Volume 16 Issue 1 - nzamh.org.nz · recipes with Elder and Hawthorn berries, and Rixt Botello marries Chia seed with local garden produce to make some delectable healthy medicinal

Volume 16 Issue 1

Guido Masé - Mithridate of ancient myths & fabled curesJulia Fettes - Understanding the HPCA ActAnge Haldane - Menstrual MigrainesBeautiful Autumn Harvests

Autumn 2016Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical HerbalistsAvena

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Autumn 2016Volume 16 Issue 1

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FE ATURES 8 Understanding the HPCA Act Julia Fettes

10 Autumn Berry Ensembles Sara Mertens

13 The Mithridate: history and pharmacology of the fabled cure-all

Guido Masè

17 Menstrual Migraines Ange Haldane

20 The Future of our Profession Donna Kerridge

FROM THE COMMIT TEE

4 President’s Report

4 Committee Roles

5 Membership Renewal

6 PR Report

7 Treasury Report

9 Committee Contacts

23 NZAMH Branch Meetings

27 CPE Guide

REGUL ARS

24 Herbal Manufacturing Rixt Botello

COVER PHOTO: Hypericum perforatum flos. by Val McArthur © 2016.

AvenaNZAMH

Conference & AGM

May 21st - 22nd2016

'The Chateau on The Park' Christchurch

••

with

Guido Masé (USA)Sue Evans (Australia)

Isla BurgessValmai Becker

2 AVENA Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists Autumn 2016

AVENAEditor: Mary AllanLayout/Design: Mary AllanPrinter: Brebner Print

CIRCULATION

The Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (NZAMH) is published quarterly and is available to paid members of the NZAMH, and other interested subscribers, libraries and institutions.

ADVERTISING

Please contact the editor at [email protected] for a copy of Information for Advertisers.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Please send contributions by e-mail in an attached Microsoft Word document. Pictures should be high resolution jpg, gif, pdf or TIFF format. Please include full name and contact details. Contact the editor at [email protected] for further enquiries.

DISCLAIMERAny statement of fact or purported statements of fact contained in this publication are published without prejudice, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Editor or the NZ Association of Medical Herbalists. Any liability in respect thereto is limited accordingly. Publication of an article or advertisement does not constitute endorsement by the Editor or NZ Association of Medical Herbalists. The information contained in this publication is not intended to replace appropriate professional healthcare. The Editor and NZ Association of Medical Herbalists take no responsibility for the use of information in this publication. Avena contents cannot be reproduced without permission.

NZAMHPO Box 12 582,

Chartwell, Hamilton 3248www.nzamh.o rg .nz

Editorial

Dear Herbalists,

Welcome to the autumn issue of Avena.

Guido Masè, (keynote speaker at the upcoming NZAMH Conference) features in this issue as he explores the fabled herbal cure-all 'Mithridate'. In it he takes the reader on an adventure through time exploring the healing virtues of plants through ancient mysteries, history, places and war, herbalists and kings,

linking the ancient cradle of Western civilisation to where we are today.

Autumn is a time of harvest, and with this in mind Sara Merten shares amazing recipes with Elder and Hawthorn berries, and Rixt Botello marries Chia seed with local garden produce to make some delectable healthy medicinal food! On a more clinical note, Ange Haldane gives practical insight into the treatment of menstrual migraines - a condition that can at times be difficult to treat, she discovered some simple solutions with the aid of modern diagnostic techniques.

Saying it's been a busy few months for the NZAMH lately would be an understatement. There has been an incredible amount of discussion around the future direction of the NZAMH. Motions put forward by members for the Special General Meeting on February 27 were all passed signalling an historical turn of events. Record breaking rigourous debate has reigned on the Yahoo chat group with February having the largest number of postings in the past 10 years! Travelling this rocky road has certainly been challenging at times as we gather the strength to surmount the obstacles and divergent views that are in front of us. Intense debate has brought unexpected gifts of understanding, commonality and unity as members come together to share their thoughts, examine who we are and ask important questions around collective identity, current issues and creating a path forward. The current issue of Avena then, finds a number of related articles and committee reports on these topics.

Julia Fettes (past NZAMH president) has phenomenal expertise in political matters relating to the NZAMH and I am certain her article on the HPCA Act, p.8, will bring welcome clarity to a lot of readers. Donna Kerridge on p. 20, bravely tackles the topic of our Association as a whole and its relationship with members, committee and where we sit as a profession with the public, government and other Associations as well as with ourselves - a lot to reflect on.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Avena, and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Conference & AGM in Christchurch, the garden city.

Mary 3

Mary Allan, Editor

NZAMH CONFERENCE & AGMHerbal MedicineOne Flower, Many Petals

21st–22nd May 2016Chateau on the ParkChristchurch

Key Speakers:Guido MaséIsla Burgess

Sue EvansValmai Becker

PHOTO: Val McArthur

[email protected]


President’s Report

Robyn Carruthers

President's Report

Greetings all. With the time required to organise and publish Avena, I find the weather never quite reflects the title of the current issue. I’m currently sweltering on a delicious summer evening, yet writing for the autumn issue, and thinking of cooler days to come. I’m reflecting on the big questions: Why are we here and what is our purpose? ...I’m meaning the NZAMH and not any greater philosophical conundrum! These fundamental questions are perhaps foremost in our minds as we go through this period of change. If we really get down to the common underlying goal that we all have, it must surely be to “make a difference”. One way that

we do this is by helping our clients to improve their lifestyles, to manage their health better, or to use the expression of one of our experts to “nudge” people to better health with our herbs.

My understanding of what the membership of our association wants, is to move our profession forward, so that we have greater recognition and to enable our newer qualified members to have secure careers ahead of them. However this must be coupled with holding true to our traditions and our core practices and beliefs. There is rightfully much talk about the importance of the plants and their place in our organisation. There is talk of our elders who share their wisdom and years of experience with us. While these are paramount, I feel it is equally our role to look ahead and to see what we can do to ensure our role in the future. Our application for statutory regulation has been with just that goal in mind, as have many other propositions put forward by the current committee.

Many of the discussions of recent months have been about one of our popular topics: the divide between naturopaths and medical herbalists. Some of our members view this divide as insurmountable, whilst others consider it immaterial. This variation of opinion is at the crux of the differences that currently exist. It has been a challenging time in past months as we discuss and process what happens next. With our special meeting just completed, we have overturned many of the decisions made at last years’ AGM. I found this meeting, and other branch meetings I have attended to be constructive and helpful to understand members’ points of view. Further discussion will take place at our AGM in May, and hopefully a way forward that will reunite us and embrace our diversity.

On a sad note, and due to the outcome of the voting, I have received a letter of resignation from Jill Dunn, who has served on the committee since 2008. Many are largely unaware of the phenomenal commitment and dedication that Jill has shown over the years to her work on the NZAMH committee, which has included an enormous contribution to the educational sub-committee with regards to setting standards and procedures; her work on the political sub-committee, including taking a leading role in re-writing our latest HPCA application, her research, liaising with colleagues overseas and numerous other projects, always with the goal of striving to improve our profession. Jill has an honest, straight forward and hardworking approach. She accepts also that not all will agree with her perspective but it doesn’t stop her doing her best. I have enjoyed working with Jill for her determination and devotion to our profession. Thanks Jill for the hours and hours of hard work.

We also farewell Kim Webby who has resigned from both the committee and as a member. Kim’s background in media has been greatly appreciated in her contribution to our public relations sub-committee.

I would urge you to pause for a moment to reflect on our future, and consider what you want, and how we can create that balance between looking forward while holding and treasuring past traditions. Let’s focus on the big picture. I fervently hope that the next few months bring resolution to these issues. I wish you all well,

Warm regardsRobyn Carruthers

NZAMH Committee Roles

2015/16President: Robyn CarruthersVice President: Leanne HalliwellTreasurer: Terry HarrisSecretary: Debbie Bassett

Sub-committees

PoliticalJill Dunn* (Convenor)Caroline Wooler

Publicity, Promotion & Public Relations Alicia Melrose (Convenor)Kim Webby*

Conference & AGMSarah Brenchley* (Conference Coordinator) Deborah Tsavousis*

EducationPaul Mitchell (Convenor)Lizzie Gilbertson Gay-Lynn MokrzeckiNB: Gay-Lynn was incorrectly listed as Education convenor in previous issues of Avena (2015).

Student RepresentativesCaroline WoolerTashi Chan

NHC RepresentativeJulie Fergusson

NB - members listed above in italics have stood down from committee.

Non-committee rolesAdministration Val McArthur

Avena EditorMary Allan

For all administration or membership enquiries please contact Val McArthur: Phone (07) 855 6724; (027) 618 3573E-mail [email protected]

5Autumn 2016 Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists AVENA

NZAMH Committee

Membership Renewal Now DueDear Members,

Please read the following carefully to ensure you make the correct payments and meet all your membership requirements.

If you have NZAMH set up on your internet banking, please double check your settings with the Kiwibank account number in the box on the right.

Membership Requirements due 31st March 2016:• Your Annual Subscription.• Professional Members – also CPE and current First Aid

Certificate.Payment can be made by: • internet banking, • cheque, • over the counter at your local kiwibank, or

• by paypal or credit card through the NZAMH website. (Please note a 5% surcharge applies).

Once we have received your subscription payments, an invoice/receipt will be sent to you.

IMPORTANT This will be sent by email so please update your contact details on the subscription form.

If paying by internet banking or over the counter through Kiwibank please include your name and membership status (Prof, PNP, Stud, Assoc).

Professional members who choose to make split payments of $160 by 1 April 2016 and $160 by 1 September 2016, will initially receive a 6 month Practicing Certificate valid to 30 September 2016, and then an updated Practicing Certificate once you have made your second payment.

Your membership will automatically lapse, if you do not meet all of the Membership Requirements by the dates specified in the table below. Once membership has lapsed, you will need to reapply to reinstate it.

If you have a genuine reason for being unable to meet your membership commitments, please contact me to discuss.

