Frequently asked questions
Q. What is herbal medicine?
A. Herbs and plants were our first medicines and food, and predate
recorded history. Herbal medicine is the oldest and still the most
widely used system of medicine in the world today. This medicine
is made exclusively from plants and is used in all societies and
cultures. Using plants as medicine provides significant advantages
for treating many conditions. The therapeutic activity of a plant
is due to its complex chemical nature with different parts of the
plant providing certain therapeutic effects.
Q. Is herbal medicine backed by science?
A. Herbal medicine is increasingly being validated by scientific
investigation. Modern science seeks to understand the active chemistry
of medicinal herbs, and to confirm their safety and efficacy by
clinical trials. Many modern pharmaceuticals have been modelled
on or derived from chemicals found in plants. An example is the
heart medication digoxin, derived from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Q. What can herbal medicine treat?
A. Herbal Medicine can treat almost any condition, both acute and
chronic, that patients might take to their doctor, e.g. skin and
circulatory problems, digestive and gynaecological disorders etc.
Q. What is a medical herbalist?
A. A Medical Herbalistis a practitioner highly trained in the philosophies,
principles and practice of western herbal medicine and medical science,
who takes a holistic view towards health and illness and who will
assess you as a person not a disease They prescribe and dispense
plant medicines in a safe and effective manner, seeking to treat
the underlying cause of the problem, while acknowledging the body’s
innate ability to heal itself. They aim to prevent illness and restore
health by providing dietary and lifestyle advice.
Q. What is the NZAMH?
A. The NZAMH is the professional body for Medical Herbalists in
N.Z. It maintains a register of Medical Herbalists of skill and
repute, fosters a uniformly high standard for the teaching of herbal
medicine, ensures ongoing professional education for members and
promotes herbal medicine to the public and other health professionals.
Q. What are the benefits of consulting a NZAMH accredited medical
herbalist?
A. It is your guarantee that a practitioner is fully qualified
to practice herbal medicine, abides by a professional code of ethics,
and maintains continuing professional education. Accreditation by
the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists is your guarantee
that a practitioner is fully qualified to practice herbal medicine.
They will have the letters MNZAMH after their name, and may use
the title "Registered Medical Herbalist".
Q. What to expect when consulting a registered medical herbalist.
A. A comprehensive consultation which includes a detailed case
history taking at least an hour for your first appointment. Individually
prescribed herbal medication with clear dosage instructions. Learning
through discussion how you play an active role in the healing process,
and through this process, further your understanding of the importance
of diet and lifestyle and how they influence health and well being.
Confidentiality and Professionalism, offered according to a strict
code of ethics.
Q. How long does treatment take?
A. Treatment can depend completely on the individual and their
condition, ranging from days to months.. Both chronic and acute
problems may be amenable to treatment with herbal medicine.
Q. Is herbal medicine safe?
A. Herbal medicine is very safe and effective when taken as prescribed
by a fully qualified Medical Herbalist. Self-medication of herbal
remedies is not recommended. If you are taking any other medication
or drugs it is important to tell your Medical Herbalist.
For professional and confidential healthcare in your area contact
your local NZAMH accredited Medical Herbalist
Q. How does one become a member of NZAMH?
A. There are three different forms of membership, which have different
requirements.
1. Profession membership: This requires a diploma or degree from
an approved college or the sitting of an official exam to approve
qualifications. Also evidence of 100 clinic hours experience. The
appropriate form must be filled out in full and the cost is $280.00
plus a new member application fee of $20.00.
2. Associate member: Persons, Companies or institutions with
an informed interest in herbal medicine. The appropriate form
must be fully completed and the cost is$112.50 plus a new member
application fee of $10.00.
3. Student member: Student must be currently enrolled and studying
Herbal Medicine. The appropriate forms must be filled out and
the cost is $45.00 plus a new member application fee of $5.00
For further information refer to the ‘How to join us’
section of this web site.
Q. What are the benefits of joining NZAMH?
A. As a professional member you will receive a NZAMH registered
practicing certificate and you will receive a quarterly magazine,
featuring relevant information to the Medical Herbal practitioner.
You will be supporting work in the political and educational fields
of the herbal medicine profession and you will be able to be a member
of the NZAMH’s committee. It will enable you to be in contact
with a large number of other Herbal medicine practitioners and will
also enable you to get Insurance under the New Zealand Charter of
Health Practitioners Incorporated. As an Associate or Student member
you will receive all of the above except a practicing certificate,
that is for professional members only.
Q. What does your society/organisation do to promote the role of
natural therapists in the community? Do you do any advertising or
PR?
A. The Publicity and Promotions sub-committee
are continually working at promoting Medical Herbalism and assisting
Medical Herbalists in attaining recognition. Over the past few
years we have redesigned the NZAMH logo and website and the website
now provides valuable resources both for NZAMH members and the
public. A range of useful resources are available for members
including: patient guides, prescription pads, bottle labels and
bumper stickers. The annual AGM/Seminar weekend has grown and
we now include internationally renowned guest speakers. This exciting
weekend provides an opportunity for all members and guests to
come together for a weekend of learning and sharing, as well as
open dialogue with the committee to help steer the association
in the direction that the members jointly request. 2009 has seen
the initiation of a marketing plan to ensure that the NZAMH continues
to develop a reputable national profile; this includes the forming
of a media subcommittee. NZAMH has a great future and the PPR
subcommittee is dedicated to ensuring both the association and
its members are recognized and respected from local community
to national level.
