Links

Herbal Medicine Bodies

• Association of Master Herbalists professional body that practice a form of Natural Healing to include Herbal Medicine and Naturopathic techniques.
• British Herbal Medicine Association Est. 1964 to advance the science and practice of herbal medicine. Members are herbal companies, herbal practitioners, academics, and pharmacists.
• European Herbal and Traditional Medicines Practitioners Association Est. 1993 European Chinese and western Herbalism professional umbrella body. Strongly active in lobbying the EU and UK on herbal legislation and also pro statutory regulation.
• International Register of Consultant Herbalists and Homoeopaths Est. 1960 international body representing both herbal medicine and homeopathic practitioners.
• National Institute of Medical Herbalists Est. 1864 professional body, that accredits herbal medicine courses, reviews herbal research, represents about 700 herbalists and is also pro statutory regulation.
• The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy Est.1991 by Hein Zeylstra, professional international membership body. Combines traditional herbal medicine approach with focus on latest scientific research.
• The Herb Society Educational charity for amateurs and professionals interested in herbal medicine. UK and International members.
• Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners International register of herbal practitioners from Ayurveda, western, Unani Tibb and TCM. Strive to combine traditional knowledge with modern scientific understanding of herbs.

Cam Professional Bodies

• British Acupuncture Council Main regulatory body for practicing acupuncturists with 3000 members. Provides evidence based research and info on acupuncture in the hope of integrating it into western medical practice.
• Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine Charity set up to provide info service on CAM, administers the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP)
• Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine Est.1987 regulates Chinese herbal medicine practice UK, 400 members.

Regulatory Bodies

• Committee for Herbal Medicinal Products Est. 2004 to assist with herbal medicinal product harmonisation, provide scientific opinion on herbal products and establish a community list of herbal substances and community herbal monographs.
• Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Statutory body which regulates most allopathic health professionals and the Health Professions Council (HPC). Set up to regulate and promote best practice in healthcare.
• European Medicines Agency The EMEA is the EU body that oversees products for human and veterinary use. They set up the HMPC and the committee for medicinal products for Human use (CHMP). Website provides guidance on EU laws.
• Health Professions Council Regulates 14 healthcare professions. Is the proposed regulator of traditional herbal practitioners and acupuncturists
• Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency UK regulatory body for medicines and Healthcare products. Large resource of info and advice on traditional herbal product registration scheme. Within this org the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC) will be consulted on each THR application.

Research and Interest Groups

• NHS Community Health Partnerships CHPs will provide a focus for the integration between primary care and specialist services to ensure that local population health improvement is placed at the heart of service planning and delivery.
• NHS Evidence - Complimentary and Alternative Evidence NICE has set up this as a research resource for NHS, CAM professionals and patients.
• Phytotherapies.org Database resource on herbal research.
• British Holistic Medicine Association The BHMA is a network of like-minded people - mainstream healthcare professionals, CAM practitioners, and members of the public - who want to adopt a more holistic approach in their own life and work
• The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) Est.1989 to represent national Phytotherapy orgs across Europe, involved in legislative discussions. Assist with info on scientific research and regulatory status of herbal medicines. Have compiled a list of monographs that meet EU community monograph specifications.
• The Integrated Health Trust Est. 2007 as a charity, it has set up the first faculty of integrated medicine diploma aimed at doctors and nurses who wish to train in more holistic approaches. They aim to establish integrated medicine as a recognised medical speciality.
• The Research Council for Complementary Medicine RCCM collect and review CAM research, foster research networks and promote CAM therapies. RCCM was involved in setting up CAM research info for NHS. Many useful links.

Trade Bodies

• British Herb Trade Association for anyone involved with the commercial production of herbs, from seeds to final products.
• The Aromatherapy Trade Council UK essential oil trade association.
• The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) Manufacturers association to promote members interests with legislative bodies in UK and EU.
• The Healthfood Manufacturers Association Trade body set up to represent healthfood industry, give advice on things like advertising, many useful links. Aims to influence policy in this area.
• The European Herbal Infusions Association Trade body set up by herbal infusion manufacturers. Info on advertising law.