NZAMH Conference Membership Rate and Earlybird Discount.To qualify for the Conference Members rate or discounted early bird rate, your subscription needs to be paid and your Membership requirements fulfilled. This means your CPE, current First Aid Certificate and subscription payment must all have been received. Payment of the first split payment subscription qualifies.

Warm Regards,Val McArthur - Admin, Membership SecretaryPh: 07 855 6724; 027 618 3573 E-mail [email protected]

Internet BankingKiwibank 38-9015-0398470-00.

Member Category Requirement Due date Cost

Professional Members Annual Membership fee 31st March 2016 $295.00

OR split payment option:

31st March 2016 $160.00 (Payment 1)1st September 2016 $160.00 (Payment 2)

Current First Aid Certificate 31st March 2016

CPE points 31st March 2016

Associate Members Annual Membership fee 31st March 2016 $150.00

Student Members Annual Membership fee 31st March 2016 $50.00

Important - Your membership will automatically lapse if:

• your Membership Requirements are not met by 1st June 2016 (a reminder will be sent out by by 1st May) or, • your second Split Payment is not paid by 1st November 2016 (a reminder will be sent out in August).

NZAMH Membership RequirementsNZAMH ACCOUNT NUMBER: Kiwibank 38-9015-0398470-00


The NZAMH is going through a period of change in terms of membership and joining the World Naturopathic Federation.

This has led to the vote on proposed changes to our constitution’s wording to include naturopaths without full herbal medicine qualifications.

After some years of discussion, members voted in favour of including these naturopaths. At the same time, members voted to join the newly formed World Naturopathic Federation (WNF) at last year’s AGM. In addition changes were needed to update the constitution in line with the NZAMH’s pending recognition under the HPCA. This includes various other changes (typos, change of quorum,) which are recommended by our lawyer.

This article aims to present the facts and address factual errors and misinformation that has arisen, particularly on the Yahoo chat group.

One incorrect belief is that members who are solely medical herbalists and not also naturopaths will have to undergo up to 1500 hours of naturopathic training to retain their NZAMH membership, under the WNF.

As there is sufficient crossover between herbal medicine and naturopathy this is not really an issue. All of the current and future graduates of the course currently recognised by the NZAMH already meet, and in fact exceed these criteria as they undergo 3600 hours of training.

Attaining and maintaining the highest educational standards assists us in our move toward regulation under the (Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act) HPCA. Most members will be aware that NZAMH has submitted its second application for regulation under HPCA which is currently under consideration.

Much concern has been expressed at a perceived loss of herbal medicine as the core focus of the NZAMH. This will be addressed by the proposed insertion into the constitution of a clause confirming herbal medicine as a core focus. This clause is:

Section 3: Objectives and Purposes (h) The Committee must consider NZAMH’s history and tradition as NZ’s pre-eminent medical herbalist association and this must be considered in all Committee activities. (i) Herbal medicine is considered a core modality in both naturopathy and herbal medicine in NZAMH education standards.

The core focus of herbal medicine is also incorporated into naturopathic training at the colleges so graduates emerge with herbal medicine as a core modality of their qualification.

The core focus of herbal medicine will also be retained despite the inclusion of naturopaths because it is highly unlikely that naturopaths who do not hold a passion for herbal medicine would join the NZAMH.

All naturopaths who join NZAMH will have some herbal medicine training. Some who trained some time ago might not have enough herbal medicine education to have met NZAMH standards to be a professional medical herbalist. These naturopaths will be in a separate category within the NZAMH. This places them in a strong position to be guided by NZAMH toward higher graduate training in herbal medicine. Ultimately this would mean more members with quality herbal medicine credentials.

As with all members they will be required to meet Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on an annual basis to retain their membership of NZAMH. The core focus of herbal medicine will continue for all CPE training with a reminder that already herbal medicine is at the heart of naturopathic qualifications.

Regards joining the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF) one main issue raised is a feared dilution of herbal medicine within the NZAMH. There was specific concern that a majority of the executive and committee would need to be naturopaths, in line with the WNF. Another concern is the formation of the umbrella group, the New Zealand Naturopathic Federation (NZNF) under which the NZAMH joined the WNF. Also there is a perceived conflict of interest with Jill Dunn being both on the NZAMH national committee and the WNF board. There is also concern that any apprenticeship training model would not be accepted by WNF.

In regards to concern that a majority of the NZAMH committee will have to be naturopaths under the WNF, the proposed change to the NZAMH constitution states that the executive committee will be drawn from eligible professional members. This is also a WNF requirement. Currently the majority of NZAMH members are both naturopaths and medical herbalists. Therefore it is highly unlikely that a committee would be weighted in favour of new members who are naturopaths only.

The umbrella group, the New Zealand Naturopathic Federation currently exists in name only which is a concern for some members. It was established because under the WNF only one organisation can represent each country. This umbrella groups enables naturopathic associations such as the Naturopaths of NZ (NONZ) and the New Zealand Society of Naturopaths (NZSN) to come into this umbrella group if they so choose and be part of the WNF alongside the NZAMH.

Concern has been expressed that the NZNF is not yet a legal entity. In the future, if or when the naturopathic organisations choose to join, a Memorandum of Understanding will be drawn up under the NZNF in regards to voting rights. These would likely be proportional representation based on the number of naturopaths in each organisation. Until other organisations join there are no reasonable grounds to formally set the MOU and it would in fact be unfair to do so without consultation with the other bodies.

Constitutional ChangesBy Kim Webby

NZAMH Committee


Naturopathic associations who decide to join will individually need to meet WNF criteria. Once they do join NZNF will develop rules and guidelines of engagement. Again it would be unfair to set these rules without consultation with these groups.

Another issue raised is a perceived conflict of interest with NZAMH committee member Jill Dunn serving both on the NZAMH committee and on the WNF Board. Generally with a conflict of interest the usual practice is to disclose the interest so that all of aware of it.

Jill Dunn was present at the first WNF committee meeting as a representative of NZAMH. Prior to that Wellpark College Principal Phil Cottingham was on the interim committee that established the WNF. He was invited to represent the Western Pacific as a well known naturopath internationally. Phil Cottingham established Wellpark College and Jill Dunn is Wellpark College’s head of naturopathy. At the first WNF committee meeting Jill was voted onto the WNF.

At the last AGM forty percent of NZAMH members participated in the vote on whether to join the WNF. Thirty percent of total members voted to join and ten percent of total members voted against. It is disappointing more members did not participate in the vote but all had the opportunity either by post or in person.

Concern over whether an apprenticeship model for herbal medicine will negate our eligibility to be part of WNF depends on exactly how the apprenticeship model is established and run. Currently an NZAMH working party is looking into this.

If it is implemented as a residency after academic training or as a practical method of learning within a degree programme then WNF criteria will be met. If it is implemented as a method of education without requirement for degree then the organisation is not eligible for continued WNF membership. These matters are still to be determined.

Being part of the WNF helps raise our profile and credibility internationally. A robust international organisation is a strong position to be heard at international forums such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) which recognises plant based medicine as an important element of healthcare.

Throughout this long and passionate debate there has been much focus on ideology, our identity as medical herbalists and the importance of herbal medicine being paramount . There has been heated debate about tradition versus evidence based medicine and what constitutes “evidence.” Discussion too has centred on our beloved herbs and suggestions that the plants should be paramount in any proposed changes.

From an indigenous perspective plants are our tuakana, our elder brother or sister. This comes about because in Maori creation stories it is Tane, Lord of the Forest who separates Sky Father Ranginui from our Earth Mother Papatuanuku. This separation enables human and all other life forms to enter the world of light and flourish. In this respect, plants as embodied by Tane Mahuta are our senior.

On the other hand there is another very important, often quoted Maori proverb,

“He aha te mea nui o te aoHe tangata, he tangata, he tangata”

“What is the most important thing in the world?It is people, it is people, it is people.”

In this case perhaps the most important thing is our people, not us, but our clients. What serves them best? Perhaps that is the only question we need to ask ourselves when deciding this debate?

By Kim Webby: NZAMH Public Relations Committee 14/01/15

Treasury ReportAt 31/12/15 the Association is showing an excess of income over expenditure however the budget indicates that over the following 3 months to year end 31 March 2016, further expenditure will be incurred, with minimal income during that period to offset it.

The budget allows for normal expenses, and should any unexpected expenditure occur the financial position could change dramatically.

Draft subscription invoices will be sent out early in February for the 2016-7 year, however that has no impact on the current financial year as the renewal income relates to the next financial year.

The 2016 conference is potentially going to have a negative impact on next year’s financial result and along with the

inevitable increases in costs, will have to be considered when the income/expenditure calculations are examined.

Overall the Association is in a reasonably healthy financial situation however we must be very aware that income must exceed spending on a regular basis year on year for the Association to remain financially viable. This has not been the case for the last 2 financial years.

Terry Harris

Treasurer NZAMH

NZAMH Committee


What does ‘HPCA’ stand for? HPCA is the acronym (or ‘initialism’) for the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003

What does the HPCA Act do for the public? x It ensures health practitioners are properly trained and

qualified before they can be registered x It requires health practitioners to continually update

and improve their skills x It establishes independent responsible authorities to

register and monitor health practitioners x It establishes an independent Health Practitioners

Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Act protects the health and safety of the public by providing for mechanisms to ensure that health practitioners are competent and fit to practice their professions. It provides a framework for the regulation of all health practitioners where there is a risk of harm to the public. Our application for regulation therefore had to demonstrate that this risk exists for Western Herbal Medicine.

What is an RA? RA stands for responsible authority. This is the regulatory authority that oversees education standards and sets the profession’s scope of practice and code of ethics. There are 16 RAs already set up for different professions under the Act and the Minister has stipulated no more will be created. If we become regulated, our profession will be included under one of the existing RAs.

