What is herbal medicine?

Herbal Medicine is a system of traditional healing which uses plants in the treatment of ill health and has been used effectively all over the world for thousands of years. Even today, 80% of the world’s population relies on local plants, rather than pharmaceutical drugs for medicine.

Modern herbalists undergo a rigorous three degree year training which includes clinical diagnosis, physical examination, nutrition, as well as biochemistry and plant pharmacy. Medical Herbalists are qualified to prescribe a range of herbs safely and recognise any interactions with existing medications.

Is herbal medicine safe?

Yes, as a trained medical herbalist I am qualified to prescribe safely and in accordance with the law. Herbal medicine can be powerful and potent and so it is important to do this under the guidance of a qualified herbalist like myself. I am trained in pharmacology and can prescribe herbs alongside any medication you may be taking. 

Can I have herbal medicine if I don’t have a formal diagnosis?

Yes, you do not need a formal diagnosis to have herbal medicine. I work individually with the person and look at the entire picture. Although diagnosis can be informative, I focus on you and how your symptoms affect you individually.

What conditions can herbal medicine help with?

The range of ailments that herbs can help with is wide and varied. Herbs work with the human body to restore natural functions and balance. Herbal medicine can be used alongside conventional medicine – it is not either/or. Many people use herbal medicine because it’s proven to be very safe and effective.

Herbal medicine can be used for a wide range of common health problems, including, but not limited to:

• Allergies: food intolerances, hay fever, dust, mould, pets

• Arthritis (Oesteo arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis)

• Asthma and COPD

• Catarrh and Sinusitis

• Children’s Complaints (infections, teething, digestive problems, anxiety etc)

• Constipation, Indigestion, Acid reflux, Ulcers, Parasitic infections, IBS, Inflammatory Bowel Conditions

• Cystitis and Urinary Disorders. Prostate problems.

• Eczema and Skin Disorders

• Hay Fever

• Headache, Migraine, Labyrinthitis, Vertigo

• High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol.  Help with managing side effects of pharmaceutical drugs/controlled reduction of pharmaceutical drugs alongside herbal therapy.

• Infections and Immune Deficiency

• Infertility and help with undergoing fertility treatments such as IUI & IVF/ICSI

• Insomnia

• ME and Chronic Fatigue

• Menopause and Hot Flushes

• Panic Attacks, Anxiety

• Period Pains and Pre Mentrual Tension.  Polycystic Ovarian Disease.

• Stress, Depression, Low Energy, Addictions

• Thyroid & Adrenal condtions (Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism, Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidsim) – I’m especially experienced in treating thyroid conditions having spent many years working on treatment for my own thyroid condition. 

What will happen during the first consultation?

The first consultation takes 1hr 30. I take a detailed medical history, covering not only your current and past complaints and medications, but also your diet and lifestyle. This helps me understand the reasons why you’ve become ill or feel out of balance.

I’ll then formulate a bespoke herbal prescription for you and we’ll also look at what dietary and lifestyle changes you can integrate into your routines, to help get your body and mind back into balance.

How often should / can I have consultations?

After the first consultation it is advisable to have a follow-up between 2-4 weeks later, depending on what you have come about. After that follow ups are normally set every 4-5 weeks until we decide that you do not need them anymore.

I want to support you get better, this means I also answer any questions that you have between appointments over email, text or a quick phone call. This comes as part and parcel of the fee you’ve paid for the consultation. However, if you wish to speak to me at length between consultations, at an arranged time then this is charged at the same rate and booked in as a normal consultation.

How many herbal consultations will I need?

This will vary between each person, and depend on how long you have been living with the condition you want help with. Different conditions will need a different approach, and each person’s body is different and the way they will react to the herbs can vary. Together, we can work our treatment goals and I can use my professional experience to guide timeframes as best as I can. 

After your first consultation it’s usually beneficial for us to talk again after three weeks to see how the medicines are working. Follow-up consultations take 1hr. We’ll talk about out how the herbs have been helping you and what changes have come about.

We can then continue to work together and adapt your ongoing treatment to you as your body begins it’s healing processes. Herbs can take some time to work, however, some people only need one bottle of medicine. Others prefer a long-term approach, in which case it’s advisable to have a follow-up consultation approximately every three months.

How do I take herbal medicine?

Prescriptions are usually a mixture of herbal tinctures combined into one bottle that contains enough medicine for the course of your treatment. The medicine is usually taken as teaspoonful doses in water up to three times per day (children are given smaller doses). Herb teas, syrups, tablets or ointments may also be prescribed.

How quickly will I see results?

Everyone is different and my integrated approach means that I work with you according to your needs, capacity and desires for your health journey. As a general guidance, I say that 3 months gives herbal medicine a good amount of time to make a difference and then it’s up to you if you wish to continue consulting with me and using herbs to make health and lifestyle changes. If you have an acute health issue may be that you just need one treatment, however, many people find they need to return for 2 or more sessions.

How much does it cost?

I use an income-based sliding scale. You can find a table that shows the cost of consultations according to your income band here. When you book a consultation, you are asked which income band you fall into. If your income changes, I can amend how much you’re being charged. I do this on a trust basis and do not ask for proof of income.

I run a student training clinic every Wednesday and Thursday for Medical Herbalists completing their 500 hours of clinic time. Patients who book a consultation on a student clinic day receive a 20% discount from the consultation fee

Medicine costs are separate to the consultation fee. On average, it works out at £8 – £10 per week plus postage. Specific costings can be found here. Supplements can also be instrumental in making improvements to your wellbeing, so I also pass on my practitioner discount to my patients of 20% off quality supplements.