I have a wide range of informative leaflets available for patients e.g. skin brushing, candida diet, breathing heals, hiatus hernia, detoxification and cold sheet treatment, insomnia, healing crisis, pregnancy and others.

I place great emphasis on establishing and maintaining a healthy, peaceful and loving lifestyle.

Vivien Hutchinson S.C.M., M.H., M.B.A.W.M.Ac.,Lic.Ac.
Dromara (Mobile) 0777 643 0440