Awaiting response

Hi Mark

The District Health Board currently funds a variety of \'alternative medicines\' such as acupunture. The funding from the Crown is not specific as to what is funded soit is up to each individual health board to make some judgement calls. Some traditional medicines are and will continue to be funded but it is on a case by case basis.

Kia ora Mark,

With a history of complimentary medicines and practices in my family and having family members who are also clinicians (I was a practising counsellor for 12 years), a son who is presently training to be Clinical Psychologist and a nephew who is a Doctor, my opinion of herbal remedies, spiritual healing and massage is that they compliment, conventional medicines and practices. I personally believe that through open, honest and frank conversations and research, that the relationship between the two sciences can prevent illnesses, cure or eradicate diseases and form a model of healing that is based on sound science and free from superstition. The rule being- Do no harm and to respect the nobility and dignity of another human being- Principle of the treaty: Protection.

In regards to your question about subsidising treatment for Traditional Chinese medicine, like all traditional practices and herbal remedies, you have to jump through the hoops of legislation, testing and research. I read online that some Chinese herbs have proven to be of benefit and that some are not. The little that I do know is that when a patient is taking Wolfren they must not take anything starting with G, for example ginseng or gogi berry. The key here is that patients inform their doctors about what they are taking and then doctors can advise them as to whether they are safe- \'dialogue creates- shared meaning\'- Principle of the Treaty: Partnership

I personally use kumarahau for my chest, Kawakawa spray for my throat and kina (sea eggs) when I am low in iron. My doctor has asked me to take a course of Folic vitamins initially and then to follow a regime of eating lots of yummy spinach etc. I\'m going to add to the list- watercress. When there is trust and respect between clinician and client/patient, then everyone benefits. An issue for me is that not all people have access to doctors e.g. too expensive to travel to see a doctor, nor can they afford the subsidised prescription. The cost of complimentary remedies is also expensive e.g. mirimiri-massage $40 per 1/2hr or Kumarahou tea $15. My family are fortunate in that I give them massages because I love them and not because it is my career- hence it is free. However, if someone fractured a bone then I would ensure that they were treated by a physiotherapist AND soaked their body in a \'home remedy\' that helps to strengthen the bone- Principle of the Treaty: Participation.

An approach to further your investigation would be to call together all community members of \'like mind\' to strategise on how to forward this initiative into: Education, Health, Social and Economic development; Immigration etc. As with anything worthy of progressing, it usually starts at the ‘grassroots’. Principle of life: \'It takes a village to raise a child\'- to address issues and initiatives that will benefit all.

Rangimarie-peace

Huria