Leaf Retreat

19/06/2026

I am officially a Clinical Herbalist! 🎉 Clinical exam yesterday morning, finally three years are complete. Afterwards, a well needed trip to the beach to relax. The sun was shining with congratulations 🥂

Many of you might wonder what this qualification is and why I invested £21k for the additional training.

In the wellness world, the term herbalist is used quite freely; a qualified Clinical Herbalist operates at a completely higher level of medical and scientific training.

Training for OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) - examinations used by trained medics to ensure clinical safety and competency.

The study of pathology (how diseases develop) and pathophysiology to understand the internal mechanics of what is happening in the body.

Due to this specific level of education, qualified clinical herbalists hold legal exemptions under the UK Medicines Act / Human Medicines Regulations. This grants us the unique authority to formulate, blend, and prescribe bespoke, therapeutic-strength herbal medicines tailored specifically to you.

Something wellness shops or uncertified practitioners cannot legally do. With 500 hours of clinical training I can ensure a professional service. Membership with professional bodies such as the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and the CPP ensures high standards of patient care and consistent professional development.

Seeing a professional clinical herbalist is not about working against modern medicine it is about intelligent integration.

If you are already taking prescribed pharmaceutical medications, herbal prescriptions are cross referenced on a database to avoid potential drug-herb interactions. I can also communicate with your GP.

If you are currently stuck on a long NHS waiting list looking for answers, visiting a clinical herbalist can safely support your vitality, ease discomfort and address functional imbalances in the body while you wait for a formal diagnosis, providing a level of control and autonomy.

Herbal medicine shines when addressing longterm, complex chronic health issues by looking at the root causes and treating the whole person, not just a disease.

Yes, you can google Ashwaghanda for stress or pay huge monies to TikTok wellness experts but they are not trained and herbalism is far more than treating a symptom.

Whole-body plans using food, phytochemistry and supporting the nervous system alongside, creates lasting and effective change. Are you willing to invest?

To celebrate opening my clinical practice, I am offering initial consultations at a special introductory rate:

* Current Introductory Rate: £75
* Standard Rate (From September): £125

If you are genuinely struggling financially, due to poor health, I offer a Friday clinic for a nominal donation as herbal medicine should be available to everyone. Please book to join the Friday online clinic. Please note, that unfortunately new appointments can not be granted should you not attend your allocated appointment.

Please email: [email protected] to arrange your appointment and be given a link for a Halaxy Telecall.

I look forward to helping you find health and vitality through simple dietary and lifestyle changes alongside plant medicines.

11/06/2026

🌿 Welcoming our new guest. Second job - providing joy during the revision process - one Clinical Exam to go! 🍃

09/06/2026

Symbolised as messengers of joy, hope, and renewal, Leaf Retreat is honoured to be home to a family of seven blue t**s. It is lovely watching the fledglings learn to fly, feed and listen to their quiet chatter. A great way to start the day!

In a world that often keeps us in a state of high alert, nature provides us with an opportunity to reset our nervous system, steering us into a parasympathetic state, that of rest and repair. Scientific research by King’s College London found that real-time mental well-being was boosted for eight hours with bird encounters, including those with depression , you can read more here: King's College London. Exeter university demonstrated a direct correlation between the abundance of birds and trees in a neighbourhood with lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress among residents. You can find the study details via ScienceDaily.

While I offer a double en-suite accommodation area so customers outside of the local area can make the most of their consultation time, it also provides the ideal opportunity for a digital detox and opportunity to enjoy nature as we are very scheduled yet still 5 min walk to town.

Lucky guests who have booked these coming months will get the chance to enjoy our birdie friends. Being dog-friendly too - well what could be better that a nature-based relax for all the family!

You can book your stay now here: Guest suite in Lincolnshire · ★4.77 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 private bathroom

If you can’t make it we hope you like our little video!

31/05/2026

🌿When you receive the most lovely humbling feedback from your client and then you find a butterfly in your home; gently sitting on your hand waiting for a rescue, and then while writing this post a second one arrives. I would say that it is a lovely positive sign that Leaf Retreat will be very successful!

🦋One exam tomorrow and then my 25 years of training will be complete - having an exemption in the Medicines Act Clincial Herbalist are legally able to prescribe herbs for clients for chronic disease priorisiting safety and effectiveness.

🦋Keep updated for a brand new website and booking system during the summer!

08/05/2026

I have mentioned the use of glycophosphate, thankfully Riverford have organised a petition. Let’s take action!

Riverford’s plea to keep glyphosate off UK food.

04/05/2026

Wishing everyone a belated Beltane!

Not long to go, with 500 clinical hours of training complete, only a final dissertation and many hours of clinical exams to go! Leaf Retreat will soon be offering a highly educated and professional service with clinical herbal and nutritional consultations!

In the meantime the gardens and Leaf Retreat are really coming to life, a great nervous system reset in between all the studying. So here are some photos and a hello from Mr.Toad who is taking advantage of the rain today!

03/04/2026

🌿A gentle, but sad reminder to support our birds during this time of year. While it is easy to want to spring clean, chop trees and hedges, it is nesting season.

Our gardens are left wild with gentle pruning … guided by the creatures that make their home here first 🤎 Be the change this world needs!

PLEASE WITH-HOLD FROM FELLING TREES THIS TIME OF YEAR

For the sake of our wildlife during nesting/baby season.

Our wildlife face so many conflicts living alongside us humans. 98% of the admits we see, have been injured or compromised due to human related issues.
This mornings call broke my heart. A female Barred Owl, inside her cavity nest, inside a hollowed tree, not only lost her eggs to a tree cutting, but ultimately lost her own life. She was tragically injured when the tree came down, and the kindest option was euthanasia. Imagining her fear as she heard the chainsaw, while she hunkered down tighter on her eggs just tears me up. This should not happen, yet it does each nesting season. Tree work really should be halted this time of year. For the sake of our wildlife during nesting/baby season. RIP good Momma… so sorry we couldn’t fix you.

25/03/2026

I rarely do ‘world days’, but Social Prescribing is one that deserves attention!

Creativity, nature and social interaction supports a healthy body!

https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/a70233480/creativity-longevity-hack/

07/03/2026

🌿 Spring is very much on the way! Lots of growth for the Leaf Retreat too! Keep posted to find out more 💛

27/02/2026

High-vis volunteers hit a dark Lincolnshire lane to lift migrating toads out of danger — after 700 were killed last year 🐸 Read more: https://bbc.in/4rBa17j