Citation
(2005), "Herbal Medicine Awareness Week 3-10 September 2004 Herbs and Mental Health", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 35 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2005.01735aab.010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Herbal Medicine Awareness Week 3-10 September 2004 Herbs and Mental Health
Herbal Medicine Awareness Week – 3-10 September 2004 – Herbs and Mental Health
Herbal Medicine Awareness Week (3-10 September) focused on herbs and mental health. The annual event is organised by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists – one of the world's oldest professional bodies representing qualified medical herbalists – staged a week of events, demonstrations and walks to celebrate Herbal Medicine Awareness Week.
Herbs and mental health
The awareness campaign focuseds on herbs and mental health. Ned Reiter, president of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, commented:
Many people have very outdated ideas about what mental illness is. Myths and misconceptions abound. And yet one in four people will experience a mental health problem in the course of any one year. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disease are major causes of debility in our society. Although conventional medicine can help many sufferers, there are many others for whom the option of mind-affecting drugs is unsuitable.
For a sizeable proportion of sufferers, herbal medicine can offer a gentle, safe and effective approach to treatment. Medical herbalists take a holistic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. They realise that the division between mind and body is largely artificial, and that it is only by considering the entire person that an in-depth understanding of a patient's condition may be gained. Using herbal remedies to correct imbalance and normalise function, along with offering advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle, a qualified medical herbalist will work with the patient towards a healthier and happier state of physical and mental wellbeing.
The week saw the launch of a Herbal Health Advice Line – 01392 426022. Callers will be put in touch with local herbalists who will offer expert advice about herbal health. There was also a nation-wide programme of herb walks and activities, over the weekend, 4-6 September. Members of the public were invited to join a qualified medical herbalist on a local walk, providing a valuable chance to find out more about the medicinal properties of the plants found growing in the UK (in the city and countryside).
To find out more about Herbal Medicine Awareness Week, please contact the National Institute of Medical Herbalists head office at 56 Longbrook Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6AH or e-mail: nimh@ukexeter.freeserve.co.uk. The Institute's web site can be found at www.nimh.org.uk
MIND published a special booklet, Making Sense of Herbal Remedies, to coincide with the week. To order call 020 8221 9666 or e-mail: publications@mind.org.uk