Question 1

Which treatment should I book?

Accepted Answer

I offer two types of appointments. The functional herbal and nutritional therapy appointment is for people with complex, chronic or recurrent health problems, including autoimmune conditions, recurring infections, circulatory problems, cancer prevention, fatigue, PCOS, menopausal and other women's health issues. This appointment lasts around 90 minutes. I also offer acupuncture treatment, which can be used as a stand-alone appointment or alongside herbal and nutritional therapy to support the care plan.

Question 2

I've booked an appointment. What happens next?

Accepted Answer

When you book a functional herbal and nutritional therapy appointment I will send you my intake form and GDPR consent form. It is best to allow up to two weeks to complete the intake form before your appointment. I will usually also ask you to complete a simple food journal. At your appointment we will review the intake form together, discuss your main health concerns, and piece together a timeline of your medical history. By the end of the session you will have a personalised plan which may include dietary or lifestyle changes, individualised herbal formulations from my onsite herbal dispensary, herbal products or nutritional supplements, and stress management techniques.

Question 3

How many treatments do I need?

Accepted Answer

Generally speaking, the longer you have suffered from a problem the longer it takes to resolve. A general rule of thumb is that for every year of ill health you might need a month to improve your health. With functional herbal and nutritional therapy I generally see patients once a month to begin with. Follow-up appointments can be online or by telephone, which makes them much more convenient. For acupuncture, weekly or fortnightly appointments are more effective, reducing in frequency as improvements occur.

Question 4

Can I order repeat herbal prescriptions?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Once an effective herbal prescription has been established, most patients prefer to have repeat prescriptions posted out to them. You can order repeats by email or by using the contact form on the website. I will send an invoice by email or text and once it has been paid your medicine will be sent to you by second class post.

Question 5

Can I take herbal remedies alongside drugs from my doctor?

Accepted Answer

This is an important question and it really depends on what medications you are taking. Some herbs should not be taken alongside prescription drugs. Your doctor is not usually trained to know which herbs are safe in combination with their prescriptions, but your medical herbalist is trained to know which herbs might interact with prescription drugs and which should be avoided.

Question 6

Should I tell my doctor I am taking herbal medicines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I can provide information to explain why I am recommending a particular herb or supplement if required. I am also happy to speak to your doctor if they would like to contact me regarding your care, though you will first need to provide me with your written consent to allow me to do this.

Question 7

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

If you make an appointment via my secure online calendar you have the option to pay at the time of booking or at the appointment. I can accept in-person payments in the form of cash or debit or major credit cards. For repeat prescriptions or lab tests, I can send you an invoice by email or text that you can pay by following a secure link. I can also accept a cheque for this type of transaction, though this will take a little longer to process.

Question 8

What is the difference between herbal medicine and homeopathy?

Accepted Answer

Herbal medicine and homeopathy are two entirely different disciplines. Herbal medicine uses whole plant extracts that contain active chemical constituents which have measurable effects on the body. A medical herbalist holds a BSc (Hons ) degree and has completed a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours. Homeopathy uses highly diluted substances and is based on a different philosophy entirely. The two should not be confused.

MEDICAL HERBALIST & FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

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