Herbal Medicine
Your health. My care.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Put simply, Herbal Medicine is the medicine. It is the reason we are all here - because our ancestors successfully treated their ailments with plant medicines. Today’s Medical Herbalists combine a comprehensive and contemporary understanding of the body’s functioning with deep knowledge of the plants.
Western Herbal Medicine uses the plants which grow in UK, Europe and the US and whilst the traditions are less linear than Chinese or Indian practices, have nonetheless been around as long. As long as there have been plants and people, there has been herbal medicine.
My joy and great passion (aka my job!) is to bring you and your daily health experience together with the plants which will facilitate the health changes you want.
Journeying with me
The best results come from a beautiful synergy between us. That synergy is reflected in the blending of herbs chosen just for you. It also facilitates me in finding the right food and lifestyle habit changes for you, your life and preferences. I am a truly whole-istic practitioner and my ‘job satisfaction’ comes from finding the sweet spot of changes for your health requirements.
I devise and blend your formulation just for you. It is based on everything you tell me and as I dispense it, I imbue it with a vibrant, deeply healing intention. This is where the magic starts…
Before booking an appointment, we’ll a free online compatibility chat for 15-20mins. I believe that a good therapeutic relationship is key to a successful working relationship. This is when we can ‘suss each other’ out and decide whether we think that will be there.
Once we have agreed to work together, I will send you an email with a few things to do prior to our first appointment. I ask you to keep a 4-week food journal charting how you fuel your body and the symptoms you experience for 4 weeks. This gives us both an opportunity to see any emerging patterns and any missing nutrients. The other things to do are:
a quiz about how you make changes
a detailed health questionnaire
an invoice for payment to secure your appointment slot.
To get to our desired change, we need to make change
Given the wonderful changes I have seen occur in my patients, it’s easy to think there is magic at play. To get the best results, your job is to be totally invested in your desired outcome. As, despite a sneaking suspicion of magic, the herbs are not a magic wand! It is true that we can acheive great symptom relief and health changes with the herbs alone but it is my experience, working with 100s of patients like you, that creating lasting, positive change comes when the herbs are in combination with other healthy changes.
I will help you to find the changes which work for you. Finding supportive health changes beyond taking the herbs, supports the changes you desire to become permanent. Knowing that you can address your health with changes to your food and other habits, is empowering and gives you a greater sense of agency over your health. You can make choices about your actions and habits when you see for yourself what differences you can make.
I love working with people who are genuinely ready to welcome change into their lives. It’s not always easy - we’ve developed our habits because we like them - but this readiness brings a wonderful energy to the exchanges we have. And that fosters an openness to receiving the herbs’ medicinal actions and a desire to experiment with other suggested changes.
Don’t worry, I won’t hit you with a complete life overhaul all at once! It’s about finding your readiness and opening your readiness step-by-step. Finding this comes in the form of a food journal, doing a quiz about inner or outer accountability. Then, as we build this knowledge and information, taking one step at a time. Together.
When we encounter blocks to making changes, we can address those with EFT as this powerful technique is brilliant at tackling those blocks which reside below the surface but feel like saboteurs to all our good intentions.
There is no ‘one-size fits all’ answer or herb. But you already know that, as you’ve tried all the ‘this superfood/supplement/diet solves everything’ tricks on the net!
Between us, we will find the perfect combination for you with herbal formulations, food changes and lifestyle adaptations.
Herbal formulations
Creating formulations for you is a true joy. It is where the alchemy and artistry of herbalism really comes to life. I always ensure that the (reason I have chosen the) herbs resonates with you. When you resonate with the intentions of the formulations, you find a readiness to welcome the herbs into your body… even if they taste yucky to start with!
This is a fundamental player in our creative trio of you, me and the herbs.
NOTE: AI gathers information from all over the internet, most of which is not written by a herbalist with years of clinical experience. If you wish to explore the herbs in your bespoke formulation, please ask so that I can guide you to reliable resources… although they still won’t know why I chose them for you. During all my years of practice, I have developed relationships with the plants and the medicines made from them.
If you have read this far, I know you are already committed to making changes in your health. You will understand that there is no magic wand, no silver bullet. You more than likely already know that you will have to make a commitment to your health and make changes which may feel awkward or uncomfortable until we settle into feeling better because of them. The problem is knowing which ones changes to make.
If you were already doing all the things your body is in need of, you wouldn’t be experiencing the things you are. It’s not about fault, or blame, but it is about holding our heads up and taking responsibility for becoming the change we want.
I have been down this road myself and supported 100s of people like you in their health journies. The combination of being heard, seen, understood and supported is what makes the difference.
