International conference closes on the issue of plant sustainability
Sunday, 25 July 2010 18:53
The 7th International Conference on Herbal Medicine concluded today with a range of magnificent presenters breaking through the barriers of research and development.
The National Herbalists Association of Australia hold this conference every three years in Australia and this year 33 international and local presenters educated the professionals within the audience with the latest and most important issues pertaining to herbal medicine today.
New Zealand presenter Isla Burgess has researched and initiated a global medicinal plant conservation and sustainability plan that could help reduce the continued loss of medicinal plant species, which she believes is in a dire situation with the loss of one plant species every few hours on the planet. She calls upon manufacturers, practitioners and the public to ensure preservation of plants, sources of medicinal herbs and accountability to halt the reduction in plants species before it is too late.
Leading naturopath from Sydney Dr Karen Bridgman gave a detailed presentation on monitoring cancer patients effectively with complementary medicines. She gave methods for measuring functional health parameters to evaluate progress and assess treatment. Dr Hans Wohlmuth from the Southern Cross University in Lismore discussed the importance of evidence based practice in herbal medicine. The developments and popularity of herbal medicine means that as a profession herbalists need to develop and set standards that are evidence based and universally accepted as a professional standard.
Other speakers on day three were Paul Bergner from the USA discussed endocrine conditions that contribute to obesity. He reviewed the science behind weight loss and emphasised the importance of dietary, lifestyle and herbal medicine support strategies. Melbourne based Sandra Villella discussed postmenopausal women as the new cardiovascular patients. Ron Guba presented aromatic medicine for ear nose and throat complaints. Dr Jerome Sarris was very thought provoking with his discussion on insomnia and complementary medicines showing the current evidence of herbal and complementary medicines for best outcomes from treatment protocols. Leah Hechtman, Sydney based specialist in reproductive health discussed delayed conception supporting maturing women through assisted reproductive technologies combined with herbal and nutritional medicine.
The day finished with a forum of the 400 delegates present asking questions of the presenters before a closing ceremony by President John Baxter who closed proceedings with the statement "This gathering has been a demonstration of the maturation of the professions of herbal medicine and naturopathy. It shows we have come of age and deserve to be recognised so that our collective knowledge can be incorporated into the health system to improve outcomes for patients across the country."
