I completed my BSc (Hons) degree in Herbal Medicine from the University of Wales in association with The College of Phytotherapy in 2005, proud to achieve first class honours. Throughout my five years training I worked alongside qualified Medical Herbalists in a busy practice where I subsequently spent my first three years as a practitioner after qualifying. In 2008 I decided to open practices of my own in Folkestone and Hollingbourne, just south of Maidstone.

Herbal Medicine training is extremely extensive and detailed. In addition to being required to do a minimum 500 hours supervised clinical practice the course included the following aspects:

• Extensive Materia Medica - knowledge of the therapeutic properties of herbal medicines
• Herbal Medicine and pharmaceutical drug pharmacology - how they are metabolised, work and interact in the body
• Nutrition
  
• Medical Laboratory science - enables the Medical Herbalist to interpret conventional medical test results
  
• Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
  
• Biochemistry
  
• Medicine
  
• Differential Diagnosis & Diagnosis from clinical signs
  
• Horticulture, Botany & Pharmacognosy

In 2006 I began using the MORA allergy testing machine and went on to acquire the Dip BER with Stan Richardson in Halifax to further expand my knowledge of this useful tool for those with intolerances.

My interest in allergy testing and treatment stems from a personal family history of intolerances and the respiratory and skin problems arising from that. I grew up with allergic asthma and my daughter was found to be dairy intolerant after developing eczema when I began weaning her. Testing, and subsequent dietary changes improved things for our family dramatically.

Are you a member, or leader of a group that might be interested in hearing more about Herbal Medicine and the work of a professional consulting Medical Herbalist? If so, and you are in the Kent area then please contact me. I am also available for talks and demonstrations. Further details are available on request.