Hello, I’m Sarah - a Herbalist and Naturopath
I completed five years of study at The College of Naturopathic Medicine, and have been a member of the Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners for almost 20 years.
My unique style of practice is a blend of Western, Chinese and Tibetan herbal medicine. I developed my bespoke approach after training alongside some of the most respected practitioners in my field.
My Approach
Herbal medicine is the oldest and most widely used system of healing in the world.
Our bodies are well adapted to nature’s remedies. Prescribed in tune with the seasons, and in harmony with your own natural disposition, herbal medicine not only helps to calm acute symptoms, but provides Nature with an opportunity to balance, restore and heal from within.
Herbal medicine can be particularly helpful for:
Persistent, irritable skin conditions
Anxiety, low mood, overwhelm and burnout
Chronic fatigue
Uncomfortable digestive problems
Hormonal shifts and life changes
Services and Pricing
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Guidance about supplements. Advice around simple interventions for acute, self-limiting ailments
e.g. winter coughs and colds.
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A deep dive into ongoing health concerns. Full constitutional assessment and health review accompanied by a bespoke medicine making service.
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Available to clients who have already attended a full initial consultation and are either following a programme, or would like to review their prescription.
*Please note that the service price does not include the cost of herbal prescriptions which will be tailored to your budget and discussed during our appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I’m a member of the Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners and I am fully licensed and insured to practice.
A full breakdown of the stringent training required to become a member of the Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners can be found by following the link below: -
Anyone can benefit from visiting an herbalist. As no two individuals are the same, I always create a totally bespoke herbal formula tailored around the unique needs of each person who works with me. I love to engage with people who take an active interest in their health and want to learn more about how herbs and nutrition can improve their well-being. This is because my job is to encourage you to become empowered to understand the key factors which led to your health issues developing in the first place. You can read more about the benefits of seeing an herbalist for your health complaint here:
Read more about what to expect at your initial herbal consultation here.
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Herbal Medicine:
As a herbalist, I treat the whole person using a range of carefully selected botanical medicines. Each individual prescription is blended to take into consideration the physical, mental and emotional health of each client. Herbal medicine works best when taken alongside a balanced diet and wellness plan. For this reason, your prescription will also come with a side dose of naturopathic health advice tailored specifically towards your own individual constitution and what’s going on for you at this point in your life.
Holistic Nutrition:
Although herbs are powerful medicines in their own right, the food that you eat also has a huge impact on your health and wellbeing. Taking herbs without changing your diet is a little like a full bathtub with the taps running. The emergency situation won’t be resolved just by turning off the taps, you must also pull out the plug. Herbal medicine can work wonders but if you continue to eat a poor diet, then you’re only ever going to achieve limited results.
Diet plans are as varied and unique as the individual themselves. This is why it can seem so confusing when trying to work out which foods are right for you. My training as a naturopath means that I’ll work with you to create a holistic eating plan based around your constitutional type and personal wellness needs Tat this moment in time. All clients who work with me on a long-term health plan will be provided with a holistic nutritional eating plan to support their health goals, saving you a ton of time and money that might have been spent trying to figure this out for yourself.
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Herbal Medicine:
Your initial herbal consultation will last approximately 90 minutes. During this time, I’ll take a detailed medical and holistic case history in which you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your lifestyle and current state of emotional and physical well-being. This helps me to build up a clear picture of your unique constitution. I may also take a look at your iris and tongue to better understand what factors might have led to your current health situation. Based on our discussions, you’ll then be prescribed your own customised herbal medicine. This will take the form of a tincture, tea, powder or capsules. You will, of course, be provided with information about how to take your medicine. I may also ask you to complete a food / sleep / mood diary or a symptom tracker which will help us to monitor your progress during any follow up sessions.
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An herbal consultation is an investment in your health. Appointments are conducted in person or via Zoom (for those who live too far away to visit the clinic.)
An initial herbal consultation costs £80. Any subsequent follow up appointments are charged at £60. Short “over the counter” telephone calls for emergencies or acute situations are charged at £20. The cost of your appointment does not include your customized herbal prescription which will vary depending on the nature of your condition and the level of support required. The prices below are a general reflection of what to expect for one month’s supply of medicine.
Tincture prices:
100 ml – £15: Prescribed over the course of a week for short term support
300 ml – £40: One month supply of herbs prescribed after an initial consultation
500 ml – £60: Follow on prescriptions for patients working with a seasonal support programme
Most people will be prescribed a 300 ml bottle of herbal medicine which lasts approximately one month. Long standing patients can order repeat prescriptions, but most new clients will need a follow up appointment in order to assess their progress before a new formula can be dispensed. Unlike allopathic medicines, your prescription changes with you. As you continue to make improvements, your formula will need to reflect that.
Teas, capsules, powders, creams and salves can also be prescribed. These custom prescriptions are all individually priced. This is because weights and processing costs need to be taken into account. All costs are fully explained before dispensing, and every effort is made to tailor prescription prices to each client’s individual budget and needs.
