Media Room
The IRH feel that it is important to bring to the attention of the public media stories, in the form of interviews, profiles, articles etc that impact either positively or negatively the image of Herbal Medicine.
Each media story will be quickly summarised and an objective response given by the IRH on the nature of the story. In the case that you wish to read the full story we have tried to source the online version for you or if not have scanned it in so that you can download it. As we have stated previously the IRH is run by volunteers that give up their free time to provide this online service so please be patient if we not always able to provide a perfect service. Some links to other sites may stop working and sometimes this beyond our control as the story may have been deleted or moved or the external site is offline - we cannot take any responsibility for the content of other sites. We will try hard to ensure that the information on this page (and indeed the entire site) is up-to-date and working like a dream but if you notice something that is broken (or could be improved) then please don’t hesitate to contact us on the "Ask a Question" page.
Finding a Career Remedy
IRH Council Member Neil McNulty talks to Sylvia Thompson of the Irish Times in Tuesday’s Health Plus supplement. A NEW LIFE: Neil McNulty left an IT job to retrain as a complementary therapist. Click here to read the article
IRH Response: This is a positive article which shows that making change in your life need not be a tough and hard road to travel. It also shows that Herbalists and Naturopaths are ordinary people that come from all walks of life and society.
Threatened Native
Plant Species
It has become apparent in recent times that the use of intensive farming practises,
increase use of chemicals, destruction of natural habit, loss of the meadows and
damage to the bogs, and out stretched development of urban areas have had a detrimental
effect on Native Irish flora including those that are used by Herbalists.
The Irish have always had an intimate relationship with the land but with
the advent of affluence the land has become perceived as less important and not as vital to our
survival than at any other time in our history. However, with the current economic downturn
the need for all of us to consider closely where our future lies as individuals
and as a nation has left us in a state of introspection. But this can be a
very positive experience for the psyche and one we need to grab with both hands.
It is time to examine closely the fabric of our lives and what is truly important
in our lives, family, love, friendship, community, nature, sustainable living, etc.
As Herbalists the IRH believe it's important to highlight what it believes to be
threatened species, Native Irish Plant Species (NIPS) especially those that have been used
for hundreds of years for healing and medicine. This is a great time for change
in Ireland and on this site the IRH wish to list 17 threatened NIPS (herbs). It has to be pointed out that this list by no means constitutes a comprehensive
list as the actual number and species of plants threatened vary throughout the country.
This list will change over time but its main purpose will remain the same: to bring
awareness to the receding wild habitat and native herbs ~ if you see these plants
in the wild send them love, maybe take a photo, give thanks for their presence and
tell us about them.
Also, if you have access to land whether it be your own or someone you know who
would be interested then please start planting these plants. Lets get the
seed out there!
Further Reading ~ Silent
Spring by Rachel Carson
Below are a list of places you can get access to nursery plants or seeds:
Threatened Species
- Stachys officinalis (Betony)
- Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort)
- Verbascum thapsus (Mullien)
- Althea officinalis (Marshmallow)
- Mentha aquatica (Water Mint)
- Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
- Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort)
- Primula veris (Cowslip)
- Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort)
- Agrimonia eupatoria (Agrimony)
- Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)
- Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet)
- Asparagus officinalis (Asparagus)
- Alchemilla alpina (Alpine Lady's Mantle)
- Drosera rotundifolia (Round-leafed Sundew)
- Menyanthes trifoliata (Bogbean)
- Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane)
Some useful links:
Mind, Body & Spirit show
in the RDS (Dublin - March 2010)
Twice per year the IRH have a stand in the RDS for the Mind, Body &
Spirit show. The main reason is to bring more awareness to Herbal
Medicine. We feel it is important that Herbal Medicine is
available and accessible for everyone.
So come along to the next Mind, Body & Spirit and look us up. We
love to talk herbs and plants. While having a chat why not try some of
our teas to taste - herbal teas can taste divine - and if you like them
you can buy them as well.
Check out some of the photos from the last show.
Neil, Geraldine, Mairead and John
John, Geraldine and Mairead
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