Herbal Medicines   Hopi Ear Candling   Reiki  

About Tim Salisbury

DbTH, MIRCH, MCMA, VCTC.

Tim's principle therapy is Herbal Medicine which he has been practicing since 1997. He is a registered Consultant herbalist with the International Register of Consultant Herbalists and Homeopaths as well as being a member of the Complimentary Medicine Association. Apart from this he is also a Reiki Master and teacher, a Hopi ear candle practitioner and finally a Flower essence practitioner.

HERBALISM £30 (follow up £25 medication extra)                                                                                 

Herbal medicine has been practised around the world for over 2,000 years. Even today, in parts of the world where people have access to and can afford Western medicine, herbal medicine is preferred. In fact, many of the Western medicines that are used daily by millions of people are derived from plants and herbs.

For example, digoxin, used to treat heart failure, is a synthesised form of digitalis, a chemical found in the foxglove plant. And aspirin, one of the most popular painkillers in the world, is a synthetic form of the bitter powder extracted from willow bark.

How does it work?

A great deal of research has been undertaken to identify the chemical components of a wide range of plants and herbs used for healing. Studies have conclusively shown that herbal remedies are effective. (British Medical Journal 2000: 'St. John's wort as effective as tricyclic antidepressants for relieving mild to moderate depression'. British Journal of Anaesthesia 2000: 'Ginger relieves nausea in post-operative patients'. British Medical Journal 2002: 'Butterbur effective for relieving symptoms of hay fever'.) What does it involve?

A consultation with a medical herbalist will last for approximately one hour. The practitioner will begin by taking extensive notes relating to the client's medical history and family medical history, lifestyle, work, personal relationship and important life events. The practitioner, with the client, will aim to identify not only the physical or mental symptoms the client is experiencing, but also the root cause of the symptoms.

For example, is the client constantly tired because she is stressed and unhappy at work and at home; or is she tired because of poor nutrition, lack of exercise and little time for rest and relaxation? The aim of the practitioner is always to treat the whole person, rather than treating just the symptoms by themselves. Once the practitioner has decided on the best treatment for the individual client, a remedy will be prepared on the spot in the practitioner's pharmacy. The remedy (usually made from a combination of herbs) may be a liquid tincture or medicine, a tea or infusion, a cream or ointment, or even capsules or small tablets.

After the initial consultation you should expect to attend for at least three or four further sessions. Long-standing chronic conditions such as, for example, asthma, bronchitis or migraine may require a number of additional visits.

What is it good for?

Herbal remedies can be used to treat almost every kind of illness and disease, whether physical, mental or emotional. Clients frequently consult a herbal practitioner for help with chronic pain, digestive, circulatory and skin disorders, PMS and menopausal conditions, depression, insomnia and anxiety.

What are the benefits?

Perhaps the most important benefit of herbal medicine is that, unlike orthodox Western medication, herbal preparations rarely produce serious side effects. Also, clients who use herbal medicine report that often long-standing health problems clear up, and that the herbal remedies make them feel generally healthier, more balanced and energetic.

FLOWER ESSENCE PRACTITIONER £25

History of Bach Flower essences

Dr Edward Bach (1886-1936) studied medicine at University College Hospital, London, and went on to practise general medicine, and also work as a bacteriologist and, later, as a pathologist. Although a successful medical practitioner, Dr Bach became disillusioned with the way in which conventional medicine focused on treating the illness, rather than the patient. Believing that in nature there were remedies available, if only they could be found, he gave up lucrative Harley Street practice and moved to the country.

Dr Bach carried out considerable research and, using his intuition, identified thirty-eight plants, flowers and trees which he believed held significant healing properties. These include clematis, heather, holly, larch, oak and pine. Experimentation led Dr Bach to devise two ways of preparing his 'flower remedies'. The first method is to gather the plant material on a sunny, cloudless day.
The flowers and leaves are then placed into a glass bowl filled with spring water and left in full sunshine for three or four hours. After that, the plant material is removed and the remaining water, preserved with a little alcohol, is bottled as a flower remedy. The second method of preparation involves simmering the plant material in spring water for half an hour. The water is then cooled, filtered and bottled. In both methods the water is said to hold the vibrational energy of the original plant substance.

How does it work?

