Before we had GPs, pharmacists, and the NHS, people turned to herbal medicine as their go-to for promoting health, treating ailments, and restoring lost energy. By exploring the traditions of various cultures, we uncover a fascinating relationship that humans have had with plants as sources of medicine.
It’s pretty amazing when you think about it—plants are like nature’s pharmacy, packed with the building blocks for a healthy life and available to everyone.
If used wisely, herbs can play a crucial role in maintaining our health. They’re especially great for helping us bounce back after an illness has knocked us off our feet or when life’s stresses start piling up. Ideally, after getting ill, we’d have plenty of time to rest and recover. Allowing our bodies to heal naturally and regain lost energy. But let’s be real; in today’s fast-paced world, that kind of downtime often feels like a luxury few can afford.
That’s where herbal medicine comes into play! By incorporating it into our routines alongside a healthy lifestyle, we can support our healing process and ease the stress that comes from dealing with illness. So why not embrace these natural remedies? They might just be the helping hand we need to get back on track.
Herbal medicine vs pharmaceuticals
Many pharmaceutical drugs contain phytochemicals (chemicals found in plants) e.g: morphine from poppies Papaver somniferum, digoxin from foxglove Digitalis purpurea and colchicine from the autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale. These chemicals, and many others, are extracted from the plants and used in the laboratories of pharmaceutical companies to create medicines. Herbalists believe that the whole plant, as well as the active ingredient, has a role to play in promoting overall health and wellbeing. There will always be a place for pharmaceutical medicines, but they need to be used judiciously and with caution. Herbalists believe that a more integrated approach to healthcare needs to be taken. Although herbal medicines are natural, they are still powerful medicines. It is important that patients do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, but seek professional advice from a qualified herbalist or GP.
Herbal medicine is suitable for adults and children alike. In general, chronic (longterm) conditions respond well to individually designed prescriptions. Herbal medicine may also be appropriate for addressing some of the side effects experienced with prescription drugs. The herbs which are used will be chosen carefully to ensure that there are no adverse reactions with prescription drugs. Please note that patients will never be advised to stop medication without their prescribing doctor’s consent.
Common complaints presented to herbalists Hormonal imbalance,
Digestive disorders,
Circulatory conditions,
Skin conditions & Allergies,
Sleep disorders,
Stress,
Anxiety & Depression,
Menopause,
Aches & Pains,
Fatigue,
and many more…
ntegrated medicine combines both conventional medicine and complementary healing, with sound knowledge and a known safety profile. Attaining optimum health is about so much more than just eating healthily or popping pills.This way of looking at health takes into consideration:🌿diet
🌱lifestyle choices
🌴encourages the pursuit of an affordable, realistic and enjoyable exercise plan
🫛thought processes
🥬previous illnesses
☘️stress
If used wisely, herbs can play a crucial role in maintaining our health. They’re especially great for helping us bounce back after an illness has knocked us off our feet or when life’s stresses start piling up. Ideally, after getting ill, we’d have plenty of time to rest and recover. Allowing our bodies to heal naturally and regain lost energy. But let’s be real; in today’s fast-paced world, that kind of downtime often feels like a luxury few can afford.
Do more of what you love 💚
Bottling .....
🔥 Kimchi
🍒 Fermented cherries
🌶 Sweet chilli sauceThanks to @bestbeforecafe for cabbage and cherries
And early summer ☀️ gave me the miniature cherry plums for the sweet chilli .#guthealthyfood
#foodrescue
Are your nutritional strategies helping or hindering your exercise and sport performance?Unfortunately, eating like your friends or according to the latest tiktok influencer advises may not turn you into the best athlete you can be. Did you know that each of us has a unique genetic profile that can dramatically change what our optimal diet is, to reach our genetic potential?With a Nutrigenomix Sport test you’ll get science-based answers about how you can eat to optimise your performance. Not only will it tell you how to eat for better training and recovery, it also includes information about how to optimise your body composition and align your food choices with your personal DNA.How you fuel your body as an athlete or fitness enthusiast can truly make or break the results you get from your training and your performance when it matters most.If a personalised nutrition strategy is what you need to level up, contact me to schedule your Nutrigenomix test today!
Do you struggle with low iron levels?When it comes to how our body absorbs and uses iron, there are a number of genes that can impact our risk of low iron status. People who carry the genetic variants that increase their risk of low iron need to ensure that they are consuming enough iron-rich foods on a regular basis.
Are you interested in learning more about how your genes influence your nutrient requirements? Contact me to schedule your Nutrigenomix test today!
These are some additional steps to help improve iron absorption:🌴Meet the RDA for iron daily. While everyone should be aiming to meet this minimum requirement, those at higher risk of low iron status should take extra care.🌱 Pair up iron-rich foods with vitamin C containing foods such as red peppers, lemon and broccoli. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron from plant-based sources.🌿 Choose iron sources with better bioavailability (like animal products or cooked spinach) to improve iron absorption. Vitamin C and other organic acids in fruits and vegetables boost the absorption rate of plant based Iron. Heating and storage can affect the levels of Vitamin C in food - choose fresh where possible.
What does an integrated approach to health actually mean? Integrated medicine combines both conventional medicine and complementary healing, with sound…