What does HPCA do for practitioners?1. Only health practitioners who are registered under the Act will be able to use the titles protected by the Act for their profession. The ‘reserved titles’ requested (which does not necessarily mean they will be approved) in the application for Western Herbal Medicine are:

Ώ Medical Herbalist Ώ Phytotherapist Ώ Clinical Herbalist Ώ Practitioner of Western Herbal Medicine Ώ Herbalist

2. There will potentially be the ability to establish a list of ‘practitioner-only’ herbs that would only be available to registered Western medical herbalists. This would potentially give us access to ‘risky’ herbs that are currently not available to us, such as Lobelia inflata, and possibly restrict other herbs for our use only - such as those that are known interact with pharmaceuticals (e.g. Hypericum perforatum), thus giving some protection to our tools of trade. 3. It was noted during the Director-General’s review of the Act in 2009 that ‘a large number of occupational groups are seeking to become regulated, but concern over risk of harm to the public is often not the main driving force’. For example, regulation is often perceived as giving ‘mana’ to a profession or it may enable the profession to gain funding (e.g. Accident Compensation

Corporation subsidies). It remains to be seen whether these benefits would ensue after regulation.

What are potential pitfalls of becoming registered?

1. It will be expensive to become, and remain, registered. Under the Act, each responsible authority charges fees to cover the operating costs of the authority. These include fees for registration, annual practising certificates and disciplinary levies.2. Regulation under the Act does not prevent people who may be untrained from working in the area. That is, regulation will not prevent others from operating in the sector as long as they do not ‘hold themselves out to be a registered health professional’.

When was the application submitted? The application to have the profession of Western herbal medicine regulated was submitted in 2015. This is the second application. An application was made in 2005 and approved in 2007, only to be derailed by a review of the Act. The Minister’s decision subsequent to the review was that the profession must reapply under the new criteria.

How long will it take before we know if the application has been successful? Although the Ministry have set out on their website a reasonably short time frame for assessing new applications for regulation, they have recently advised the NZAMH that as several professions have applied, it will take ‘some months to process all applications’. It is worth noting that Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners put in an application for regulation in 2010 that has not yet progressed far. However, at a meeting in October 2015, representatives of Acupuncture NZ were told that their profession ‘will be regulated’, so they are hopeful of moving forward soon.

Where can I find a copy of the application? Visit www.nzamh.org.nz and login to the members section, you will find it under the 'resources' tab, in the 'resources' section.

What role does NZAMH have in regulation?NZAMH is the body that applied for regulation on behalf of its members. It will have no further role in regulation should the profession be approved, except to provide any advice that could be requested by the council of the RA when setting registration standards. However, there is no onus on the council to consult with NZAMH if they do not wish to. Post-regulation (if it comes to pass) NZAMH can remain an independent body representing herbal medicine practitioners of its choice (registered or otherwise) and continue to provide advocacy and promote herbal medicine as an effective healthcare choice to the public, as well as providing opportunities for continuing professional development.

Where can I read more about the HPCA Act and regulation?The Ministry of Health website has information on the HPCA Act and the process of regulation. Go to www.health.govt.nz and search for HPCA. 3

Understanding the HPCA ActBy Julia Fettes BSc, Dip Clinical Herbal Medicine, MHSc (Herbal Medicine), PGDip Env Sci.

Feature Article


McARTHUR, Val, Admin. Assistant T: (07) 8556724 M: (027) 6183573 E: [email protected]

ALLAN, Mary Avena Editor M: (027) 7755233 H: (09) 478 4590 E: [email protected]

BASSETT, DebbieSecretary M: (021) 1899693 E: [email protected]

CARRUTHERS, Robyn President W: (09) 5269276 E: [email protected]

CHAN, Tashi Student Rep M: 022 39 21 441 E: [email protected]

GILBERTSON, LizzieCommittee Member H: (06) 857 3700 M: (021) 146 5661 E: [email protected]

HALLIWELL, Leanne Vice-president (07) 866 0607 M: (027) 4588626 E: [email protected]

MELROSE, AliciaCommittee Member M: (04) 5860110 E: [email protected]

MITCHELL, Paul Committee Member M: (021) 651 906E: [email protected]

MOKRZECKI, Gay-Lynn Committee Member M: (027) 696 0202E: [email protected]

RASMUSSEN, PhilCo-opt member (Fellow & ex-officio) (09) 834 8041 E: [email protected]

HARRIS, TerryTreasurer E: [email protected] M: (020) 405 92313

WOOLER, Caroline Student Rep E: [email protected]

2015/16 NZAMH National Committee Contact Details


IMAGES: From top - Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna baca); Elderberry (Sambucus nigra baca)

AutumnBerryEnsemble

From the Symphony of Herbs

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Feature Article

By Sara MertensDip. Clinical Herb. Med., Cert. Human Nutrition, MNZAMH

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HAWTHORN (Cratageus spp. baca)

Cratageus spp., hawthorn, is a revered botanical performer in the “symphony of herbs”. It is unnecessary to have a favourite herb when there are countless to respect and admire. However, if one is to quietly reflect on treasured herbs, hawthorn has an attractive, year-round resonance. In fact, it can be likened to a classical composition, which when listened to uplifts one’s whole being. It is distinctly captivating.

The notably medicinal and nutritional flowers, leaves, and berries (haws) of Cratageus are sung of widely in our wild, herbal apothecary. As its tender leaves unfurl in the spring, it is an opportune time to gather them for a lemon-like green tea, or even as a salad green. At the blossoming stage, the flower clusters are collected for soothing nervine teas, and tinctures. Autumn heralds harvesting of the plentiful berries; ideal for tinctures, infused honeys, and tonic syrups. Some herbalists and aficionados also collect hawthorn twigs, thorns and bark, adding them to their repertoire. Seasonally bountiful, nature repeats the Cratageus rhythm year to year, providing a cornucopia of health.

This herb, steeped in Celtic folklore, has a myriad of healing capabilities, but it is best known in Western herbal tradition as a cumulative, and gentle-acting heart tonic.

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Quoting herbalist Michael Moore, from his book 'Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West' (1993),

“…In recent years, the berries have been used increasingly in syrup or tea for strengthening connective tissue that has been weakened by excessive inflammation, because hawthorn contains a high level of flavonoids, particularly in the darker-colored species…”

Naturalised in New Zealand’s landscapes, it can be observed through the four seasons, offering its properties in an accessible and abundant manner. This positions it on the “human benefit scale” where we can acknowledge it as a “friend of life” for health balance.

Hawthorn is fascinating medicinally, because it is one of the few Western herbal adaptogens; it helps to bring the whole body into balance

- irrespective of whether it is over or under functioning - whilst being medicinally safe. As a heart tonic it can lower high blood pressure over time, and will benefit other conditions that affect the heart or circulatory system. It helps to dilate coronary arteries, improving circulation, and bringing relief from angina. Hawthorn also increases the heart’s ability to pump blood, by supporting the contraction of the heart muscle, and its significant antioxidants help to protect capillaries. Many consider hawthorn to be transformational for our

emotional or spiritual heart, and not just our physical.

Interestingly, whilst hawthorn is used primarily as a heart tonic, it has been used quite differently by other cultures, and in other ages. Culpeper, writing in the 17th Century, tells us it is “singularly good against the stone and… for the dropsy”. This implies it was mainly used as a urinary tonic, possibly because being a member of the rose family, it has astringency. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is known as shān zhā, it has been used predominantly for digestion; helping the body assimilate fats, as an aid to liver function.

For Ayurvedic practitioners the berries are considered sour and heating. In the 'Yoga of Herbs' the authors write,

“Hawthorn berries are a good example of the stimulatory power of sour herbs for both circulation and digestion. They have a special action on the heart, strengthening the heart muscle and promoting longevity. They are particularly good for Vata heart conditions, such as nervous palpitations, or the heart problems of old age (the age of Vata) like cholesterol and arteriosclerosis.”

Many herbalists combine preparations of hawthorn flower, leaf, and berry, to get the holistic benefits of all herb parts.

by Sara Mertens

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A rewarding career path of staff training in Human Resources for New Zealand, Australian

and Hong Kong companies has developed Sara’s educator skills

in facilitating learning for others. Raising two, beautiful daughters

returned Sara to her New Zealand roots, where in turn she

realised her heartfelt desire to work with herbal medicine.

Sara studied at the International College of Herbal Medicine

under New Zealand’s acclaimed Medical Herbalists Isla Burgess

and Valmai Becker. She has a Diploma in Clinical Herbal

Medicine, and is certified in Human Nutrition through the

NZ College of Naturopathy. Her research interest focuses on phytotherapy for tick-borne

infections, such as Lyme disease, Babesia and Bartonella.

As a Medical Herbalist, Sara upholds the holistic state of

wellbeing for people. She draws on the medicinal actions of

herbs to facilitate people’s balanced health. Her practice

“Symphony of Herbs” provides inspiration and educational

opportunities to experience how herbs can work in harmony for

us all.

'Symphony of Herbs'In tune with your health.

P: 03 313 1520M: 027 512 2221

Autumn harvesting of hawthorn berries:

Take your secateurs and basket for ease of harvesting the fruit on a crisply dry, sun-kissed autumn day. Give thanks for colourful, medicinal hawthorn! Returning to your kitchen, cut the red and shiny berries off the small stalks. The stalks may be used in a decoction, but the berries will dry better if separated from their clusters. Arrange the berries in a single layer on a cane tray to dry, give the tray a shuffle on alternate days to turn the berries, and to ensure they dry evenly. You could also leave the berries in their clusters and hang them over a line. Either way, they need to be somewhere warm and dry. Completely dried berries need to be stored in an airtight glass jar away from light – nourishment for winter.

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Feature Article

Ways to include fresh or dried hawthorn berries in your diet:

Hawthorn Berry Decoction

Simmer (do not boil) three tablespoons (30gms) of dried berries in 500mls of water for 20-30 minutes. Adjust your measures in accordance with how much decoction you wish to prepare at one time. Surplus can be bottled and refrigerated for a few days. Gently reheat, without boiling, as needed. A decoction yields significant nutrient value from the berries, including bioflavonoids. It is a warming digestive (sour and bitter tastes) on a winter’s morning, bringing a general feeling of “opening”.

