Many of us are struggling to cope in the pandemic and trying to prevent our periods of anxiety turning into depression. People who have previously suffered from depression are particularly susceptible but we all may be vulnerable during the present crisis. There are many different causes of depression, but we need to address those over which we have some control.

Depression has been linked to anxiety resulting from chronic stress, poor sleep disrupting circadian rhythms, general bodily inflammation, disruption in the gut bacteria caused by poor diet, and hormone imbalances. The causes and responses will be different for each person.

The two most common treatments are antidepressant drugs and talking therapies. Both are effective for some people but not others. Many people experience problems with taking antidepressant drugs because of side effects and withdrawal symptoms. This has led to the search for other forms of treatment.

Herbal medicine has been used to treat depression for hundreds of years. Recent evidence demonstrates the effective antidepressant action of individual herbs such as St John’s Wort, Saffron, and Rhodiola. These herbs are effective, well tolerated, with few side effects, and do not cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Since depression is a complex condition resulting from a range of contributing factors, regulating a single target may not reduce depression as effectively as targeting multiple systems. The advantage of herbal medicine is that different herbs can be selected with different sites of action and combined in a single formula. The selection of herbs with a range of different actions increases the potential effectiveness of treatment. The herbs selected will vary with each individual depending on the causes of depression.

For example, you may be given a herbal formula to treat depression which contains herbs to reduce anxiety, balance the stress hormone cortisol, promote healthy bacteria in the gut, and reduce inflammation.

Many people turn to herbal medicine in search of a treatment that is effective, long lasting and with few side effects. Combining different herbs in a formulation for each individual provides a multitargeted approach and sustainable form of treatment.

Herbal medicine has much to offer at this difficult time. As GP surgeries and hospital departments become overwhelmed you may want to look for complementary treatments.

We should stay healthy and boost our immune systems. If you catch the virus you need to manage its symptoms and reduce its severity.

But social distancing and remaining at home are stressful and can cause poor sleep, anxiety, and depression. We must be as strong as possible in the coming weeks and months.

Herbal medicine is not competing with conventional treatment and we need to be clear about the distinctions. Herbal medicine cannot prevent infection or cure the respiratory disease caused by the virus.

Here's what we medical herbalists can do. I treat each individual as a whole. After a consultation I prepare a unique blend of herbal medicines. I have 130 herbs in my dispensary and select the most beneficial herbs for you.

They might include those that boost the immune system. Some modulate and enhance our immunity. Other herbs have an antiviral action that has been shown to prevent viruses from entering cells or replicating within the cell.

I recently treated a man in his sixties who often suffered from respiratory infections and wanted to prevent infection. His treatment included Echinacea, Astragalus and the medicinal mushroom Reishi to enhance immune function, elderberry and liquorice for antiviral action and Rhodiola to enhance the body’s ability to tackle stress.

Many different herbs can treat symptoms of respiratory infections. These include herbs to soothe sore throats, reduce coughing, ease breathing, reduce congestion, and bring down a temperature. Herbs with anti-inflammatory action also reduce the severity of the infection.

An effective herbal tea to reduce fever and treat the symptoms would contain elderflower, meadowsweet, peppermint and yarrow with possible addition of other herbs such as thyme, sage, liquorice, elecampane, plantain and ground ivy.

Our mental health matters massively too. Many of us are experiencing anxiety about the enormous changes we are experiencing. Herbal medicine can help us manage these.

Herbs that act on the adrenal gland improve the body’s ability to cope with stress. Borage is particularly good for giving strength in times of fear and worry. Herbs such as valerian and passionflower help relax and can be taken as part of treatment for poor sleep and insomnia. A good night's sleep helps mental wellbeing and ensures a healthy immune system. For those who experience low mood there are herbs such as St John’s wort and Vervain which are effective antidepressants.

Please contact me if you feel you would benefit from herbal treatment. Let herbal medicine help.

