We the undersigned subscribe to the following declaration of intent, to be offered openly to our patients, our peers, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the Department of Health and all other interested parties, here and abroad:-
It is the inalienable right of all people to use plants for their sustenance and healing. In the spirit of the European Charter of Human Rights, so too is it an essential freedom to seek advice from those who have devoted themselves to the knowledge and application of the health-giving properties of plants.
Herbal Medicine is the indigenous natural healing tradition of the British Peoples. It is a living tradition that has adapted and remained relevant through all times. We count ourselves amongst the custodians of this living tradition, for the benefit of all who would choose it and for generations to come.
We conjoin with indigenous traditional healers throughout the world in seeking to protect our plant heritage and maintain the practice of all such natural therapies.
It is a maxim that all who care for the sick shall do no harm: our inheritance is that British practitioners of Traditional Western Herbal Medicine have upheld this absolutely and without exception for a century or more, as we determine to continue.
Given that we are safe in the sourcing, preparation and prescription of herbal medicines, we challenge the need for legislation over and above the existing laws of the land that we are subject to and willingly uphold.
Herbal Medicine is a humble vocation with a majority of part time practitioners. We reject the current call for state regulation of its practitioners in that it may exclude the many from legal practice and equally place our work beyond the financial resources of many of our patients.
Likewise we reject the current intention to regulate our medicines in that it will compromise without justification the essential freedoms of the public, herbal practitioners and their traditional suppliers in favour of the few who may profit by it.
Herbal Medicine’s enduring strength is that it remains an effective therapy employing the most basic of technologies with little call on external resources or agencies. In anticipation of the effects of climate change we are determined to keep this aspect of our knowledge alive for ourselves and future generations as an integral element of a healing planet.
Signed: Nathalie Chidley, Carol Church, Stephen Church, Tim Lane, Kym Murden, Neil Pellegrini & Sally Viney.
The Herbarium 
6 comments
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October 3, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Helen Quinn
Thank you for posting and signing this excellent declaration of intent.
As a practising herbalist, I have been feeling rather confused about the regulation issue, feeling like a true fence sitter. However, reading your declaration has helped me to admit to myself where I truely stand. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve used as a major inspiration to write my own declaration of intent, and I’ve basically copied what you wrote. I’ve posted it on my website and now feel confident to let my patients know my position.
Many thanks for your good work on this site.
Helen
December 18, 2010 at 9:24 am
Jenny Harper
The declaration is an inspiration to me. It makes so much sense to keep the tradition of grass roots medicine as we face a future of environmentally centred social change. Great!
September 25, 2012 at 11:41 am
Heather Cahill
Thank you for this wonderful resource..
I deeply appreciate its specificity.
Having a ginkgo resource at the appropriate time of year, what ratio would I use for fresh leaves and 190 alcohol? I have two clients in need. Any recommendations for pairings?
With gratitude,
Heather Cahill
August 29, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Jody Marler
I have been interested in learning more about my natural surroundings for a long time, but have only recently taken the time to learn medicinal uses of herbs for my family’s health. I have to say, it is frustrating (to say the least) to someone who wants to learn without having to spend money on classes and seminars (I’d much rather reserve the little I have to purchase supplies). Most of the information that I find is generalized and not very helpful to make herbal remedies at home.
So I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing such specifics, including formulas for tinctures! There is such a wealth of information here and I am truly greatful for your willingness to share.
October 19, 2015 at 11:41 am
penny waters
good website. after 30yrs as gardener trained phytotherapy at uni. interested in history and anthropology. my g.p., when I was a child, a kindly, scary old gentleman used herbs in his practise (early 1950’s), so I recognise plant smells from childhood. most humans seem not connected to other main part of life nature – they live in a ‘man-made’ world of synthesised goods. no respect or understanding for the natural world we come from. so thank you for website – don’t feel so alone. but think maybe humans are at their end game – everywhere there seems to be fighting amongst humans the environment appears degraded. no link with nature – no understanding of the other!
I live in the south of england and everywhere, during my lifetime (66yrs) seems more cut down and controlled, and altho’ it is against the law, to cut hedges in spring when birds are nesting, knowledge of other creatures seems unimportant and ignored – so the natural world has no place. have to find a loving community to live in and leave this place where people increasingly hug money instead of each other.
thanks again
October 24, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Kenneth W Eames
This is excellent! I fully support and approve of your decleration..There have been too many Dictators in most HERBAL ORGANISATIONS..