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New from Monday 9th November!  Herbal medicine clinics at Neal's Yard Remedies, Tunbridge Wells

3/11/2015

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Picture
This will be a short, snappy post announcing the first of two exciting new opportunities and offerings from the HerbSmith: a weekly clinic at the wonderful Neal's Yard Remedies (NYR) premises in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Herbal medicine clinics beginning Monday 9th November

Every Monday from next week, Monday 9th November 2015, I will be available onsite for herbal medicine consultations between 9.30 am and 1.30 pm at the Tunbridge Wells branch of Neal's Yard Remedies.  I'll also be available on an ad-hoc basis on Tuesday mornings between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm - in other words, I'll be there if there's a client booked in!

Here's the address:

64 Mount Pleasant Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1RB
Tel: 01892 524 523
Email: tunbridgewells@nealsyardremedies.com

You can make an appointment either by contacting NYR using the above details or via the HerbSmith website.

And here's a handy map:

To begin with, I'll be working in the NYR graduate clinic where a 60-minute consultation costs a very reasonable £25, plus any herbs or supplements purchased following the session.  A bargain, I hope you'll agree.

I'll be working to build the clinic over the coming weeks and it would be great if you could help me out by sharing this story via Facebook or your preferred form of social media.

Neal's Yard Remedies is unique in the UK

I'm delighted to be involved with NYR as it occupies a unique position in the UK natural medicine landscape.  I'm not aware of another brand specialising in products manufactured from the highest quality, organic, natural ingredients and which has premises in towns and cities throughout the UK.  Neither can I think of another operation that offers a wide range of natural therapies to the public from many of those premises.  As double-whammies go, it's about as natural, effective and ethical as you get - and I'm very excited to be part of it.

If you know anyone in the Tunbridge Wells area who might be interested in a herbal medicine consultation on Monday or Tuesday mornings with your friendly local HerbSmith, at a very reasonable rate, why not let them know?  Maybe I'll even see you at NYR Tunbridge Wells at some point in the future - I certainly hope so.
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Not such a simple question: What is herbal medicine?

28/8/2015

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Herbal medicine, iridology & naturopathy in Kent, Surrey and Sussex
What is herbal medicine?  And what about iridology and naturopathy?

Well, herbal medicine is medicine using plants instead of drugs.  Simple, eh?  Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

Except it's not that easy.  While it may be true to say that herbalists use plants instead of drugs, that rather glib introductory phrase doesn't begin to touch upon the rich and varied threads that weave the tapestry of herbal medicine past, present and future.  Neither does it acknowledge that pharmaceutical medicine would not exist without plant-derived chemicals, which represent some of its most important weapons even in 2015.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

An introduction to herbal medicine, iridology and naturopathy

What I'm going to do over the next weeks and months is try to answer, in as many ways as possible, a question that keeps popping up for myself and other natural health practitioners of my acquaintance: namely, what exactly is herbal medicine?  Isn't it the same as homeopathy?  (Spoilers: No.)  For that matter, what are these other odd things you practise – naturopathy and iridology?  How are they different from mainstream medicine, and why should I even consider coming to see a herbalist or naturopath?

Fascinating questions all, and ones that simply can't be answered in the space of a single article.  So I thought I'd take a leisurely stroll with you through some of the history of herbal medicine, naturopathy and iridology, while also explaining some of the principles involved.  Not only will this be useful for you – I hope! – I'm bound to learn a lot myself along the way.  There's no grand, overarching plan involved; rather, I'm just going to approach subjects as seems natural and appropriate, or as it 'flows', as a friend of mine is fond of saying.
Herbal medicine, iridology & naturopathy in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Herbal medicine uses plants as medicine

Let us count the ways: ever heard of a herbal tincture?  How about an electuary?  Or an oxymel?  As well as these, some of the more exotic and esoteric ways herbalists have employed over the centuries include elixirs, aromatic waters, flower essences, compresses, infused oils, herbal wines and honeys, decoctions, pessaries and poultices, to the more recognisable powders, tablets, capsules, essential oils, syrups, teas, creams, ointments, lotions and liniments, herbalists have a glittering array of tools available to them.  (And I'm sure I've missed some out...)  Not to mention whole plant parts!

Herbal medicine is where the material and energetic combine

Herbs are formed of an amazing array of fascinating chemicals, many of which we're only just beginning to understand.  The modern pharmaceutical industry in all its, erm, 'glory' would not exist without the contribution of plant-derived chemicals.  To the herbalist, those chemicals are best deployed in their natural state, as part of the organic matrix of connected and codependent substances that exist in the plants themselves, rather than as purified individual chemical species.  And yet it's possible to elicit incredible healing responses from drop doses of herbs; there is more to the healing power of plants than their chemistry alone.  A subtle energetic component is there to be harnessed that surrounds and suffuses the gross materiality of plant material.

Traditional medicine's energetic 'maps of the world'

Speaking of energetics, all ancient traditional systems of medicine have their own their own maps for describing the world based on the energies within and around us.  Ayurveda, from the Indian subcontinent, has the concept of the doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  Traditional Chinese medicine has the infinite complexity of the yin and the yang, and the energetic meridians tapped into by acupuncture.  Despite their widespread disuse in the modern era, Western herbal medicine has the concept of the humours and the elements they govern: blood and air, phlegm and water, black bile and earth and yellow bile and fire.  Some modern Western herbalists are now rehabilitating these ancient concepts.  As well as these 'constitutional' energetic systems, all traditional medical practises have ways to describe the properties of herbs energetically: for example, the degree to which they are hot or cold, moist or dry.  For the practising herbalist, these concepts are often more powerful than the purely physical descriptions offered by reductionist science.

