Herbal and Lifestyle Medicine; Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbal Medicine? Herbal medicine is the oldest form of medicine and is still used widely today throughout the world as a safe and effective natural medicine. It is essentially medicine made from plants, either the whole plant or parts of it, like the leaves, flowers, roots or bark. Herbal medicines can also often be made from concentrated plant extracts where a minimal amount of alcohol is used to help extract and preserve the active ingredients of the plant. For patients who are unable to take medicines containing alcohol for any reason, there are always other options available, such as herbal teas. Although the practice has a foundation of traditional use, modern use also very much includes current scientific research. Herbal medicines restore balance and harmony within the body, addressing underlying imbalances rather than targeting isolated symptoms. This approach not only treats existing health problems but can also strengthen the body’s natural defences, helping prevent future illness and promote overall well-being. Clinical herbal medicine is often combined with lifestyle medicine to achieve a more powerful effect.
Can I take herbal medicines from you alongside prescribed medications from my GP or hospital consultant? Yes, a benefit of seeing a clinical medical herbalist is that I am trained in herb-drug interactions and will always ensure that the herbal medicines I prescribe you do not negatively interact with any other medications I know that you are taking.
Can I take herbal medicines from you, and have consultations with you, if I am seeing other healthcare professionals or therapists? Yes, but it is important to let me know that you are having these additional therapies, whether on the NHS or privately, as they may impact what herbal medicines I can prescribe for you. Herbal medicines can work well alongside other complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy massage, acupuncture, or psychotherapy.
What format do herbal medicines come in? Most commonly, herbal medicines are formulated as tinctures (alcohol-based extracts of plants) or teas (a blend of dried herbs) but occasionally they may also come in capsules and external creams/ointments. All prescribed herbal medicines are individually tailored to you and your needs, so all such medicines are designed and blended by hand specifically for you.
Is cannabis an herbal medicine? Whilst cannabis may be considered a plant medicine, it is not a legally available herbal medicine within the UK. For those wishing to explore the option of medical cannabis legally within the UK, you need to contact a licenced specialist private clinic. A starting point might be to read more by clicking on the T21 image below.
What does MNIMH stand for? MNIMH stands for Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. As with all members, I hold a BSc (Hons) degree in Clinical Herbal Medicine, which means studying orthodox medicine as well as plant medicine, having training in the same diagnostic skills as a GP, and completing over 500 hours of herbal medicine clinical practice to qualify. For more information, please click on the logo.
How much do herbal medicines cost, are they expensive? Herbal medicines vary in price, but for example, a one-month supply of herbal tea on average would cost £8-11; a one-month supply of herbal tincture medicine (at standard doses) on average would cost £32-44. Postage and packing fees for sending one month's supply of herbal medicine to you is about £5 (up to 1kg). Individual prescription costs are discussed and agreed upon before designing and making your herbal medicines.
What health conditions can herbal medicines and lifestyle medicine help with? Herbal medicines, and lifestyle medicine, can help with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, helping you to improve your overall wellbeing. Herbal and lifestyle medicine can, in particular be helpful for the ailments of modern stressful life, low energy, emotional/mood issues, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, gut problems, skin problems, female health issues such as period difficulties, peri-menopause and menopause symptoms, and chronic conditions such as IBS, Fibromyalgia, CFS / ME, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, etc. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your personal situation to check what options may be available and most suitable for you.
What is Lifestyle Medicine? Lifestyle medicine focuses on the five pillars of lifestyle: what we eat and drink, our sleep, our levels of movement and activity, levels of stress and mental well-being, and other environmental factors. Through discussion and agreement based on your goals, a personalised plan can be created to support and empower you to make positive changes in one, some, or all of these areas. This can result in improved physical and mental health and an overall increase in well-being.
Are there costs involved in lifestyle medicine? Answering this question is challenging because the costs can vary depending on your current lifestyle and the changes you plan to make. For instance, switching to a healthier way of eating may be more expensive initially, but if you cut back on unhealthy foods, the overall cost might even out. Some people may find it helpful to use supplements to improve their health, but the cost of these can vary, and it's always a personal choice whether to use them or not. Many lifestyle changes can be made at no extra cost, such as improving sleep or managing stress through changes in mindset, thoughts, and behaviours, all of which can be done for free.
How much are the consultation fees? Please refer to the Consultations, Fees & Booking section of this website for information on consultation fees. Discounted fees are offered to formal or informal carers. For individuals with very low incomes (verified by proof of benefits) please contact me to discuss the possibility of further discretionary discounted fees.
How many appointments will I need? I usually like to see some shift in your health or well-being, even if only subtle, by your first review appointment. My notes help us both track this, as it’s often difficult to remember how you were feeling some weeks ago. When it comes to the number of appointments you will have with me, it varies, and everyone’s needs are different. For short-term health issues, or just support with making a lifestyle medicine plan, 1-2 appointments may be sufficient. However, addressing longer-term or chronic health conditions will require more time. Some individuals opt to use herbal medicines for several years and may request repeat prescriptions from me to effectively manage chronic conditions. In such cases, they check in with me once every 6 months via a brief phone call or email.