It’s that time of the year again. Many of us are spluttering with coughs and colds. Cold winter weather makes us much more susceptible to infections such as cold and flu viruses.

We often rush to buy remedies over the counter at the chemist that relieve symptoms such as sneezing, blocked noses, sore throats, headaches and coughs. However, these remedies do not address the problems of persistent colds, the ones that keep returning, or coughs that linger. Once you have had one infection it can make you more susceptible to further infections particularly after the festive season.

The main benefit of treatment with herbal medicines is that it can address both the causes and the symptoms. The reasons we catch colds are because we are exposed to the virus and our immune system is unable to fight the infection.

Herbal medicines offer a two-pronged approach. First, herbal medicines can boost our immune system so strengthening the body's ability to fight infection. Second, herbs can be very effective antimicrobial agents killing pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

This second action has a further benefit of not only killing cold or flu viruses but also preventing secondary bacterial infections. This avoids asking GPs to prescribe antibiotics. With the wider increase in antibiotic resistance, we should reduce our use of antibiotics and preserve the body's ability to fight more serious bacterial infections.

A Medical Herbalist has access to a wide range of different herbs with both immune-enhancing and antimicrobial actions. They can prepare a unique mix of herbs for you to strengthen your whole body in fighting infections and getting fit again.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive problem affecting nearly a third of the population. Symptoms include unpredictable bowel movements - diarrhoea, constipation or both - stomach pain, and bloating. There are also several non-digestive symptoms such as muscle pain, tiredness, mood disturbance, and headaches. IBS can take a major toll on the quality of everyday life.

Considering IBS is so widespread, it is surprising that the orthodox treatment available is so limited. Treatment mainly consists of pain relief, and there is no specific test to diagnose IBS.

IBS is now considered a disorder of the gut-brain axis, a two-way nervous connection between the brain and the nervous system controlling digestion. In those with IBS, the pain receptors in the gut become super-sensitive and generate an exaggerated pain response to the presence of food and drink. What’s called visceral hypersensitivity can also affect other parts of the body causing wider ranging pain.

There are numerous factors that can spark IBS. A well-known cause is that a bad stomach infection initiates an inflammatory response. Other contributing factors are gender (it is more common in women), genetic susceptibility which makes some people more vulnerable, and the levels of stress and anxiety you are experiencing. Changes in gut function such as delayed gastric emptying and increased intestine permeability in leaky gut are other factors.

Gut bacteria play a fundamental role in digestion and changes in the balance of good and bad bacteria are associated with IBS symptoms. Diet is crucial for optimizing gut bacteria and is therefore vital in managing IBS. The two books suggested here* give detailed approaches to controlling IBS through dietary changes.

For the most comprehensive approach to treating both the cause and symptoms of IBS visit a Medical Herbalist. Following a full consultation and assessment of any food intolerances, a mix of herbal medicines will be selected. This will be unique for each individual as people with IBS vary in the symptoms experienced and the possible causes.

A Medical Herbalist will treat IBS by selecting herbs that:

• Promote and balance beneficial bacteria and reduce harmful bacteria
• Ease pain by reducing spasms of the gut wall
• Reduce inflammation and balance the immune response
• Reduce diarrhoea or constipation and promote formation of healthy stools
• Optimise digestive secretions to normalise bowel function
• Promote gastric emptying
• Reduce gut permeability by repairing the gut lining
• Reduce the build up of gas and reduce flatulence
• Improve the ability of the body to cope with stress
• Tone the nervous system to help reduce visceral sensitivity
  

By addressing both the cause and symptoms of IBS with herbal medicines and combining this with changes in diet this offers the most comprehensive treatment and a future free of IBS.
 
*The Digestive Health Solution (2017) Benjamin I Brown, ND
* Eat Yourself Healthy (2019) Dr Megan Rossi
 

If you succumb to symptoms of ill health such as an infection, skin rash or anxiety you probably book an appointment with your local GP to secure treatment and a cure for your condition.

