France is the exception in Europe in not officially recognizing herboristerie/ herbalism (the study and use of medicinal properties of plants) as a profession. The practice of herbalism and the relevant diploma was suppressed in 1941 under Vichy who handed the monopoly over to dispensary chemists. Those already qualified as herbalists before this date were however allowed to continue with their practice, although needless to say there are few still practicing today. There is however a growing demand for herbal medicine. The question therefore remains as to why a provision passed more than 50 years ago still applies today?
Elise Girard explores the current law regarding the use and practice of herbal medicine.
The current situation is counterintuitive and most certainly confusing: Officially, if you wish to treat yourself with plants you can go to a pharmacy, where pharmacists are allowed to sell you herbal medicine and give you advice on how to use them. Pharmaceutical training includes some courses on plants, but it is not as in-depth as the herbalist diploma so advice may be hesitant. It also becomes quickly apparent that many pharmacists have no interest in selling herbal medicine.
Whether this is for ethical reasons, effort (locating good suppliers, storage, and
preparation) or because there is less profit to be made than allopathic medicine is not clear.
And yet, there are many herbalist shops in France. There are two kinds: those owned by a pharmacist keen to offer complimentary health care options like herbalism to their clients; or a ‘herboristerie’, which can be opened by anyone. However, without a pharmaceutical qualification owners of ‘herboristeries’ are not allowed to sell plants as curatives, make recommendations or advise their customers.
To boot, neither can they sell plants which are not on the ‘over-the-counter’ list of 148 plants. Doing otherwise is risky. This year, 90 year old Michel Pierre, a practicing
herbalist for over 40 years and owner of the oldest herboristerie in Paris defended a
lawsuit against him for the illegal practice of medicine. Despite his in-depth knowledge as there is not an official diploma his experience cannot be recognised. Like most people advocating the use of medicinal herbs, Monsieur Pierre does not claim to be a doctor or wish to take the place of pharmacists.
He sees himself as providing complementary care, advising customers to see a doctor when necessary.
Clearly, inappropriate use of plants can be dangerous so it is understandable that the selling and practice of herbal medicine is regulated. In order that the benefits of herbal medicine are safely available to the public, surely the solution would be for France to
reestablish a diploma in herbalism under the supervision of the Department of Health, thus ensuring that herbalists are rigorously trained, conforming to a national standard.
Government proposals are slowly making their way through the system, notably by Senator Jean-Luc Fichet in 2010, however there is no immediate sign of adoption.
The diversity of plant life in Hérault has earned it the title ‘The birthplace of traditional western herbal medicine’.
Below are a handful of plants commonly found:
Sea holly,(left) Eryngium maritinum (urinary remedy, diuretic and antilithic and useful in cases of renal colic and enlarged prostate; also considered to be a digestive remedy with liver action and an aphrodisiac.)
Buck’s Horn Plantain, Plantago coronopus (Old-time salad green which possesses the same multitude of medicinal properties as common plantain)
Prickly glasswort, Salsola kali (the juice and seed vessels are diuretic)
Sueda fruticosa Forsk (flowers and seeds aid scar formation and are used in a poultice for cuts and abrasions)
Bermuda Grass, Cynodon dactylon (diuretic and astringent used to stop bleeding)
Liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra (one of the oldest-described and most-used medicines in the world)
Samphire, Crithmum maritinum digestive tonic)
Dyer’s madder, Rubia tinctorum (diuretic, antilithic and liver remedy)