Wight Herbal Medicine

26/07/2025

‘By far the most commonly used drug in general practice (is) the doctor himself’ (Balint, 1963).
Balint, M. 1963. The doctor, his patient and the illness.

What's in a consultation? This involves a thorough assessment of the presenting problem and a detailed, holistic exploration of a person's medical and psychosocial history, alongside lifestyle factors that may be influencing or maintaining difficulties. We have the privilege of being able to dedicate time to this which enables us to dig deep to get a sense of the person, their story and their journey. As such many people who consult a medical herbalist find it a therapeutic act in and of itself, which given our understanding of the mind-body connection, is so often key to healing. Our approach means we can maximise the potential for healing within the consultation in addition to that of the herbal medicines we prescribe, with the combination of the two often resulting in a potent form of therapy.

12/07/2025

What are nervines and what are adaptogens? These are commonly used in herbal medicine but what do these terms mean?

05/07/2025

Catnip - not just for cats!
Nepeta cataria is a member of the mint family and is a herb that has been used since Roman times. It is carminative and
and a gentle nerve relaxant; as well as being diaphoretic. Catnip is a calming sedative that is especially indicated for anxiety alongside restlessness and irritability. So if you are feeling 'jittery', catnip can help calm this excitable, restless state. Its carminative properties help relieve spasming and cramping and so can ease stomach ache and flatulence. It’s particularly adept at easing smooth muscle cramping in the intestines and uterus so works well for menstrual pain. As a mild astringent, catnip can also address mild diarrhea and nausea related to nervous tension.
Its diaphoretic properties have the value of helping the skin to eliminate waste from the body through the promotion of sweating. Traditionally diaphoretics have been used to increase sweating during fevers and especially in children but the deeper value of these remedies is the way they can support the kidneys in their detoxification role.

20/06/2025

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🌿 Herb of the Month: Angelica - Angelica archangelica 🌿

In his 1597 herbal John Gerard describes Angelica as “ a singular remedie against poison [..] plague, and all infections taken by evil and corrupt aire” – whilst that seems like quite the claim, it does align with Angelica’s known medicinal properties.

Angelica’s essential oil has been shown to be active against (among many other pathogens) Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that can cause diarrhoea and colitis, alongside anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and smooth muscle relaxant activities, which aid in its ability to soothe the digestive tract and painful menstruation.

To read the full blog written by Jenny Carden-Porrett, visit our website: https://nimh.org.uk/herbal-resources/

Note: When taking herbs, we recommend seeking the advice of a qualified medical herbalist.

22/05/2025

https://holisticprimarycare.net/tag/melissa-officinalis/

Lemon Balm Improves Sleep Quality In Placebo-Controlled RCT Wednesday, 22 January 2025 22:29 By Meg Sinclair, Staff Writer Print Melissa officinalis, known colloqually as Lemon Balm, has a venerable history of use as a relaxant, anxiolytic, and sleep aid. A new study shows nightly supplementation wi...

29/04/2025

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2024/may/orangutan-spotted-treating-head-wound-with-medicinal-plant.html

This is the first time a wild animal has been seen applying a plant that has known medical properties to treat an injury.

28/04/2025

It's the time when we begin to see Hawthorne (Crateagus monogyna) flowering - a sign that the spring is turning to summer. A sign of fertility and had ancient associations with May Day. Hawthorne was never brought into the house (other than on May Day) as it was believed this would be followed by illness and death. In medieval times it was said that the blossom smelt like the Great Plague. It certainly has a strange odour…at times sweet and also fetid. This is due to the presence of the chemical trimethylamine in hawthorn blossom which is also one of the first chemicals formed in decaying animal tissue. This attracts flies who are its pollinators.

It is a herb that calms and soothes both the physical and emotional heart, with a particular affinity with vascular tissue. It is chronotrophic and inotrophic (regulates the heartbeat both in terms of contraction and force) and relaxes blood vessels, protecting the small blood vessels from the effects of high blood pressure and increasing flow through coronary arteries. It is also an effective anxiolytic and can be helpful in cases of panic and was used traditionally for "heartbreak" and bureavement.