There are, however, times when this is not the case. You may have to wait several weeks for an appointment where you have been unable to explain all the symptoms in a short time. Or perhaps the drug treatment is unsuccessful, causes side effects or you find there is no suitable treatment available or drugs are in short supply. This is when you might explore another form of treatment.

Consider visiting a Medical Herbalist. Although you may already buy herbal medicine as a tablet, liquid or tea at the health food shop or chemist this is not the same.

Medical Herbalists have so much more to offer than buying over the counter herbal preparations. They are well qualified and taught similar diagnostics skills to GPs. In a consultation of over an hour they explore all aspects of your health to fully understand your symptoms and the potential causes.

For treatment, a medical herbalist selects a range of herbal medicines at optimum concentrations to target all aspects of your condition to maximise effectiveness. For example, in treating a urinary tract infection herbs will be selected to kill the bacteria, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and strengthen bladder walls. This provides a more holistic approach to treatment than just killing bacteria with antibiotics prescribed by GPs.

The herbal medicines are combined in a liquid tincture or tea in a mix that matches each individual and can be varied as the treatment progresses. Advice is also given on nutrition and lifestyle to support the treatment with herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines are a gentle form of treatment that rarely have the side effects experienced with orthodox medicines. This allows them to be taken long term if your condition is chronic.

Herbal medicines have been used for hundreds of years and now many of the traditional uses are supported by recent scientific evidence. We have all benefited from modern medicines but why lose the effectiveness of herbal medicines.

The approach taken by a Medical Herbalist of treating the individual, considering the body as a whole rather than as individual symptoms, and mixing a range of herbs unique to each individual should be a choice of treatment that is integrated into modern health care and readily available to us all. Why not visit a Medical Herbalist for your treatment.
 

 Uncomfortable symptoms experienced by many women during the menopause can  be effectively managed with herbal medicines prescribed by medical herbalists. A recent study ( Link) shows that herbal treatment led to significant improvements for many women.

The menopause affects women in different ways and there is a wide range of symptoms of varying intensity. The study lists sixteen symptoms including hot flushes, mood swings, and joint pain.

Treatment with HRT prescribed by the GP is not a treatment choice for many women, either because it is contraindicated, or they prefer a more natural form of treatment. Many women want an effective alternative and one they feel comfortable taking for a longer duration.

Individual herbs such as black cohosh and red clover bought over the counter can relief menopausal symptoms but not everyone finds them beneficial and the evidence is contradictory. These are standardised formulations which do not meet the individual requirements of each woman.

The variation in women’s experience of the menopause supports the need for both a range of treatment and also the need for this to be tailored to each individual. The study showed how this was provided by a medical herbalist who, following a full consultation, selected several different herbs most beneficial to the patient.

The medical herbalist was able to respond to the needs of the patient and the symptoms experienced, and vary the herbal prescription and protocol accordingly. Selecting an individualised mixture of herbs also allows treatment of other organ systems that may be affected by the menopause and not just those associated with decreasing oestogen levels.

The women in the study reported not just an improvement in menopausal symptoms but improved wellbeing and the ability to carry out a chosen activity thus enhancing their quality of life.

More women need to be aware of the option of visiting a medical herbalist. Participants in the study stated that would have liked their doctor to have told them about visiting a qualified medical herbalist for herbal treatment, an option not currently mentioned in the NICE guidelines.
 

Abandoning antidepressant drugs can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, and exhaustion that often force patients back to the drugs they hoped they no longer needed.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists now accepts that it did not sufficiently recognize such withdrawal problems.

The College’s previous advice of slow withdrawal over two to four weeks has been changed to a period of months during which drug doses are reduced more slowly.

Herbal medicines can ease the process of withdrawal and reduce symptoms. They also offer the further possibility of long-term support to boost general health and wellbeing. Crucially, herbal medicines are not addictive so can easily be stopped when good health is achieved.

The approach taken by a Medical Herbalist is to select herbs that address these issues, but the treatment is tailored to each person’s experience.  

