JULY 2011:

Press Release

ICNM's Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine Awarded to pioneering businesswoman & campaigner

The Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine (ICNM) has awarded Dounne Alexander MBE (founder of GRAMMA'S Herbal Foods and the Joining Hands in Health campaign) as the winner of its Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine award, at a ceremony in London. The Award, sponsored by Balens Insurance, is now in its second year, and is part of the ICNM's Complementary Medicine Awards.

For over 25 years, Dounne (62) has spearheaded holistic healthcare, natural foods and traditional herbal remedies, through her specialist company GRAMMA'S, (named in loving memory of her late grandmother). She is the first to integrate 'natural foods with medicinal & culinary herbs' for optimum / sustainable 'whole-body' health. More recently, Dounne came to the ICNM's attention with her groundbreaking campaign to safeguard herbs, traditional natural remedies, supplements, consumer rights and health choice. (www.joininghandsinhealth.com).

Chief Executive, Yvonne Wilcox, says, "Once again, we were delighted with the calibre of entries this year and we think all the nominees and winners reflect the growing importance and professionalism of complementary medicine."

The ICNM Complementary Medicine Awards comprise four categories. The winners in these categories are:

• Lynne O'Sullivan
  Best Complementary Medicine Practitioner -
  
  
• Dounne Alexander MBE Gramma's & Joining Hands In Health Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine -
  
  
• Lynne Booth
  Highly Commended - , Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT)
  
  
• Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
  Best Complementary Medicine Company -

The ICNM administers the British Registrar of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP) which is one of the longest-running registers of its kind in the country. Its members range from acupuncturists to aromatherapists, hypnotherapists and reflexologists, to name a few. In order to qualify to be a member of the BRCP, practitioners must prove their competence to practice by either completing an approved course or through an assessment made by the BRCP Registration Panel.

For more information on complementary medicine please visit the website at www.icnm.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact Yvonne Wilcox at the ICNM on 0207 922 7980

Pic: Dounne Alexander ICNM Award Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine. A pdf is available on request.