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Discovering Herbal Medicine Course Seminar

The photo above shows Nutritionist and Herbal Practitioner, Ann Walker explaining some of the medicinal properties of the plants found in the Walled Garden of the Harris Garden - part of the University of Reading campus.
Ann says "We hold these seminars in Reading twice a year - each one has a different theme. This one was on digestive health. The objective of the seminars is firstly to give students studying our Discovering Herbal Medicine course an opportunity to meet the teaching team, and secondly to show how herbs, alongside nutrition and mainstream medicine, can be used to help regain and maintain health. While we indicate what people can do for themselves, we also emphasise those conditions which require professional guidance."

Next Seminar Sunday, 10th October 2010 at Reading International Solidarity Centre on “Lessening the Pain – Lessons from Practice”. This includes a guided herb walk around the rooftop garden!

October 10th 2010 Seminar Downloads: Seminar Programme; Seminar Speakers Biographies; Seminar Booking Form; Credit/Debit Card Payment Form.

Congratulations!

John Miller, Dawne Pryor, Dafydd Monks, Eunice Asare-Okyere & Nick Bennett with their awards given at the British Herbal Medicine Association's AGM in June 2009

Course members who successfully completed the 'Final Assessment' for the Certificate of Herbal Studies were awarded a certificate at an Award Ceremony at the British Herbal Medicine Association’s AGM in June 2009. From left to right: John Miller, Dawne Pryor, Dafydd Monks, Eunice Asare-Okyere & Nick Bennett. Gina Coatsworth also attended but couldn’t stay for the photo.

Successful students

The 'Certificate of Herbal Studies', endorsed by the British Herbal Medicine Association, was awarded to the following students in recognition of their successful completion of the Final Assessment of 'Discovering Herbal Medicine'.

2010: Stephanie Roden 'With Distinction 93%'; Abdulai Amankwah; Keleigh-Marie Snelgrove; Samantha Salter 'With Distinction 92.5%'.

2009: Catherine Cowling, 'With Distinction 90%'; Dr Julia Hopkins;'With Distinction 98.5%'; Martina Salagova;'With Distinction 98%'; Dafydd Monks; John Miller 'With Distinction 93%’; Margreet Kerkhof-Theune 'With Distinction 92%'; Zoi Maraki; Dawne Pryor; Eunice Asare-Okyere; Nicole Vosper 'With Distinction 93.5%'.

2008: Jan Blundell; Eliska Robson 'With Distinction'; Rachel O’Reilly 'With Distinction’; Claudine Martin 'With Distinction'; Gina Coatsworth 'With Distinction'; Katherine Simmons; Kate Rouse; Nick Bennett & Samuel Wan.

The Final Assessment for the Certificate of Herbal Studies is optional but those students who decide to do the Final Assessment, and who are successful, may elect to be awarded the Certificate at the British Herbal Medicine Association's Annual General Meeting in London in June.

Colds and 'Flu
Echinacea can help to ward off colds as long as you buy a good quality product. Once a cold or 'flu is established, the traditional remedy of a strong infusion of elderflowers, yarrow and peppermint helps to make the unpleasant symptoms more bearable. Elderflower has anti-viral properties, yarrow encourages sweating and helps prevents very high temperatures in fevers and peppermint is warming to the body. Clinical studies suggest that elderberry extract is an effective treatment, which probably supports the time-honoured use of elderberry syrup for coughs and colds.

Indigestion
If the indigestion is associated with the production of excess stomach acid, Camomile as a tea can be very effective or it can be taken in combination with other herbs such as Meadowsweet, Liquorice or Marshmallow root. Indigestion can also be caused by a reduced flow of the disgestive juices, especially bile from the liver. Of the herbs which stimulate the production of digestive juices throughout the gut are the "bitters", such as Wormwood, Artichoke leaf and Gentian. These are often used in recipes for aperitifs, whose traditional function is to promote good digestion.

Insomnia
For practitioners treating patients with minor sleep difficulties, Valerian is almost always the herb of choice. Scientific studies have now confirmed that it does, indeed, improve depth of sleep. However, some sleep problems are more severe and can have complex causes, such as overwork and long-term stress. If so, additional daytime support for the nervous system is helpful, involving the use of "nervine" tonics such as Vervain, Lemon Balm, Skullcap, Oat leaves and Betony. Also, caffeine-containing drinks at night-time should always be avoided.

Low Mood
St John's wort is excellent for combating low mood, as has been repeatedly shown in many clinical trials. Practitioners also use the herb to raise vitality and for its renowned anti-viral effects.
Although St John's wort is a proven safe herb, it should not be taken by people using certain drugs such as SSRI antidepressants, warfarin, digoxin and oral contraceptives. This is because it stimulates detoxication by the liver, thereby reducing blood levels of these ‘foreign’ molecules.
(Modest exercise is known to enhance mood and self-esteem, if only walking.)

Always Tired
Unless there is an obvious explanation, constant tiredness is symptomatic of low vitality, and herbs which raise vitality (generally known as “adaptogens”) are indicated. These can also enhance the body’s robustness to stress.
The Ginsengs are the best-known adaptogens; Chinese, American and Siberian all being effective, but with slightly different properties.
Since all Ginsengs are capable of raising blood pressure, they are unsuitable for those with hypertension. Adaptogens without adverse blood pressure effects include Rhodiola and Sarsparilla.