Hi there to any dear herbalists reading who might be able to answer my question.
I've bought a proprietary herbal mixture (tincture) from the herbalists, which is supposed to be anti-inflammatory. I am trying to come off the Ibuprofen (for my now recovering back injury), and hence I bought this. However it made me feel tired and heavy after taking it for a few days. I've stopped taking it, and my previous energy levels have returned.
Can someone tell me which of the ingredient/s are causing this... and perhaps I can get another mix made up which leaves this out?
Ingredients:
willow bark
prickly ash
devil's claw
bogbean
silver birch
cramp bark
Thanks so much!
N x
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
Well, I'm not a herbalist .... but I do have one! If there's someone on line who's properly qualified, they may be able to advise you. Really, though, I'd recommend you consult a medical herbalist which IMHO is a better and safer route than self-diagnosis and medication. Some herbal remedies are extremely powerful and can have contra-indications.
You should be able to find one near you by visiting the NationalInstitute of MedicalHerbalists website at:
[link= http://www.nimh.org.uk/index.html ]http://www.nimh.org.uk/index.html[/link]
Hope this helps. 🙂
Holistic
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
Hi holistic
I may not have been clear, but in my post I wrote that the mix [color="#000000"]was from a herbalist... it was a proprietary blend from a herbalist. Yes, I suppose that I could go back there and ask them to tell me which of its ingredients (which I listed above) are soporific.... but since folk here have always been so very helpful, I thought I'd ask here instead!
N
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
I've bought a proprietary herbal mixture (tincture) from the herbalists, which is supposed to be anti-inflammatory.
It was this which made me think you'd bought a ready-made-up mixture from a high street store.
Yes, I suppose that I could go back there and ask them to tell me which of its ingredients (which I listed above) are soporific...
It seems to me that that would be your very best course of action.
.... but since folk here have always been so very helpful, I thought I'd ask here instead!
Someone else may well give you a different answer. 😉
Holistic
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
hi
I am a qualified medical herbalist and Im a bit confused as to how the proprietary remedy was chosen for you .Did you have a full consultation with a herbalsit which is the only way to get a prescription tailored to your needs.Most herbalsits dont use ready made remedies as this does not allow for a very holistic approach.
In my opinion the prescription sounds very drying and if you are already of that nature ( a Vata constitution in Ayurvedic terms if that means anything to you!) could well slow your energy right down.
I would suggest you have a proper one to one consultation. Hope this helps.
all the best , annette
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
Hello and welcome to HP 🙂 It's good to read your views.
Most certainly the person I consult makes up a blend for me as appropriate for the time of year among other things. She has an hons degree in herbalism and is very knowledgeable indeed.
However, I think I'm right in saying that some "herbalists" undertake brief training, do get a certificate to show for it, and then sell proprietaryready-made blends.
However, until neukolnn is next online, we won't know which type of herbalist was consulted.
Holistic
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
Ah well, it was only bought from [link= http://www.napiers.net/ ]Napiers[/link]... they are just the largest medical herbalists in the UK! And highly reputable, so I don't think we should be casting aspertions regarding their very fine qualifications!! As you will know their proprietary blends are behind the counter and you speak with the counter staff (who are normally trainee herbalists) and they use their judgement as to which blend best suits.
wass115
"In my opinion the prescription sounds very drying and if you are already of that nature ( a Vata constitution in Ayurvedic terms if that means anything to you!) could well slow your energy right down."
That is very very interesting, because, yes, I am a Vata... a hot and dry one. So you got that spot on.
Thanks to both of you for your comments, and suggestion that I toss the blend and seek an appointment. I think I'll pour it down the toilet, and make an appointment with a Chinese herbalist instead.
N 🙂
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
no Im not casting doubt on Napiers competence but what I am saying is that just chatting in a shop will never give you as specific a remedy as a proper consultation.why do you need to make an appointment with a chinese herbalsit ??? western herbal medicine is perfecctly effective - you just need to be properly diagnosed and assessed which the herbalists at Napiers are more than capable of doing.
regards , annette
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
"why do you need to make an appointment with a chinese herbalsit ???"
Personal preference, to be honest. I like cooking the Chinese herbs, and being involved in making my own medicine... it's a ritual which I enjoy. Western herbal medicine is convenient... and I suspect that it is that way to suit our Western lifestyles. You have a tiny measure, which you have 1-3 times a day - it's all very easy. I popped into Napier, got some advice, got a proprietary blend... and hoped it worked. It did ease the inflammation, but, as I mentioned, I also got that unwanted tiredness. If (like other proprietary blends I've taken) it had done the trick then the entire process would be have been oh so quick, easy and convenient.
Chinese medicine, by contrast, takes over your life: your kitchen stinks from the smell of the herbs, the cooking/cooling/preparation takes ages, you have to drink a big cup of the stuff (and it usually takes really awful) twice a day - straight after food - which is crap because your palate is then tainted by the herbs. Anyway I find that this focuses my mind, and makes me think more about what else I am doing to support my health. After all, if you are going to go to all that trouble to make and take the Chinese herbs then adjustments to other parts of your life (diet, for example) seem sensible.
N
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
Hi, my brother went to a Herbalist and after two very expensive visits £175 in all [:o]which told him nothing he did not already know - he was given something to cleanse and support his liver, which made his eyes red, sore and impossible to see through.
He was very poorly for several days.
He never went back the the concoction went down the sink.
Very unhappy experience.
Dino
RE: anti-inflammatory herbal remedy making me tired... why?
ORIGINAL: neukolnn
Ah well, it was only bought from [link= http://www.napiers.net/ ]Napiers[/link]... they are just the largest medical herbalists in the UK! And highly reputable, so I don't think we should be casting aspertions regarding their very fine qualifications!! As you will know their proprietary blends are behind the counter and you speak with the counter staff (who are normally trainee herbalists) and they use their judgement as to which blend best suits.
Just for the record, I cast no aspertions at any individual or organisation. The name of Napiers was not known to me until you posted the link to their website, which is unsurprising, considering the locations of their premises. Their associates, Culpepers, are of course well known.
It therefore follows that I was not aware where they kept their proprietary medicines, but note from the website that consultations with properly qualifiedpractitioners are available.
I hope you soon feel better 🙂
Holistic