Q. What are you doing to increase acceptance/awareness of natural
medicine among the orthodox medical community?
A. Several of our more experienced members are regularly invited
to speak to doctors, nurses and other health professionals. NZAMH
aims to support the professional development of its members so they
are able to communicate confidently with other health professionals.
Q. How is your organisation politically involved? Are you lobbying
to improve the political environment for natural therapists?
A. NZAMH is very politically aware and active as we recognise
that herbal medicine is the modality most likely to be restricted
in its practice unless we are seen to be responsible and pro-active
professionals. Over the last 2 years we have written submissions
and appeared before select committees in relation to the Health
Practitioners Competence Assurance Bill (now an Act), the Ministerial
Advisory Committee on Complementary and Alternative Health (MACCAH),
and the Trans-Tasman Agency Harmonisation talks. We are presently
writing a submission to apply for registration under the HPCA
Act, and all our members will be surveyed regarding this in Feb
next year. We are also affiliated with the NZ Charter of Health
Practitioners and the NZ Natural Health Practitioners Accreditation
Board, and are actively involved in political processes through
these organisations.
Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act (HPCA)
In July 2007, the then Minister of Health Hon. Pete Hodgson
approved Western herbal medicine for regulation under the HPCA.
Whilst the profession has been approved, the Ministry of Health
now needs to establish a Responsible Authority (RA) under which
we operate. This is a body, which regulates the minimum standard
of education hours for each particular profession and ensures
that each practitioner is competent to practise within their scope
of practice. The RA is not intended to replace the professional
associations. The role of the RA is to protect public safety,
which is the main objective of the HPCA. The RA is not responsible
to the profession; the RA is responsible to the crown. However,
decisions relating to the standards of competence required to
practise safely is for the profession to determine.
20 July 07 NZAMH wrote a media release "Health Minister
approves Medical Herbalists for Registration
June 2009 - The Minister of Health accepted the review
of the HPCA. One of the recommendations is to make rapid progress
in setting registration authorities (RAs) for the professions
who have been approved for the HPCA. www.moh.govt.nz/hpca.. We
will be liaising with Debbie Taylor, Group Manager
Strategic Workforce Development Unit, Health & Disability
Systems Strategy Directorate.
At present we are actively pursing this process.
September 25th 3 members of the political subcommittee met with
Sue Kedgley to seek advice on how to hasten the process. Letters
have been written to Hon. Tony Ryall to seek action on this. We
also intend to make an appointment to meet with Jonathan Coleman
and Tony Ryall .
Chief Advisor for Complimentary Medicine
In 4th July 2007 a new Chief Advisor for Complimentary Medicine
was appointed. Dr David St George.( An initiative from the Green
Party) We have built a healthy relationship with David over the
past two years. David has a good understanding of complimentary
medicine and the mainstream medicine and is working on models
for the future health care system to incorporate its various modalities.
David St George has attended 2 of our AGMs / seminar weekends.
And the Political Subcommittee keep in regular contact which is
most useful to have an advocate within parliament working in our
interest.
Medsafe
The NZAMH political subcommittee also works closely with medsafe,
we make ourselves available to answer any queries regarding herbal
medicine. In the past we have also written submissions to keep
certain herbs available whilst other countries have banned them.
For example Kava.which was banned in Australia.
We are affiliated with the Natural Health Council (NHC)
which are an umbrella organization to represent various complementary
professional modalities such as herbalists, naturopaths, homoeopaths,
acupuncture. We are actively involved in political processes through
this organisation.
Q. What is your position on untrained people that call themselves
'naturopaths' or 'herbalists'? Is your society able to play a role
in these situations?
A. We are very aware of these situations and on occasions, when
some situations have been drawn to our attention, we have written
to the people involved to express our concerns, eg. recently a 'herbalist'
advertising over-the-counter preparations stating there were no
contra-indications when this was clearly not accurate. The person
agreed to withdraw the products and re-label them. Legally there
is not a lot we can do about these untrained people as they are
entitled to practice - and this is one reason why we are working
towards formal registration.
Q. Do you have a mentor or buddy system for new graduates?
A. We do have a mentor system available for
new graduates applying for professional membership.
Q. What does your organisation do in regard to education for studying
herbalists and also for ongoing education at a post graduate level?
A. NZAMH has an educational sub-committee that
works to ensure that the educational standards for herbal medicine
are to a high standard. We have been in discussions with NZQA
to set up a standard of education criteria and points system and
also have a list of colleges that are approved by NZAMH. This
list can be found under the join us section of this web site.
We also require all our professional members to complete continuing
education each year, as part of their membership requirements,
and hold an up to date first aid certificate. We have a selection
of educational videos, CD's and tapes and also keep our members
notified of all up and coming seminars/ lectures etc. Work is
continuing on making and maintaining high standards of education
and educational facilities for studying medical herbalists.
Q. Does the NZAMH offer insurance to its members?
A. NZAMH does not offer insurance through its
association to its members but is an Affiliate Signator’
to the Natural Health Council (NZ) Inc. and therefore membership
to NZAMH enables its members to get insurance by joining the Natural
Health Council.