I aim to source the highest quality medicines available for my customers. The majority of my herbs are sourced from organic growers, are wild crafted or FairWild certified.
Medicines are usually reviewed each evening and dispensed the next day. Prescriptions can be sent out via Royal Mail, or local people can collect. All delivery charges will be made clear during your appointment.
Capsules £12 – £15 for 60
Prescription teas blends (per bag) – £12
As the price of herbs is dependant on a number of unpredictable factors such as harvest and availability. You will be advised about any additional charges (should there be any,) at the time of your appointment, and offered an alternative if preferred.
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Most people generally find they require two to three follow up sessions which usually last around one hour. These sessions are essential in that they enable us to make changes and adapt your dosage or mix as your symptom picture changes. It’s also an opportunity to discuss any changes to your diet and lifestyle that are supporting your herbal prescription. This is one of the huge advantages of herbal medicine. You will never receive a static prescription, but given medicines that change to reflect your current situation.
During your follow up consultation, we’ll review any symptoms, and talk in more detail about any new changes in your circumstances. Follow up appointments are usually held at monthly intervals, with maintenance appointments scheduled for 3-6 month intervals thereafter. As every case is different, timescales for follow up appointments will inevitably vary.
For those looking to make deeper changes to their health, or are working with a long- standing condition, a one-year herbal support package may be more cost effective. If this feels like an option you’d like to explore, it can be discussed during an initial appointment and tailored to your individual needs.
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Face to face appointments are available at The Hide at Lanteague. Please send an email if you are not familiar with the area and need directions. Virtual tele-health appointments are also available via Zoom to people who live too far away to attend in person. To enquire about booking a consultation, please send an email to sarah@alchemilla.co with a brief outline of your primary health complaint, or book directly using my online booking form.
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All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at the time of their appointment. As some of the medicines prescribed contain alcohol, you must give your parental permission for your child to take these preparations. Tinctures contain only a small amount of alcohol in relation to the amount of herb in each preparation. Doses are small, and the alcohol can be “burned off” by adding the tincture to warm water and leaving it to stand for a few minutes before taking. Tinctures are far easier for children to take as they often dislike the taste of teas and powders. As larger amounts are required to achieve the desired effect, this can affect compliance. Your child’s medicine will be discussed in detail during the appointment so that a suitable prescription can be made up.
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Most herbal medicines in the dispensary are suitable for vegetarians and vegans – however, some creams are made with animal products (such as beeswax,) or you may be prescribed a bone broth as part of your wellness plan. Should supplements be recommended, you will always be provided with a full list of ingredients so you can be certain the medicines you are prescribed fit with your ethics. You will of course be asked about any allergies or special dietary requirements at the start of your treatment plan.
Herbal pills are encapsulated in vegan-friendly capsules. The tinctures stocked in the dispensary are made with alcohol. This is because alcohol is an excellent medium for the extraction of the medicinal qualities of the plants. It also ensures a speedy delivery into the system, bypassing the digestive system and entering quickly into the bloodstream. If you’re avoiding alcohol for any reason please mention this at the time of your appointment. In these cases, you’ll be offered a choice of teas, powders or glycerites (herbal medicines made with vegetable glycerine) in place of a tincture prescription.
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This really is a difficult question to answer as it depends both upon your condition, how long you’ve had it, and how willing you are to make any necessary lifestyle or dietary changes to achieve the best results possible. Although I can’t guarantee it, most people begin to see positive changes within a couple of weeks of taking their medicines. Of course, if you’ve had a condition for a very long time, it isn’t going to vanish overnight. But if you’re determined to take your health into your own hands, follow advice and make the necessary changes to heal, then you should expect to feel increased energy, have better sleep and notice an improvement of your symptoms in a reasonably short space of time.
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The future of herbal medicine depends on the wellbeing of our planet. As a herbalist, I take the issue of the environment very seriously indeed.
To avoid the unnecessary use of plastic, tinctures are dispensed in recyclable glass bottles. These can be brought back to the clinic where they are sterilised and re-used.
In addition, all my tea blends are packaged in 100% biodegradable pouches made from Kraft paper, cellulose and starch film which are tested and certified as fully compostable. The packaging completely decomposes in ten weeks, and can be composted at home or deposited in ‘’compostable food waste’’ refuse containers.
Parcels are sent out in cardboard boxes which are filled with paper or card which has come into the dispensary via goods ordered. Any bubble wrap used is also recycled from goods delivered (or sometimes donated by local businesses) and re-used as customer packaging.
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What People Are Saying
Sarah’s herbal knowledge meant I felt supported to make changes that fit with my lifestyle. Her formulas instinctively felt in tune with my own natural rhythm.
— Former CustomerRegular monitoring of my progress meant my herbal formula was adapted as we went along.
— Former CustomerSarah’s help has been invaluable. She listens and delves like a detective. Through her knowledge, experience and the extra research she did into my stubborn condition, she devised a herbal programme specific to my current needs.
— Former Customer