Visiting a Professional Medical Herbalist.

The first consultation with a medical herbalist usually lasts from between an hour and an hour and a half, follow up visits from thirty minutes to an hour.

As well as assessing the symptons of the body, the herbalist evaluates the overall health of the body and other aspects that may be contributing to ill health such as poor nutrition, general lifestyle and lack of exercise. Medical herbalists are trained in many of the diagnostic skills of an ordinary doctor, but also use the benefits of a holistic viewpoint, traditional knowledge and diagnosis. The Herbal Practitioner approaches each case from an individual point of view, while searching for th root cause of the problem. Treatment is aimed at restoring health; not suppressing symptons.

After reaching a diagnosis and an understanding of the patient's problem, the Medical Herbalist dispenses a medicine prepared from a prescription uniquely suited to the individual's needs. This most often takes the form of a liquid herbal extract called a tincture or a fluid extract, but herb 'teas', oils, ointments, powders etc, may also be prescribed.

It is a misnomer to refer to Herbal Medicine as 'slow' acting. A patient suffering from an arthritic condition and subject to potent allopathic drugs for over 20 years will not have his/her condition reversed within a matter of days. Only by suppressing symptons or using powerful painkillers, can a person obtain instant, albeit temporary, relief. It is no different than taking, say Panadol, for toothache and leaving the tooth to rot instead of visiting a dentist for a repair.

Herbs are in fact quickly effective. While treating the 'whole person', there is a gradual, but definite restoration of energy, sense of well-being and clearing away of symptons. However the lenght of treatment will depend on many factors and because herbal medicine gives true and long lasting healing rather than simply 'papering over the cracks', treatment may take several weeks or months. Generally, the longer a person has been ill, the longer it may take to restore health.