Ώ Decoctions in larger volumes are also the basis of scrumptious hawthorn berry syrup. Laced with manuka honey, this syrup is fabulous when added to rooibos tea for an antioxidant boost. Hawthorn jelly is another health giving preparation that begins as a decoction.

Hawthorn Apple Cider Vinegar

A delicious herbal vinegar can be made by filling a jar with freshly harvested hawthorn berries (either alone or combined with rosehips), and covering in organic apple cider vinegar. Leave to infuse for a month before straining, rebottling (remember to use a plastic or lined lid instead of metal to avoid a reaction), and labelling. Upbeat and fruity! Try a teaspoon in a glass of water.

Hawthorn Berry Tincture

A tincture can be made in a similar way to the vinegar, by covering fresh berries in vodka. Alternatively, combining the berries with autumn rosehips and ginger root slices, in a mixture of port and brandy, can yield a “yum-cious”, yet medicinal, shot. Macerate for 2-3 weeks before straining, rebottling, and labelling. Hawthorn berries macerated

in quality red wine is yet another autumnal delight to be savoured through winter.

Hawthorn Berry Powder

Hawthorn berries can be powdered and used in numerous dietary enhancing ways. These include adding some powder to smoothies, soups, cookies, and breakfast oats. The berries do have a hard stone in the middle, which needs removing, so it can be easier to obtain powdered berries from a reputable herbal supplier. If you want to make your own powder, you can mash whole fresh berries with your hands using a little water, and then pushing them through a sieve to remove the stones. Spread the resulting pulp out to dry on baking paper. When completely dry, powder in a high power blender, or grinder.

ELDERBERRY (Sambucus nigra baca)Offering sumptuous richness of berry in autumn is the elder tree. Together with hawthorn, this herbal pair perform admirably in the glorious season of vibrant colour. They are an unforgettable autumn ensemble from the “symphony of herbs”.

The well-respected nature writer, Richard Mabey, wrote on the subject of Sambucus nigra in Flora Britannica: “It is hard to understand how this mangey, short-lived, opportunistic and foul smelling shrub was once regarded as one of the most magically powerful of plants.” Debatable! The elder may not be a classic beauty, but looking closely, one can sense many aspects of this herb to cherish. She shelters and protects her human children, is treasured by wildlife, and has a key role to play in plant ecosystems. She is truly a “mother” to us all, and should be treated with respect, if not veneration, by everyone whose life has been touched by her generosity. Similarly to

V hawthorn, the elder has Celtic history, and as her name suggests, there is wisdom and strength to be offered.

In his highly recommended book, “The Lost Language of Plants”, Stephen Harrod Buhner describes elder as a “keystone” plant; one that helps to establish a community of plants by enhancing the health of an ecosystem, and making it more hospitable. “Keystone species, once established, call to them not only soil bacteria and mycelia, but the plants they have formed close interdependencies with over millennia. As the plants arrive, the keystone’s chemistries literally inform and shape their community structure and behaviours. The capacity of keystone species to ‘teach’ their plant communities how to act was widely recognised in indigenous and folk taxonomies. Elder trees,

continued on page 18

By Guido Masè RH(AHG)

M I TH R I DAT E HISTORY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF THE

FABLED CURE-ALL

References to a legendary remedy, an antidote to virtually all poisons, are found

scattered in the medical texts of Ayurveda, Islamic herbals, and European grimoires from about the second century CE through the Middle Ages1. Cultures around the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and India referred to this formula as a “theriac”, a name given to it by Galen which roughly translates to “wild beast” – meaning it was to be used for the poisonous bites of wild snakes, spiders, and other venomous creatures.

Over time the formula changed dramatically, and its ingredients were usually closely guarded and copied using codes or, often, deliberate mistakes designed to mislead the would-be pharmacist. By the time of the sixteenth-century European Enlightenment, the theriac had degenerated into mixtures featuring lots of sugar and ground up pieces of poisonous animals. These mixtures were perhaps based on the misguided notions that, if poisons tasted bitter, a sweet remedy was required; or that, since snakes held venom in themselves yet lived, they must have anti-venom in their meat. Needless to say, they were no longer effective in any way, and since then, the “theriacs” have fallen into disrepute. Even the name devolved, becoming “treacle”, a pejorative term used to describe a sickly-sweet concoction of little nutritive value...

Guido Masé RH(AHG) is a clinical herbalist, herbal educator, and garden steward specialising in holistic Western herbalism, though his approach is eclectic and draws upon many influences. He spent his childhood in Italy, in the central Alps and in a Renaissance town called Ferrara. After traveling the United States, he settled in Vermont where he has been living since 1996.He is a founder, faculty member and clinical supervisor at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, non-profit herbal medicine clinic and school that provides comprehensive services focused on whole plants and whole foods. He serves as chief herbalist for the Urban Moonshine Natural Products Company, where he works on research, development and quality control for an all-organic whole-plant tincture line, offers education in herbal medicine, and works in clinical practice. He participates in herbal education at the University of Vermont, and is the author of The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with Aromatic, Bitter and Tonic Plants (Healing Arts Press, 2013).Guido's teaching style focuses on conveying the interconnections within the human organism and between the organism and its surrounding ecology. Relying on clinical experience, storytelling, and scientific research, he believes that true strength flows from nature, and that herbal medicine is key to sustainable, successful living.

V (cntd overleaf)

But the true origins of the real formula probably rest somewhere in Asia Minor, the territory now occupied by the country of Turkey. It was there, on the coast facing the Ionian sea and Greece to the west, that the court of Pergamon resided. There the palace herbalists researched numerous antidotes to deal with poisoning by snakes, particularly vipers, over two hundred years BCE2. Their efforts probably focused around a blend of aromatic resins and gums from Egypt, known as kyphi3 and much valued as a sacred incense and also as a medicine.

About one hundred years later, on the northern shore of what is now Turkey, Mithridates Eupator ruled the kingdom of Pontus. He had taken power following a tumultuous succession battle involving the death (by poison) of his father, the ascent of his mother and brothers, and their subsequent death (also by poison). He was waging a long, protracted campaign against the expansion of the Roman Empire. And – though it probably goes without saying – he was also an expert in toxins4.

One cannot be a poisoner without a certain degree of paranoia, and Mithridates had plenty. While he had ample time to research the effects of belladonna, aconite, nux vomica and death cap mushrooms, he obsessed equally as much with an antidote so that he might protect himself. In so doing he had help: an herbalist by the name of Crateuas (also known as Crataeus), trained by the apothecaries of the neighboring kingdom of Pergamon, provided him with a basic starting point and also with the knowledge of local botanicals with which the original kyphi-based preparation might be enhanced and its applicability broadened.

The result of their work, if we are to believe Pliny and the ancient historians, was nothing short of spectacular. Mithridates resisted all manner of attempts on his life. He seemed to wield magical control over life and death – dispensing poison and antidote to control his family, palace, and kingdom. Crateuas compiled all their research into a magnificent fully illustrated herbal, which served as inspiration (and text) for Dioscorides, but has since been lost. However, the antidote’s fame spread far and wide, and it was named after its creator, and called the

“mithridate”. What were the plants in the original formula? How might

they have worked against poisons and toxins? Are there any lessons we can glean from this ancient remedy? Through research on the local flora of northern Turkey (a warm, moist, seaside climate with significant elevation excursion and a variety of forest cover)5 and by dissecting historical texts6 we can get a pretty good general idea – and the pharmacological activities of the plants that make up the mithridate may well justify its fame.

Part 1 – The Resins And GumsBased as it was on Egyptian incense, the mithridate most likely contained a significant amount of aromatic and resinous tree exudates from the lands just to the south, in the areas that make up the present-day Middle East. These may have included gum terebinth (turpentine), balm of Gilead, acacia gum, frankincense, and myrrh. Beyond their importance as very precious, sacred and spiritually “potent” remedies, they also possess some important properties that make them useful in counteracting poisons. Firstly, many resins seem useful in helping to maintain a healthy mucosal barrier in the GI tract7 – essentially acting as a line of defense against absorption when taken in large doses. Additionally, many triterpenoid constituents of resins have strong anti-inflammatory activity (notably myrrh and frankincense8).

Part 2 - The BittersMost poison tastes very bitter. The awakening of this taste on our tongue may, in fact, be an evolutionary adaptation designed to act as a signal for self-protection9. The stimulation of bitter taste receptors comes from a variety of chemical compounds, ranging from simple organic acids to bioflavonoids and more complex iridoids and lactones. A huge part of this self-protective mechanism involves enhanced liver activity, and as a result, enhanced detoxification and elimination of poison when bitter tastants are consumed10.

Exploration into historical texts indicates the mithridate included some of the most bitter healing plants we know – most likely the familiar gentian root and centaury (from the Gentianaceae family). We know these act as strong activators of digestive and hepatic function and that could have sped the metabolism of the toxic alkaloids found in the poison plants.

Apiaceae also featured in the formula – from parsley itself, to Opopanax, anise and asafoetida. All these plants are rich in flavonoids and furanocoumarins (the latter featuring most notably in Opopanax11), which are astringent (contributing to the “barrier effect”) and which continue to reinforce the cell-protecting, anti-inflammatory, and blood-thinning properties of the resins. These functions, while less important than the induction of liver detoxification for alkaloid metabolism, are crucial in counteracting the activity of viper venom, which often kills by causing blood coagulation12.

Other flavonoid and flavo-lignan rich plants from the Asteraceae, such as the thistles and in particular milk thistle13, most likely rounded out the bitter fraction.

