Frequently Asked Questions

Before booking

  • I provide personalised healthcare consultations involving individual assessment and recommendations. We review your health history, symptoms, lifestyle factors, and current medications to develop tailored recommendations. These may include herbal medicines, teas, creams, bathing herbs, vinegars, and wellbeing suggestions suited to your specific circumstances.

    This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each plan reflects your unique circumstances. I aim to treat the whole person rather than only symptoms or abstract disease categories.

  • Clinical herbalism works especially well for chronic conditions such as digestive issues, hormonal issues, fatigue, stress-related symptoms, immune support, and recovery from acute illness. With the support of a qualified herbalist, it can also complement biomedical care.

    If you're unsure whether herbal medicine suits your needs, contact me here or email me with a brief description of your situation before booking.

    There are cases where referral to another practitioner would be preferable for you. I'm committed to ensuring you receive the most suitable care, including when that includes helping you find another practitioner. For more about how referrals work, see my Referral Policy.

  • I have a diploma with merit in herbal medicine from Heartwood, including over 500 hours of clinical training alongside theoretical study.

    I'm a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH).

    I've been taking patients since qualifying in 2023 and hold appropriate professional indemnity and liability insurance covering all consultations conducted remotely or in person.

    My approach integrates traditional western medical herbalism, bioregional herbalism, and modern clinical assessment. I'm trained to work alongside other modalities and aim to help you build a network of comprehensive care. More about my background & ethos appears on my About page.

  • No. You can book directly without a referral from your GP or any other healthcare provider.

    If you already have ongoing medical care, I encourage you to let your GP know you're exploring complementary approaches so all providers remain informed (if you feel comfortable to do so).

  • Absolutely. In fact, I encourage maintaining regular contact with your GP or specialist if you’re being supported by them already. Herbal medicine complements biomedical healthcare.

  • Consultations are available online (via video call). Online appointments allow flexibility for geographic location and scheduling. They're often more accessible for patients so I think they're really worthwhile continuing.

    I use GoToMeeting for video consultations because:

    • It’s UK-GDPR & healthcare compliant.

    • Personal and meeting data aren’t used to train AI.

    • No downloads required. Just click the link sent before your appointment.

    • Works well in most browsers.

    • Good video/audio quality even on slower internet connections.

    In-person meetings provide face-to-face observation, which is better for some cases. If my online consultations aren't ideal for you I can help you find a nearby herbalist who does in-person consultations.

The Consultation

  • When you first register there's a short form to fill out. Most questions are optional. This helps me prepare beforehand so we can make the most of our session.

    Your initial consultation lasts an hour and covers:

    • Your medical history

    • A full review of your current health

    • Your main priorities and goals for your health

    • Food and lifeway information (as much as you wish to discuss)

    • Any medications you're currently taking

    • Any other treatments or modalities you have questions about

    First consultations last 60 minutes, after which I spend up to 2 hours reviewing your case, doing any research necessary, making a management plan, and formulating a prescription.

  • By the next Tuesday following our consultation, you'll receive an email containing:

    • A recap of everything we discussed

    • My suggestion for a strategy to take

    • A herbal prescription in full detail so you can purchase it here or source it yourself if you wish

    We might discuss teas, creams, bathing herbs, vinegars, or various other preparations.

    I tailor formulations to suit your preferences and practical constraints. If you'd rather a different formulation, please ask.

    In most cases, shorter 40 minute follow up consultations are every 2 weeks until your condition settles into steady improvement, then only as needed until the issue is resolved or it’s possible to take a simpler maintenance tonic.

Safety

  • Herbal medicines span a wide spectrum from everyday culinary herbs to concentrated preparations requiring clinical oversight. Over-the-counter products tend to be too mild for decisive therapeutic effect. With these the greater risk is delaying proper treatment rather than toxicity.

    Prescription-strength herbal remedies are most effective & safe when matched to your individual constitution by an experienced practitioner. Therapeutic doses require careful dosing (using gradual titration) and monitoring. This is especially true during transitional periods such as puberty, pregnancy, childhood, breastfeeding, or aging.

    The way herbalists practice, if a herb isn’t right for someone, minor warning signs appear before serious issues arise. Most plant constituents metabolize quickly, so stopping treatment typically resolves concerns rapidly. Herbalists track adverse effects systematically and adjust doses responsively using flexible formulations like tinctures or teas.

  • Yes, potentially. That's why disclosing ALL medications, supplements, and existing health conditions is essential before starting treatment. Clinical herbalists are trained to understand which herbs and medications shouldn’t be combined.

    I always cross-check every medication with each herb I’m considering prescribing to ensure your herbal prescription is complimentary with other medication. When managed correctly, herbs can in fact support other treatments.

  • Do not stop, reduce, or change any prescribed medication before a consultation with a herbalist & without discussing it with your prescribing clinician first.

    It’s not necessary to stop other medication in order to receive care from a herbalist.

    While some patients eventually taper medication under clinical supervision, this requires monitored collaboration between all involved practitioners.

    Premature discontinuation carries risks and is unnecessary (unless you’ve had a distinct adverse effect from medication and will discuss this with your prescribing doctor).

    Always prioritise stability and safety above speed of transformation.

