Frequently Asked Questions
What is a medical herbalist?
A qualified health practitioner, who has studied orthodox medicine (anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical examination) as well as plant medicine, and uses plants and plant-based remedies to promote health, treat illnesses, and address well-being, using a holistic and personalised approach to each client’s unique presentation.
For a slightly longer answer read my post here.
What services do you offer?
I offer personalised herbal consultations and treatment plans in two forms:
1-to-1 consultation (online or in-person) packages
Bespoke herbal tea formulas
Read more about both here.
Are herbs safe?
Herbal therapy is regarded as a gentler and generally safer treatment than regular use of pharmaceutical drugs.
This does not mean that every herb is safe, and all treatments are appropriate.
Herbs can interact with drugs you occasionally or regularly use in ways that could make the drug too potent, or not sufficiently effective, to treat your condition. This is the reason why a treatment plan is provided only after a consultation. A skilful herbalist will prescribe only herbs appropriate for your ailment, compatible with your condition and any pharmaceuticals you use, in a suitable and safe dosage range.
Generally, appropriate use of herbal medicine leads to much less unwanted or side effects than most pharmaceutical drugs. Although herbs are not clinically tested in the same way as drugs are, they have been in use for centuries, across many healing traditions, proving their usefulness and efficacy through the test of time.
Most issues with safety are caused by contamination of medicinal herbs with other species, either unintentional (mistakes, inexperience etc.) or intentional (cheaper options, selling scams etc.) Buying herbs from a reputable supplier or a qualified practitioner ensures high quality and provision of safe, reliable and effective products. If you are sourcing your own product, buying from a supplier that shows the Traditional Herbal Registration mark ensures you that established standards of safety and quality are met.
How much does medicine cost?
Your medicine is a personalised formula, therefore will be priced accordingly.
On average 1 week of treatment with tinctures or teas costs 10-16 £ depending on dosage and type of herbs used.
All medicine is billed separately (excluded from package cost) and will be dispensed upon receipt of full payment.
I have condition “xyz”, can you advice on which herbs are good for it?
The very short answer: no.
The reality is that herbal medicine does not work like you think when you ask such a question. When you look for a remedy, depending on a specific symptom, you are thinking of herbs as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. Medication is designed to tackle a specific symptom.
Herbs are not designed to target one single symptom and do not work in that way.
If you want to use herbs this way, you are likely going to be disappointed, and think herbal medicine is a fad soon to be dismissed. Or you can get some success with easy to treat, simple conditions (e.g. a cough or a sore throat), but you won’t address any of the underlying reasons why you keep getting those symptoms.
Herbs are complex remedies, containing a variety of active substances, which act in subtle and synergistic ways to re-balance your natural physiology. They are suitable to treat the deep causes of your health issue, the underlying imbalance that triggers over time the symptoms you experience. In order to do so their choice needs to be tailored to your unique presentation, and therefore only an in-depth consultation can provide you with the answer.
If I choose to go ahead with treatment, do I need to pay the package price upfront?
No, none of the packages need full payment upfront.
Once we have agreed the most suitable package for your needs, you only need to pay a deposit to secure your first appointment.
The deposit covers the full cost of your first visit and it is fully refundable if you cancel with more than 24h notice. No refund is given for any cancellations done with 24 hours or less notice.
I provide all explanations in my term and conditions form, which you can read before finalising your booking.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple.
Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
Why should I buy a treatment package? Most herbalist offer a first visit/follow up appointment.
True, many herbalists (not all) offer a standard model of first visit + follow-up consultation booking. I chose not to do so because:
1 single visit or 2 is almost never sufficient to achieve meaningful progress with any chronic health conditions. By booking you into a structured package, I can make sure you are receiving appropriate treatment throughout a timespan sufficient to give you appreciable results. During follow ups we can adjust and modify the therapy depending on your body response, and tailor it further to achieve better outcomes.
Herbal medicine is very effective, but works in a gentle and slow fashion, which requires time, commitment and persistence. People often feel disappointed by herbal medicine because they give it a try for one or two weeks, seeking for immediate results; when they don’t notice appreciable changes they stop treatment, having wasted money and time. When you commit to a package booking, you consciously choose to dedicate enough time to your healing journey, making it more successful, with the help, encouragement and support of a caring, compassionate professional all the way through.
Where do I pick up my medicine from?
Medicine is dispensed after the consultation, on separate premises.
I will discuss with you at the end of a consult a suitable pick-up day/place or sending through the post.
If prescriptions are sent through post, the bill will include also postage charges.