Tasha Humble
Medical Herbalist
I was inspired to qualify as a medical herbalist having visited a medicinal forest garden that a medical herbalist had planted for her apothecary. Already a professional gardener, and having had my own share of health problems that were treated holistically, this was a natural next step for me.
I trained with Betonica School of Herbal Medicine for 4 years studying anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical skills, pharmacology, nutrition, botany, and materia medica.
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I am passionate about organic growing and wherever possible use herbs that are grown in the UK to make herbal medicines. It is my goal to one day have my own herb field that will buzz with bees and vitality, and in this way, I will continue working the land for my dispensary and subsequently my patients.
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I feel fortunate to be in the position to be able to be conduit between you, and the herbs that will make a difference to your health whether you are faced with a new illness or if you have been living with discomfort for years.
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I look forward to meeting you.
Herbal Medicine can aid with a range of acute and chronic conditions including
(but not limited to)
Digestion
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IBS
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Ulcerative colitis
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Crohn's
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Acid reflux
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GORD
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Indigestion
Nervous system
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Anxiety
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Low mood
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Insomnia
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Headaches
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Migraines
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Fatigue
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Panic attacks
Cardiovascular
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Poor circulation
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Raised blood pressure
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Varicose veins
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Raynaud's syndrome
Skin
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Eczema
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Psoriasis
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Acne
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Dermatitis
Respiratory
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Hayfever
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Asthma
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Sinusitis
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Bronchitis
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Tonsilitis
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Common cold
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Influenza
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General immune support
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Reproductive
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Endometriosis
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PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
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Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
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Painful, heavy or irregular periods
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Perimenopausal/ menopausal symptoms
Musculoskeletal
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Osteoarthritis
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Osteoporosis
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Psoriatic arthritis
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Fibromyalgia
Why herbal medicine?
Modern western herbal medicine, also known as phytotherapy or botanical medicine is herbal medicine for the 21st century. It draws on knowledge gained from our ancestors and is combined with modern medical and scientific knowledge resulting in plant preparations that can treat and prevent illness.
Phytochemicals derived from plants are commonly used in conventional drugs such as Aspirin, Digoxin, and morphine. When plants are used in mainstream medicine, one ‘active’ single phytochemical from the plant material is extracted. This enables the pharmaceutical companies to patent it, concentrate and chemically manipulate it; put it into a tablet, capsule or liquid.
By contrast, western herbal medicine uses whole plants, which are sometimes referred to as ‘whole plant extracts’. This has numerous therapeutic advantages with each plant containing thousands of phytochemicals that work in synergy with each other.
Therapeutic effects on target tissues within the body have in many cases been scientifically proven and are gentler acting than pharmaceutical drugs and therefore the potential for side effects is reduced. Because of the array of phytochemicals within a whole plant extract, one plant can often address several desired therapeutic actions in the body at the same time. With guidance from a medical herbalist as to which formation of plants are suitable for a patient, the cause of illness can often be addressed rather than suppressing symptoms and masking the underlying pathology. In addition, with professional guidance, herbal medicine can work effectively alongside conventional medicines.
Treatment is patient centred with time to listen and question in order to form a whole picture of the individual and presenting condition(s).
Conversation about the plants is optional!
What is a medical herbalist?
Medical herbalists study orthodox medicine as well as plant medicine and are trained to diagnose a patient in the same way as a GP.
Herbalists employ a holistic approach, meaning that they attempt to find the root cause of illness, rather than allaying symptoms. Herbs have been said to have a 'nudging' effect upon physiological processes. This process can take time, but seeks to restore homeostasis, or balance within the body.
Training to become a herbalist is rigorous and includes completing 500 clinical hours over 3 years within student clinics overseen by experienced herbalists, but also 1:1 with practitioners in their own clinics. Additionally, studying anatomy, physiology, pathology, differential diagnosis, biochemistry, pharmacology, nutrition, and botany as well as learning physical examination techniques.
A patient is seen as an individual rather than a set of symptoms or a diagnosis. Every prescription is bespoke depending on a thorough consultation, talking about all of the body systems -cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous, gynaecological, musculoskeletal, and skin.
Crucially, a medical herbalist is taught to understand herbal constituents and therefore be able to safely prescribe them alongside conventional medicine without contraindication.
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What is a consultation like?
An initial consultation will last for up to an hour and will involve taking a detailed medical history as well as information regarding current complaints.
There is time to listen to you, the expert regarding your condition.
It is preferable at the end of the consultation to take a blood pressure and on occasion do a physical examination if appropriate and the patient is comfortable.
At the end of the consultation a follow-up appointment will be made usually for a months time. These last between 15-30 minutes and continue for as long as herbal medicine is prescribed. This time scale can vary depending on the health condition and for how long you have had the condition.
Following consultation a management plan including diet and lifestyle advice as well as a tailored prescription will be prescribed where required. This will be considered and prepared for you after the consultation. The written elements can be emailed or posted to you depending on your preference and a conversation will be had regarding costs of medicine before any is made. On agreement, the medicine will be dispensed from my home and posted to you. There may also be an option for me to deliver this to you by hand.
Fees
£65- Initial consultation
£35- Follow-up consultation
Medicine costs are variable:
Tinctures: £12 for 100ml (approx a weeks worth of medicine)
Teas: £6 for 50g. When prescribed 50-100g is dispensed.
Creams: Cost is variable and the amount required dependent on the condition, but average cost is £15.
Capsules, pessaries, and suppositories: All vary in price depending on each herb required.
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Testimonials
