Nutritional Medicine

Nutritional Medicine (Therapy) consists of the professional use of carefully compiled prescriptions of diet, supplementary nutrients and natural detoxification procedures to treat or prevent ailments and to promote optimal health. Practitioners may also employ lifestyle precautions by which to avoid ingestion or inhalation of toxins, non-drug procedures to promote colon health, nature-derived nutriceuticals, avoidance of allergens and the use of herbal, homoeopathic or naturopathic remedies in a secondary capacity that is adjunct to and supportive of the primary use of foods and nutrients. 

Whilst anyone can "tinker" with diet, the ability to apply nutrition to health effectively calls for well-developed professional skills. Prescriptions are based on medical, family and dietary histories and practitioners develop diagnostic insight specific to this form of medicine. Nutritional therapy is holistic because of its: drug-free nature, overall respect for the inherent vitality of cells and tissues, support for active biological processes rather than using inhibitory methods, recognition of the extent to which mental effects depend upon the nutrition of the brain, acknowledgment of the emotional state of the patient.

A practitioner of Nutritional Medicine may offer help with a wide range of conditions, the majority of which are not necessarily regarded in conventional medicine as being nutritional illnesses. These encompass an extremely wide range of chronic conditions, including most diseases and a vast array of symptoms - physical, emotional, mental - which can frequently be experienced outside the range of conventional medical diagnostic "labels"

There is a growing demand for vitamin pills and a wide variety of related health products. Most of these are taken by self-prescription and guesswork. The general public often draw upon the latest article in the press or the media for guidance. Hence self-prescription goes in fads and phases, and it is the same with diets. Practitioners trained in fields other than nutrition do what they can, often with a single standard diet and prescription of single supplements. However, they usually lack the necessary expertise. This is haphazard - as are the results. One also observes many examples of people taking supplements bought over the shop counter (or people following what is considered a general good diet) and feeling no better for it. This is not a surprising outcome as a programme of nutritional supplements and diet needs to be matched exactly to individual needs by a trained practitioner.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine, sometimes referred to as Herbalism or Botanical Medicine, is the use of herbs for their therapeutic or medicinal value. A herb is a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, aromatic or savoury qualities. Herb plants produce and contain a variety of chemical substances that act upon the body.

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of health care known to mankind. Herbs had been used by all cultures throughout history. It was an integral part of the development of modern civilization. Primitive man observed and appreciated the great diversity of plants available to him. The plants provided food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Much of the medicinal use of plants seems to have been developed through observations of wild animals, and by trial and error. As time went on, each tribe added the medicinal power of herbs in their area to its knowledge base. They methodically collected information on herbs and developed well-defined herbal pharmacopoeias. Indeed, well into the 20th century much of the pharmacopoeia of scientific medicine was derived from the herbal lore of native peoples. Many drugs commonly used today are of herbal origin. Indeed, about 25 percent of the prescription drugs dispensed contain at least one active ingredient derived from plant material. Some are made from plant extracts; others are synthesized to mimic a natural plant compound.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 billion people, 80 percent of the world population, presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. Herbal medicine is a major component in all indigenous peoplesâ„¢ traditional medicine and a common element in Ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic, traditional oriental, and Native American Indian medicine. WHO notes that of 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines, about 74 percent are used in modern medicine in ways that correlated directly with their traditional uses as plant medicines by native cultures. Major pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials gathered from the rain forests and other places for their potential medicinal value.

Substances derived from the plants remain the basis for a large proportion of the commercial medications used today for the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, and other problems.  Another example of the use of a herbal preparation in modern medicine is the foxglove plant. This herb had been in use since 1775. At present, the powdered leaf of this plant is known as the cardiac stimulant digitalis to the millions of heart patients it keeps alive worldwide. St. John's Wort is widely used in the treatment of mild depression without the need for Prozac. St. John's Wort does not have the side effects such as that of Prozac. There are some Ayurvedic and Western herbs that are very useful for reducing cholesterol, diabetes etc. Similarly the popularity of Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) is rising due to its beneficial effects as reported in national newspapers. Please note that is is always recommended you consult a qualified practitioner rather than self prescribe Herbal Medicine.

Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbalism have developed into highly sophisticated systems of diagnosis and treatment over the centuries. Western Herbalism was  primarily a system of folk medicine but has developed into a respected method of Herbal Medicine and is used by many professionals, especially nutritional practitioners.

Many people have the mistaken notion that, being natural, all herbs and foods are safe. This is not so. Very often, herbs and foods may interact with medications you normally take that result in serious side reactions. It is always a good practice to tell your doctor or health practitioners what you are taking so that they can advise you of possible complications, if there is any. You should also keep an eye open for unusual symptoms. Very often, this may foretell the symptoms of a drug interaction. High-risk patients, such as the elderly, patients taking three or more medications for chronic conditions, patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, depression, high cholesterol or congestive heart failure, should always consult a Natural Health practitioner before taking herbal medicines.

Julie Button is the resident Integrated Medicine practitioner (the coming together of conventional medicine and alternative medicine). She uses Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs in her Natural Health practice thus enabling people to have a choice of using Natural Supplements independently or along side their orthodox medication.

If you would like an appointment with Julie or more information on the above subject please contact her at: