The Irish Herbalist

24/05/2026

Burdock root has to be one of my favourite herbs in the dispensary — and honestly, probably one of the herbs I rely on the most.

Dr. Christopher described burdock as helping to “release water tension” in the body and supporting the liver, kidneys, gallbladder and digestion, and I’ve found that to be so true in practice over the years. It’s one of those herbs that works deeply but gently.

I think of burdock as a cooling, cleansing, grounding herb with a real affinity for the blood, lymphatic system and skin. I use it constantly where there’s heat, redness, inflammation, congestion, sluggish skin, eczema, acne, psoriasis, inflammatory conditions, swollen glands, or where the body just seems overloaded and stagnant.

Traditionally, burdock has also been used as a mild laxative and blood cleanser, helping the body to clear waste more efficiently. Herbalists have long used it to help eliminate excess uric acid, which is why it’s often considered supportive in more acidic conditions such as arthritis and gout. I also love it as part of protocols where blood sugar balance and metabolic sluggishness are involved.

Although burdock is widely used in Traditional Chinese and Western herbal medicine, it also grows abundantly here in Ireland — strong, wild and overlooked at the edges of fields and roadsides. I always think there’s something beautiful about the herbs we need often growing close to home.

As burdock is a root herb it has a steady, nourishing nature to it. It doesn’t push the body aggressively — it supports it slowly and deeply.

In the dispensary I’ll often combine it with cleavers for lymphatic drainage, yellow dock for deeper blood and liver support, dandelion root to stimulate digestion and liver function, or sarsaparilla in chronic inflammatory and skin conditions. Most often I prescribe it as a tincture, and I’ve seen some beautiful results with it over the years.

Burdock Root is a strong and steady herb, long valued in Ireland for its dependable nature and gentle support.

30/04/2026

In my work as a colon hydrotherapist and medical herbalist, I’ve found that supporting the bowel is one of the most important starting points for overall health. When the digestive system is sluggish, it can have a knock-on effect on many other areas of the body, from energy levels to skin health. Over my career, the majority of people who attend my practice are struggling with bloating, constipation, or irregular bowel movements.

As a qualified colon hydrotherapist since 2000, and Dublin’s longest established practitioner, I’ve seen first-hand the difference this treatment can make. Many clients report feeling noticeably less bloated and more comfortable, with improved regularity and a greater sense of lightness after a session. Increased energy levels are also commonly reported, which may be linked to improved digestive function and nutrient absorption.

During a colon hydrotherapy session, the body is gently rehydrated, which can support overall wellbeing. This rehydration may also contribute to improvements in skin appearance, with many people noticing a clearer, more refreshed complexion afterwards.

From a natural health perspective, when the bowel is functioning well, it allows other systems in the body to work more efficiently. Supporting this process can be a simple but powerful step toward feeling better day-to-day.

I absolutely love the work I do, as it’s incredibly rewarding to see people leave feeling lighter, more comfortable, and more in control of their health.

22/04/2026

Benefits of Colonic Hydrotherapy

Helps relieve constipation by softening and removing built-up waste

Reduces gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort

Supports healthy colon tone and function

Aids digestion and improves nutrient absorption

May increase energy levels and overall vitality

Helps reduce harmful bacteria, parasites, and fungal overgrowth

Supports immune function and general wellbeing

Can improve mental clarity and focus

Supports the body’s natural detoxification processes

May contribute to clearer, healthier-looking skin

Helps rehydrate the body at a cellular level

Encourages emotional release and a sense of reset

May support metabolism and healthy weight management

Can help reduce food cravings

Supports overall gut health and toxin elimination

22/04/2026

Colonic Hydrotherapy Benefits
• Helps relieve constipation by softening and removing built-up waste
• Reduces gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort
• Supports healthy colon tone and function
• Aids digestion and improves nutrient absorption
• May increase energy levels and overall vitality
• Helps reduce harmful bacteria, parasites, and fungal overgrowth
• Supports immune function and general wellbeing
• Can improve mental clarity and focus
* Supports the body’s natural detoxification processes
• May contribute to clearer, healthier-looking skin
• Helps rehydrate the body at a cellular level
• Encourages emotional release and a sense of reset
• May support metabolism and healthy weight management
• Can help reduce food cravings
• Supports overall gut health and toxin elimination

11/04/2026

The principle of a clean colon is the foundation of good health. 70-80% of my clients are constipated, and most are unaware of it. Before any health conditions can be addressed the colon must first be cleaned.

Constipation is when a person has difficulty emptying their bowel. I have noted that the average person who attends my clinic has only three bowel movements a week. In a healthy body we should have three a day, one for every meal we eat.

THE CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION
Stress
Inherent weakness
Dehydration
Diet- mucus forming foods, high protein diets, white foods, cereals etc
Sedentary lifestyle
Medication- NSAI, analgesics, antidepressant, antispasmodics, anti cholinergenics and iron supplements.

IDEAL BOWEL MOVEMENT After every meal consumed (aprox 3 daily)
Soft (cow pat)
Float
Effortless
No marks on toilet bowl
No need for toilet paper!
Medium brown or green
A definite feeling to go but not urgent
No conscious straining
Slides out smoothly
A feeling of complete emptiness in the lower bowel.

STOOL COLOUR
Ideally it should be mid brown or green.
Mucus indicates inflammation and irritation. Bad bacteria thrive in this environment.
Black stools can be a result of iron supplements, wine, charcoal, upper GIT blood loss or beetroot consumption.
A red movement is usually fresh blood from haemorrhoids, or in colitis, or ulcerative colitis
Green stool can be seen in chlorophyll rich diet.
Pale or light clay may be attributed to gallbladder issues, lack of bile secretion, a fast transit time or fats in stool .

