Western Herbal Medicine at the Natural Health Clinic

Hidden Allergies and Food Intolerances.

During January and February Max Drake has been facilitating a small group of people engaged in an elimination diet programme to identify hidden allergies and food intolerances.

This is a process that takes 8 – 10 weeks, where you start by including a quite limited range of foods in your diet, and gradually re-introduce foods that you have been excluding, to observe and monitor any effects that might occur. In this way you can positively identify foods to which you might be intolerant, a situation which can cause all sorts of symptoms.

This has been set up as an action research project, following principles developed by the University of Bath. This is a form of co-operative enquiry, and is an ideal way of getting through a very challenging process. Also, the actual observation of how you are responding to foods is often quite difficult and complex, and it is very helpful to share this with others, to give voice to your experiences. For more information you can visit Max's website here. Max is planning to run further groups during the year, so please get in touch if you are interested.

max@maxdrake.co.uk

Herbalism, in this country is now classed as an "alternative" or "complementary" discipline but it is still the most widely practised form of medicine worldwide with over 80% of the world's population relying on herbs for health.

Western Medical Herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic skills as orthodox doctors but take a more holistic approach to illness. The underlying cause of the problem is sought and, once identified, it is this which is treated, rather than the symptoms alone. The reason for this is that treatment or suppression of symptoms will not rid the body of the disease itself. Herbalists use their remedies to restore the balance of the body thus enabling it to mobilise its own healing powers.

The first consultation will generally take at least an hour. The Herbalist will take notes on the patient's medical history and begin to build a picture of the person as a whole being. Healing is a matter of teamwork with patient, practitioner and the prescribed treatment all working together to restore the body to health. Treatment may include advice about diet and lifestyle as well as the herbal medicine.

The second appointment may follow in two weeks, subsequent ones occurring monthly - this will depend on the patient and the illness concerned. Herbalists use a wide range of plant based materials for internal and external use. Preparations such as tinctures, fluid extracts, syrups, capsules and creams are all produced to a very high standard, and many are made from locally sourced herbs.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

During the late Spring, Summer and Autumn Max runs various herbal medicine classes , guided walks and workshops through the Urban Fringe Pharmacy project.

The 'Urban Fringe' is a collective term for the green and sometimes wild spaces that exist in and around the city, including parks, allotments, community gardens, and untended land accessible to the public. The project runs guided walks and workshops of the type that are usually found at National Trust, English Heritage, or other 'middle class' green spaces. The purpose is to awaken an interest in the natural environments and phenomena that are accessible to city dwellers and to promote healthier lifestyles for the whole community.

Walks are usually with groups of between 8 and 30 people of any age, and usually last about 2 hours. During workshops we show you how to make many different herbal preparations, and talk about modern and traditional usage of herbs as medicines. The content of the workshop is geared towards enabling you to start using herbs straight away, and to point you in the right direction for developing your skills and increasing your knowledge.  Ffi. www.urbanfringe.org

Max Drake is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, and is at the Natural Health Clinic on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

For more information on Max and conditions treated go to www.maxdrake.co.uk