Herbs, spirituality, shamanism and magic

Herbal medicine can be a guide to the spiritual universe and to the spirit world of shamanism.  Folklore such as putting agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) leaves under pillow to induce a deep sleep attest to the magic(k)al properties of herbs.  Plants have their own language that speaks to the willing observer, the 'doctrine of signatures' that offers clues to how the herb may be used to cure what ails thee physically, emotionally and even spiritually.

Downloading knowledge from the plants themselves

Herbal medicine has been learned over millennia by a humanity well versed in trial and error – or has it?  Ancient and traditional cultures claim that their knowledge of plant medicine comes direct from the plants themselves, a mode of thinking echoed by enlightened thinkers including Goethe and, in the modern era, Stephen Harrod Buhner.  Is that possible that we have the innate ability, once practised and developed, to connect directly with the plants themselves?  If so, how better to understand the healing powers of the verdant world than to hear from the very keepers of the information?

More questions than answers.  An ancient wooden door, protected by a stone arch cracked and worried by the passing of aeons.  Behind lies a flagged staircase, worn smooth by countless feet.  A shifting emerald radiance shines on the brickwork of the corridor from the unseen destination below.  Shall we explore?

Herbal medicine, iridology & naturopathy in Kent, Surrey and Sussex
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Free consultations at Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre, every Tuesday from 3rd March

27/2/2015

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The title pretty much says it all, so this post will be a short one.

Starting next Tuesday, I'll be holding free walk-in clinics at the lovely Dormansland & Lingfield Community Centre on Lingfield High Street between 10.00am and midday.  Said Community Centre has recently taken charge of some extra rooms, including two small, comfy spaces that are perfect for holding one-to-one consultations, so it would be churlish of me not to take advantage of such a great opportunity.
Free herbal medicine, naturopathy and iridology consultations at Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre

Come and find out more about herbal medicine

Unlike my 'normal' consultations, however, which last from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours long, these free sessions are meant as brief tasters.  A chance for people to learn more about what herbal medicine - and natural health more widely - has to offer them.  What exactly is herbal medicine, anyway?  How is it different from mainstream medicine - is it just that herbal medicine uses plants instead of drugs?  What can iridology tell me about my health just by looking in my eyes?  What is the philosophy behind naturopathy?  Insert your own question here - or, even better, bring it with you next Tuesday and I'll do my best to answer it!

Free 15-minute sessions including iridology

PictureLingfield & Dormansland Community Centre
Each free session will last around 15 minutes, which should be enough to have a useful chat.  If you fancy it, I'll get my iridology magnifier out and take a quick look into your eyes - you may be surprised at what 'the windows of the soul' say about your health and constitution...

So please come along if you can, and spread the word to people you think may be interested!

Venue: Meeting room, Jennings Hall, Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre
Date: Tuesdays from 3rd March
Time: 10.00am - midday
Length of each session: 15 minutes approx.
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Hello from The HerbSmith!

18/1/2015

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Well, The HerbSmith website has been up and running for a few weeks now, which means a proper welcome is way overdue.  So: welcome to www.herbsmith.uk, my (Adam Smith's) electronic window on the world and one of my primary means of getting the word out about what I do.

And what is that, I hear you ask breathlessly?  The brief answer, as the page banner above says, is 'herbal medicine' – which is an incomplete reply that raises many questions of its own.  What is herbal medicine, for instance?  Is herbal medicine different from mainstream medicine, and if so, how?  Why should I even consider seeing an herbalist for my health issues, rather than my GP?  All perfectly rational queries, and ones that I'll try my best to answer in future posts. 

What does an herbalist do?

As an herbalist, I use the healing powers of the amazing plants that grow all around us to restore a state of health.  Since their histories are entwined with our own through centuries and millennia, plants have evolved to be humanity's perfect medicine.  Gentle yet powerful, effective and virtually free of side effects if used appropriately, herbs and herbal medicine have been unfairly relegated to a supporting role in 21st century medicine, particularly in the Western world.

As a naturopath, I use the healing power of nature - vis medicatrix naturae - to gently bring the unbalanced body back into a state of health.  This basically translates as helping people to get out of their own way!  The body's natural state is one of glowing, vital health, to which it will return if blockages are removed.
Perhaps the deepest beauty of herbal medicine, though, is its infinite adaptability.  By selecting different herbs, by changing the doses of herbs in a mixture and by preparing the herbs in different ways, the herbalist can create an herbal remedy for everyone.  This is why you'll always hear herbalists say that they treat the individual, not the condition.  In other words, John's eczema may be very different to Jill's, and may require a very different approach to treatment.

I am no different to other herbalists on this.  I'm passionate that this underlying philosophy of herbal medicine is the right one.

Treating the individual - not the condition

Natural healthcare for the win!

I'm equally passionate that natural healthcare more widely not only works, but is also safe, rational and cost effective.  Creaking and groaning alarmingly, Western-style healthcare systems are beginning to collapse under the weight of too many sickly people and expensive medications.  A widespread move toward natural medicine and healthcare systems based on prevention, rather than expensive and often fruitless and damaging treatment, becomes more of a no-brainer every day.  To me, at least!

Herbal medicine on the Surrey, West Sussex and Kent borders

But until politicians get with the programme and begin to see the world the way I do, I can try to make difference in a small way, by offering my services as an herbalist to the public.  I believe that herbalists should be educators, so please sign up on the right to my mailing list to keep up-to-date with what's going on here!  I'll be posting here regularly from now on, and frequently in the next few weeks: lots of health-related information, recipes, waffling about herbs and ranting about this and that.  It would be wonderful to have you along for the ride!
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    An irregular blog

    I'm Adam Smith, a Herbalist and Naturopath practising in the Surrey/West Sussex/Kent border area.  Although I hope it will change, I don't currently post here regularly.

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