About herbal medicine
and a qualified medical herbalist in Lincoln
About Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine is one of the oldest forms of healing on earth. The remains of herbs were found in a burial chamber dated to 60,000 years ago and many of these herbs are still in use today. In the past the medicinal qualities of plants such as Ginseng, Angelica archangelica and Sage were so highly valued they were even used as a form of currency. Currently it is estimated that at least 60% of the global population still use herbal medicines for primary health care (World Health Organization).
Plants are the foundation of life and provide food, clothing, shelter and medicine, many pharmaceutical drugs in use are derived from plants; more importantly herbalists, healers and indigenous peoples around the world still use herbs exclusively to restore people to health and wellbeing.
There are many different systems for practising herbal medicine: Unani Tibb, Chinese and Traditional Western Medical Herbalism to name but a few. There are differences in preparation of herbs and in species used; however all the systems seek to restore equilibrium and do this using herbs to enhance our innate self-healing abilities (physical, mental and spiritual).
In the UK there are currently both B.Sc and M.Sc courses in Herbal Medicine being taught in universities. Students are trained in modern clinical sciences, herbal therapeutics and have to undergo a minimum of 500 hours’ observed clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to join one the most renowned professional herbal organisations in the world, The National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
About the National Institute of Medical Herbalists:
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists, N.I.M.H, has continually promoted Herbal Medicine since 1864. Members have the letters M.N.I.M.H or F.N.I.M.H after their names.
Members are fully insured, adhere to a strict code of ethics and practice and are expected to commit to a programme of continued professional development.