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Discovering Herbal Medicine

This one-year, distance-learning course is a fascinating introduction to medicinal plants, their properties and uses. The pathological changes in the body associated with ill-health and their diagnosis are dealt with in some detail, as are the philosophy and principles of Herbal Medicine.

Although this is non-practitioner course, it is of a sufficiently high standard to have been accredited by the British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA). It is the only such course that has received this accolade, and it will enable you to use herbs and herbal medicines with confidence and understanding.

As is to be expected, the Course is based on the traditional uses of herbs, which date back thousands of years. It also includes nutritional topics relating to health and wellbeing, and these will aid you in using medicinal plants to treat the minor ailments of yourself and your family.

Alan Lakin
Ann Walker

(Course Directors)

Hawthorn
(Crategus laevigata)
Materia medica:
leaves, flowers, berries
Commonly found in our hedgerows, Hawthorn has been used since antiquity for heart and circulatory problems, including the treatment of mild hypertension. The leaves, flowers and fruits (haws) are all used, and contain high levels of health-promoting flavonoids. It can support heart function, as well as having antioxidant and muscle-relaxant properties. Understandably, it is widely used by herbal practitioners to improve circulation and can be especially effective when combined with ginger.

Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
Materia medica:
leaves, roots
The leaves are diuretic, having a high content of potassium, and can be used for conditions such as fluid retention and gout to encourage waste-product elimination via the kidneys. Young leaves can be eaten in salads and their bitterness can stimulate the appetite. The roots can help to support liver function and encourage more bile production. This is particularly helpful in overcoming indigestion and constipation.

Meadowsweet
(Filipendula ulmaria)
Materia medica:
aerial parts, flowers
This is one of the strongest anti-inflammatories available to herbal practitioners, and is particularly effective in relieving joint pain. The active components include salicylates, which although related to aspirin, do not cause stomach irritation nor incur the risk of internal bleeding. On the contrary, one of the most important uses of meadowsweet is to treat high stomach acidity, which the herb can successfully alleviate.

Marigold
(Calendula officinalis)
Materia medica:
aerial parts, flowers
This is one of the strongest antiseptic herbs used by herbal practitioners, and is very effective for cleansing wounds. It combines well with Witch Hazel and Tea Tree oil to make an excellent healing lotion for skin spots and as a cream for thrush and athlete's foot. The herb (including extracts of the flowers) is also used internally. For example, it is regarded as "cleansing" in the lymphatic system, which can help to reduce raised lymph glands due to infections.

Ribwort Plantain
(Plantago lanceolata)
Materia medica:
leaves and seeds
A herb with soothing properties: a well-known folk use is for the relief of insect stings and bites by rubbing it onto the skin. Because the leaves have antibiotic as well as anti-allergy properties, they make an excellent cough remedy and are also used by herbal practitioners to counter catarrh in the respiratory system. Since it is such a very mild herb, it can be safely used for children with itchy dry skin. To enhance the effectiveness of this treatment, it is often combined with Nettle Leaf or Heartsease.

Elderflower
(Sambucus nigra)
Materia medica:
flowers, berries
The primary use of elderflowers is for colds and influenza, where its anti-viral properties come into play. It is particularly useful as an infusion (tea), combined with yarrow and peppermint. However, there are many other uses of this valuable herb. Elderflower is anti-allergic, and can be very helpful in hayfever and rhinitis. Its anti-inflammatory properties are effective in the urinary track, where it can reduce symptoms of cystitis. Elderberry syrup helps soothe sore throats and also have antiviral properties.

Red Clover
(Trifolium pratense)
Materia medica:
aerial parts, flowers
This herb of the meadows is a source of phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens), which studies have shown to alleviate symptoms of the menopause. The traditional use of Red Clover is as an "alterative" or blood cleanser. For example, it is used to treat inflammatory skin conditions and as a "cleanser" of the lymphatic system. Infusions of the herb can be used as a gargle for throat infections and to treat mouth ulcers.

Nettles
(Urtica dioica)
Materia medica:
leaves, roots, seeds
Because of its diuretic and anti-allergic properties, Nettle Leaf can be used to help "detox" the body. For the same reasons, teas and tinctures of the herb have been traditionally used as remedies for skin complaints, especially eczema. The leaf's anti-allergic effects also make it ideal for reducing the classic hay fever symptoms of wheezing and a runny nose. Nettle root is high in beta-sitosterol, a compound known to promote prostate health, and the seed has been used to improve kidney function.

Heartsease
(Viola tricolor)
Materia medica:
aerial parts
This charming little herb has a wide range of properties, including useful anti-inflammatory effects. It is mostly used by herbalists for chronic skin conditions, especially those with sticky discharge (when it combines well with Red Clover). Also, an infusion of the herb can be helpful to reduce 'cradle cap' in babies. Its high content of flavonoids makes Heartsease suitable for many purposes. For example, it is often used in the elderly to strengthen fragile capillaries that are associated with easy bruising.

Yellow Dock
(Rumex crispus)
Materia medica:
roots
Because of its laxative properties, this herb can be used to relieve constipation. But its main use by practitioners is to combine it with other herbs for the treatment of chronic skin disorders. As the plant grows it accumulates iron from the soil, which is reputed to be enhanced by sprinkling iron filings around it. Perhaps this is why Yellow Dock was once employed as a remedy for iron-deficiency anaemia. Today, however, it is customary to increase iron intake through the use of dietary supplements.