Elaine Dempsey
Is there a realistic potential within Scotland to go back to stocking a predominantly indigenous dispensary?
Abstract
This report presents the findings of research into whether it would be possible to stock an efficient herbal dispensary with plants indigenous to Scotland.
Two indigenous plants were focussed on as examples of the potential for investigating Scotland’s indigenous species with a history of medicinal use which are now unacknowledged. This type of investigation was thought necessary in order to compensate for decreased use of foreign plants.
Results are reported on the evaluation of a review of literature and data extracted from questionnaires circulated to 45 NIMH registered herbal practitioners in Scotland.
Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and conclusions were reached through triangulation of this analysis. The result was a statistical overview of how many indigenous plants Scottish herbalists already stock and which foreign herbs they believe to be irreplaceable. Ethical concerns with regard to this topic were also highlighted.
Of the 45 herbalist who were sent the questionnaire 26 responded within the allotted timeframe. Of this 26, 50% stocked 50-75% indigenous plants in their dispensaries, 50% thought it was likely that a dispensary could be efficiently stocked with indigenous herbs, 73% said there were foreign herbs which could not be replaced, 61% thought indigenous plants didn’t get used due to a lack of awareness on the part of the practitioner with 19% highlighting education as the problem.
