herbal medicine

Herbal Medicine is a natural, safe and highly effective form of treatment for health problems in both adults and children.

Herbal Medicine uses plants and plant extracts in the treatment and prevention of disease. Many of the pharmaceutical drugs used today are based on plant constituents which have been extracted or synthesised in a laboratory. Herbal Medicine, on the other hand, uses the plant itself, which contains many constituents, ‘as nature intended’. The active component of the plant is balanced by these other constituents, which support its action or reduce its side effects.

Herbal Medicine has been used in Ireland and around the world for thousands of years. In more recent times, modern research methods have been used to establish the safety and effectiveness of many herbal remedies. Herbal Medicine is often described as alternative or complementary but it is in fact the most widely practiced form of medicine with over 80% of the world’s population relying on herbs for health.

What to expect

The first consultation usually takes about one hour during which the patient describes the condition for which they would like treatment, and the herbalist asks questions about the medical history, current lifestyle and other aspects of the patient’s health. Physical examinations and further testing are carried out where necessary and subsequent shorter consultations are arranged every 2 – 4 weeks initially to assess the progress of treatment.

The treatment plan is uniquely tailored to the individual patient and includes detailed advice about diet, nutritional supplements and other helpful measures. The herbal prescription usually consists of a blend of herbs in the form of a tincture. In some cases other preparations such as tablets, teas or creams may be prescribed, but in all cases the medicines are convenient to take and require little or no preparation.

Herbal Medicine can be used to treat almost any condition, either alone or in conjunction with another form of treatment. Illnesses which respond well to herbal treatment include:

 

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance
  • Asthma, sinusitis and recurrent infections
  • Poor circulation, varicose veins and angina
  • Digestive problems, constipation, and IBS
  • Irregular periods, PMS, infertility and menopausal symptoms
  • Recurrent cystitis and prostate enlargement
  • Arthritis and fibromyalgia
  • Skin problems such as eczema and acne
  • Cancer care

Medical Herbalists

Medical Herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic techniques as orthodox doctors but also incorporate a more traditional and holistic approach to healthcare. This means identifying the cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms, and treating the person as a whole and not just the illness. Medical Herbalists are trained to identify any potential interactions between orthodox and herbal medicines and to know when a condition is best referred to a doctor or another therapist. In this country, the majority of professionally qualified Medical Herbalists belong to the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and can be identified by the letters MNIMH after their names.

For more information about Herbal Medicine or to make an arrange a consultation, please contact Marie Reilly, Medical Herbalist at the Lismore Clinic, Lismore, Co. Waterford, on 058 53200 or 087 9345910.


Herbal Medicine Dispensary

Existing patients may order repeat prescriptions when required, by calling the clinic on 058 53200, and leaving a message with with your name, telephone number, and the amount of medicine you require. Prescriptions will be dispensed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and will be available for collection from the clinic between 2.30-5.00pm. Collection can be made outside of these hours if necessary, by prior arrangement, or you can ask for your prescription to be posted to you. Please note that orders placed by email or text message, or messages left on the mobile may not be received in time to dispense your prescription on the next dispensing day.


Student Training Clinics

Student training at The Lismore Clinic takes place approximately once a month on a Saturday. Consultations are free of charge and are conducted by a final year herbal medicine student and observed by up to 6 other students in their final two years of training. Patients will therefore only have to pay for their medicines. This not only provides a valuable learning experience for the students, but also offers the opportunity for individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford it, to experience the benefits of herbal medicine.

For further information about the student training clinic, or to make an appointment for a consultation, please contact The Lismore Clinic on 058 53200. (Please make sure to specify whether you are interested in the student training clinic or private practice).