Herbal remedies offer a chance to reduce effectively the use of stronger orthodox medicines on children. Michelle McDonagh reports
Sadly, the widespread use of antibiotics has been linked to a huge increase in the incidence of asthma and chest infections in young children over the past decade. However, Galway-based medical herbalist Karin Wieland points out that there is a safe and effective alternative, as children respond particularly well to herbal medicine.
While Wieland accepts that antibiotics save lives, she says their overuse can disturb the gut floor and cause hormone imbalances. If something gentler can help, then this should be considered as a first measure, she says.
"One of the biggest joys of working with children is that they respond very well to herbal medicine and one of the reasons for this is that they haven't been ill for any extended period of time. They do well on lower doses of herbs and get back to their normal biological rhythms in a shorter time," says Wieland.
She highlights the importance of nutrition and the recognition of food allergies and intolerances in children from an early age to eliminate future potential illness.
With her own first baby due in September, Wieland is taking an iron-rich nettle infusion during her pregnancy as well as essential fatty acids. When the baby is born, she will be taking him or her along to regular baby massages at her workplace at the children and women's clinic at Alternative Health and Herbs in Galway city.
She reassures parents that the herbs can be used alongside orthodox treatments, such as steroids for asthma, but such stronger medications can then be reduced when the herbs start to work.
The owner of Alternative Health and Herbs, Dr Dilis Clare, is a qualified GP and a medical herbalist, and she works closely with Wieland in the clinic.
Children with infections, asthma, food intolerances and digestive problems respond particularly well to treatment, according to Wieland.
She recommends the use of chamomile and slippery elm to soothe and calm the digestive system, echinacea for the prevention and treatment of infection, and elderflower and plantain for runny noses and asthma.
She says: "At the end of the day, most orthodox medicines were based on herbs at one point or another and there's a place for both.
"Bridges are being built between the medical profession and alternative practitioners, and I believe we can provide a more comprehensive service to the public by working together."
While unfortunately there are still problems with people setting up as alternative therapists after completing short courses, Wieland points out that a qualified medical herbalist like herself has extensive training in how to use the herbs and knows what strengths and doses to prescribe.
Although she had to go to the UK to study for her degree, she says a new masters degree course in herbal medicine will start at the Cork Institute of Technology in September.
Since it was set up, the clinic has attracted an influx of women looking for alternative help for hormone-related problems, many as a result of the recent HRT scare. They come for help for a wide range of health problems from PMT and post-natal depression to menopause.
Wieland says: "When it comes to hormone-related issues, it's very important to find out what's causing the imbalance and we take a very detailed case history along with blood tests and a physical examination.
"The digestive system and proper nutrition have a major influence on hormone levels. If the liver or digestive system are not working properly, a hormone imbalance is often the result and this can be treated very effectively by herbs."
Premenstrual tension and its many symptoms such as acne, mood swings, fatigue, bloating and breast tenderness, affect a huge proportion of women and Wieland treats this with Vitex Agnos Costus, a herb thought to have a direct action on the pituitary gland which regulates the hormones.
For menopausal symptoms, Wieland recommends the use of phyto-oestrogen, black cohosh and red clover, combined with a diet including soya-related products, lentils and pulses.
For further information on the children and women's alternative health clinic at Alternative Health and Herbs, tel: 091 583260 or email: warinsky@hotmail.com