Medicinal plants are highly valued in healthcare and are safe and improve health when used in the right combinations and dose. Botanical medicine can be prepared for oral consumption as a tea, tincture, capsule or tablet. Topically you will find balms, salves, ointments, sprays and lotions. Plant chemistry and the principles of pharmacology are the basis for the therapeutic use of botanical medicine. Naturopathic doctors are trained in the issues related to toxicology and interactions with pharmaceutical drugs.
You may purchase blends or individual plant medicines at your local health food store, however when you come to see Dr. Laura M. Brown, ND she will blend the right quantity of the herbs that fit your exact needs in this moment, will discuss the proper duration and dosage for treatment and she is trained to cross-check the interactions with medications you currently use.
What can plant medicines treat?
Plant medicines can treat a wide variety of health conditions. Some ones worth mentioning:
- Heal the gut lining
- Indigestion
- GERD or heartburn
- Diverticulitis
- Viral, fungal, bacterial and parasitic infections
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hot flushes
- Hormone imbalance
- PCOS
- Endometriosis pain, cramping
- Immune support
- Respiratory tract infections
- Energy tonics
- Sleep aids (not habit forming)
- Sugar cravings
- High blood pressure
- Sinusitis
- Skin health
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy -BPH)
- Stress support
- Urinary tract infection
Plant medicine, or phytotherapy is the most widely used medicine in the world. Plants have antiseptic, bactericidal, antifungal, antiviral, antimitotic, hormonal, antirheumatism, nervine, stimulant, relaxant, circulatory, antidiabetic, immunomodulating, hyper or hyotensive, toning, antispasmodic, and hepatic properties. Many pharmaceutical drugs are inspired by molecular compounds found in plants.
What’s nice about plant medicines is the balance they bring in their approach to healing. Combining plants together can create harmony and diversity in the treatment. Usually the course of treatment is for a time, not forever. Many of Dr. Laura’s patients have benefited from the custom tinctures and treatment plans based on botanical medicine.
Dr. Laura M. Brown, is a registered naturopathic doctor with a functional medicine approach. She focuses on stimulating the body’s natural mechanisms to repair damage and rebuild health. A HeartMath® Certified Practitioner and a level 2 Certified Gluten Free Practitioner, she holds the designation of ADAPT Trained Practitioner from Kresser Institute, the only functional medicine and ancestral health training company. Dr. Brown is located in Guelph, however she may treat anyone who is in Ontario.
