The National Institute of Medical Herbalists

The NIMH was established in 1864 and is the oldest body of practising medical herbalists in the world. All members have undergone a rigorous four year training and adhere to a strict professional code of ethics. They have the letters MNIMH, or FNIMH after their names.

All members of the Institute are governed by a comprehensive Code of Ethics and disciplinary procedure and are covered by full professional insurance.

The Institute was established (as the National Association of Medical Herbalists) in 1864 by a group of herbalists from the north of England. British herbal heritage at the time was being greatly influenced by the Americans who introduced many native North American plants into the British Materia Medica, thus incorporating several centuries of native American tradition along with some "modern" ideas.

The Institute maintains high standards of practice and patient care, and works to promote the benefits of herbal medicine. It is responsible for publication of the European Journal of Herbal Medicine.

On the political front, the Institute works within the European Herbal Practitioners Association - a body formed in 1993 to speak up for Herbal Medicine in a legislative climate taking on an increasingly European dimension.

Herbalists are able to treat a wide range of conditions both acute and chronic in nature.
Herbalists are trained to take into account health, any medication which is being prescribed and if necessary will know when to refer an individual to a doctor or other professional. Herbal medicine is not exclusive of orthodox medicine, indeed some practitioners are working alongside doctors in a multi-disciplinary setting.

It is important to clarify that herbalists do not simply dispense remedies. Indeed many over the counter remedies may be inappropriate. Herbalists are trained to identify the underlying cause of disease and thus will treat each PERSON (not health problem) very specifically. A course of treatment may involve specific dietary advice, helping the individual to develop healthy lifestyle skills (e.g. stress management) in addition to an individually designed prescription. Thus herbalists, in treating symptoms, aim to rebalance and strengthen the system overall.

National Institute of Medical Herbalists
Elm House, 54 mary Arches Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3BA
Great Britain
Telephone : (44/0) 1392 426022
Fax : (44/0) 1392 498963
E-mail :nimh@ukexeter.freeserve.co.uk