Freda Miller, from Marlow Complementary Health Care, explains how herbal medicine can help digestive conditions.

Food is essential to life and good digestion is the key to a healthy body and mind. Our digestive system exists to break food down efficiently and to extract vital components like proteins and vitamins, which are used by every cell in the body.

It must also rid the body of the harmful by-products of digestion and many other toxins that circulate in the body.

If your digestive system is not functioning as it should you will be more likely to feel discomfort and this may eventually lead to disease.

It is hardly surprising that many medical conditions, that are not primarily digestive problems, are in fact intimately linked with poor digestion.

Acne, asthma, headaches, psoriasis, painful periods, and chronic coughs are just some of the conditions which may be caused by, or made worse by, a malfunctioning digestive system. It's worth remembering that the food and the supplements that you put into your body are only as good as your ability to digest and absorb them. This is where herbal medicine can play a vital role.

Herbalists will always treat the whole person, and so often that involves getting the digestive system up to scratch.

In the herbalist's medicine cabinet
The following information is provided as a brief introduction only and not as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
NIMH: registered herbalists treat the individual and not the symptom. Two people with apparently the same condition may leave with different prescriptions, depending on their medical history.
German chamomile: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter. Useful in virtually all gastro-intestinal problems, a calming nervine that helps in insomnia, anxiety and many childhood conditions. Applied topically is helpful in eczema, cradle cap, burns, dandruff. Contraindications: none known.
Dandelion: The root is a liver restorative, promoting bile flow and having a mildly laxative effect. The leaf is an outstanding diuretic containing high levels of potassium. Used whenever the liver needs support in dealing with toxins and hormones skin conditions, hormonal problems, digestive problems. The leaf is used in water retention, cardiac oedema, high blood pressure, potassium deficiency.
Contraindications: avoid leaf in hypotension and hyperkalaemia.
Meadowsweet: An outstanding anti-inflammatory herb which is also diuretic and a liver remedy. Useful in reflux, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and rheumatic pain.
Contraindications: salicylate sensitivity, gout.
Slippery elm: Highly demulcent and emollient. Is also a pro-biotic which helps restore the gut flora to normality and is nourishing in its own right. Excellent in gastritis, reflux, peptic ulcers, enteritis, colitis, and diarrhoea. Applied topically in cases of boils or abscesses. Contraindications: none known.
Peppermint: Antispasmodic, carminative, promotes bile flow. Useful in colds and flu, sluggish digestion, flatulence. Topically the essential oil is cooling (small quantities).
Contraindications: none known, though can cause headaches/stomach cramps and may increase heartburn. Not suitable for infants. Take advice if pregnant.
Wormwood: Anti-inflammatory, carminative, sedative, bitter, vermifuge, insecticidal. Indicated in poor digestion, anorexia, parasite infestations (high doses needed), flatulence, stress-induced gut problems, arthritis.
Contraindications: peptic ulcers, pregnancy, young children, epilepsy. High doses and an Australian race of the herb, have proved carcinogenic. In the absence of further research it is safest not to take the root internally and to limit the internal use of the leaf to a maximum of six continuous weeks.
Curled dock: A mild purgative and dermatological agent. Indicated in atonic constipation, psoriasis and eczema.
Contraindications: diarrhoea, spastic colon.
Lemon Balm: A digestive herb with sedative and uplifting properties. Excellent in nervous dyspepsia and restorative in anxiety and depression.
Contraindications: none known.
Rosemary: A circulatory and nervous stimulant which is also a digestive herb. Excellent in depression, poor circulation (particularly to the head), poor concentration, sluggish digestion. Contraindications: high blood pressure, pregnancy, hyperactivity.
Liquorice: Steroidal demulcent and expectorant useful in peptic ulcers, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, gastritis, colitis, high cholesterol levels. Mimics ACTH, causing aldosterone-like retention of water and reduces haemoglobin levels. Contraindications: hypertension, hypokalaemia, pregnancy, anaemia, kidney disease, digoxin/digitoxin therapy.

Marlow Complementary Health Care: visit www.marlow-healthcare.co.uk or jon@marlow-healthcare.co.uk
Consult your GP before embarking upon any therapy

Herbal medicine awareness week May 20 to 27

We see medicinal herbs every day but what do we really know about the plants that have transformed our lives? Who could guess that the humble dandelion is such a boon for the liver, or that liquorice is useful for the treatment of peptic ulcers? Herbal Medicine Awareness Week helps you to explore the medicinal value of the plants all around us.

The National Institute of Medical Herbalists Europe's oldest professional body representing qualified medical herbalists will stage a week of events, demonstrations and walks to celebrate Herbal Medicine Awareness Week, May 20-27.

This year the awareness campaign will focus on herbs and digestive conditions, from constipation to diarrhoea, from halitosis to haemorrhoids. And nearly everyone, at some stage, has suffered from indigestion or heartburn.

Ned Reiter, president of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, comments: "Digestive conditions are common and cause much suffering. Many people reach for over-the-counter products instead of trying to get to the root of the problem. Although these remedies may give temporary relief, the symptoms recur and the underlying problem remains unresolved. The herbal approach is different. Professional herbalists work with the patient to find out what is really causing the symptoms. We don't believe that one pill fits all' but treat people as individuals with individual health problems."

This special week of walks, talks and activities across the UK aims to demonstrate how herbal medicine can be used to successfully treat digestive disorders.

The week will see the launch of a Herbal Health Advice Line 01392 426022. Callers will be put in touch with qualified medical herbalists who will provide expert guidance on herbal health matters. There will also be a nation-wide programme of herb walks and other activities over the weekend. Members of the public are invited to join a qualified medical herbalist on a local walk, providing a valuable chance to find out more about the medicinal properties of the plants found growing in the UK (in the city and countryside).

To find out more about Herbal Medicine Awareness Week, please contact the National Institute of Medical Herbalists head office at Elm House, 54 Mary Arches Street, Exeter, EX4 3BA or email nimh@ukexeter.freeserve.co.uk.
The institute's web site can be found at www.nimh.org.uk. To find your nearest NIMH-registered herbalist, please visit www.nimh.org.uk or phone 01392 426022