We welcome readers' letters and entries for the 'Help wanted' and
005 to the
'People' sections. But we reserve the right to edit them, and withhold
names and addresses or both. Write to: Mental Health Practice,
RCN Publishing Company, The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road,
Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex HAl 3AE. Fax: 020 8872 3198 or
email: helen.hyland@rcnpublishing.co.uk
Gelsemium
sempervirens
(Yellow Jasmine)
No self-respecting
herbalist is without yellow
jasmine in his or her
dispensary. This is simply
because among its plethora of medicinal
applications, the herb exhibits two key
modes of action that alleviate pain - a crucial
part of clinical management. The herb is a
powerful antispasmodic and a CNS sedative.
Its analgesic and anodyne properties make it
highly suitable for any clinical presentations
involving pain or the sensation of it.
The roots of this north American plant
contain an astonishing array of an important
group of drugs known as alkaloids (the ergot
type), to which its medicinal properties are
attributed. Of these, it is the gelsemmine and
gelsemine alkaloids that are considered to be
the most potent. The pharmacological study
of alkaloids demonstrate their potential
benefits within conventional medicine, but
equally, the potential toxicity and damage
that can arise when recommended doses are
exceeded. This is why it is restricted to
practitioner's use only and not on sale to the
general pubiic. Moreover, there are
important contraindications associated with
this herb, such as heart disease, hypotension,
pregnancy and myasthenia gravis.
Gelsemium is a powerful spinal depressant
with its therapeutic uses ranging from
neuralgia (particularly facial pain), migraine,
dysmenorrhoea and rheumatic pain, to
pertussis and asthma. As a motor nerve
depressant, it is particularly effective in
conditions involving muscular spasms,
muscular irritability and nervous excitement.
Clinical benefits have also been reported
for hysteria, chorea and epilepsy, although
further empirical evidence is needed to
support these findings. The psychotropic
activity of the tannins is yet to be proved and
while the herb remains predominantly a CNS
depressant, some of the other active
constituents paradoxically stimulate it. Lesser
known actions are as a hypotensive and a
hypoglycaemic with some antioxidant
properties.
Yaso Shan is a consultant medical herbalist
based at the Brackenbury Natural Health
Clinic in London. www.centeHaherbal.co.uk
10 mental health practice September 2004 vol 8 no 1
.
Media power
Dear Editor
In Johanna Clarke's excellent article (MHP,
7, 10, 16-19) on the stereotyping of mental
illness she rightly identifies both the negative
and positive images of mental illness in the
contemporary cultural media. On one issue,
however, I feel she may not have gone far
enough. She identifies, correctly, in my view,
the heavy influence the media has in
informing public opinion. I tend towards a
cyncial view about this influence. Just as
ideology is caused by our self-perceptions
and consciousness, so our consciousness is
formed by our social existence. Our social
existence creates the framework upon which
our own ideologies form. Thus, in the
uniquely monolithic media culture in which
we live, our personal ideologies and
stereotyping are built on the social existence
forced upon us by that monolithic media
culture. The media does not inform, as much
create the social setting in which our
personal ideologies then function. The media
is as much to 'blame' for our stereotyping of
mental illness as those of us who 'do' the
stereotyping.
One additional caveat. Ms Clarke suggests
that Bntish public opinion has shifted away
from concerns about the abuse of power
within psychiatric institutions, towards
anxiety about a lack of control within the
community. I suspect that, while the latter
may well be the case, the former is far more
doubtful. Did the ordinary Jo(e) Bloggs in the
street really care about what went on behind
closed walls? Just think about the public's
concerns about mental health issues in
Guantanamo Bay. Silence, it is often said,
can be deafening.
Dr Peter Kalve, Northamptonshire
Networking
Dear Editor,
I would like to draw readers' attention to
the Mental Health in Learning Disabilities
Network. It is an electronic network (email) for
anyone interested in the mental health needs
of people with learning disabilities and where
over 300 members share information and
examples of good practice. It is also a forum
for members to seek help and information.
To join the network (which is free), email
me, Steve Hardy, training co-ordinator,
Estia Centre (steven.hardy@kcl.ac.uk)
/
to September
Paul Rogers, MRC Eellow at
the Institute of Psychiatry and
Bristol University, has been
appointed as professor in
forensic nursing at the School of Care
Sciences, University of Glamorgan and
Caswell Clinic, Bro Morgannwg NHS
Trust. Dr Rogers, a long-standing
member of MHP's editorial advisory
board, said: This is truly a unique
opportunity to further develop and study
the evidence base for forensic nursing
and associated forensic health issues.'
While his remit relates primarily to mental
health, it extends to all health matters
which challenge health and cnminal
justice services when providing care,
treatment and management for offender
or potential offender populations.
Tim McDougall, another
f
member of MHP's editorial
advisory board, is the new
nurse advisor for child and
adolescent mental health at the
Department of Health. He will work at
the DoH for three days a week, on
secondment from his current post as
nurse consultant in adolescent psychiatry
with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS
Trust. He replaces Caroline Twitchett,
who has moved into the Home Office to
lead the juvenile prison health agenda.
lain Ryrie has joined the Mental Health
Foundation as assistant director of
research. A mental health nurse by
background, Mr Ryrie was formerly head
of research at the Sainsbury Centre for
Mental Health. In addition, Andrew
Moffatt becomes the charity's director of
fundraising, while Graeme Sandell has
been appointed as assistant director of
practice development.
• I am a RMN working in a CAMHS in
Birmingham. I will be moving to
California in October and I am
experiencing difficulties accessing
suitable employment. Any advice?
Elizabeth Sykes
Email: sykes_em@yahoo.co.uk