Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine… is as old as humanity and is the basis of modern medicine.
Plants are our means of obtaining nourishment – either directly or indirectly – and plants also provide us with a significant pool of available therapeutic medicines.
Herbalists use natural plant remedies prepared in a number of ways – which herb or herbs, method of application, dose and frequency will depend on you and the problem to be addressed.
Examples include:
- capsules and tablets
- tinctures or fluid extracts
- teas and decoctions
- syrups and gargles
- lotions, ointments, creams, oils and poultices
- pessaries and suppositories
In each case, the remedy can be tailor-made to suit the individual. All herbal remedies have the added bonus of stimulating – to a greater or lesser degree – the liver, which is an often neglected organ when it comes ro correcting physical (or even emotional) dysfunction.
It is important to note that while generally very safe, some herbs are contraindicated in a number of medical conditions, some have interactions with drugs and so on. Unfortunately, even in New Zealand, purity of products available to the public cannot be guaranteed. For these reasons it is advisable to seek treatment from a qualified herbalist such as Sharon Erdrich. Sharon is also a NZ Registered Nurse, so you can be sure of a thorough understanding of your current condition, health journey and the medical approach.