When it comes to taking a tincture… “it’s really simple, you just pour out a measure, dilute it and pop it down the hatch! Job done” — Chloe, Mulberry Osteopathy
At the end of 12-weeks, if you follow the plan, take the herbs, make the changes, you will notice significant differences in your health. You will have adopted some healthier habits and will be feeling healthier and more vibrant. We can now make a choice for continuing your forward health.
You’ve got the health changes you would like, and feel confident to fly solo and manage your health.
You’ve made changes and wish to continue with the prescription. We can move to a prescription-only model with 6-monthly brief check-ins - you continue with the changes and manage your health yourself.
You’ve made great progress and you would like to continue with support for your health. We’ll discuss the best options for you.
Working together and FAQs
It is important to me that you are fully equipped with as much information as you need to support your decision to work with me.
Please read all of the below FAQs to be sure you are informed. Please get in touch if you have further questions.
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The compatibility chat and 1st consultation are booked directly through me. After that, I have a calendar link for you to make your own consultation bookings.
You can choose whether they are online or in-person
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Once we have had the first appointment, then we can work online.
In order to examine you, see your general vitality and so on, I need to have met you in-person. This takes place during the 1st appointment.
Meeting the live you, also assists me in getting your prescription right.
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I use Google Meets for online appointments.
You will need to authorise your booking with a security link which may end up in Junk/Spam etc. Please check those folders in the event you don’r receive anything.
Booking into my online calendar generates a link automatically which is contained within the email.
You will not get this email, and the booking will not get into the calendar without this authentication and consequently, is not ‘booked’ and I won’t know about it.
Once that has been completed, and it is in the calendar, I will be informed by email that a booking has been put in.
You will also receive appointment reminders by email prior to the event itself.
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I prefer to be paid by bank transfer as I can do my bookkeeping more easily that way.
My bank details will be on the invoice (s) I send you to make it as easy as possible.
If you prefer to pay by cash, that is also fine.
I don’t accept cheques (does anyone anymore?) or goods exchanges. I prefer not to use eg PayPal due to the charges.
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In order to avoid overwhelm, I use 2 methods of communicating with patients.
WhatsApp for quick details like “I’ve lost your address” or “I’m on my way, running 2mins late”
Email for more complicated or anything ‘medical’ or health-related. I don’t check email every day so you will need to alert me to anything urgent/important.
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Many of the herbs I stock are organic but it is not always possible to obtain organic herbs.
All my herbs come from reputable suppliers who are specialists in herbs and herbal medicines.
I forage and make some of the medicines myself but, sadly, this very time-consuming process has to be limited to those hebs which I cannot get from suppliers.
A few herbs are not suitable in dried form as a tea and have to be offered in tincture instead.
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A tincture is a concentrated extraction of herbs in an alcohol solution.
When herbal constituents are extracted in alcohol, this acts as a preservative as well as an extractor.
The alcohol % varies depending what you want to extract and is between 25% (majority at this level) and 90% (I’ve around 6/125 this strong)
The total alcohol in a day is around 15ml across 2-3 doses whereas a single unit ‘pub measure’ contains 25ml.
If alcohol does not suit you, we can work with dried herbs in tea format.
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Many of my patients collect their herbs from my doorstep. I have a wooden crate in the porch where you will find a bag with your name on it to collect at any time which suits you.
If you prefer, I can post them to you. Postage charges incorporate the cost of postage and a fee for packing.
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Your prescription is designed solely for you based on the things you have described to me.
You are responsible for giving me the fullest and most honest account of your health possible so I can get that right for you.
I do my research to ensure there are no known interactions with GP/Dr prescribed medications.
Some herbs are toxic at the wrong dose and so will be carefully labelled to prevent ‘overdose’.
Prescribed herbal medicines are very safe at prescribed dosages.
Side effects are very rare from prescribed herbal medicines but they can interact with medications and so full disclosure is vital.
Please do not share your medicines with anyone else.
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Very occasionally, this does occur. If you know you are sensitive to changes, we can address this appropriately.
Sometimes we have ‘idiosyncratic’ (those we couldn’t predict) reactions to herbs. We can discuss anything which arises in response to the herbal prescription and alter dosages etc in line with that.
Dispensed medicines cannot be returned. They are blended speicifically for you. Once they have left me/my premises, I cannot be responsible for them.
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I will send you an email with a comprehensive list of all the herbs and why I have prescribed them for you after your first appointment. You will let me know if they align with your needs before I dispense.
If we change the prescription, I will detail any changed herbs for you.
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It is possible but I don’t advocate it in adults.
Getting used to the medicine is a sign that it suits you and is doing the job. If you disguise it, that’s harder to ascertain.
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Hmmmmm… define ‘nice’!
Initially, you may not be delighted by the taste of your medicines. Don’t worry though, this perception changes as you get used to the taste and you start to notice the positive changes.
If you are used to sweetened, milky drinks, you may find it more unpleasant to start with.
