Herbal Medicine in Treating Gynaecological Conditions

The hormonal problems that are prevalent among women of all ages have many causes, including family and occupational stress, dietary habits, and our chemical environment. These problems are particularly amenable to herbal and nutritional treatment, but they are also multifactorial and sometimes subtle. The interplay of hormonal receptors and natural products is becoming ever better known, as is the role of these receptors in conditions as diverse as breast cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. It is not always easy to make sense of this information, however, and its sheer abundance can be quite overwhelming.

The purpose of this book is to give a concise overview of the principles of treatment for hormonal conditions in women that are of direct practical benefit in practice. Geared toward prospective, new, and experienced herbal practitioners, it aims to provide a clear working knowledge of the hormonal basis of gynaecological problems to help herbalists form practical, straightforward treatment plans that can be easily documented and explained to patients.

Having a clear, therapeutic rationale motivates patients to participate fully in their treatment, understand what is happening as it progresses, and remain in treatment long enough to see its full benefit.

The hormonal problems that are prevalent among women of all ages have many causes, including family and occupational stress, dietary habits, and our chemical environment. These problems are particularly amenable to herbal and nutritional treatment, but they are also multifactorial and sometimes subtle. The interplay of hormonal receptors and natural products is becoming ever better known, as is the role of these receptors in conditions as diverse as breast cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. It is not always easy to make sense of this information, however, and its sheer abundance can be quite overwhelming. The purpose of this book is to give a concise overview of the principles of treatment for hormonal conditions in women that are of direct practical benefit in practice. Geared toward prospective, new, and experienced herbal practitioners, it aims to provide a clear working knowledge of the hormonal basis of gynaecological problems to help herbalists form practical, straightforward treatment plans that can be easily documented and explained to patients.Having a clear, therapeutic rationale motivates patients to participate fully in their treatment, understand what is happening as it progresses, and remain in treatment long enough to see its full benefit.
Hananja Brice-Ytsma, MSc, DipEd, is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and has practiced herbal medicine in the UK and Switzerland, working in private practice, clinics, and hospitals for over 20 years. She qualified as a naturopath in 1982 and then as a medical herbalist in 1990. In 1995, Hananja helped pioneer Britain's first BSc degree in herbal medicine in partnership with Middlesex University. Hananja's practice marries science with tradition, using the knowledge gained from new research to enhance the established traditions of herbal medicine, including the crucial importance of nutrition to health.
Adrian McDermott, BSc, DipPhyt, studied human sciences at University College London, and qualified as a medical herbalist in 1993. In the years that followed, he built up an herbal medicine practice in East London, took over editorship of the European Journal of Herbal Medicine, and worked for four years as a clinical supervisor at the Archway Clinic, providing training for herbal medicine students enrolled in the Middlesex University Herbal Medicine BSc course.