NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of plant medicines and health. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf

Plant-based medicines are essential for supporting long term human health so why are they not prescribed in medical practice in New Zealand? ‘Lack of evidence’ for use and efficacy are often cited. In this enlightening talk, Sandra explains that there is indeed enough longstanding clinical evidence. It is her vision that people in New Zealand and globally have supported access to traditional plant medicine for their personal health needs.

Dr Sandra Clair is a health scientist, medical anthropologist and the founder of traditional plant medicine company, Artemis. Sandra grew up in Switzerland where plant-based medicines are an integrated part of mainstream healthcare. During Alongside her academic studies she apprenticed with a renowned Franciscan nun, midwife and Swiss herbal expert. She is one of New Zealand’s most highly qualified Registered Medical Herbalists. Sandra’s scientific research focuses on validating centuries-old clinical plant medicine expertise for a modern, evidence-based healthcare system.

Dr Sandra Clair is one of New Zealand’s most highly qualified Registered Medical Herbalists, a medical anthropologist (M.A.), and the founder of traditional plant medicine company Artemis. She completed a PhD in Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury in 2019, looking at the health policy challenges in regulating traditional medicines in the era of contemporary evidence-based health policy.
She is a member of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (NZAMH) committee, helping to grow and promote the profession of medical herbalists. For her work at Canterbury University, she was recognised as a UC Alumni Ambassador.

Sandra is an expert in traditional plant medicine for self-care. She is driven by the genuine desire to make it easy and pleasurable to look after our health. Her vision is to share her proven medical knowledge of plants so that New Zealanders will discover how they can heal us and keep us well. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx