Herbal_med2Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat illness and is the oldest form of medicine known. The plants work by rebalancing disturbed body functions, stimulating the body to heal itself, rather than treating symptoms alone.

Herbal medicine is natural and much more balanced than pharmaceutical drugs based on isolated active ingredients – and is therefore far less likely to cause side effects. In experienced and qualified hands they are safe, effective and suitable for everyone.

Treatment tailored to you

In medical herbalism we treat the person as well as the disease and therefore each prescription is tailor-made for each patient, based on their presenting complaint, medical history and constitution.

For example, the symptoms of the menopause are very amenable to herbs and there is no “one herb fits all” to treat the hot flushes, night sweats and general feeling of being run-down that are commonly seen. Combinations of various herbs with their different tonic and calming properties make them of particular value at this stage of a woman’s life. Daren has found many women respond very well to herbs as a good alternative to HRT.

Good digestion is central to good health: herbal medicine is excellent at treating problems with the digestive system, such as in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many of my patients have benefited from the combined therapeutic effects of herbs and dietary changes.

Food intolerance testing has played an important role in identifying the offending foods in IBS and on elimination many of the symptoms either disappear or have been considerably reduced.

Is your diet making you ill?

Food intolerance testing is also available at this practice. A small blood sample is tested against a wide range of food types: the results can prove or disprove any intolerance to these foods. The implications of the results will be explained to you with specific dietary advice, if appropriate.

Areas that Herbal Medicine can help:

  • Skin: acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis
  • Digestive system: peptic ulcers, IBS, colitis and indigestion
  • Nervous system: insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety. Headaches and migraines
  • Circulatory system: angina, high blood pressure, poor circulation and varicose veins
  • Immune system: chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies and intolerances
  • Respiratory system: bronchitis, asthma and sinusitis
  • Urinary system: irritable bladder, cystitis and prostate problems
  • Reproductive system: PMS, menopausal problems, polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Muscles and joints: arthritis, gout and rheumatism

The above list is not exhaustive and if you do not see your condition listed, please contact Daren by phoning 07722 608 425 or click here to discuss your needs.

Herbal Dispensary

All prescriptions are dispensed on the premises from a widely stocked dispensary. The majority of prescriptions are made up of a combination of tinctures and concentrated liquid extracts of plants – these are easily taken in a small amount of water. This clinic only uses herbal extracts of the highest quality and efficacy from manufacturers that source the finest raw materials, processed to ensure the extraction of the active constituents and adopt modern methods of quality control. Wherever possible this clinic stocks organic and sustainably cultivated herbs.

Supplements

Lamberts Healthcare professional range of supplements is stocked at this clinic and includes a number of vitamins, minerals, fish oil (omega-3), MSM and various formulations of glucosamine. Lamberts’ products are of premium quality and only available through practitioners and pharmacies. Lamberts provide nutritional supplements of the correct potency in a form that optimises their absorption and effectiveness.

Medical Herbalism in experienced and qualified hands

Daren studied an exhaustive four year course in Herbal Medicine that included conventional medical sciences, the practise of Western herbal medicine and nutrition. With his knowledge and skills from this training and over 12 years’ experience in practice, he is well qualified in providing a holistic approach in the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. Along with prescribing herbal medicine, Daren has a wide knowledge in the use of nutritional supplements, dietary therapy and food intolerance testing