A
BRIEF HISTORY OF HERBAL MEDICINE:
Written
records date back about 3,000 years in China and Egypt, but Herbal
Medicine was undoubtedly in use for many thousands of years before
that. If it was not effective it would not still be in daily use by
about 80% of the world's population even today. In 16th Century England,
the Royal College of Physicians increasingly monopolised healing by
various Acts, so that eventually only the rich could afford health-care.
In 1543, Henry VIII (himself a herbalist!) introduced his own Act,
which made it lawful for anyone having "knowledge and experience"
to practise as a Herbalist. This meant that the "wise woman"
of the village could once again bring her healing skills to the aid
of the poor.
The
first settlers to America soon found that the local plants were different
from those at home, and quickly began using Native American remedies
based on North American plants. Meanwhile in Europe physicians were
treating those who could afford it using chemicals.
In
1830 an unfortunately-named Dr A L Coffin reintroduced to Europe a
formalised system of Herbal Medicine, now showing strong American
influences. He was later instrumental in the formation in 1864 of
what became the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
Many
Continental Medical Schools have Departments of Phytotherapy (Herbal
Medicine), indicating a much greater acceptance of the approach by
orthodox medicine there than in the UK.
