Information Centre
About Herbal Medicine
Western herbal medicine is characterised by a person-
The patient is assessed through a thorough case history, taking account of family history, personal health history and lifestyle choices.
The therapy is directed at the causes, not just the presenting symptoms. Treating the body as a whole involves working not only with the physical, but also the mental and emotional aspects of the condition.
The practitioner uses the information obtained during the taking of the case history to make an assessment of the vitality and constitution of the patient. The choice of herbs in the prescription is based on this assessment.
The prescription, rather than being based simply on the diagnosis of a disease or condition, is determined by an understanding of the significance of the signs and symptoms in that individual. Prescriptions may vary substantially between individual patients apparently presenting with a similar condition.
Herbal treatment is commonly backed up by appropriate advice on lifestyle, particularly nutrition, and the practitioner works at all times to create a positive ambience of mutual trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Herbal Medicine -
Plants contain countless numbers of chemicals and have their own energetic qualities. These work together providing safe and gentle remedies to work with your own innate capacity to heal. Herbs help to maintain health as well as remedy disease.
The safety record of herbal medicines in trained hands is excellent. Herbal medicines
individually prescribed and combined by a herbalist are also more deeply effective
than over-
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
The NIMH was established in 1864. It is the oldest body of practising medical herbalists in the world. Members have undergone a rigorous four year training in medical sciences, clinical skills, and herbal therapeutics. They are fully insured and adhere to a strict professional code of ethics and mandatory continuing professional development. For further information about NIMH contact:
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
56 Longbrook Street, Exeter, EX4 6AH
Tel. 01392 426022 www.nimh.org.uk
Max is a Medical Herbalist and founder of the Urban Fringe project. He is available at the Urban Fringe Dispensary on most days for over the counter advice and on Mondays and Thursdays for consultations.
Zoe is a Medical Herbalist and a Registered Nurse with 16 years of hospital nursing experience, and has trained as a Buteyko Breathing practitioner with the British Buteyko Association. Zoe is available for consultations on Tuesdays.
Our Herbalists are fully qualified, insured, and are mebers on the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
To book an appointment:
Tel.0117 9276527