Feature Article(cntd from previous page)

14

ABOVE: Map showing the region where The Mithridate originated

LEFT: Picture of 'Book of Theriac' conserved in Paris

15Summer 2015 Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists AVENAAutumn 2014 Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists AVENA 15

ABOVE: Frankincense, long regarded a precious & sacred plant remedy

Part 3 – The PungentsSpicy and pungent ingredients, long considered preservatives for meat and thus seen as natural anti-toxins, made up the third part of the formula. Mithridates and Crateuas included members of the Brassicaceae, such as shepherd’s purse, which are spicy mustard relatives. These plants possess sulfur-rich chemistry and are amazing liver protectants14 capable of buffering the effects of toxins such as those from the death cap mushroom.

Other warming, spicy, pungent herbs included ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon. These plants possess strong anti-inflammatory15 and anti-clotting activity thus creating a valuable synergy with the bitter bioflavonoids. Their additional ability to accelerate gastric motility16 may have aided in the more rapid removal of ingested toxins.

Part 4 – The Secret IngredientsThree or four other plants appear in the historical references to mithridate and theriac formulas. The first is St. Johnswort, which is a strong inducer of hepatic metabolism and detoxification pathways17. As such, it would have played a valuable role in the formula by further enhancing the breakdown of toxic alkaloids such as aconitine form monkshood, reducing their lethality especially at the lower end of the dose range. Another key plant was valerian – an antispasmodic and relaxant that can engender profound sedation and a marked reduction in heart rate and force18. These effects might have been desirable, especially in the case of snake venom but also in alkaloid poisoning: slowing the circulation slows the flow of poison, too. Finally, the formula may also have included saffron – a strong anti-inflammatory19 and blood-pressure-reducing20 spice; and also various sedative members of the Papaveraceae, including perhaps a little opium. Why not.

The Pharmacology of the MithridateTaken together, this botanical formula may have had the following actions: providing a mucosal barrier to reduce the gastrointestinal absorption of poison (resins, tannins and condensed tannins) while speeding elimination from the GI tract

(pungents); enhancing hepatic detoxification and elimination (bitter constituents, flavonoids and flavo-lignans, St. Johnswort); slowing the circulation somewhat (valerian, saffron, opium). These activities would have seriously blunted the effects of toxic alkaloids such as those found in belladonna and aconite/monkshood and perhaps the amanitotoxins from death cap mushrooms. Additionally, the strong anti-inflammatory and moderate blood-thinning activities (resin triterpenes, flavonoids, saffron, pungents) would have served as partial antidotes to viper venom, which is injected into the circulation and relies on cellular destruction and blood clotting to kill.

Certainly, if the dose were adequate (Celsus recommended an amount the size of an almond for daily prevention, and up to ten times that for an actual poisoning21), this formula seems promising as an antidote. It is also very interesting to note that, from a historical perspective (Mithridates was said to partake daily) as well as from a medical perspective (as noted in Celsus’ advice, above), the mithridate was meant to be a daily

“insurance policy” against poisonous agents. This has interesting implications for our modern environment: though the toxins are different, we may still be able to learn from the work of Crateuas and his poison king.

ConclusionThough its recipe may have been changed beyond recognition over the centuries, and its medicinal effectiveness lost, the mithridate and the theriacs that followed have strong pharmacological activity. Whether they would actually serve as effective antidotes to poison is debatable and, I suspect, depends on the dose of both the toxin and the antidote. Nevertheless, an analysis of the activity of the formula’s ingredients shows us that its miraculous qualities are at least possible. I suspect that the ritual of consuming a daily anti-toxin was actually preserved by the folk population, though it was lost by the learned: the aromatic digestive bitters may well be the echoes of this ancient potion, crafted in the cradle of Western civilization, over two thousand years ago. 3

Endnotes1 See, for instance, the Charaka Samhita, The Book of Theriac (Bibliothèque Nationale de France – listed in Mouliérac J., « Les Thériaques », in « La Médecine au temps des califes », IMA, 1996.

by Guido Masè

Endnotes cntd p. 22

ABOVE: Kitab al-Diryaq, Theriaque de Paris

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ABOVE: Dioscoride's de materia medica

ABOVE: Map showing the region where The Mithridate originated

LEFT: Picture of 'Book of Theriac' conserved in Paris



Clinical Insights

By Angela Haldane Dip Appl. Science - Naturopathy (Melb) NZRN comp. MNZAMH Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, Registered Nurse

V

Menstrual Migraines

Angela Haldane practises full time at the Harvest Natural Health Centre where she has been since 1996. Consultations are Ange’s main focus, in which she prescribes herbal medicine, clinical nutrition and lifestyle interventions - based on clinical research. Ange also provides community talks to ensure people are aware of what health measures they need to implement to achieve optimum health.

Ange is also a well known radio personality aka “Natural Ange”, which plays on 95bFM Monday’s at 9.40am.

www.naturalange.com

Recently I had a 48 year old woman present in my clinic with persistant menstrual migraines. I have worked with her for over two years trying to find a solution to these migraines that occur for one day during menstruation. They are debilitating and usually she ends up resorting to nurofen for relief, it takes a few doses before it lifts.

She has tried various forms of magnesium - with increased dosage during an episode. She has also tried massage, osteopathy, liver cleanses and being mindful of doing less so that stress does not exacerbate. She has very minimal alcohol intake which amounts to an occasional beer. She has also had herbal tonics of:

Ώ Vitex agnus-castus 20,

Ώ Schisandra chinensis 30

Ώ Withania somnifera 40

Ώ Chrysanthemum parthenium 10

Dose: mitte 500ml 8ml BD.

These interventions were somewhat helpful, but the migraines would still occur.

Testing

Then she did a smart DNA Genomic Wellness Test (from saliva) which revealed that she had the COMT rs4680 gene in the red zone and also the MTHFR rs1801133 = TT and MTHFR rs1801131=AA both in the red zone. Indicating that there is a 75% reduction in MTHFR activity. When these two enzymes are in the red zone, poor methylation of hydroxylates oestrogen can occur. Reduced methylation results in the accumulation of fat soluble 4-OH oestrones which can be inflammatory.

Following this she had a blood test to check her homocysteine levels and the results were abnormal at 12 (normal range 5-7) confirming that there poor methylation.

She could have done a urinary oestrogen metabolite test to assess 2,4,and 16 OH oestrones, but it was expensive. We decided to alter the diet to address oestrogen metabolism to favour the 2-OH pathway.

Successful Dietary Treatment

Daily, she now has two tablespoons of ground linseed with breakfast - rich in omega 3 and acts as a phyto-oestrogen due to the lignan content. Also instead of taking Di-indolyl-methane (DIM) supplements which are derived from brassicaceae family, she decided to try eating a portion of either blanched broccoli salad, or coleslaw or raw cauliflower with dips most days. For three months she noticed that she experienced migraine free periods. Then she went on holiday, she forgot to take her ground linseed with her, and the vegetables changed to lettuce, beans and courgettes that were in the garden. On the following period the migraine returned.

Realising what changes had happened, she promptly restarted the brassicaceae family and the ground linseed to find that she was migraine free the following menstruation.

Whilst she is happy to take herbal medicine for acute conditions, she is also very pleased to be able to control her condition through adopting dietary habits that favour healthy oestrogen metabolism and impart anti inflammatory effects. 3

References Smith, Dr Margaret - Gene Genius 2015 Harlequin EnterprisesMD Nutritionals Oestrogen Metabolism Seminar notes


Sambucus nigra baca syrup:A variety of different elderberry syrups can be prepared with different healing properties emphasised in each. The basic method for all the syrups is the same:

1. Place 2 cups of elderberries in a pan with 2 cups of fresh water and whichever additional herbs you are using (see below for variations). Simmer gently for about 30 minutes with the lid off until the water has reduced to about half its original amount, and the berries have released all their juice. Set aside, and allow to cool completely.

2. Strain through a jelly bag into a measuring jug.

3. Add approximately the same quantity of local raw honey to the elderberry juice and stir until dissolved. You can use less honey, but the mixture will not have lasting quality.

4. Bottle in sterilised preserving bottles, and label. The delicious syrup does not usually linger due to popularity, but stored in the fridge, these syrups should last 3 months.

for example, are keystone species in many ecosystems. Among indigenous and folk peoples it is said that the elder tree ‘teaches the plants what to do and how to grow,’ and that without its presence the local plant community will become confused.”

This highlights one of the integral facets of the elder, that of protection. Not only does she protect and shelter newly establishing species of plants, but through the beautiful berries she produces each autumn, she protects our immune systems during winter. These berries are also rich in antioxidants (anthocyanins), which are known to protect our

cardiovascular system, skin and brain. Elderberries are possibly some of the best preventative medicine we have for this time of year. Unlike many other herbs that are specific to the immune system, the elderberries seamlessly bridge the gap between food and medicine, making them essential to include in our daily diets. Being mildly diaphoretic

- especially when take as a hot tea - they can help to sweat out colds and flu. In addition, they have a particular affinity for our respiratory system, working proactively against viruses, and actively with mucus and inflammation. Quite the immune tonic!

Autumn Berry Ensemble by Sara Mertens

Autumn harvesting of elderberries:

Sambucus nigra baca are an important food source for birds, so do not be disappointed if they race you to harvest! Unlike us, our feathered friends are able to eat the raw berries. (Note: Gastrointestinal upsets will occur if we ingest them raw.)

During the first stage you can add different herbs according to your preference. Examples include:

• A handful of fresh thyme and hyssop to make syrup that is particularly effective for winter ailments that affect the respiratory system.

• Spray free orange peel and cloves to make a Vitamin C rich, anti-microbial blend that will also ease digestion.

• Cardamom and ginger are warming and stimulating to sluggish winter circulation.

• A generous dozen of romantic rosebuds! (Added when the syrup is turned off the heat). Allow these to infuse in the syrup whilst it cools and add considerably less of raw floral honey so as not to overpower the rosebuds. This makes a divinely comforting blend for winter days, which also encourages a cheerful heart.

Syrups can be taken directly off the spoon, added to hot or cold drinks, drizzled on porridge, added to smoothies, or any other way that takes your fancy. Sugar or honey?Most traditional syrup recipes use sugar instead of honey, and heat the elderberry juice a second time after adding it to make a thicker syrup. The

Collect your elderberries when they are ripe and a deep purplish black, remembering to ask the “Elder Mother’s” permission first! When you get home, strip them gently from the stems. Discard any that are still green or red, and those which are shriveled.