Herbs include St John’s wort whose antidepressant action is gentle with few side effects. If interaction with the antidepressant drug could be an issue, other herbs with similar antidepressant action such as skullcap and vervain are available.

To reduce the symptoms of withdrawal such as anxiety and exhaustion, herbs are given to relax and to normalise adrenal function. Treatment may include support for liver function and herbs to improve sleep, address problems with digestion, and increase cerebral blood flow. The choice will depend on the symptoms experienced.

Herbal medicines are an effective way to successfully wean yourself off antidepressant drugs. Please consider visiting a Medical Herbalist to get the full benefits of herbal treatment.

Have you heard about the many benefits of medicinal cannabis but are unsure about the legal status, how to take it, and the best sources?

There have been recent changes in the legal status of cannabis, with Canada and parts of the USA legalising both medicinal and recreational use of cannabis. In the UK, recent changes have followed publicity of the benefits of medicinal cannabis for reducing seizures in the treatment of epilepsy in children. Medicinal cannabis can now be legally prescribed on the NHS but only by specialists and after all other forms of treatment have been explored.

The cannabis drugs, marketed by pharmaceutical companies, are Epidiolex, a highly purified liquid containing CBD used in the treatment of epilepsy and Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine that is sprayed into the mouth to relieve muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

Cannabis contains over 500 different constituents of which about 100 are cannabinoids. The two main cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component, and cannabidiol (CBD) which does not have any psychoactive properties.

CBD oil is legal to buy in the UK as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. CBD oil is available at health stores and over the internet but these products can vary greatly in quality and may contain only small amounts of CBD. It is vital to have a good and reputable source of CBD oil.

Evidence is mounting to show the benefits of CBD oil to alleviate joint pain, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and for general well being.

CBD oil is usually taken orally, held under the tongue for a few seconds before swallowing, but can also be taken in a capsule or paste. Everyone responds differently to CBD so the dose required varies greatly between individuals. It is advisable to start with a low dose and increase gradually to attain the desired therapeutic effects.

CBD Brothers (now The Original Alternative) are very reputable producers of CBD. They provide a range of organic CBD products made from the two main species: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa which each has their own unique effects. A colour code system is used to distinguish the different strengths of CBD oil, capsule or paste.

CBD oil can only be sold as a food supplement so companies such as The Original Alternative cannot market medicinal benefits or give medical advice.

To obtain information about the medicinal benefits of CBD oil and how to take it visit a medical herbalist. As a medical herbalist, I can advise on the whether CBD oil would benefit you, the type of CBD that would be most beneficial and the dosage regime.
 

Lyme disease is becoming better known. Three recent events alerted me to the infection: a patient was diagnosed with it, I saw signs in a local wood warning of the dangers of tick bites, and I attended a seminar by the Lyme disease specialist and Australian Naturopath, Amina Eastham-Hiller.

The increasing incidence of Lyme disease may be caused by climate change leading to warmer winters and greater awareness and, therefore, reporting.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which are transmitted to humans following a bite from an infected tick. Only some ticks carry the infection.

The first sign that you may have contracted Lyme disease is the presence of a rash called erythema migrans, which is an expanding area of red from a central tick bite looking like a bulls-eye on a dartboard.  Some people also have flu-like symptoms in the early stages, such as a high temperature, headache, muscle and joint pain, and loss of energy.

If you think that you may have been bitten by a tick, it's vital to visit your GP. Antibiotics are very effective against Lyme disease in the early stages of infection.

Unfortunately, some people do not know they have been bitten by a tick, not everyone gets the bulls-eye rash, and the symptoms of Lyme disease can be misdiagnosed.  The symptoms are like those experienced in other conditions such as chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia and the blood test does not guarantee diagnosis.

If antibiotics are not prescribed in the early stages they can become less effective at eliminating the infection. The Borrelia bacteria are very effective at evading the action of antibiotics. They can penetrate and live inside cells or form dormant cysts gaining protection from the immune system and antibiotics.

