What
is Phytotherapy?
Phytotherapy
today is the combination of a long history of using plants, together with
modern scientific research and thorough medical training. “Phyto” is the Greek
word for plant. In South Africa a Phytotherapist must have completed a five
year post- graduate BSc degree in Phytotherapy to be skilled in compounding and
dispensing herbal medicines, specifically formulated to treat and/or prevent
disease. Emphasis is placed on prevention of disease and includes nutrition and
lifestyle management.
An example of a Phytotherapeutic approach
Solidago virgaurea (European goldenrod or woundwort) is an herbaceous
perennial
plant of the family Asteraceae. It is grown as a garden flower with many different
cultivars and flowers profusely in autumn. In the 15th and 16th
centuries it was used in Europe to heal wounds. It has astringent,
diuretic,
and antiseptic
properties. These bright
yellow flowers generally appear at the first signs of seasonal cold and often
herald the start of autumn. Their colour almost reminds us that they have
stored all the bright sunshine and energy of summer to provide us with medicine
we may need to stay healthy throughout the winter months. Amongst its active constituents are saponins,
tannins and flavonoids.
Solidago
virgaurea is one of
the first plants which comes to mind for the treatment of upper respiratory
catarrh and may be used in combination with other herbs in the treatment of
colds and flu. It can be used as a
gargle to relief a sore throat and also has beneficial effects on both the
digestive and urinary systems. It can be
helpful for exhaustion accompanied with chilliness alternating with heat – a
symptom often associated with the changing of seasons. People with any form of
chronic kidney disease should consult a Health Care Professional before using
this medicinal plant as it can have a profound effect on the kidneys.
What
medicine do Phytotherapist prescribe and dispense?
Phytotherapists
treat their patients with the highest quality herbal medicine. They use only
whole plant extracts in all their formulations, each herb prescribed is
compounded to achieve maximum quality and ensure efficacy of each herb.
