What do you treat?

Herbs and nutrition can be used in a supportive way for many health concerns. Botanicals are selected to encourage regulation of many body systems, and so help a wide range of problems. Typically most problems you might take to a GP or primary health care provider can also be seen in a herbal medicine clinic. I work alongside any conventional care and medication.

Below are five basic approaches commonly used to improve health. But when there are problems we might need to consider what is missing in our approach, what is our blind spot?

For many the missing elements are using herbal medicine and nutrition in a focused way to balance and regulate their own individual physiology and constitution.

In other words they are missing the importance of the finer detail of what we physically take into our bodies – the foundational elements which build and regulate everything else. What happens these principles are neglected? Sometimes it means a greater likelihood of imbalance or dysregulation over time and symptoms worsening or becoming chronic.

Scroll down to read about health conditions treated in a herbal medicine clinic.

Five elements of health shown by five interlocking circles

What is treated in a herbal medicine clinic?

Read more below about the wide range of health concerns commonly treated.

Herbal medicine tends to be safe medicine with few side effects. However, there are some instances when using herbs as sole treatment for a health condition won’t be appropriate or safe. If you’re unsure Contact Me and we can discuss your personal circumstances.

Digestive complaints

Herbs and bitters can help with indigestion, IBS, IBD, acid reflux, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and an irritable or inflamed gut. The microbiome can be supported after infection or antibiotics.

Mood and Stress

Botanicals can support our nervous system to lift low mood or depression. They can calm and ease anxiety, panic, nervousness or restlessness. Or help memory, focus and concentration in brain fog.

Fatigue and energy

Herbal medicine can support fatigue and lack of mental or physical energy. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is treated with nourishing herbs. The body’s response to external stressors can be supported.

Poor sleep

Herbs can be very beneficial in improving insomnia, for example difficulty getting to sleep, frequent waking, an overactive mind or not feeling rested on waking.

 

Neurological issues

Herbs can help with neurological conditions including headaches, nerve pain or neuropathy. Neurodegenerative conditions such as MS or Parkinson’s are also supported.

Hormonal balance

Plants can help with healthy hormone expression in the body and so support diabetes and metabolic disease. PCOS, as well as cortisol, pituitary or thyroid issues can be supported.

Reproductive Health

Herbs can benefit PMS or PMDD, heavy, painful or irregular periods and endometriosis or fibroids. Fertility and postpartum health can be supported.

Menopause

Botanicals can be selected to manage peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms including mood disturbance, brain fog, hot flushes or night sweats.

Immunity

Herbs can enhance immune cell function, improve resilience to infection and support recuperation. Post-viral fatigue, Long Covid and ME are commonly supported.

Autoimmunity or Allergy

Plants and mushrooms are associated with supporting a range of autoimmune conditions and are effective in modulating allergic response and chronic inflammation.

Airways and lungs

Anti-viral herbs have been shown to reduce cold and flu severity and duration. Cough and respiratory symptoms can be treated and asthma or COPD can be supported.

Urinary problems

Herbs can improve UTI symptoms and help prevent recurring infection. They can help an overactive bladder. In men herbs can treat BHP or prostate enlargement.

Arthritis

Both internal and external herbal treatments can help with the joint pain, stiffness and inflammation experienced in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Bone health

Herbs and nutrition can benefit osteoporosis and maintaining bone health and strength in later life. Exercise also helps support healthy bones and muscle.

Muscle pain or injury

Herbal remedies can ease muscular pain and relax tension or spasm. They can aid recovery from sports injuries, RSI or damaged tendons and ligaments.

Skin, hair, nails

Herbs help support underlying causes of eczema, psoriasis or acne, whilst topical treatments can ease redness, itch and rash. Plants can encourage tissue repair and so aid healing of minor or major wounds.

Heart problems

Herbal medicine can be used to steady and calm a fast heart rate and treat palpitations or chest pain. Herbs can support the coronary arteries and be an adjunct where there is a weak or failing heart.

Blood and circulation

Botanicals help nourish and build the blood, including reducing cholesterol or improving iron levels. Blood vessel health and circulation can be supported, helping poor blood flow or varicose veins.