Ways to include elderberries in your diet:


w

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advantages of this are that it will last longer - potentially the whole year until the next harvest! Raw honey is expensive in large quantities. The downsides, of course, are that sugar does not contain the medicinal benefits of raw honey, which is antibacterial and rich in antioxidants and enzymes. In fact, sugar depletes the immune system, and many people in today’s sweet-crazed society already have imbalances caused from an excess. Nevertheless, for preparing large quantities with long shelf life, it is really the only option, and the positives have to outweigh the negatives. Natural coconut sugar is a consideration due to its nutritional content. A small batch of syrup made from elderberry with raw honey, however, is sure to transport you to a heavenly realm of taste due to its rich, earthy sweetness.

Elderberry Tincture: This can be made by simply filling a sterilised jar with fresh elderberries and covering with vodka, lidding, and allowing it to sit for a month stirring occasionally. Strain, re-bottle and label. This has the advantage of being easily added to blends of other herbs, and long lasting quality.

Elderberry and Apple Autumn Crumble:

Add precious elderberries into a favourite crumble recipe to enliven your immune system, and lend a tasty tang to other fruit. For example, apples and elderberries with dates, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. Memorable!

Dried or frozen:Elderberries can also be dried or frozen to make preparations throughout winter. Nourishing herbal stock for winter soup, which includes elderberries (and/or hawthorn berries), is immune boosting.

…‘Tis the season to be harvesting! Bear in mind, autumn is the final celebration of the abundance and generosity from the land before we begin to withdraw

into winter. Be harmonised by an autumn berry ensemble of hawthorn and elder from the “symphony of

herbs”!

References:Fisher C., Painter G., (2009) Materia MedicaHoffman D. (2003) Medical HerbalismHarrod Buhner S., (2002) The Lost Language of PlantsFrawley Dr D., Lad Dr V., (1986) The Yoga of Herbs Tilgner, Dr S., (2009) Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth Wordsworth Classics Publishers, (2007) Culpeper’s Complete Herbal Mabey R. (1996) Flora Britannica


The Future of our ProfessionBy Donna Kerridge, BHSc, Dip Nat., Dip. HM., Adv. Dip. Mass., MNZAMH

This article is not intended to poke the borax at our current Committee and the decisions they have made on our

behalf. It is intended to remind us of our responsibilities as both elected representatives and members of our precious professional association given the pending changes in the current New Zealand political climate and the implications (opportunities and threats) associated with participating in global politics.

Imminent Government legislation associated with the Natural Health Products Bill (NHPB) and the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) present new challenges and opportunities for our profession. Choosing to play on the world’s political stage by becoming a member of the newly established World Naturopathic Federation will also have its benefits and challenges.

We need to involve ourselves in these discussions to both inform and influence those making decisions that impact the way we are allowed to practice in New Zealand and how we will be governed. There is also an opportunity for us to consider how we as herbalists can contribute to the Ministry of Health’s Medically Assisted Dying Inquiry currently in process.

It is time for each of us to reconsider what we think defines our profession, how we want it managed and what objectives we wish to pursue. What benefits do we hope to accrue as a result of belonging to and supporting our professional body?

The incorporated society of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (NZAMH) was established in 1983 with a view to achieve the following objectives:

x To provide a support network for persons engaged in the study and practice of Herbal Medicine and Naturopathy.

x To act as an advisory body and uphold high standards of proficiency and conduct.

x To promote, protect, maintain, represent and further the professional interests of members.

x To represent members in regard to any proposed legislation concerning Herbal Medicine and to make submissions to appropriate authorities on their behalf.

x To assist in the promotion of Herbal Medicine. x To encourage/provide ongoing professional education

for members. x To publish and circulate a magazine and any other

material of interest.

Belonging to a ‘professional body’ gives people with a common knowledge base and ethical standards the opportunity to unite under a single banner for mutual advantage. Membership

of the NZAMH is voluntary and our representatives are democratically elected. Membership bestows on members the right to identify themselves as a member of the NZAMH, confirms to the public that members have achieved a certain level of academic achievement and enables members to attend the NZAMH annual conference at a cheaper rate than non-members.

For a professional association to exist, the profession must have practice maturity that is supported by a common body of knowledge and ethical base. Members of the association must agree to apply their professional skills in a certain way, to a prescribed minimum level of competency. The association must also have a team of representatives willing to administer the will of the membership in a way that is transparent and coalescent.

As medical herbalists I think we all want to protect the integrity and values associated with our practice and the title ‘medical herbalist’ from those who might bring our precious taonga (treasure) into disrepute. Many of us would also support promoting our profession and the interests of our practitioners to the law makers, health service funding organisations and the New Zealand public. As a profession we need to communicate effectively with those who might engage our member services, our agreed minimum ethical standards and guidelines for safe and effective practice in order to elicit greater trust and retain respect for our profession. We also need to establish, maintain and share our knowledge base for our collective benefit and the future of our profession. We need to provide a support network and collective advocacy in the interests of our profession for those of us who at times, may require it.

Our elected representatives need to identify and uphold minimum standards of practice and ensure the competency of professionals grouped under our single umbrella. They need to promote and defend our profession in the public domain.

Our members need to communicate effectively with our representatives so that they are able to identify and address our common needs.

It is important to recognise the achievements of those who have previously served our profession by identifying affiliated training providers, facilitating mentoring opportunities, establishing and maintaining a code of ethics and complaints procedures, establishing and maintaining a register of affiliated / registered practitioners and producing our own professional journal, Avena. Without doubt, our professional association has come a long way in 33 years.

However, there will always be ongoing work for our elected representatives co-ordinating, endorsing and facilitating associated research projects to address the needs

Two years ago I was invited to give a keynote address about the drivers for establishing a professional body to the members of a newly established, Government funded, professional body for traditional healing practices. Given the intense political climate we find ourselves immersed in today it is probably timely that we, as medical herbalists, revisit our commitment to and drivers for belonging to and supporting our own professional association.

2

Feature Article


Donna Kerridge

of our profession, establishing and maintaining a register of adverse effects and associated support processes to help inform our membership, other health professionals and the public, investigating and supporting new ways to support our professionals achieve safe and effective practice standards and developing alliances with other professional bodies for the benefit of our practitioners. Our representatives are empowered to advocate for our practitioners on political matters, negotiate member benefits for products and services, such as professional indemnity insurance and preferential privileges for our customers in areas like health insurance cover for our services.

Our representatives are charged with balancing organisational goals while supporting our individual right to autonomous practice. To be effective our representatives are required to;

x uphold the values and aims of the NZAMH; x give adequate time and energy to the duties they have

volunteered for; and x act with integrity and avoid or declare personal conflicts

of interest. (Adapted from Good Governance: A Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector1)

Our elected representatives are responsible for ensuring that all decisions are taken in the best interests of our members and act in a way that demonstrates selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership, known as The Nolan Principles.2

This means they need to maintain neutrality in political environments even though personally, they may prefer not to. They must maintain independence from external pressures and interference and constantly balance the needs of members with those who claim to help achieve our objectives in return for certain compromises from our group.

As for most representatives of any organisation, there are many challenges such as balancing the authority entrusted to them to act in the interests of the wider the membership, setting aside any individual professional aspirations and build unity when opposing views exist within the membership.

In order to be effective our representatives must endeavour to obtain consensus among members as much as is possible, consult widely and be inclusive. Communicating effectively and operating transparently, declaring any potential conflicts of interest is essential. Honouring the founding principles of herbal medicine, retaining currency in a modern world and resisting the temptation to support activities that serve individual aspirations will always be difficult.

As a united body of medical herbalists the NZAMH has the potential to position itself (on behalf of its membership) as the single point of contact for the public seeking the services of herbal medicine professionals, health insurers wanting to offer a point of difference in the services they deliver to their customers, those charged with funding and contracting customer focussed health services and those responsible for enhancing integrative health care services in New Zealand.

As a professional body we can educate our Government and the people of New Zealand to routinely embrace the practise of medical herbalism as an opportunity to achieve and perpetuate enhanced wellbeing for our nation and reduce

the burden of costs associated with disease prevention and management.

But first we need to ask ourselves a number of questions of our Association:

x Can we demonstrate and assure the New Zealand public and health authorities that our members have a specified standard of competence, not to be confused with academic achievement?

x Do we put into practice a management structure and disciplinary processes that mitigate risk for the New Zealand public?

x Do we have a professional body that operates with the unified support of its membership?

On a personal level we also need to be clear about: x What do we think defines our profession? x What benefits do we hope to accrue as a result of

belonging to and supporting our professional body? x What objectives we wish to pursue to achieve these

benefits?

The performance indicators against which we might measure the success of our Association should include:

x Membership growth statistics, indicative of the perceived cost/benefits to members,

x Government inclusion in relevant policy and implementation decision making teams and

x A measure of public favour for our profession based on growth in product/service demand. Natural health

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product sales in New Zealand are a $1b industry and medical herbalists have a definite role to play in this market.

For organisations such as ours, a converse state of declining membership numbers, exclusion from key Government initiatives that affect our practice or reducing sales or service demand across our sector of the Natural Health Services market might indicate that a profession based organisation is failing to hit its mark.

Perhaps it is appropriate at this point in time that we as members and elected representatives, take stock of the Association’s recent achievements, review and re-prioritise the objectives of our Association in the context of today’s business and political climate and the traditions upon which our practice is based.

Who legitimises our profession? Is it we, the professionals through our Association, the public or the politicians of the

Fostering a mutual respect for traditional Maori healing principles and contemporary medical practices offers the potential for enhanced wellbeing. Learning the stories of our native land and its ecology is an opportunity to heal both the land and its people.

Donna’s work today honours her obligation to her teachers to share and keep alive ancient healing

principles in an appropriate, safe and respectful way for the benefit of all people but especially for our future generations that inhabit this land and their evolving needs.