The leaves in particular contain ligameric procyanadins which have a cardiac activity whilst the berries contain quercitin/vit c and hypericide. Therefore preparations often combine both berries and leaves. It is also an effective anxiolytic and can be helpful in cases of panic.

It is generally seen as a very safe medicine for the cardiovascular system, and is not seen as problematic in terms of interactions with orthodox pharmaceutical drugs. But it can get typecast, given the research supporting its benefits but its effects are broader than just the heart, especially given its anti-inflammatory properties.

19/04/2025

Of course we always want to get at the root cause of why someone might need a diuretic but in the event they do, this is another fine example of the synergy of plants.

One of my favorite spring herbs 🌿 — Dandelion leaf is a natural diuretic that helps drain dampness and flush out metabolic waste without depleting potassium...

12/04/2025

🌿 Herb of the Month: Cardamom - Elettaria cardamomum 🌿

Aromatic and resinous, many people enjoy the scent of cardamom even if they aren't partial to the taste! Known as True or Green Cardamom, and from the 19th century as 'The Queen of spices' - it has been recorded for thousands of years as a useful digestive aid.

In the same family as Ginger, it is considered a more cooling alternative when an anti-inflammatory or digestion remedy is needed. A primary constituent α-terpineol and also 1,8-cineole, have been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-nociceptive (analgesic) properties, alongside mucus thinning effects, making it useful in clearing mucus and helping a weakened digestive system, or to give alongside digestive bitters to avoid 'griping' sensations.

Cardamom's antiseptic action has also made it a popular breath freshener, and a remedy for colds, tonsillitis and bronchitis, where it can also help clear mucus congestion in the lungs. Myrcene is also present, lending Cardamom a gentle relaxing quality, another useful component when stress and stomach are so closely linked!

Personally I can happily chew on the seeds and work with Cardamom a lot in clinic, but would love to know how other people feel about cardamom, do you consider her a medicinal herb or more something to be used sparingly in cooking?

Note: When taking herbs, we recommend seeking the advice of a qualified medical herbalist.

06/04/2025

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02/04/2025

Cacao was given the name "yollotl eztli," meaning "heart blood" by the Aztecs, suggesting that they had a sense of the benefits of this amazing plant. Traditional uses are wide and varied, ranging from fever reduction to strengthening the heart and supporting the kidneys; it was considered nourishing, health-supportive and longevity-promoting.

Cacao contains over many chemical compounds and minerals such as magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, tryptophan, phytochemicals and antioxidants.

It is a wholefood that has one of the greatest amounts of magnesium - a mineral which assists with heart rhythm regulation, heart muscle activity as well as supporting the nerves that initiate heartbeat. People often find that low magnesium levels can lead to heart palpitations and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and also coronary artery spasms which can result in.the intense chest pains known as angina. It can also support healthy blood pressure as it can help relax the muscles controlling blood vessels and thus enable to blood to flow more freely and help regulate potassium and sodium levels in the blood. It is rich in antioxidants, especially procyanidin and anthocyanin, reported to be effective in heart disease and stroke prevention as well as in prevention of free radical damage and with collagen production.

It contains theobromine said to influence the mood positively, along with phenylethylamine which is considered to promote feelings of contentment; it also contains anandamide, a neurotransmitter names after the Sanskrit word ananda meaning, bliss, joy and delight.

Why not add a spoonful of raw cacao to your coffee or make your own hot chocolate using this amazing powdered seed!

19/03/2025

🌿 Wayside Herb of the Month: Sorrel - Rumex acetosa 🌿

Known as souries, field sorrel, and narrow-leaved dock among many other names. A clue to its sour, tangy taste is in the botanical name; acetosa comes from the Latin word "acetum," meaning vinegar! Part of this flavour comes from oxalic acid, which is why caution is advised for excessive consumption, or anyone with gout or kidney stones, however cooking does lessen the amount present.

Visit our website to read the full blog written by Jenny Carden-Porrett: https://nimh.org.uk/herbal-resources/

Note: When taking herbs, we recommend seeking the advice of a qualified medical herbalist.