DP Herbals’ Deirdre Panapa turned from nursing to being a clinical herbalist so she could offer clients a more holistic treatment.

What is a clinical herbalist? There are many types of herbalist practising throughout the world with their own unique focus. A clinical herbalist or medical herbalist uses plant-based medicine, therapeutic supplementation, diet and lifestyle to help affect positive change in a person’s health.

What drew you to it as a career? Prior to being a clinical herbalist I was a registered nurse. It gave me a very good grounding in anatomy, physiology, clinical reference ranges and medications. However, after 20-plus years I was ready to move on to a more holistic approach.

You offer live blood analysis, or Hemaview – what are the benefits of that? I have been doing live blood analysis for many years now and I am always fascinated at the depth to which you can look into someone’s wellbeing. By taking only one drop of blood from a small finger-prick we can see in real time many parameters such as iron deficiency or inflammation, for example.

What’s the most common problem people come to you with? Digestive problems, respiratory issues, low immunity, decreased energy, hormonal issues, stress – the list is extensive. Like a doctor I see not one but several problems in one presenting client. Often the people that come to me are suffering from chronic diseases where modern medicine has been unable to help. I also get referrals from GPs for this reason.

What’s the biggest struggle you face with your profession? Most people who come and see me are motivated – they want to change and to follow the advice given. However, this is not always possible as the supplements and herbs that I want to prescribe are not funded. So some people turn to the internet, diagnose themselves and spend money on something that is ineffective at best. I feel frustrated and sad that some people who need natural healthcare, often our most vulnerable, are not able to have it.

Should I stop taking my medicines and just go natural? The short answer is no. Never stop taking prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. However, the real question is can I manage this myself without always needing medication and GP visits? The answer for some cases is yes, but this can only be done under the careful planning of someone such as a qualified natural health practitioner and your GP.

Do you see a place for supplements? Absolutely! The way we live our lives mean that we are in constant depletion. Our soils are also devoid of nutritional minerals in many places in New Zealand. The biggest question is really around the quality of the supplements out there. Rule of thumb – cost really does dictate a better quality product as you are often paying for research and development.

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