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Herbalism
Strictly, "herbaceous" plants lack a woody stem and die down
at the end of the growing season, or forever - if the plant is an annual.
However, "Herbalism" cannot adequately be defined in terms
of a specific botanical group of plants that is used for medicinal purposes.
"Herbal" treatments and supplements may involve the use of
a wide range of other sources (e.g. lichens, fungi, roots, vegetables,
etc) which are outside what may formally be defined as "herbs".
Hence, herbalism is better considered more loosely, but probably more
accurately, in terms of plants and other naturally occurring growing
species that are useful to man.
Medicinal Uses of Herbalism
Herbalists' specialist knowledge of the properties of plants may include:
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Which part(s) of the plant(s) to use.
Different parts (root, bark, leaf, fruit, flower) have different
properties.
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The dosage that should be given.
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For how long, and in what quantities the remedy should be administered.
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The form in which the preparation should be administered ( e.g.
orally, as creams/poultices).
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These may include complex issues to be considered with respect to the
individual recipient and his/her condition.
A combination of plant species may be used - requiring specialist knowledge
to select and formulate. The use of a single plant species is known
as a "simple".
The appropriate herbs, prepared and administered correctly may help
with a wide range of problems.
History of Herbalism:
In the early stages of human history many aspects of life such as diet,
clothing, and broader cultural development utilized increasing knowledge
of plants, wild fruits, trees, and flora generally.
The use of plants for medicinal purposes was recognised in India
over 2000 years ago. There are also ancient Chinese records of
the use of herbal remedies. The Greek historian 'Pliny the Elder'
stated that the Greeks produced both written and pictorial records of
herbal treatments as early as the 1st Century BC. The Byzantines
(in modern day Turkey) produced similar records in c. 500 AD.
From the Middle Ages (ca 1100-1450) onwards numerous European
scholars documented and illustrated a wide variety of plants together
with accounts of their medical benefits.
Knowledge of the uses and effects of plants grew rapidly. Awareness
of their remedial properties for a variety of health conditions, of
their hallucinatory properties, of their soporific and stimulating effects,
and so on, encouraged the emergence of professional "experts"
and a widespread interest that has continued to the present day.
During the centuries of global exploration, colonial expansion, increasing
trade, and improved communications (C16th - C19th), numerous "new"
plants were added to those known in Europe.
More recently, the dominance of urban/industrial society (especially
in Europe and North America) of the last two hundred years - together
with increasing knowledge in a range of scientific areas - coincided
with increased questioning of, and scepticism about, traditional remedies
such as form the basis of Herbalism.
Availability of the chemical and synthetic products of modern pharmacy
has also contributed to obscuring the importance and contributions of
herbal treatments.
At present herbal remedies increasingly available through conventional
channels such as dispensing chemists (referred to as "pharmacies"
or "drugstores" in the USA). This is part of a general trend
of increasing interest in, and 'respectability' of, "natural"
approaches to health and wellness. Herbal remedies are increasingly
considered to be ecologically friendly and a potential source of health
care that may be free of the undesirable side-effects associated with
chemically-constructed synthetic products.
What does a Herbalist Consultation / Treatment involve?
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As with all medicines, there are circumstances in which specific herbal
preparations should not be used (that is, are "contraindicated")
for particular individuals. Also as with other substances, some herbal
preparations can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Herbalists take these, and other considerations, into account when recommending
remedies for individuals.
Textbooks and other Sources of Reading:
Many excellent texts are available, including [59].
Further Information about Herbalism :
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General Information is available from the below:
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National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK): www.nimh.org.uk
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European Herbal Practitioners Association: www.euroherb.com
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National Herbalists Association of Australia: www.nhaa.org.au
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New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists: nzamh.org.nz
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Information about Training in Herbalism is available from
the above websites and:
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University of Central Lancashire, Preston (Herbal
Medicine - B342).
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Other Website Links that might be of interest include:
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Herb Research Foundation: www.herbs.org
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