Author of “The Women’s Guide to Herbal Medicine"

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine almost need no introduction. It is common to all races, cultures and epochs and is still extensively practised today in many parts of the world Modern medicine is based on it, many drugs have been produced from plants, and our shops are full of products derived from them. This guide is about herbs for women. Part One suggests herbal treatments in the main areas of health care which most concern women: menstrual problems, pre conceptual care and fertility, pregnancy and childbirth, weight control, fatigue, and menopause. Part Two lists specific ailments and conditions, and their treatment, such as acne, fibroids and urinary cystitis to name but a few. The book concludes with First Aid.

There are many self-help books and internet sites now available on the subject of health. This guide aims to empower women to take some responsibility for their own health with the use of herbs, because often the most potent healing lies in what we do for ourselves towards recovery; by applying the remedies in the book, or by becoming more informed before consulting a professional herbalist. I hope you may wish to return to it, when those health problems crop up, as a lasting source of healing. I trust that there may be something of use for the newly qualified herbalist among the herbal formulas.

Self help when guided by an expert in the field can be effective, particularly for self limited ailments, non – serious chronic ailments, or the kind of minor problem you would treat yourself with something from the pharmacy or drug store. Naturally, as with any self treatment, if you decide to make herbal medicine your first choice of health care, you will probably want to consult a professional herbalist from time to time.

The “Women's Guide to Herbal Medicine” is written from a personal perspective and condenses years of herbal practice into what hopefully the reader will find a sensible, practical and reliable source of herbal self-help.

The Professional Herbalist

The Western Medical Herbalist today studies the course and treatment of disease, and its herbal treatment, and is awarded a BSc degree. Trained in orthodox medical diagnostic techniques, during a consultation they will use various standard tests in common with allopathic doctors. They make time to listen, consider and advise, before prescribing and personally dispensing a course of herbal treatment. See links for registers of medical herbalists.

Carol graduated from the three year full-time course at School of Herbal Medicine, Kent, UK 1987. Since then she has been a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, UK (Est. 1864), which sets and regulates standards of education and practice.