THERAPEUTIC HERBALISM

The foundations of modern HerbalismThe course that you have in your hands has been written in response to the need for a professional, natural approach to the use of natural medicine in South Africa. 

Herbalism

The International Context of Herbal Medicine

Herbalism is a common bond between the peoples and cultures of the world.  This shared experience of alleviating humanity’s suffering through plant medicines bridges cultural divides, religious differences and racial conflicts.  The worldwide knowledge and wisdom that the herbalist offers is a unique and invaluable resource that cannot be regained once lost. 

There is a vast amount of research and development into herbal medicine happening all over the world.  It must be remembered that Herbalism is still the basis of the health care available to the majority of people in the world. 

The Formulation and Preparation of Herbal Medicines

A unique aspect of the art of Phytotherapy (Medical Herbalism or Plant Therapy) is knowing what techniques to use in preparing the remedies to achieve the optimum therapeutic benefit.  Various methods of using plants have developed over the centuries to enable their healing properties to be released and become active. After the choice of herbs has been made, the best way to prepare them must be selected.

No doubt the first way in which our ancestors used herbs was by eating the fresh plant, but other methods of preparation have been developed over the years. 

For clarity we will divide the methods into those that are for use inside the body and those for external use. 

Internal Remedies

From a holistic perspective, the basic way of using herbs is to take them internally since it is from within that healing takes place.           

There are a variety of preparations for taking herbal medicines internally:

1.     Water-based preparations

2.     Tincture preparations

3.     Syrups, elixirs and other liquid formulations

4.     Fresh or dried herbs

..... this is an extract from the course