Some people develop chronic Lyme disease, which no longer responds to antibiotic treatment. And long term antibiotic use is associated with side effects which further damage health. The symptoms of chronic Lyme disease include severe fatigue, musculature pain, and mental impairment.

Amina Eastham-Hillier argues that herbal medicines are very effective in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease. Herbs are selected for each individual with the following actions:  antimicrobial, support for the immune system, anti-inflammatory, adrenal tonic, nervous system support, improving cognitive function, antioxidant, detoxification, and support for gut micro flora. This wide range of actions of herbal treatment both reduces symptoms and helps restore the body’s natural ability to fight the infection.

Lyme disease is a complex condition and often associated with other secondary infections. NICE has issued advice to help GPs diagnose and treat Lyme disease more quickly to prevent it becoming chronic. The evidence on the benefit of prolonged antibiotic treatment is limited but herbal medicine prescribed by Medical Herbalist provides a way in which this difficult condition can be treated.

rPain is the sadly inevitable companion of most illnesses but herbal medicine can both relieve and reduce pain without the side effects of other medications.

Pain results from either injury or disease and is an important indicator of tissue damage and part of the body’s defence mechanism. Nerve impulses are sent from pain receptors in damaged tissue to the brain for interpretation.  Pain can also result from damage or disease that affects the nervous system causing dysfunction of the pain perception system. Most of us will experience pain at some point as either acute pain in response to injury or more chronic pain as part of an ongoing condition.

Treatment of pain consists of reducing the perception of pain with analgesics and treating the cause of the pain. Herbal medicine offers a natural approach to pain relief particularly for chronic pain where long term use of drugs is associated with unwanted side effects. The aim of treatment with herbal medicine is to treat both the symptoms and the cause.

The analgesic action of plant-derived compounds is used in many modern analgesic drugs such as morphine from the opium poppy, atropine from the night shade family, and salicylates from poplar and birch barks. These together with the improved targeting of synthetic analgesics provide powerful pain reducing drugs.

The analgesic action of herbal medicines derived from the whole or part of the plant are relatively gentle. However the combination of compounds from a selection of herbal medicines prescribed by a Medical Herbalist can reduce pain by combining a range of actions. Herbal medicines are able to reduce pain associated with inflammation, visceral or vascular spasm and neuralgic pain by anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and nerve modifying action.

Examples of herbal medicines that reduce pain by anti-inflammatory action include ginger, turmeric, and devil’s claw. Herbs such as valerian and cramp bark can reduce pain associated with visceral muscle spasm in conditions such as IBS and cystitis and feverfew can reduce pain associated with vascular spasm in migraines. Capsicum provides topical pain relief by depleting substance P, a pain inducing chemical released by nerve receptors. Other herbs that can reduce neuropathic pain include St John’s wort, yellow jasmine, California poppy and Jamaica dogwood. Combining herbs with anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and direct nerve action can provide effective pain relief.

David Winston, the eminent American Herbalist, has shown that herbal treatment is most effective when it focuses on where the pain occurs such as back pain, headache, menstrual pain, urinary tract pain and the nature of the pain which can be sharp and stabbing, dull and throbbing or spasmodic. For example Horse Chestnut could be used to treat the dull and throbbing pain that occurs in conditions such as back pain and varicose veins where there is impaired circulation.

Another plant derived medicine that is receiving increased interest for the treatment of various types of pain including arthritic pain, muscle spasm in multiple sclerosis and general chronic pain is cannabidiol (CBD) oil derived from cannabis and hemp. CBD is one of 60 cannabinoids compounds and does not have the psychoactive properties of another cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD acts on our bodies own endocannabinoid system to provide a safe and effective way of reducing pain.   

A Medical Herbalist will consider all aspects of pain relief and provide a tailored mix of herbs to treat the condition and type of pain experienced by each individual.