About Herbal Medicine

Western herbal medicine uses plant-based medicines to treat a wide range of health problems.

The main principle of Herbal Medicine is that the Herbalist treats the whole person, so that the causes of your illness are treated, not just the symptoms.

Herbalists regularly treat many of the problems that you would see your GP about, including:

	Digestive disorders
	IBS, constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcers, colitis
	Women's health
	PMT, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, menstrual problems
	Skin conditions
	Respiratory problems
	Asthma, hay fever, rhinitis, sinusitis, recurrent coughs and colds, tonsillitis
	Urinary problems
	Cystitis, prostate problems
	Arthritic complaints
	Osteo and rheumatoid arthritis
	Circulatory problems
	High blood pressure, varicose veins.

As well as treating you for a specific condition or illness, your Herbalist can help you maintain good health and can also offer nutritional advice.

During a consultation, Herbalists take a detailed case history of your overall health and your current condition, and also check your blood pressure. If you are taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, please bring these with you, as well as any vitamins or dietary supplements.

Your herbal medicine will be unique to you; two patients with outwardly similar conditions may be given very different prescriptions. The medicines are based on whole herbs, or extracts of the whole herb, and come in the form of tinctures (herbal liquids), teas, creams or oils, according to your needs.

The Medical Herbalist at The Riverside Clinic is Jackie Lander, BSc (Hons) Herb Med, MNIMH.