Whangia ka tupu, ka puawai that which is nurtured, blossoms and grows

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT THE AUTHORDonna Kerridge, Rongoa Maori Tutor and Practitioner, Ko Waikato te Iwi, BHSc (CompMed), MNZAMH.

day? I suspect it is all of these and our elected representatives must have the skills and willingness to navigate an intricate web of changing priorities to manage this on our behalf. Our members must have the appetite to make sound commercial decisions that protect and promote the integrity of our profession. Medical herbalists have a contribution to make in reducing in the burden of escalating health care costs in New Zealand by providing the public of New Zealand greater health care choices supporting improved patient outcomes.

I look forward to a 2016 that embraces the voices of our membership and realises the potential of medical herbal practice in New Zealand and the specialist skills of the members of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists. 31. Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (2010). Good

Governance A code for the voluntary and community sector. Retrieved from http://www.governancecode.org/full-code-of-governance/)

2. Committee on Standards in Public Life (1995). The 7 Principles of Public Life. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life

Endnotes continued from page 15)

Feature Article

p. 101-103), Celsus (De Medicina. Vol. II. Trans. W.G.S. Spencer. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA 1989), Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica and most notably Galen, De Antidotis.2 Garrison Fielding H, History of Medecine, Philadelphia and London, 1929, p. 1043 Manniche, Lise and Werner, Forman. Sacred Luxuries: Fragrance, Aromatherapy, and Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt. Cornell University Press, 1999.4 The primary sources that detail this story are Pliny: Natural History (1938-) translated by H. Rackham et al. (Loeb Classical Library), VII, 24. Also Marcus Junianus Justinus: Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus (1853) translated by the Rev. John Selby Watson (which includes details on Pompey’s campaign against Mithridates and his eventual demise). An excellent contemporary appraisal and collection of these primary sources is Mayor, A. The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithridates, Princeton University Press, 20105 KÜRSCHNER, H., RAUS, T. & VENTER, J. 1995: Pflanzen der Türkei. Ägäis - Taurus - Inneranatolien.− Wiesbaden: Quelle & Meyer. Available online at http://www.gbv.de/dms/bs/toc/18151091X.pdf retrieved 2/12/126 Starting with Celsus, De Medicina but well-summarized in Norton S. The pharmacology of mithridatum: a 2000-year-old remedy. Mol Interv. 2006 Apr;6(2):60-6.7 Al-Howiriny, T., Al-Sohaibani, M., Al-Said, M., Al-Yahya, M., El-Tahir, K., and Rafatullah, S. Effect of Commiphora opobalsamum (L.) Engl. (Balessan) on experimental gastric ulcers and secretion in rats. J. Ethnopharamcol. 98, 287–294 (2005).

8 M Duwiejua, IJ Zeitlin, PG Waterman, J Chapman… Anti-inflammatory activity of resins from some species of the plant family Burseraceae. - Planta Medica, 19939 Behrens M, Meyerhof W. Bitter taste receptors and human bitter taste perception. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2006 Jul;63(13):1501-9Lindemann B. Chemoreception: tasting the sweet and the bitter. Curr Biol. 1996 Oct 1;6(10):1234-7. Also Scott TR, Verhagen JV.Taste as a factor in the management of nutrition. Nutrition. 2000 Oct;16(10):874-85. Review.10 And in fact, when you feed animals extracts containing high percentages of these bitter compounds (such as rosmarinic acid, e.g.) you end up with enhanced liver detoxification: Keith W. Singletary and Joan T. Rokusek. Tissue-specific enhancement of xenobiotic detoxification enzymes in mice by dietary rosemary extract. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Formerly Qualitas Plantarum) Volume 50, Number 1, 47-5311 Chen, I.S., Chang, C.T., Sheen, W.S., Teng, C.M., Tsai, I.L., Duh, C.Y., and Ko, F.N. Coumarins and antiplatelet aggregation constituents from Formosan Peucedanum japonicum. Phytochemistry 41, 525-530 (1996).12 Martin, Charles James; Lamb, George (1907).

“Snake-poison and Snake-bite”. In Allbutt, T.C., Rolleston N.D.. A System of Medicine. London: MacMillan. pp. 783-821.13 Saller R, Melzer J, Reichling J, Brignoli R, Meier R. An updated systematic review of the pharmacology of silymarin. Forsch Komplementmed. 2007 Apr;14(2):70-80. Epub 2007 Apr 23.14 Kuroda, K. and Akao, M. Antitumor and anti-

intoxication activities of fumaric acid in cultured cells. Gann 72, 777–782 (1981).15 Yob NJ, Jofrry SM, Affandi MM, Teh LK, Salleh MZ, Zakaria ZA. Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal, Chemical, and Pharmacological Uses. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:543216. Epub 2011 Mar 22.16 Wu KL, Rayner CK, Chuah SK, Changchien CS, Lu SN, Chiu YC, Chiu KW, Lee CM. Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 May;20(5):436-40.17 Nowack R. Review article: cytochrome P450 enzyme, and transport protein mediated herb-drug interactions in renal transplant patients: grapefruit juice, St John’s Wort - and beyond! Nephrology (Carlton). 2008 Jun;13(4):337-47. Epub 2008 Mar 17. Review.18 Willey LB, Mady SP, Cobaugh DJ, Wax PM. Valerian overdose: a case report. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1995 Aug;37(4):364-5.19 Hosseinzadeh, H., Sadeghnia, H.R., Ziaee, T., and Danaee, A. Protective effect of aqueous saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) and crocin, its active constituent, on renal ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative damage in rats. J. Pharm. Pharm. Sci. 8, 387–393 (2005).20 Imenshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H, Javadpour Y. Hypotensive effect of aqueous saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) and its constituents, safranal and crocin, in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Phytother Res. 2010 Jul;24(7):990-4.21 Celsus, De Medicina. Vol. II. Trans. W.G.S. Spencer. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA 1989


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Meetings

Herbal Community


Herbal Manufacturing


By Rixt Botello

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rixt Botello, a “grass roots” herbalist, has a deep affinity with the plant world and gathers her medicine when needed. She lives with her husband Leon and their family on a 50 acre farm with native bush in the far North. Here she gathers many of her medicines to manufacture herbal healing products, creams, oils and herbal medicines.

Rixt has been a practicing Medical Herbalist, Aromatherapist and Bach Flower Practitioner for twenty four years. She has tutored in many subjects in Natural Medicine nationwide at Herbal (as HOD), Naturopathic, Community and Massage Colleges and at University for midwives. She also shares her knowledge in the community for plunket, associations and kindergartens, primary, homeschool and high school groups.

Rixt specializes in the treatment of mental health problems as well as pregnancy, childbirth and childrens health. She also treats many other conditions or ailments.

Rixt believes that the healing of our selves lies within us - and with support and guidance, everyone can empower themselves to a healthy state of balance.

Rixt Botello is Co- Director of The Nomadic School of Health together with her husband Leon Botello. The Nomadic School of Health is the school that travels to you to give you the education you desire or need. Rixt can be contacted by email [email protected] or phone 094061971

Tonight I gathered my dinner from my “gardens”. A pot pourri of Lovage, Basil, Thyme, Cayenne, Red Silver beet, Tomatoes, Capsicum, Courgettes and Celery,

to eat with pasta. I love the gathering of fresh herbs for our dinner, and with herbs I do so mean the Courgette, Silverbeet, Capsicum and Tomatoes also.Ahh, I hear the words ...“I wish I had the time” or “I wish I had the space to cultivate my own gardens”.Well…….it is always possible to do so.

Although we have land, this year we have been extremely busy in our clinic and also creating medicines, that we have not had the time to put in our usual gardens. So we have planted our herbs and food in buckets, old tires (collected free from the mechanic) and filled with soil. Or barrels, containers or any pot we could find. And now we have an abundance of herbs that feed us with very little maintenance and very little space.

It is Blackberry season on our land presently - we have let the bushes grow, sprawl and prosper as they like. And now we have various harvesting areas. The fruits this season are big and plump due to the regular rainy periods we have had here in the Far north and the beautiful hot weather. They are immensely sweet.

We go gathering them about every second day. Although I do have to monitor my husband and daughter to ensure that the fruits end up in their bowls and not their mouths!! I even have to keep an eye on our dogs Benita and Tatanka, as they love Blackberry picking and likes to help us, by picking their own and eating them with great relish! Blackberries to them are a treat. We need to make sure that the fruit gathered from lower lying plants are well washed in case of dog slobbers! Blackberry picking has always been a fun time. The bushes grow along the beautiful spring fed streams and on the outskirts of the natural native bush lands of which we reside and are caretakers of.

In Avena, Autumn 2013, I have covered the great medicinal qualities of Blackberry. So in this issue I would like to share an herb of which I make a healthy

“pudding” with Blackberries also. The herb Chia seed (Salvia hispanica).

Mexican Chia (Salvia hispanica) is in the mint family and the green bushy plant can grow up to 1 metre tall. It is native to Southern Mexico & Central America.

CHIA SEED (Salvia hispanica) I recently have been cultivating the native Aztec herb Chia (Salvia hispanica) from seed which I had imported from the USA. This ancient seed has been a staple in Mayan and Aztec diets for centuries. The name Chia is derived from a Native Mexican word “chian” which means 'oily' and relates to the high oil content of the seeds

25Autumn 2016 Journal of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists AVENA 25


Method1. Get a bucket, basket or bowl to gather the Blackberries in.