The tastes can be bitter, floral, fruity, just all-out nothing like you have tasted before.
Persevere, the results are worth it!
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Simply… please don’t! I work hard to prescribe medicines which are sutiable just for you. Tailor-made for you. Only you.
Unprescribed herbs can make you unwell or interact with medications.
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If you are already taking prescription medication or supplements, then I need to know about them:-
Names of medicines, dosages, frequency of administration etc.
You can send photographs via WhatsApp
If you are taking herbs, then we can discuss incorporating them into your prescription (keeps it simpler) or discontinuing them whilst we work together.
If you are taking eg homeopathy for the same health condition, it might be tricky to know what is making the difference so I would prefer that you weren’t.
If you wish to consult other health professionals whilst we are working together, please let me know so we can make the best decision for your health, keeping you safe.
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If you become ill (eg coughs, colds, covid, urinary tract infection etc) during your Re-Set package with me, please let me know ASAP.
It is highly likely that you can continue with your prescription and take an additional acute blend at the same time. There are some exceptions.
There usually will be additional charges for extra medicines requested.
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If you are prescribed a new medication, please let me know ASAP. There are potential interactions between herbs and medications and I can help you decide whether to continue with the herbs, change your dosage or anything else.
If you are in ongoing consultation with your GP and/or specialist, please let me know.
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This is a personal decision which may depend on your relationship with your GP/Specialist.
They are unlikely to know much about the herbs and may err towards caution and assume they will interact with their treatment or assume they do nothing. Or both at the same time!
I prefer transparency and will write to your GP if you would like.
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With children, I advise putting a tincture in a thick juice such as mango that the child isn’t used to, to disguise the taste.
Children are prescribed a smaller amount of medicine so the alcohol content is lower. If alcohol causes concern, then teas, syrups and sometimes glycerine preparations are suitable alternatives.
With children, if taste is a considerable concern, I would generally recommend herbal footbaths to be enjoyed in front of a favourite TV programme or at meal time.
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Click here to find out more about visiting my clinic room etc.
During an appointment
The clinic
My clinic room is in my home. It’s a comfortable room with the full dispensary on display. Many comment it’s like a scene from Harry Potter!
I have comfy chairs where we’ll sit and talk in private.
We devote all our time to exploring the reasons you have come to see me and how it affects you in your day to day life. As part of that, I will ask you to think back to when it started, whether other things were also happening, what else is associated with it and what you have changed to accommodate this experience in your life.
Physical examinations
With your consent, I will examine areas of your body including:
taking blood pressure
pulse and respiratory rate
and others such as listening to your chest and heart, or palpating your abdomen - dependent upon your health concern.
If you have any test results from previous investigations, please have them available so that I can see them.
The prescription
During the appointment and at the end, I will check in with you on what I have heard from what you’ve told me about your experiences. I will tell you about herbs I have been thinking of and how they might act in your system and the outcomes I am choosing them for. This way, we choose what’s right for you together. You gain a sense of empowerment from participating and an understanding of the ways the herbs may act for you.
Some herbalists don’t reveal the herbs to their patients. I prefer to, as this knowledge helps you to engage in your treatment and become invested in the outcomes you might anticipate.
Accessibility
As my clinic is in my home, I have no waiting room and the toilet is upstairs. There are several steep stairs and a slope up to the front door. The parking is round the corner on Sempill Road. If you have mobility concerns, this may not be suitable for you and in that instance, we can consider an initial home visit. Please book for a compatibility chat and let me know.
After the appointment
Email and research
After our appointment, I will spend time researching further details around the condition you have, the potential herb:drug interactions for any medications you take and devising your lifestyle and herbal prescriptions.
I send you a detailed email outlining:
Herbs I have chosen and which actions I have chosen them for - Dr Google doesn’t know that
Suggestions for things you might do to begin to support the herb changes
I wll also invoice you and once you let me that the herbs prescription intentions sound good, you pay for them and I make them up.
The herbal prescription
This is where the science of medicine meets the artistry and alchemy of herbs and this is the part which I consider to have just a little bit of magic. I love devising prescriptions, incorporating the health aspects you wish to change, your emotional health needs and choosing the herbs which are just right for you.
Pay As You Go prices
If you would rather PAYG, then the prices for appointments are as follows:
Initial consultation: £210 - 90mins in-person consultation (includes research and dispensing time)
Follow-up consultation: £125 - up to 60mins in-person or online consultation (includes research and dispensing time)
Medicines PAYG costs:
Tinctures: £17.85 per week for a bespoke 105ml tincture blend (other quantities per week may apply)
Dried herbs: £18 per 100g
Topical preparations, such as creams or gels may also be prescribed
All medicines are discussed before prescribing. All medicines are to be paid for before dispensing.