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James Christian is a fully qualified and licensed Medical Herbalist, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine) from the College of Phytotherapy in the UK. He is the current President of the Modern and Traditional Herbalists Guild of BC and a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) in the UK, the oldest professional body of practicing medical herbalists in the world.
Western Medical Herbalism
Western Medical Herbalists are trained in the same diagnostic skills as orthodox doctors but take a more holistic approach to treating illness. Holism is a system of looking at the body as a whole and treating the body as a whole. The underlying causes of health concerns are first identified, and then the entire individual is treated using natural methods that have few side effects and do not merely suppress symptoms. Herbalists use their remedies to restore the balance of the body, thus enabling it to mobilize its own healing powers.
Initial Consultation:
The first consultation with James generally takes at least one and a half hours. James take detailed notes on the the client's medical history and begins to build a holistic picture of the individual. Healing occurs when the client, practitioner and prescribed treatment work synergistic ally to bring about a restoration of health.
Knowledge of the healing process is a very important tool for the client. James is willing and able to provide information to help the client understand what is happening inside the body and how the herbal medicine will interact to reverse or slow the process of illness or disease. Herbal Medicines encourage a healing response within the body and as such generally do not need to be continued long-term.
At the conclusion of the consultation, James prepares a treatment plan using the finest quality customized herbal formulations, and includes for the client detailed instructions about the use and actions of the herbal ingredients.
Follow-Up Consultations:
The second appointment generally follows in two weeks and subsequent sessions are scheduled monthly depending on the condition of the client. James emphasizes that the body does not fall out of balance and into disease overnight; it will also not be restored to balance overnight. Typical treatment programs last from one to three months, but as a rule of thumb, it requires one month of treatment for each year of ill-health.
James carefully assesses the efficacy of each herbal formulation and makes necessary adjustments to maximize the healing benefit.
** Both Initial and Follow-Up Treatments include advice about diet and lifestyle as well as the herbal medicine. **
Customized Herbal Formulations:
James formulates herbal medicines specific to each client and his or her health concerns. Most formulations are in the form of tinctures, but can also be teas, creams, lotions, drops, gargles and baths. James and Alembic Healing Arts Centre use only organic or ethically wildcrafted herbs of the highest quality. | 