2. A sunhat can be worn, any colour or shape, no gloves are allowed

3. Wear some sturdy cotton shoes

4. Once home with a full belly of berries, thorns in hands and scratches on legs and arms, rinse the Blackberries off- The Blackberries can be left whole or be pureed

5. Put the Chia seeds in a serving bowl and add the Rice milk

6. Leave to soak for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally with a slotted spoon

7. Fold in Stevia and Blackberries

Chill and serve as a dessert or for a delightful breakfast - sometimes we also add 2 Tbsps. cocoa nibs to give us an extra energy boost throughout the da

The seeds were also referred to as “Indian Running Food” because of their energizing effect. Apache Native Americans (my daughter and husband are also of this tribe) and Aztec warriors would keep their sustenance by carrying seeds with them while on conquests and the Chia seeds were used as legal tender.Native Americans and missionaries (taught by the Natives) used Chia seeds poultices for gunshot wounds and other injuries. Due to its high content in mucilage it is a great vulnerary and also used as a styptic- packed into wounds whilst preventing infection. Chia is anti- inflammatory (cooling effect) for joint pain or injuries to muscles and tissue.Once fluid is added to the seed, Chia increases in size rapidly, absorbing the liquid surrounding it. Of course any herb with mucilage (mucin) is not only a vulnerary but also a demulcent thus Chia is renowned to reduce inflammation in digestive tract. The Chia gel in the stomach can slow down CBH & sugars and also help keep electrolytes balanced.Chia seeds can play a role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood. It can be used for diabetes, high blood pressure, and reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular disease).

As a nutrient, research has found Chia has the following Nutrients:

x Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Boron, Niacin. x Essential amino acids - According the U.S. Department

of Agriculture, 1oz of seeds contains approximately 5gms of protein (which is composed of a number of amino acids). The amino acid found in highest concentration is glutamine.

x Vitamins B, D & E. x Fiber x 20% protein by weight x More digestible protein than beans, soy or peas. x 8.7 times the omega-3 in wild Atlantic salmon. x 5.4 times the calcium in 2% milk. x 2.7 times more iron than raw spinach. x More antioxidants than blueberries.

A study published in the “British Journal of Nutrition” (British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 101 / Issue 01 / January 2009, pp 41-50) demonstrated that Chia seeds as a fat source can lower triglycerides & cholesterol levels while increasing HDL in rats. This study also found when substituting Chia seeds for other fat sources i.e. Corn oil, the ALA was able to prevent high triglyceride levels and reduce central obesity.

Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica)

&Blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) Pudding

Ingredients Ώ 125 gms of Chia (Salvia hispanica)

Ώ 1 litre Vitasoy Rice milk (or Coconut Cream for a richer version)

Ώ 1-2 cups Blackberries (Rubus fructicosus)

Ώ ½ tsp dried Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) or ¼ tsp powdered

Ώ Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) and/or Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) can also be added.

Ώ A basket, bucket or bowl

Ώ A hat (optional)


You can also replace all ingredients with Blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) Herbal fruit Vinegar (my recipe in Avena Autumn 2013) and add the 1 tsp Chia seeds and Lemon Balm to this.

Method1. With a happy demeanor and basket in hand harvest your Lemons & Lemon Balm in the gardens2. Roll Lemons firmly on a hard surface to soften skin, release the juice and strengthen your arm muscles. 3. Juice the lemons and add to ½ of the cold water4. Add the Chia seeds to the cold Lemon water let sit for a minimum of ten minutes, stirring occasionally5. Heat the remaining water add the sugar, stir until dissolved6. Then add the sugar blend to the Chia mix7. Add some ice cubes or chill in refrigerator8. Once chilled pour into a tall glass and add a couple of sprigs of Lemon Balm

Enjoy a delightful fully Energizing Healthy Autumn Day fellow herbalists.

Rixt BotelloMedical Herbalist (NZAMH)Aromatherapist (Dip)Bach Flower Practitioner (RBFP)Adult Teaching (Dip-SIT)Beauty Specialist (Dip-Honours)Co-Director –Nomadic School of HealthAuthor – A Herb Book From Nature - for children to useEmail:[email protected] 094061971

Referenceshttp://www.purehealingfoods.com/chiaInfo.phphttp://www.chia4uk.com/html/healing_with_chia_seeds.htmlhttp://healthyliving.azcentral.comFor clinical references go to: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1224-CHIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=1224&activeIngredientName=CHIA

Refreshing-Energizing Chia Drink

Ingredients Ώ 1 large glass mineral/purified Water – approx. 1 ½ cups

Ώ 2-3* tablespoons fresh Lemon (Citrus limon) juice

Ώ 1 -2* tsp organic Raw Sugar or ¼* tsp dried Stevia

Ώ Two sprigs of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Ώ 1 tsp Chia Seed

Ώ *adjust to taste

Regular Column

Join NZAMH Members Yahoo Group! 1. E-mail Val at [email protected] & request to join the NZAMH Yahoo chat-Group.

2. When you receive an invitation to join, click on 'Join This Group', and follow the prompts to join.

3. You will then be able to post and receive messages and be part of our interactive Yahoo

community!

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Guidelines for Continuing Professional Education – Due 31st March, 2016

Total annual requirement for NZAMH professional membership: 30 Points

Our continuing education points system contains a list of activities through which you can obtain Continuing Professional Education (CPE) points. Each March, professional members will be sent a CPE form to fill out along with a membership renewal form. CPE POINTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT THE COMPLETED FORM AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. See our website for more details www.nzamh.org.nz

Herbal Medicine Activity - 20 points compulsory minimum (Except Higher Education/Research Activity – see next category)

This education requirement is directly related to the practice of herbal medicine. For example the research of medicinal plants, New Zealand Native herbs, herbal medicine professional and industry issues, the historical and traditional aspects of herbal medicine and the philosophical issues related to the practice of herbal medicine (May also include approved company seminars that include sufficient herbal content).

Higher Education/Research Activity – Up to 20 points.NZAMH recognizes the need for our professional members to increase their knowledge in research, to conduct research and to gain related higher qualification. Course work related to acquisition of bachelor degree or higher in science related subjects will receive appropriate CPE points as will research activity relevant to the practice of herbal medicine or the development of the herbal medicine profession.

Medical Science Activities (unrelated to Higher Education/Research Activity – up to 10 points)Activities of a continuing education nature which relate to nutrition, human biochemistry, physiology, pathology, symptomatology, diagnosis, pharmacology, internal medicine, epidemiology, psychology, psychiatry, health-related research and also the study of other health care modalities not regarded as herbal medicine, such as remedial body work, naturopathy, homeopathy, mind/body, kinesiology etc.

Other Subject Activities (Up to 10 points)Activities that relate to the practice of herbal medicine, but may not be classifiable as either herbal medicine or medicinal science topics. This covers areas such as business development, marketing and promotion, health promotion, general health care philosophy, ethics and history. This may also include writing government submissions on related CAM health issues.

Other Criteria Must have current St John’s or Red Cross First Aid Certificate (or equivalent), unless special conditions apply: i.e. unable to take part in a First Aid course due to disability.

Please visit our website or contact Val McArthur if more details required. [email protected]

STUDYING: SUB TOTAL

Borrowing from the NZAMH (or herbal college) library With summary following guidelines on website 2 point/item Max 30 points

Formal Study at a tertiary institution – to gain herbal medicine related bachelor degree or higher (including classes, external work, assignments, exams)

1 point/hour Max 20 points (final 10 points must relate to herbal requirement)

Formal Study at a tertiary institution to gain knowledge related to research methodology (level 6 NZQA or higher) 1 point/hour Max 10 points (final 20 points

must relate to herbal requirement)

Medical Science Activities (unrelated to Higher Education/Research Activity) 1 point/hour Max 10 points (final 20 points

must relate to herbal requirement)

Continued overleaf


PRESENTING: SUB TOTAL cntd.

Presenting a health related topic to the public 4 points/talk Max 12 points

Presenting a health related topic to a professional audience 6 points/talk Max 18 points

Undergraduate or Postgraduate teaching/lecturing of a health related topic

1 point/6 hours Max 5 points

Presenting original research to a professional audience 10 points/presentation

Max 20 points, (final 10 points must relate to herbal requirements)

ATTENDING/PARTICIPATING:

NZAMH Branch Meeting or National Committee meeting 2 points/meeting Max 10 points

NZAMH AGM/Conference attendance 10 points/day Max 20 points

Subscription to Yahoo chat line forum 2 points

Subscription to any of the following Professional peer-reviewed publications (not including Avena) with proof of subscription shown:Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine (NHAA, Australia)Journal of Herbal Medicine (NIMH, United Kingdom)PhytomedicineJournal of Ethnopharmacology

10 points/subscription

Max 20 points

Summaries of any peer reviewed journal articles (from the above journals) written for publication in Avena 2 points/summary Max 20 points

Seminar/telephone or conference attendance – Herbal medicine predominant (Content must be approved by NZAMH)

2 points/hour Max 30 points

Seminar/telephone or conference attendance – Nutrition medicine predominant 2 points/hour Max 10 points

PUBLISHING:

General media — publish health related article (e.g. Avena, Herbal Gram, NZ Charter magazine, NZ Woman’s Weekly, Sunday News)

4 points/article Max 20 points

Peer reviewed journal — publish secondary health related research i.e. review article (e.g. Alternative Medicine Review, BMJ, NZ Doctor, Journal of Ethnopharmacology)

20 points/article Max 20 points

Peer reviewed journal — published original research study (e.g. Alternative Medicine Review, BMJ, NZ Doctor, Journal of Ethnopharmacology) 30 points/ study

Writing a health related book 6 points/chapter Max 24 points

OTHER:

Mentoring a graduate medical herbalist student 2 points/hour Max 10 points

Volunteer in a herbal garden or herbal dispensary 1 point /hour Max 10 points

Business development, marketing and promotion, health promotion, general health care philosophy, ethics and history.

1 point / hour Max 10 points

Writing Government submissions on related CAM issues. 1 point / hour Max 10 points

If you have undertaken a relevant activity that does not fit into one of the above categories you may apply to NZAMH for approval of credit toward your CPE point total.

Guidelines for Continuing Professional Education cntd.

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Documents

Volume 16 Issue 1 - nzamh.org.nz · recipes with Elder and Hawthorn berries, and Rixt Botello marries Chia seed with local garden produce to make some delectable healthy medicinal