Tincture

Patient Testimonial: Absent/Irregular Periods and low mood

I went to see Jonny after looking for a herbalist for a few months.  I'd tried a range of conventional and complementary treatments for absent/irregular periods. My condition was affecting my mood, attitude and skin and I was keen to explore a fresh approach.

Jonny's passion for the power of herbal medicine is beautiful to witness and made me feel confident in the process. I was advised at the start of our consultation that it would likely be an emotional and potentially lengthy journey. A year on I can say that this was very true and I've learnt a lot about myself along the way. I've had a dramatic improvement in my periods and my hormone balance. I've also let go of some past hurts and feel more open to adventure, love and new paths.

I found the consultations to be an opportunity to explore my current choices, relationships and beliefs and how this may link to the symptoms I was experiencing. Jonny explained how my condition may have developed as a result of life events and my attitude towards myself and others.  He also explained how each of the plants/herbs used would impact on my system by telling me their unique qualities. I found this part of the consultations really helpful and interesting. The tinctures prescribed were taken twice a day and their effects were felt both physically and emotionally. I also tried some tea made from a variety of herbs and flowers.

I enjoyed the process of personal consultations and found that a slight adjustment in each new tincture enabled changes in my system as well as new insights. I'm currently enjoying a more regular cycle, clearer skin and lower blood pressure. I'm sure the process will be ongoing and I trust that things will continue to improve for me.

I'd recommend Jonny if you are seeking plant medicine for absent or irregular periods; he is an expert in his work and will support you along your journey with empathy and understanding. 

Anonymous. 

This patient was becoming more and more frustrated with conventional approaches to her health problems. We spent time covering numerous issues to do with childhood experiences, relationships and her blood pressure which was quite high. The patient responded well to herbs and although it hasn’t been a straight forward path to recovery she has persevered to finally find a real place of balance with her monthly cycle and mood. I am very grateful for the trust and openness this patient placed in me with such a program.

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

Avena sativa (Oats)

Most of us have eaten Oats for breakfast. But did you know they are a potent medicine added to a Herbalist's repertoire? 

On Greenmedinfo (2017) Oats have 55 study abstracts showing they have therapeutic effects for hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and diabetes type II. 

Its main actions are:

Oat seeds blowing in the wind

Oat seeds blowing in the wind

·         Nervine (Used to calm the nerves)

·         Anti-depressant (Enhances mood)

·         Sedative (Promotes calm)

·         Nutritive (Nourishing to the body, tissues and organs)

Avena sativa is well known for effects on cholesterol but it also has value for patients with ADHD. By exhibiting a calming effect on hyperactivity in children it calms the nervous system. 

As a nutritive tonic it contains more than 20 polyphenols and avenanthramides which have all been shown to provide potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro (Meydani, 2009). Oats are a wonderful addition to a herbal or nutritional protocol for elderly patients who struggle with sleep and mood related issues. 

The daily dose of Avena sativa seed is 1-2 teaspoons for a tea. In tincture form 1-2ml/day of a fluid extract or 1-5ml/day of 1:5 extract is normal (Bartram, 1995, 315).

Avena sativa appears to have no restriction on its long term use. Mills and Bone (2013, 276) state that long-term therapy with trophorestoratives is generally normal.

In clinical practice I find Avena sativa used as a tincture is fantastic for a burnt out nervous system. Patients who exhibit anxiety and depression attributed to drug abuse from prolonged exposure to stimulants such as MDMA and amphetamine respond very quickly to having Oats in their tincture. Thus proving how potent a medicine Oats really can be to somebodies nervous system. 

GranolaBars2.jpg

I often ask patients with diabetes II to include Oats at breakfast as a healthy start to the day. Keeping blood sugars from spiking is key alongside other herbal treatment for diabetes II. Oats provide a much healthier start to the day over a wheat based cereal. 

 

References

Bartram, T. (1995) Bartrams’s Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine, London, Robinson.

Greenmedinfo (2017) Oats [Online] Available at:http://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/oats [Accessed 27th October 2017].

Meydani, M. (2009) Potential health benefits of avenanthramides of oats, Nutrition Reviews, Dec; Vol. 67(12): p. 731-735.

Mills, S. Bone, K. (2013) Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy Modern Herbal Medicine, 2nd Edition, London, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

 

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
Bsc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

A Medical Herbalist's Dispensary

A common question when asking about Herbal Medicine is 'in what format do i prescribe herbs?' 

Medicine can often be found growing all around us, even in the bottom of the your garden (Oak or Hawthorn) or that annoying weed you struggle to get rid of (Dandelion). 

My dispensary of teas and tinctures 

My dispensary of teas and tinctures 

Medical Herbalist's often use herbs that have been turned into different forms for extraction purposes and storage purposes. For this reason Herbalist's will most often tincture herbs. Tincturing involves using a chosen part of the plant, either the root, leaf, flower or fruit and placing it in alcohol for a number of weeks. The constituents filter into the alcohol before the matter is removed leaving a tincture that can be prescribed at a certain dose for a reflected medicinal aim. 

Flowers, leaves, fruits and roots can also be turned into powders for encapsulating or teas for drinking. 

Essential oils are made using a steam distillation process that involves manufacturing equipment often out of reach for most Herbalist's. For this reason most oils are purchased from a supplier. 

Many medicines are however made by your local Herbalist using their hands and experience. For all of the herbs not found or collected locally there are many suppliers who sell supplies to graduates. 

At Jonny's Apothecary i currently stock over 100 tinctures of herbs from all over the world, but the vast majority coming from the UK and Europe. I stock over 20 teas, 10 powders and various other products like essential oils, creams and pessaries for application to medical issues. 

Herbal Medicine is a process that involves a consultation before prescribing a custom made unique protocol for your health problem. I use my own stock and offer an ongoing service for treating your illness. 

 

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
Bsc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary