I stock approximately 300 different Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs which are used skillfully not just to eliminate symptoms but to get to the core of an imbalanced state which we in the West refer to as dis-ease (out of ease) .
Whenever possible I use freshly processed organic or wild crafted plants for the maximum energetic effect, conservation of vital nutrients and for sustainability of the planet. Since there is obviously moisture content in fresh herbs I normally use them as fluid extracts i.e. 1:1 so that they are as potent as possible. Dried herbs are generally used as tinctures i.e., the herb is steeped in alcohol for two weeks and shaken daily to draw out their properties into the alcohol. The herb is then pressed and the liquid tincture stored in darkened bottles. Tinctures generally have a shelf life of at least five years.

The beauty of using tinctures is that the prescription can be made individually to suit an specific client. At a repeat consultation one herb can be substituted for another if it seems appropriate and the amounts of each herb in a prescription can also be altered. This is a very flexible approach.

Some herbs which are pleasant to drink e.g. lemon balm I either advise the client obtains themselves in tea bag form or I supply the dried herb to make up as a tea.

Unpalatable herbs that are unsuitable to use as an infusion (tea) I can capsulate for a person unable to take alcohol.

At my Wolverhampton practice where I stock my dispensery, prescriptions are made at the end of the consultation. At the Stourbridge and Birmingham practices I would need to post the herbs to you.

What to expect at a consultation

These initially last one to one and a half hours. I take a full case history, enquiring about your past medical history and well as the problem or problems which have brought you to me.
Any physical examinations are carried out as appropriate e.g. pulse, blood pressure, tongue and nail examinations, iris diagnosis.
Any changes in life style, which will help on the way to recovery, will also be discussed.

Detailed information is sought concerning your diet and any appropriate amendments suggested. This is very important part of the consultation. Herbs cannot work in a vacuum. For example, if a person were suffering from chronic catarrh it would be impossible to correct this if their diet included foods that cause catarrh. These foods would be dairy products (especially cows), sugar and fried foods.

Vitamin/mineral supplementation is recommended if necessary. Some I stock others you would need to purchase elswhere.

A repeat consultation takes between half to one hour and normally takes place monthly to monitor the treatment.

Questions patients sometimes ask

Ques: Are only herbs used in prescriptions?
Ans: Yes, apart from certain totally safe minerals used in Chinese prescriptions or minerals and oils in ointments/lotions.

Ques: Will I get any side-effects?
Ans: Herbs do not work in this way since they are working in harmony with your own body redressing any imbalances.

Ques: How many herbs are used in a prescription?
Ans: Occasionally only a single herb is used but generally a mixture is made up of anything up to ten working in tandem.
The prescription is designed to achieve an overall balance in the body systems e.g. certain herbs may be used to boost the immune system if your case history shows this is below par. Other herbs may be needed to support weaknesses in the body and others may be needed to cleanse and improve the system.

Ques: How long will I need to continue treatment?
Ans: This can vary from person to person and does depend on the condition I am treating and your age, e.g. children tend to recover faster. A rough guide however is one month's treatment for each year you have had a particular medical problem.

Ques: Will I have to make dramatic changes to my diet?
Ans: Sometimes yes, because it can be a poor diet has lead to a problem developing in the first place. On the whole I advocate a wholefood diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, organically produced if possible.

Ques: How much will it cost?
Ans: A first consultation costs £40
Herbal medicine costs approximately £24 for the month.
A repeat consultation costs £14.

Children are charged at reduced rates and also need less medicine.

© Anne Chiotis Medical Herbalist, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge