Phytotherapy is the practice of modern western herbal medicine. A rational approach based on a combination of understanding of contemporary scientific evidence for herbal medicine, whilst also appreciating the insights gained from traditional herbal medicine texts and records. As well as learning from clinical experience with ongoing reflective practice.
The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP) is a professional membership organisation for the practitioners of herbal medicine. The CPP sets the highest standards for practice of herbal medicine.
Members of the CPP are qualified herbalists, trained in the understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic skills and techniques. With high quality training in physiology, pathology, differential diagnosis, clinical medicine, pharmacology and nutrition. All new members of the CPP are qualified to University Level 6, have undergone a final clinical exam and have a minimum of 500 hours of clinical training.
The CPP’s mission is to be an exemplar for the practice of herbal medicine, as a strong and effective therapeutic discipline, and as a significant part of the healthcare spectrum. Important to the core CPP mission is integrating herbal and mainstream medical health care through improving mutual understanding and sharing knowledge. Members must attend continuous professional development seminars and workshops to maintain their knowledge and skills. The CPP seminars provide the latest information on scientific developments related to medical and herbal research.
Members of the CPP practice face-to-face consultations, including a full health history and carry out simple investigations and physical examinations. All areas of the patient’s health are detailed including their emotional state, lifestyle and diet. Rather than focussing on symptoms alone, a therapeutic plan and herbal prescription are usually drawn up. Whilst follow up appointments provide a means of assessing treatment progress. Changes may be made to the herbal formulation as treatment progresses and symptoms change.
Herbal medicines are derived from plants and can be in the form of liquid extracts, teas, tablets, capsules, powders, lotions or creams. CPP practitioners are well educated in known interactions with medicines that may be prescribed by a doctor, and can advise on whether herbs can be combined with those drugs.
All members of the CPP in the UK are allowed to use the EHTPA Herbmark collective mark, showing they have graduated from an EHTPA-accredited course.
You can find your local CPP herbalist on the CPP register of members.