A deep interest in green issues led me to study herbal medicine as a holistic and sustainable form of healthcare that links people and planet in a positive relationship.
I qualified as a herbalist in 1995 after studying on the 4 year full-time course at the College of Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine) in East Sussex. I have been in practice ever since and I am the current President of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy. I have been involved in herbal medicine education since 1998, developing and teaching on several BSc and MSc programmes in herbal, nutritional and traditional medicine. My herbal political work has included serving as a Director of the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, being a member of the Government Working Group that developed the National Professional Standards in Herbal Medicine and as a member of the Department of Health Steering Group that produced the Report on the Regulation of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (2008). I have written several books and chapters about herbal medicine.
I am equally at home walking in the hills (any hills but especially the Cuillin on the Isle of Skye) or sitting in a small art house cinema watching an obscure French film with subtitles. I once lived in a Sioux tipi for two years but now have a more conventional shelter for my burgeoning book collection and Apple Macs. I have four children and enjoy the challenge of trying to provide them with a good musical education - I'm sure one day they'll recognise the genius of Captain Beefheart!
I am passionate about herbal medicine and the benefits it has to offer. I have found it to be a treatment that can lead to profound health improvements. I look forward to working with you.
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Herbal Medicine
About Herbal Medicine
Old as the hills, fresh as a daisy.
In a nutshell, the story goes something like this: in the beginning people sought out foods and gradually distinguished between the plants that were great to eat for nourishment and those that were great to treat illness. The latter group we now call herbal medicines.
The practice of herbal medicine is a holistic approach that uses plant remedies combined with nutritional and lifestyle advice to promote optimum health and to prevent and treat disease. It is the most ancient form of medicine but today combines a traditional understanding of how plants can benefit you with the latest scientific research. This modern approach to herbalism is called phytotherapy - "phyto" being the Greek for "plant".
People of all ages can be helped with herbs - babies, children, adults and the older person. Consultations allow lots of time to get to know you and your healthcare needs in depth - for adults the first consultation lasts one and a half hours, with subsequent visits lasting an hour. Where long-term treatment is required consultations usually take place every 4 to 6 weeks. Following each appointment an individual prescription is hand made for you - tailored exactly to your needs, using the very highest quality herbs.
What can Herbal Medicine help with?
Herbal medicine is hugely versatile and can play a role in helping almost any condition.
The following list gives an idea of the scope for this therapy:
skin problems - e.g. eczema, psoriasis, acne
digestive disorders - irritable bowel, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease
problems of the heart and circulation - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor circulation
gynaecological disorders - premenstrual syndrome, irregular periods, thrush, endometriosis
menopausal changes - hot flushes, mood changes, skin changes
problems with joints and muscles - osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia
nervous system disorders - headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression, anxiety, panic attacks
infections - coughs, colds, flu,tonsillitis urinary system - cystitis,prostate enlargement and inflammation
sexual disorders - impotence, poor sexual performance, decreased libido
allergic disorders - asthma, hayfever, food intolerances
pregnancy and breastfeeding - nausea, constipation, tiredness, to help prepare for birth, to promote milk supply, mastitis
also for exhaustion, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, lowered immunity, stress, supporting weight loss,
type 2 (non-insulin dependant) diabetes, fertility problems - men and women
Professional herbal treatment can have an adjunctive role to play in serious disorders such as cancer and in terminal care (palliative care), alongside conventional medical treatment.
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