Consultancy & Expertise
Raised with naturopathic principles in France, natural health and wellbeing have always been at the heart of my living philosophy. I studied at the renowned College of Naturopathic Medicine in London where I got my Master Herbalist Diploma, post-graduate Iridology and Naturopath diplomas.
My practice includes : Naturopathy, Herbal medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathic Nutrition, Bach flower remedies, Flower essences, Aromatherapy, Tissue salts, Detoxification, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Breath-work, Water treatments and Iridology.
I use a naturopathic form of herbal medicine that combines herbs, nutrition and lifestyle advice. I take a holistic approach using a range of diagnostic tools (including iridology, tongue reading and pulse taking) to combine naturopathy with Ayurvedic & Western herbal medicine. I aim to support my clients back to optimal health and wellbeing by addressing the root causes rather than by simply managing symptoms. A firm believer that Nature holds the answer to many of our health issues, I will guide you towards the healthy lifestyle that your body needs, taking into consideration your individual needs.
My practice has a strong emphasis on Women’s health & Family health.
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is defined by a fundamental principle : the healing power of nature. Naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to promote the body’s own self-healing mechanisms. It embraces many therapies, including nutritional medicine, diet advice, herbal medicine, Bach Flower therapies, lifestyle advice, and manual therapies such as acupressure or bodywork.
We believe that the body is able to heal itself given the right conditions and treatment. It comes from the “terrain theory” of French scientist Antoine Béchamp. His philosophy was that disease occurs from within the body as a result of an acidic and poorly oxygenated internal environment, not from external factors. He suggested that bacteria and viruses were simply ‘after-effects’, rather than the root cause of disease. He believed that a healthy body is a result of nutritious diet, healthy lifestyle practices, fresh air, clean water and exercise.
Nowadays, the first role of the naturopath is to teach people how to recognise the body’s warning signs and act on them. We are the helping hand empowering you to look after your health the best natural way. By listening to your body, observing and asking how and why your body reacts to situations the way it does. All these little clues can tell you a lot about yourself and how your body works. Once we have identified the origin of your physical symptoms, we will design a route back to health together. Naturopathic doctors are looking to identify and treat the underlying root cause not just the symptoms. We look at the whole person’s constitution not only the separate organs and body systems to offer a patient-centred, holistic approach to care.
What is Iridology?
Iridology is the study of the iris, the coloured part of the eye which is made up of connective tissue fibres, and contains nerve endings that are linked directly to the brain. Your irides are unique to you.
We use iridology as a diagnostic technique in which the patterns, colours and other characteristics of the iris are examined to gather information about your systemic health status. We analyse and interpret the signs that indicate your general constitution and genetic susceptibility to particular conditions. It can also give information on whether organs or tissues are inflamed or under stress. Iridology can help to pinpoint the root cause of some conditions, such as skin issues, headaches, generalised pain, sleep problems, etc.
Iridology is a useful tool for a practitioner as it may facilitate your journey toward better health by informing us of your inner strengths and weaknesses. It helps to provide a truly personalised and holistic service.
How are we using it in the clinic?
We use equipment such as a magnifying glass combined with a flashlight or or slit-lamp microscope plugged to a computer to examine your iris. When we look into your eyes, we are looking for markings and patterns such as: tissue changes, specific features, pigment patterns, striations, filaments, rings, pits or freckles. It helps us understand more about your body constitution, sensitivities, your digestive system, nervous system, circulatory and lymphatic system, inflammatory state and can also identify potential nutritional needs.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures, it is the oldest and still the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It involves the medicinal use of herbs and plants to promote health and relieve illness. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside or in complement with conventional medicine to enhance general health and wellbeing.
Sometimes called botanical medicine or phyto-medicine, it refers to using plants or plants extracts (seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers) for medicinal purposes.
Herbal medicine aims to return the body to a state of natural balance : it activates the body’s defence mechanisms so as to enable it to heal itself.
Different herbs act on different systems of the body (e.g. milk thistle on the liver & echinacea on the immune system) and most herbs have more than one application. You might know that sage helps with hot flushes in menopause, but it can also improve brain function and memory and may help blood sugar regulation. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and also helps with lowering cholesterol and in certain cases of dyspepsia.
The therapeutic activity of a plant is due to its complex chemical nature with different parts of the plant providing specific therapeutic effects. Herbs are composed of complex constituents that work together, balancing and complementing one another. Every herb used has known actions and qualities with affinities to one or more body systems.
Herbs may be taken as ‘teas’ (infusions or decoctions), powders, made into alcohol-based tinctures or other liquid preparations (syrups, aromatic waters). They may also be applied externally as creams, ointments or poultices.
They are commonly mixed together as a formula to produce a balanced and more powerful effect. We will prescribe a tailor-made formula mix that suits your individual requirements using the best quality ingredients available, produced by reputable manufacturers and subject to proper quality controls. Wherever possible, plant materials are grown organically, and sourced sustainably. We do not use products which involve harvesting endangered plant species. Sustainability is of crucial importance.
Anyone can benefit from herbal medicine. It is suitable for people of any age and gender, including children who respond especially well to the gentle actions of herbs.
Just like conventional medicine, herbal medicine will affect your body and can potentially be harmful if not used properly. Always ask your herbalist or naturopath before taking any herbal supplements.
Herbal medications and supplements may interact with over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are taking: they may increase or decrease the effectiveness of other drugs or increase the risk of side effects. That is why herbal medicine should always be prescribed by a qualified and registered practitioner.
Ongoing Support
We specialise in finding the root cause of all your health issues and give you the support you need to achieve your health goals. From the initial consultation, follow-up appointments will be arranged to meet your individual needs. Depending on your presenting symptoms and the personalised naturopathic treatment plan agreed, we might decide to meet every 4 or 6 weeks or finish a detox protocol first before starting a new phase of treatment. In between consultations, we are always reachable by email so do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
We are confident that everyone can achieve positive results with this approach. Each journey is different but by working together in partnership, excellent progress can be expected.
We are here to give you the best personalised, result orientated care to reach your health goals.