Treatment

  • There are a variety of options for herbal formulation, including tinctures, teas, capsules, powders, creams, bath herbs, vinegars, oils, salves, and more. We will discuss which best suit your situation, constitution, taste preferences, and daily routine.

    The majority of people prefer to take tincture 2 or 3 times per day, with food, because it’s easy to take and effective.

    By the next Tuesday post-consultation, you receive a detailed prescription allowing you to:

    • Purchase directly through my online shop, OR

    • Source ingredients yourself elsewhere, OR

    • Grow or forage your own medicine with my guidance.

    Purchasing directly from me is usually easier and I can guarantee practitioner-quality, ethical, and sustainable sourcing. You just add your patient code (from your email) to your order.

  • Generally, no. You're not expected to overhaul your life while navigating illness. My first priority is helping you feel better through targeted herbal support, which creates the stability needed for productive choices later.

    When discussing food, I focus on inclusion (adding nourishing elements) rather than restriction. I avoid recommending removing foods, unless there's significant clear evidence they're undermining your health. Any changes I do recommend come with plenty of support working out replacements that are appealing, culturally suitable, and accessible. Building a trusting, joyful relationship with food takes time, and is essential to health and wellbeing.

    I prefer to explore lifestyle and habits in a collaborative way. I recognise every choice serves a purpose and not everything is about optimising health specifically. If I suggest pausing something (like alcohol, long work hours, or late nights), I'll explain the likely consequences and help you work out what changes are feasible. Sustainable changes happen naturally when you feel supported to make your own choices.

    We tackle these together once you've regained strength & only if you’ve given consent to discuss them.

  • You should expect symptomatic relief within a few days to two weeks in most cases, depending on the ailment. You’re likely to notice shifts in energy, digestion, sleep, or other presenting symptoms relatively quickly.

    However, deeper physiological change (addressing underlying systems rather than just surface symptoms) requires several weeks to months. The timeline for full recovery often correlates with how long you've experienced the condition and how many different health concerns are involved. Chronic issues typically take longer to resolve than acute issues.

    If you don't feel any difference within two to four weeks of consistent herbal treatment by a complementary therapist, I recommend trying something else. There are some cases that don’t respond strongly enough to herbal treatment and honest feedback saves everyone time.

    Consistency is important with herbal medicine. Herbal medicine partly works by gradually bringing plant constituent levels up to the therapeutic threshold in your bloodstream. Missed doses interrupt this accumulation and reduce overall efficacy.

    Through our bi-weekly follow-up consultations, we can track progress and adjust our approach accordingly. Once your condition has settled, we can decide whether to continue with repeat prescriptions and occasional check-ins, or move to low-dose maintenance until you feel robust and well.

  • Most people won't need therapeutic doses of herbs indefinitely. The majority of patients presenting with simple or acute health issues resolve completely without a long-term formula.

    Many complex and chronic conditions are fully resolvable through herbal treatment, regardless of how other modalities view them as 'chronic' or 'incurable.'

    Some cases aren’t fully curable and benefit from ongoing low-dose maintenance herbs. This type of long-term support can be adapted to be very affordable and accessible. You don't need regular consultations for repeat prescriptions once your ideal formula has been established. Self-managed repeat orders are suitable in these cases.

    Some clients, once healthy, choose to continue herbal tonics or incorporating more herbs in their food. Preventative healthcare can be empowering to learn and provide lifelong benefit. I offer educational resources on this, plus optional 1:1 guidance for those wanting to deepen their self-care and family-care knowledge.

Cost and logistics

  • Initial consultations are £75 and follow-ups are £45. Each booking includes:

    • a 60-minute initial or 40-minute follow-up consultation

    • 1-2 hours background research and case analysis

    • Custom herbal formulation drafted specifically for your presentation

    Payment is required in full at the time of booking.

    You may then wish to order your prescription from me, through my online shop, or source it elsewhere.

    For detailed cancellation and refund terms, see my Consultation Terms & Cancellation Policy.

  • Many UK private medical insurers provide partial or full coverage for complementary therapies including clinical herbalism. Coverage varies widely by provider and individual policy, so please check directly with your insurer regarding eligibility requirements.

    If you plan to claim insurance: Let me know before booking via the intake form or email so I can prepare invoices that include all necessary registration details. This avoids delays later and prevents duplicate paperwork after payment is already completed.

    For consultation payments, I'm happy to supply an itemised invoice suitable for claims upon request. For herbal prescriptions from the online shop, order confirmations include sufficient transaction detail.

  • Visit the Bookings page to view available slots, select appointment type, enter payment details, and confirm instantly.

    After booking, you'll receive:

    • Confirmation email with your video link immediately

    • Reminder email 24 hours before our session

    • Final reminder 15 minutes before we meet

    No downloads needed. Simply click the link when it's time.

  • Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours' notice, and a full refund will be issued. If you'd prefer to reschedule instead, just let me know via email or the contact form.

    Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice may not be eligible for a refund. Where illness, emergencies, or exceptional circumstances arise, I may offer a refund at my discretion. Please ask via email or the contact form.

    Missed appointments without notice or reason normally aren't refunded.

    Refunds process within 10 working days to the original payment method.

    Detailed terms appear on my Consultation Terms & Cancellation Policy.