Women's Herbal Clinic starts this Saturday


The Women's Herbal Clinic starts this Saturday at Ankh Wellbeing Centre. Drop by from 12pm-3pm for herbal tasting and mini-consultations

Ankh Wellbeing Centre
10 Adelaide Grove
London
W12 0JJ

Free parking at the weekends

Women's Herbal Clinic W12

A women's herbal clinic will take place every Saturday at Ankh Wellbeing Centre from 
Saturday 12th December 2015

CLINIC TIMES
Saturday 11am-6pm

PRICES 
First Appointment (90 minutes): £50 
Follow-up appointments (45 minutes): £45

REMEDIES
Teas/loose herbs per 50g - £4 
Tinctures per 150ml - £11.50 
Creams per 30g - £4.50 
Balms per 30g - £4.50 
Infused oils per 50g - £4 
Floral Waters per 100ml - £5

VENUE
Ankh Wellbeing Centre, 10 Adelaide Grove, 
Shepherd’s Bush, 
London, 
W12 0JJ

To make a booking or for more information please contact 07539 948 166 or 
e-mail: louisesamherbal@outlook.com

Herbal Medicine

Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes by various cultures and traditions for thousands of years and continues to be one of the most popular complementary therapies.

Disease, disorders or illnesses result from or are made worse by imbalances within a person’s body. The practice of herbal medicine aims to restore these imbalances by adopting a holistic approach to treatment. This involves, not just simply prescribing herbal remedies, but also taking into account all aspects of a person’s wellbeing including their mental, emotional and physical state.

Herbal medicine is used to treat a wide range of diseases including:

  • Arthritis
  • Eczema
  • Fibroids
  • Hay fever
  • Insomnia
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Stress

Under the supervision of a Medical Herbalist, herbal medicine can be used alongside conventional medicine in the majority of cases.

Statutory Regulation for Herbal Medicine

February 2011

Following over ten years of debates in the House of Lords the Government has decided that medical herbal practitioners, traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncturists should be regulated by the Health Professional Council (HPC). The move comes ahead of EU legislation that calls for the removal of unlicensed herbal medicines from sale in April 2011. Health secretary, Andrew Lansley said that statutory regulation through the HPC would ensure that practitioners would still have access to these products. Lansley proposes that this will be possible by using a derogation from the EU legislation and by setting up a UK scheme to permit and regulate the supply of unlicensed herbal medicines to practitioners.


The legislation which is due to come into effect in 2012 has been met with objections. Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians said: “We are disappointed to hear of government plans to bring in statutory regulation for herbal practitioners in the UK. "The proposed register will imply herbal therapies have the same legitimacy as medicine, nursing and dentistry, despite offering patients no proven benefit.” Pharmacologist Professor David Colquhoun of University College London said that the legislation allowed herbalists to sell products that have not undergone rigorous testing as is the case for drug companies.


Statutory regulation has, however, been welcomed by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. President Desiree Shelley said “The Government is to be congratulated on making the right decision to bring in statutory regulation for all those prescribing herbal medicines. Ministers have clearly recognised that this legislation is for patients’ benefit.”

Tackling healthcare issues in Barbados: looking to nature to tackle the problem

January 2011
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke. Since the 1930’s studies have been carried out in the USA, Britain and the Caribbean that show significant ethnic variations in the rates of hypertension with people of African descent having the highest prevalence rates. Various theories have emerged to explain why such differences occur and include genetic, increased salt sensitivity, dietary and lifestyle factors.
The severity of this health problem becomes apparent in Caribbean islands such as Barbados where the estimated population of Black people is 93%. In November 2010 Professor Trevor Hassell, Chairman of the National Commission for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, proposed that 54,000 adults or 20% of the population in Barbados had hypertension. 
 Dr. Sonia Peter is a lecturer and researcher at the Barbados Community College. Dr. Peter is also the President for the Caribbean chapter of the Society for Economic Botany.  I talk to her about the health issues facing Barbados and the growing interest in natural remedies to address these problems. 

The figures proposed by Professor Hassell highlight a very serious healthcare issue in Barbados. Which age group and gender appear to be more at risk?
Based on papers written by Dr Anselm Hennis of the Chronic Disease Research Centre in Barbados the incidence of hypertension increases with age and was evident at approximately 55% in a sample population under study.  At age groups over 40 years the incidence is significantly higher for women than men.  

What are your opinions as to why this is?
 Based on the evidence to date and the familial association in the prevalence of these chronic diseases, I am leaning towards a genetic association that may be exacerbated by lifestyle.

How are people in Barbados being educated about the causes, risk factors and treatment of cardiovascular disease?
 There are vibrant societies made up of professionals and those suffering from the diseases, or family members, which engage the public on an annual basis regarding the symptoms, early diagnosis, treatment and management. Regular campaigns promote testing for early diagnosis with free clinics offered at central locations.  Nutritionists work with the polyclinics to educate patients and they also provide advice through the media.

What measures are the government taking to deal with the increasing health issues caused by cardiovascular disease?
Government supports the programs at the polyclinics and offers support to the societies when or wherever possible.  Internal medicine department at the QEH (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) is working steadfastly on in house and out-patient management.  However, I am not directly linked to health care sector and an internist would be better able to provide this perspective.

In your opinion what are the success rates of these measures?
Based on reports, there are still challenges in the public education regarding the chronic diseases as evidenced by the national health care bill for hypertension and diabetes.  However, the importance of research in establishing the risk factors must be underscored as this could lead to better detection methods and treatment for those at high risk.  
Why was the Caribbean Chapter of the Society for Economic Botany (SEB) set up?
The main chapter of the SEB has as its theme ‘Plants and People’.  The society promotes research activity dedicated to preserving the heritage associated with the use of plants for food, shelter, medicine and craft.  Special interest is given to indigenous heritage practices and related economic activity.  The Caribbean has a wealth of heritage practice associated with species of indigenous flora being a biodiversity hotspot.  This provides an opportunity to further explore the Caribbean and African diaspora story regarding the interrelationship with plant biodiversity.     

Who is involved within the Caribbean Chapter of the SEB?
I am currently serving as President of the Caribbean chapter.  The list of members is now growing but includes agronomist, chemists, agriculturalists, artisans to date.

What work is being carried out by the Caribbean Chapter of the SEB to address the increasing cardiovascular disease rates in Barbados?
In collaboration with the National Science Council, a database of plant species used on the island has been established based on a survey of rural communities.  This database is being analysed and plants selected for further study.  Of special interest is the use of plants for ‘cooling teas’ which, on preliminary investigations, have been shown to be rich in antioxidants.  Antioxidants are implicated in the mitigation of age related diseases including cardiovascular.  A study is being conducted on the link between longevity and the use of these ‘cooling teas’.  It is being hypothesised that medicinal teas stave off the cellular deterioration that occurs on aging and hence promote better health.  This seems to be supported by the centenarian population on the island which is second only to Japan in terms of number per capita.  This research can serve to inform further research or, hopefully, in the development of nutraceutical agents.