Margaret Papoutsis has always had a professional interest in herbal medicine. She was profoundly influenced by her late father-in-law, Ioannis Papoutsis, a Greek orthopaedic surgeon and pharmacologist. He evolved an effective herbal repertoire during the war-torn years in Greece, when pharmaceutical drugs were unavailable to civilians. Margaret herself obtained a diploma in Herbal Therapy whilst studying Nutritional Therapy and uses this gentle, yet effective modality to enhance her management of many conditions.

Why is herbal medicine a viable choice?

Humanity, health and herbs have been inextricably linked for countless millennia. Even now, in the 21st century, a majority of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from the active ingredients of healing plants.

However,there is a potential problem when extracting and concentrating only one of the many hundreds of useful chemicals contained in a plant - this process can increase the likelihood of adverse reactions. Man's own metabolism has developed in parallel with these same herbs, and when they are taken holistically, with the full spectrum of beneficial phytochemicals, any side effects are rare and normally mild.

Herbs work synergistically with the body's own chemistry - the results are sometimes a little slower, but the benefits are often at a deeper level, producing a more profound and lasting improvement in health and wellbeing.

What conditions can be influenced by herbal therapy ?

Herbs are an effective adjunct to the management of a wide variety of problems - in particular they are often helpful in areas associated with hormonal imbalance, stress, reduced immunity and digestive disorders e.g.

PMS, heavy or painful periods
Menopause
Stress/fatigue
Skin problems
IBS
Reflux
Repeated infections
Mild depression

Herbs work most efficiently in combination with dietary and lifestyle modifications.

What is the best way to take herbs?

Liquid herbal tinctures are the most potent and fast-acting of herbal preparations, and are particularly suited to initial use.

Tablets and capsules may continue the effect long-term but need to be of sufficiently high quality and dosage.

Herbal teas, or tisanes, are the most traditional way to take herbs, and are suitable for long-term use.

Are there any contra-indications?

In general herbs are extremely safe when taken in the prescribed way.

However, their use is not usually advised during pregnancy or whilst attempting conception.

Also, a number of herbs can intensify the action of some prescription drugs, especially anticoagulants. For this reason, it is recommended that self-medication is not advisable without expert advice.

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