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.

Pain 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, tumeric, 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.

The treatment of skin conditions illustrates the benefits of using herbal medicine and the approach taken by Medical Herbalists. Skin disorders often result from an underlying hidden imbalance in the body.  Medical Herbalists take a holistic approach and aim to treat the root of the problem as well as the symptoms.

The skin is a complex organ with numerous functions including protection against infection, control of temperature and excretion.

The skin connects us with the external physical environment and is responsible for maintaining a stable internal environment. A healthy skin is vital for maintaining a healthy body.

The skin can reflect what is happening inside the body. Changes in the function of the liver, digestion, and immune system can manifest themselves as skin disease. The skin also has nerve endings and is very sensitive to the effects of stress and emotions.

Most skin disorders are complex and result from a combination of external and internal factors. For example, eczema can result from environmental, dietary, and emotional factors combined with an immune imbalance.

Diagnosis and treatment of skin rashes and inflammation requires a holistic approach in which all aspects of someone's health and external environment are considered.

Orthodox medical treatment of skin conditions is very limited and generally not specific to the diagnosis, limited to topical treatment, and often just suppresses the symptoms.

The most common orthodox treatment is topical steroids which provide temporary relief but do not address the underlying cause or provide a real cure. They can also have serious side effects such as thinning of the skin, bruising, and changes in pigmentation.

The holistic approach taken by a Medical Herbalist considers each individual case to establish possible external and internal causes of their skin condition. The aim of the herbal treatment is to support the natural functioning of the skin and other organs.

Herbal treatment has two approaches. The first is the use of topical preparations to soothe irritation of the skin, fight infection, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing. The second is the use of internal oral mixes of herbs.

The internal preparation of herbs will depend on each individual case but will aim to cleanse and improve elimination of metabolic waste, reduce inflammation, fight any infection, improve the functioning of the liver and digestive system, support the immune system, reduce the effect of stress, balance hormones, and aid healing.

This approach of a Medical Herbalist is much more comprehensive than that offered by orthodox medicine. It is more likely to cure the skin condition, improve the general health of the body, and is associated with far few side effects.

Visit a Medical Herbalist to find out how your skin condition could be treated.

This week is Herbal Medicine Week 16th -24th June. It was created to help Medical Herbalists come together as a nationwide community to raise awareness of what we do. 
 
The benefits to you of visiting a Medical Herbalist are that we provide:

• An in-depth consultation (1-1.5 hour) to assess your overall health profile. 
  
• Diagnostic and clinical skills.
• Treatment of underlying causes as well as symptoms.
• Continuity of care.
• In-depth knowledge of herbs and plant medicines.
• Use of liquid preparations (tinctures) which allows the inclusion of several different herbs in one preparation. 
• Preparation of a unique combination and dose of herbs tailored to your individual requirements.
• Access to quality effective herbal medicines that are not available over the counter.
• Safe prescription of herbs and understanding of contraindications and interactions with orthodox drugs.
• Expert advice on diet and lifestyle.

Consider visiting a Medical Herbalist as part of Herbal Medicine week and find out how Herbal medicines can provide you with a safe, effective and natural form of treatment. Herbal medicines provide a real alternative choice of treatment that complements orthodox treatment and allows you to take more control of your own health for long-lasting health and wellbeing.

Low back pain is poorly treated according to a series of papers in the prestigious Lancet medical journal (1), which highlights that about nine million Britons suffer back pain but many receive drugs, surgery, and injections which can be useless or even harmful.

The evidence underpinning invasive treatments such as steroid injections and surgery is very weak and does not warrant using such techniques. Past studies have also shown that pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen barely help relieve back pain.

A third of patients are then given stronger potentially dangerous opioids such as tramadol, codeine, and morphine which can end up making pain worse. Patients can also become hooked and suffer dangerous side-effects.

Herbal treatment could offer an alternative.  Evidence is provided by a Cochrane review (2) which shows three herbal supplements to be effective in treating episodes of back pain. The herbs tested were oral administration of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw) and Salix alba (White Willow Bark), and topical application of Capsicum frutescens (Cayenne). The review contained ten randomized controlled trials that included 1567 adults with non-specific acute or chronic low back pain. All three herbs reduced pain in comparison to placebos.

The approach taken by a medical herbalist in treating back pain depends on the particular presentation of each individual. The aim is to reduce the inflammation, which causes the pain, with anti-inflammatory, analgesic herbs such as those described in the Cochrane report as well as ginger, turmeric and boswelia. These herbs would be combined with others that reduce muscle spasm and relax muscles, restore the function of injured nerves, and promote structural healing of muscles and connective tissues.

Herbs are well tolerated and not only relieve low back pain, but also promote healing without any negative side effects. This allows healing and long term recovery rather than just suppressing the pain.

Herbal treatment for back pain could be combined with the social and psychological approaches advocated in the Lancet studies without the use of ineffective or harmful drugs and surgery.

1.  http://www.thelancet.com/series/low-back-pain (2018)
2. Gagnier, J.J., van Tulder, M.W., Berman, B.M., Bombardier, C. (2011) Herbal medicine low-back pain. Cochrane Summaries. http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004504/herbal-medicine-for-low-back-pain