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Susan C.
Russell DBth, MIRCH, MBTER
Medical Herbalist & Bowen Therapist
ABOUT MEDICAL HERBALISM:
Having trained with
the International Register of Consultant Herbalists and Homeopaths (IRCH) as a
Medical Herbalist, I have studied anatomy & physiology, the pathology of
disease, naturopathy (diet and natural health cure methods), medicinal herbs and
the clinical application of those herbs. Clinical training included non invasive
physical examination and holistic diagnosis of the underlying problem. Note that
it is the underlying problem that is being sought rather than
simply identifying symptoms and applying medication to those symptoms.
Symptoms are seen as the expression of underlying
disease and represent the efforts being made by the body to move itself towards
cure. For example the fever that is raised to fight off infection, or the muscle
pain that may result from an accumulation of toxic wastes. Suppressing the fever
or masking the pain will appear to solve the obvious symptoms but will do
nothing to address the underlying cause in each case. In fact such suppression
can have an adverse effect by forcing the disease process deeper into the body,
eventually affecting the vital organs. The Medical Herbalist will take note of
symptoms and, together with an in depth case history and examination as
appropriate, use this information to unravel the unique story of each individual
in order to arrive at an understanding of how the health problem has arisen
As the medicinal herbs are working naturally with the body
to make real changes, the process can not be instantaneous. Utilising it’s
natural resources and processes, the body will need to cleanse, balance and
restore the various tissues and systems. The first signs of recovery are usually
an increase in vitality and well being as the body gradually moves towards
health.
What to expect during your appointment: The initial
consultation could take up to two hours to allow adequate time to compile a full
case history. Family health, lifestyle, diet, emotional issues and the impact of
past treatments are considered, in addition to the individual health history.
Some non -invasive physical examination, such as blood pressure reading, taking
the pulse, listening to the chest or basic urine testing, may form part of the
consultation. In this way as full a picture as possible of all the factors which
have led the patient to their current health status can be formed. After
considering all the information available an individual herbal prescription will
be formulated, usually as a tincture although dry herbs, capsules, lotions or
creams may also be applicable. Straightforward advice on diet and lifestyle will
also be given.
Progress will be carefully monitored to assess changes and
adjust medicines as necessary to support the body in it’s natural processes.
Although the input from the herbalist is obviously important, it is vital that
the patient takes responsibility for their own health by following instructions
carefully, keeping the herbalist updated on developments and attending to any
dietary/lifestyle changes that are recommended.
The second appointment may be two to four weeks after the
first, with subsequent appointments possibly on a monthly basis, or less
frequently, depending upon the individual case and responses to treatment.
Medicines will be adjusted as progress is made.
For any subsequent visits involving an acute condition (colds,
viral illness etc) consultation time is likely to be shorter, with any medicines
prescribed on a short term basis to assist the natural bodily responses to clear
the infection. If such illnesses are a frequent issue it would be necessary to
consider the underlying state of health in detail to determine why there is such
a susceptibility.
Children, with their natural vitality, are likely to respond
easily and relatively quickly to natural medicines, providing any additional
advice (eg concerning diet) is followed carefully. Consultation for children is
half price, although medicines remain at full price.
THE
BOWEN TECHNIQUE
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ME
Having trained with
the International Register of Consultant Herbalists and Homeopaths (IRCH) as a
Medical Herbalist, I have studied anatomy & physiology, the pathology of
disease, naturopathy (diet and natural health cure methods), medicinal herbs and
the clinical application of those herbs. Clinical training included non invasive
physical examination and holistic diagnosis of the underlying problem. Note that
it is the underlying problem that is being sought rather than
simply identifying symptoms and applying medication to those symptoms.
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