TRANSIT TIME
This is the length of time it takes for ingested food to leave the body.
Normally, four-fifths of food ingested should be eliminated over an eleven to nineteen hour period of time.
Every eight hours there is a peristaltic urge triggered by the gallbladder.
If a bowel movement is passed on waking at 7:00 a.m., then the next one should be passed at approximately 3:00 p.m.
A good way to find out your transit time is to eat sweetcorn or beetroot!

My goal as a herbalist and colon therapist is to
rebuild and renew the colon and body through diet, lifestyle and herbs to achieve a clean functioning bowel.

09/04/2026

Cleavers is a traditional Irish spring herb, and here in Ireland we see it weaving its way through
hedgerows and gardens at this time of the year.

Cleavers is classed as an alterative — a herb that gradually restores normal metabolic and
eliminative function. Rather than forcing dramatic purging, alteratives work steadily over
time to improve the quality of the blood and lymph by enhancing elimination. Cleavers is
considered a lymphatic deobstructant; it helps thin and mobilise congested lymphatic fluid,
encourages proper elimination through the kidneys and skin, and reduces inflammatory
stagnation under the skin.

I use it for swollen lymph nodes like tonsillitis, for skin problems and for its diuretic action.

I combine it with nettles or red clover for skin problems; with Echinacea and calendula for lymphatic and immune system problems; and with dandelion leaf as a diuretic tea.

As well as cleansing the lymphatic system, cleavers are also useful in purifying the bloodstream. I always use cleavers in formulae for skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.

It may be juiced fresh in season, taken as a tea (which is
how I most often use it in clinic), or given in tincture form as part of a combination formula.
It can also be applied externally as a fomentation or wash for irritated skin.

I always include it in a formula when the person displays lymphatic congestion in their Iris. It’s a very safe and steady herb and one that I use everyday in the clinic.

14/02/2026

Happy Valentines Day!

Emotional wellbeing is closely connected with the health and function of the heart. Both happy and sad life events can create stress in the body. When someone struggles to process or manage stress, it can contribute to heart imbalances that may show up as anxiety, palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, restlessness, or mood changes during menopause.

Deep-rooted fears of being hurt, experiencing emotional pain, or feeling isolated and lonely can also impact the sense of “spirit” or emotional centre that is traditionally associated with the heart.

As a herbalist I know the importance of treating the emotional imbalance which leads to physical ailments. Herbal medicines work on many levels, both the physical, spiritual and emotional, to bring about harmony and balance in the heart and cardiovascular system.

Hawthorn, Motherwort, Lemon balm, Rose, Passion flower, Lime flowers, Rose, Cayenne and garlic are some of the herbs I use to support our heart and cardiovascular system. Some herbs are tonic herbs, others decongestants and clear cholesterol, others stimulate, while some soothe. In order to formulate a tincture for the person I always take into account their current symptoms, diagnosis, blood work, diet, genetic tendencies and Iris picture Most of the herbs I use calm and support the heart and nerves. Herbal medicines can also be beneficial as healing tonics in recovery from debilitating illnesses. Hypertension, hypotension, high cholesterol, anxiety, grief, palpitations and panic attacks, hormonal imbalances and poor peripheral circulation are some of the most common heart conditions I treat in the clinic.

Essential oils can provide much-needed emotional support for the heart. The oils I typically use are rose, lavender, neroli, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and cypress.

A plant-based diet, optimal hydration, and regular exercise form core parts of the programme, alongside other supportive healing approaches such as reflexology, massage, counselling, and naturopathic therapies. Herbs can work on multiple levels within the body to help restore balance and support overall vitality.

14/02/2026

Happy Valentines Day!

The emotion of joy is connected with the heart. Happy and sad situations can be a source of stress. Often people who have difficulty dealing with stress may develop heart imbalances which manifest as anxiety, palpitations, hypertension, insomnia, restlessness and menopausal mood swings etc. Deep seated fear of being hurt, or having your “heart broken”, feeling isolated and lonely, also effect the source of “spirit” which resides in our hearts.
As a herbalist I know the importance of treating the emotional imbalance which leads to physical ailments. Herbal medicines work on many levels, both the physical, spiritual and emotional, to bring about harmony and balance in the heart and cardiovascular system. Hawthorn, Motherwort, Lemon balm, Rose, Passion flower, Lime flowers, Rose, Cayenne and garlic are some of the herbs I use to support our heart and cardiovascular system. Some herbs are tonic herbs, others decongestants and clear cholesterol, others stimulate, while some soothe. In order to formulate a tincture for the person I always take into account their current symptoms, diagnosis, blood work, diet, genetic tendencies and Iris picture Most of the herbs I use calm and support the heart and nerves. Herbal medicines can also be beneficial as healing tonics in recovery from debilitating illnesses. Hypertension, hypotension, high cholesterol, anxiety, grief, palpitations and panic attacks, hormonal imbalances and poor peripheral circulation are some of the most common heart conditions I treat in the clinic.
Essential oils can provide much-needed emotional support for the heart. The oils I typically use are rose, lavender, neroli, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and cypress.
A plant based diet and optimum hydration and exercise are all part of the program along with other healing modalities such as reflexology, massage, counselling, naturopathic therapies etc. Herbs work on many levels to bring about balance and vitality in the body.

13/02/2026