Dr Bach focused on creating remedies that were intended to treat the personalities, feelings and emotions of his patients. He took the view that if he could help to alleviate someone's emotional distress, then this would unblock the body's own ability to heal any physical distress or trauma.
The thirty-eight flower remedies are categorised into seven different groups: (1) fear; (2) loneliness; (3) uncertainty; (4) lack of interest; (5) despondency and despair; (6) oversensitivity; (7) too much concern for others. The specific combination of remedies will be chosen by the practitioner, depending on the client's mental and emotional needs.

What does it involve?

A Bach flower practitioner will encourage the client to talk about the issues and problems which they are currently facing in their life. The practitioner will help the client to explore his or her deepest feelings, concerns and fears.
Together the practitioner and the client will determine the underlying cause(s) of the problem(s), and the practitioner will then prepare a remedy. This will be a combination of anything up to five flower essences, which will be put into a dropper bottle filled with water and, usually, topped up with alcohol to preserve the contents. The client will usually be asked to take two drops of the remedy in a glass of water and sip throughout the day. Sometimes the client may be advised to take the remedy direct from the dropper bottle, under the tongue. A consultation usually lasts for about an hour, and follow-up consultations may be needed.

What is it good for?

Bach flower remedies are particularly good for dealing with mental and emotional states such as loss, grief, bereavement, loneliness, despair, fear of being alone, shyness, anxiety, panic attacks, lack of confidence, low self-esteem.
They can also be used to help with physical conditions such as migraine, eczema, asthma, insomnia, eating disorders and chronic fatigue.

What are the benefits?

Clients who use the Bach flower remedies report significant improvements in their mental attitude and outlook, including increased confidence, clarity of thought, peacefulness, energy, inner balance, motivation and zest for life.

What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?

Bach flower remedies can be taken by everyone, including babies and small children.

HOPI EAR CANDLES £25

Quite different from conventional wax candles, a Hopi ear candle is actually a cotton tube, impregnated with beeswax, honey and therapeutic oils, that is painlessly inserted into the ear to draw out impurities, relieve pressure in the head and sinuses, and aid hearing problems.
The candles are made from natural ingredients that include sage, St John's wort, camomile and beta-carotene. Otherwise known as thermo-auricular therapy, the original source of the technique seems to be from medical ceremonies performed by a native American Indian tribe called the Hopis (meaning 'peaceful people').

What does it involve?

Clients are usually advised to remove makeup and jewellery before the treatment starts. Fully dressed the client lies down on their side, with their head supported on a pillow so the auditory canal is vertical. The candle is then lit and the non-burning end is placed gently into the outer ear passage and is turned lightly to seal it in place.
The candle then generates a pleasant crackling sound and a warm, comfortable feeling while it draws out the impurities from the ear. After around 10 minutes the process is repeated on the other ear. This is followed by a period of relaxation, and sometimes a facial massage concentrating on the sinus areas.

How does it work?

When lit, the ear candle generates a gentle heat which, when combined with the therapeutic oils, produces a light suction action. This is known as the chimney principle, and works by drawing impurities gently to the surface, where they can be removed.
Most deposits evaporate and are carried away through the candle 'chimney', but some are found in the condensed candle wax residue after it is removed from the ear. None of the candle residue actually goes into the ear.

What is it good for?

Users of Hopi ear candles have reported success in treating balance and inner ear problems, build up of wax, ringing in the ears, tinnitus, hearing difficulties and sinus problems as well as colds, 'flu, sore throats, stress, headaches and migraines. The treatment is suitable for children and is a good alternative for people who have found syringing uncomfortable.

What are the benefits?

Many clients find the treatment relaxing. As well as the relieved feeling that comes from reduced pressure in the ears and sinuses, clients may experience a general calming effect.

What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?

Hopi ear candles should not be used if there is any inflammation or infection in the ear and are not suitable for people who have had recent ear surgery, or those with ear grommets or tubes, perforated ear drums, or allergies to any of the products in the candle.

Anyone who is receiving medical treatment for any ear condition should always consult their doctor first. Some clients may experience headaches or light popping in the ears after treatment.

REIKI £25                                      

It activates the body's self-healing. The word reiki means 'universal life energy' in Japanese, where this therapy originated at the turn of the century. Reiki is based on the premise that illness is caused by a disruption in the body's energy field or life force. By channelling energy, it is believed that the body can be filled with positive energy.