Herbal Medicine - 

what to expect 

Herbal Medicine, Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Bedfordshire, Bedford, Health, Natural Health, Herbs,

As you may expect from visiting other health professionals, on your first appointment we will undertake a detailed history of your presenting concern. However, so that we can gain a fuller picture of you as an individual, we will also discuss various other body systems, not just those directly related to your primary concern, along with discussions about any previous health concerns and treatments.

In addition, as treatment is deeply rooted in a person centred approach, we also look at your medical, work and social history as well as lifestyle factors as they can provide useful connections to your whole health.   We will also work to identify any previous struggles you have faced in trying to maintain your wellbeing. In doing so, we can work together to create tools to overcome those previous challenges, helping you to achieve your wellbeing goals in a supportive environment.

Where necessary, clinical examinations similar to those done by your GP, may also be performed during the consultation. This can include blood pressure and weight checks or chest or abdominal examinations, for example.  If relevant, there may also be useful diagnostic tests as well as supplements recommended,

We will then formulate your personalised treatment plan, which may be based on a herbal prescription to support you presenting health concern, as well as the agreed lifestyle strategies for longer term benefits.   This will also be sent to you in writing, along with any further useful tools, techniques or information.

This consultation can last between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on needs, or may be scheduled for a further initial consultation for complex cases.

Follow-Up Consultations

After your initial consultation, a 40 minute Follow-Up appointment will usually be scheduled for approximately 3-4 weeks later, once you have begun taking your first prescription.

This appointment allows us to go through your progress, identify any challenges you may have faced so far, and formulate further strategies where required. It also allows us to assess your herbal prescription and make any adjustments if needed.

All further appointments are then generally scheduled at three monthly intervals, where we will continue to assess your progress together, adapting your plan to incorporate further strategies as you progress on your wellness journey.

Should you have an ongoing condition you may be eligible to be moved onto a telephone/video consultation scheme once we have completed an initial and follow-up face to face appointment.  This reduces the need for you to physically attend the clinic, unless you would prefer to.  

All options are flexible and can be discussed at each stage of your progress to find the best solution that fits you.

Plant-Based Medicinal Prescriptions

 

Whilst our treatment approaches focus on prevention techniques and lifestyle practices, some patients will require the use of a medicinal prescription to either enhance their treatment programme, or to offer interim relief of a health condition whilst implementing longer-term strategies.  
As our prescriptions are formulated from plant-based medicine, these support our ethos of synergy; their mechanisms of action work in greater harmony with your body

If you require a medicinal prescription, it may be based on one or several of the below types of medicine, all of which your practitioner will ensure can be taken along side any other medications you are taking.

Tinctures

Medicinal tinctures are usually comprised of several herbs preserved in an alcohol-base, that are researched and completely tailored to the patients needs. Tinctures utilise beneficial constituents extracted from plants that address either the specific ailment being treated, or its underlying root cause.

Dried Herbs

Dried herbs are usually taken as a tea, infusion or decoction.  This is made by the patient at home from a specifically mixed blend provided as part of your prescription.  Full instructions will be provided on how to correctly prepare it and can be especially useful for treatment of Irritable or Inflammatory Bowel Conditions

Creams

For treatments that require a topical prescription, a herbally infused cream will be prescribed based on the needs of the condition being treated.  These can be really beneficial for conditions where direct application of a prescription is needed, such as in bites and stings, or conditions such as Osteoarthritis. 

Where available, we rely on the use of certified organic herbs to enhance the quality and benefit of the prescription.
Please be aware that you may require several weeks worth of prescription to take in between appointments or may involve more than one treatment type i.e. a tea and a cream may be prescribed.  If you have any concern around this, please let us know.

Further information on herbs and their use in prescriptions can be found here