Integrating Herbal and Pharmaceutical Medicine

• Are you overwhelmed by the list of medications patients are taking?
• Do you know where to start?
• Do you want to learn how to dissect the dynamics of herbs and drugs from first principles?
• Are you interested in developing a template as a way of tackling the subject?
• These seminars explore the exciting interface of integrating knowledge from different but converging disciplines.

Dr Dílis Clare invites you to attend one or many of the following seminars:

The aim is to develop understanding of integrated medicine. Patients present as 'whole' within the context of health this may also includes their bag of drugs! As medical herbalists do we ignore them or integrate their effects and side effects into our treatment plans? Do we operate a 'safe practice' of avoiding the known negative interactions or do we embrace positive interactions and supporting the patient who needs to take prescription drugs?

Why attend These Workshops?

The learn'd is happy nature to explore.

The fool is happy that he knows no more.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

Professional development/curiosity? Many patients coming to you are taking prescribed medication.

To work out creative and substantive ways of helping patients cope with pharmaceuticals in a constructive way. Much 'Complementary' herbal medical training teaches safety in terms of known or predicted herb drug interactions. This course goes beyond this in exploring the positive interactions between herbs and drugs.

The underlying principles of understanding the pharmacology and pharmacodynamics of the herbs you use every day and deepening your understanding of how they can be used in the context of the patient taking pharmaceutical drugs.

What kind of herbal medicine training is it relevant to?

These seminars are aimed at post grad diploma level natural health practitioners who practice using herbal medicines. This does not limit the use of herbs to any one tradition of practice, the principles apply to Western, Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs alike. Dr Dílis Clare's training is in Western Herbal Medicine but the principles apply to other herbal traditions.

Pre-course basics:

The Seminar relies on your input, this is a workshop over two days which is about developing clinical practice. You will gain most from the course if you revise your basic pharmacology and have a good herbal pharmacology of the herbs you use so that the course is effective for you.

• Understanding of liver metabolism of drugs and herbs.

• The principles of Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs and herbs.

• Drug Binding. If drugs were not bound they would not reach target tissues in sufficient concentration to have an effect.

The delivery of the course aims to maximise your existing knowledge and deepen your understanding in an accessible way. Don't worry the basics will soon ring bells!

Recommended reading:

• Study Notes will be emailed on receipt of payment two weeks prior to each seminar.
• The Constituents of Medicinal Plants - Andrew Pengelly (ISBN: 0851998070)
• Any standard pharmacology/ physiology textbooks
• Useful website: http://friedli.com/herbs/phytochem/phyto_tutorial.html

Who is Dr Dílis Clare?

Dr Dílis Clare,MBBCh, DRCOG, BSc (Herbal Medicine). Dr Clare is internationally renowned as being one of the few herbal practitioners who is a qualified GP and medical herbalist. She had a General Practice for 20 years in London before she decided to embrace Western Herbal Medicine. She studied for a BSc degree in Herbal medicine in Middlesex University, London. She now practices from her integrated medicine clinic, Health & Herbs, in Galway and in Nadrid House, Coachford, Co. Cork. Dr Clare is a founding member and current president of Irish Institute of Medical Herbalists (www.iimh.org). Dr Clare is an External examiner at Cork Institute of Technology (Herbal Sciences BSc www.cit.ie), an Honorary Clinical Fellow, National University of Galway Medical School.

Health and Herbs website: http://www.healthandherbs.ie/

Outline of Seminars

Review

Energetic diagnosis

Pathology diagnosis

Physiology as a basis for intervention.

Current herbal therapeutics

Current pharmaceutical therapeutics

Integrative Medicine.

What is the role of herbs where drugs alter the physiological terrain?

Options

• Withdraw from treating the condition
• Treat as though the drugs are not a factor
• Support the action of drugs e.g.
  • aid the pharmaceutical actions?
  • aid the body deal with the side-effects of the drugs
  • block or modify the pharmaceutical actions?
  • avoid this aspect of the therapeutic action in the face of powerful drug actions but enhance the physiological terrain upon which the drug is acting.

In order to address these questions we use the building blocks to;

• Understand the pathology
• Understand the biosciences related to physiology
• Understand the pharmacy of current drugs
• Understand the pharmacy of current herbs.

Using these building blocks we can integrate herbal medicine to benefit the patient by providing an opportunity to gain the most from their choices in health care.

The Seminars revise previous knowledge, updates on recent developments in our understanding of the breakdown of health and integrates these approaches.

The Seminars take a holistic view of physiology and therapeutics based on energetic principles.

How to Register for Seminars:

The maximum number of participants is 20 places per seminar; bookings will be taken on a first come first serve basis.

For a booking form please contact Bernadette on 00 353 87 6761216 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

On receipt of your enquiry we will provide logistical information regarding each location.

Looking forward to hearing from you.