Medical herbalism, sometimes also called phytotherapy, uses pure natural plant remedies to promote health and wellbeing. Herbs have been used medicinally for thousands of years and modern scientific research increasingly supports their effectiveness and studies their safety.
This is usually in the form of herbal teas, powders, aromatic waters, syrups, tinctures: herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid herbal extracts made from fresh or dried herbs and left to soak in a combination of alcohol and water, creams or lotions (all easy to take or apply). Advice on diet and general health care may be offered.
In cases where alcohol is not tolerated or permitted, an alternative can be prescribed.
The herbalist deals with a wide range of health conditions in every age group. Herbal medicines are selected mainly to strengthen or stimulate the body’s normal functions and so help the body support itself. Unlike most conventional medicines which usually have a single ingredient, herbs contain many ingredients, and so may support the body’s health in several ways at once.
Appointments
Days: Tuesdays
- First appointment: 9.30am
- There are no appointments between 1–2pm
- Last appointment of the day: 3.15pm
Duration:
- First consultation: up to 90 minutes
- Follow-up sessions: 45 minutes
Cost
- £30 full fee
- £20 concession* (we would need to see proof of concession)
Western Herbal Medicine prescriptions are costed separately to the appointment fee, please see the breakdown below.
* The concession rate for Western Herbal Medicine prescriptions will only apply to prescriptions to the value of £10 and above and will be discounted by 15%.
To be eligible for a concession you must meet the following criteria:
- Students and members of staff at the University of Westminster
Western herbal medicine prescriptions
The average price for a herbal medicine prescription ranges from £1- £3 per day.
Herbal medicine costs:
- Tinctures: £9 per 100ml
- Creams: £6 per 30g
- Teas: £8 per 100g
Postage:
- 500ml/g or below: £6,
- 500ml/g or above: £12
Repeat prescriptions
These are only available within a six-month period from your last face-to-face appointment, and the practitioner will decide how many you would be allowed in this period or if your presenting condition requires a face-to-face appointment sooner.
There is an £8 dispensing fee required for repeat prescriptions.
Book an appointment
To book an appointment, or to find out more, please contact:
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0) 20 7911 5041
First appointments usually take 60–90 minutes, with subsequent appointments taking 45–60 minutes.
Please refer to our cancellation policy for Polyclinic appointments.
Your consultation
Please note: your session will be observed by other student practitioners as well as the qualified practitioner.
You will be required to bring a full list of any medications you are currently taking; this includes any supplements.
Your student practitioner will take a detailed medical history, including health problems, allergies, emotional state, lifestyle, diet, family medical history, and any other underlying causes.
Simple investigations such as blood pressure readings or other physical examinations may be done.
An individual management plan will be discussed with you along with proposed herbal treatment and any lifestyle or dietary changes.
Your herbal medicine prescription will then be prepared while you wait. In the event your prescription is not able to be dispensed on the day of your appointment, the practitioner will notify you if this is the case.
Subsequent visits usually last for half an hour plus time to dispense the herbal prescription. The practitioner will assess your progress and adjust your management plan and herbal prescription as required.