The Hippocratic Oath

Hippocrates 460-375 BC considered the father of modern medicine. It is said, that he taught students under a Plane tree, Plananus orientalis a large shady, beautiful, looming tree. A great example can found in the herbal garden of The Royal College of Physicians, London (opposite Regent's Park and worth a visit).

Now this version is a modern version.

I swear by Apollo the physician, by Aesculapius, Hygeia & Panacea, and I take to witness all the Gods, all the Goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgement the following oath.

"To consider dear to me as my parents him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and if necessary to share my goods with him; to look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art if they so desire without fee or written promise; to impart to my sons and the sons of the master who taught me and the disciples who have enrolled themselves and have agreed to the rules of the profession, but these alone, the precepts and the instruction. I will prescribe regiment for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgement and never do harm to anyone.

To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug, nor give advice which may cause death. Nor will I give a women a pessary to procure abortion. But I will preserve the purity of my life and my art. I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave the operation to be performed by practitioners (specialists in the art). In every house where I come, I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and seduction, and especially from pleasures of love with women or with man, be they free or slaves. All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or outside of my profession or in daily commerce with women or men, which ought not to be shared abroad. I will keep secret and never reveal. If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and women in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reserve be my Lot".

Pray and intention are both important to me as a person and practitioner. I feel so privileged to bear witness to another person's 'story' and it is important for me to create a therapeutic space for my patients to feel safe, when we share our time together. I uphold a confidentiality policy both inside and outside of the consultation room. I work within the scope of Western Herbal Medicine, I am not a medical doctor and I do not diagnose or treat disease. I offer Herbal Medicine support and I may encourage patients to seek further support or return to their primary healthcare provider for further clinical tests and/or investigations.

I love my work. I am blessed. I love my life.