Flower and Root

02/03/2026

🌱It feels like spring has sprung a little and I hope you're enjoying some sunshine peeking through!

This March I'm introducing my Free Herbal Foundations pack and Root Words series: Deconstructing the Language of Herbal Medicine.

🔥This month's Root Word is HOT. An energetic term related to the 4 elements. Used to describe not just temperature, but physiological disease states of the body and how plants act on these. Sign up below.

☀️ For my Free Foundations Pack and monthly Root Word inspiration to your inbox join my newsletter list here https://flowerandroot.co.uk/newsletter

What’s included?

📖HERBAL FOUNDATIONS PACK for beginners

✔️ Introducing the main ways to take herbal medicine
✔️ Medicinal tea suggestions
✔️ Introductory books
✔️ 5 ways to learn about herbs
✔️ The philosophy and approach

AND monthly or thereabouts

💬 THE ROOT WORD SERIES

Exploring and deconstructing the language we use in herbal medicine. You’ll enjoy this if you’re looking to deepen your understanding of herbal medicine and how herbs are used in practice.

13/02/2026

I caught up with my neighbour Susan from Optimise Overflow recently. Always great to chat with and learn from other practitioners. We talked about her journey and training in massage modalities, yoga and reiki, and her years of experience in working with people to help manage their injuries and pain. We are lucky to have such a well experienced practitioner locally.

One of the things that struck me about her yoga was the relaxed nature and laughter! You can work to your own pace and ability, there's no pressure. I'd recommend checking out her yoga and therapies at Optimise Overflow. Just along the road from our stunning flowing mural too 🌊

31/01/2026

I hope you're all wintering well. I always like this point in the winter as we reach Imbolc on the 1st of February and start to see signs of spring emerging, some snowdrops or little shoots of cleavers. This year we have a full moon Imbolc too.

Looking forward to spring, I'm holding a Sensory Tea Tasting. This will be a structured group session where we will taste, experience and learn about two herbs.

It will be an experiential learning circle involving using your senses to introduce and explore herbal actions and uses more deeply. The size of the group is limited to eight for this reason. There will be opportunities for discussion and questions.

The session is also a gentle introduction to herbs and teas and is great for anyone interested in herbal medicine or using herbs at home.

Any questions? Drop me a message.

Places are limited, to book your place email flowerandroot@gmail.com

The price is £12, payment is required in advance by bank transfer.

If you are curious about herbal medicine or want to stay in the loop with future events, see my website www.flowerandroot.co.uk and join the Newsletter.

05/01/2026

🌿 Free Herbal Medicine Webinar – Next Thursday

Happy New Year all! As we settle into the new year and back to routines, you might be ready for some fresh thoughts on health, but unsure where to begin.

If you’re curious about herbal medicine, I’m running a free beginners class on Thursday 15th January 2026, 18.30-19.15 (UK time).

In the session we will cover:
• What herbal medicine is
• The philosophy and approach behind it
• How people learn about and work with herbs safely
• How herbs are taken
• What herbal medicine is used to treat

The class intends to give an overview and understanding of the bigger picture to help you feel more confident and informed moving forward.

It’s a relaxed cosy evening session, so bring a cup of tea and your curiosity ☺️

Here is the link to the event page - https://fb.me/e/3VL2VzxnV

To book your free place email flowerandroot@gmail.com

Feel free to share with anyone who might enjoy starting the year feeling a little more informed 🌱

05/12/2025

FREE Online Herbal Medicine Webinar - Beginners Class
Thursday 15th January 2026, 18.30-19.15 (UK time)

Here is a free one for January! Cosy up at home and I will share an introduction to herbal medicine and my philosophy and approach to health. If you’re interested in herbs and want to become more empowered in taking care of yourself, but are unsure where to start, this webinar is about that.

Introducing this topic stems from my background of navigating the conventional system, and that of exploring herbal medicine, nutrition and other approaches to health. I believe understanding your body and mind on a deeper level by using plants can help to build personal resilience and empowerment. I also think it’s important to demystify health, and that a greater level of anatomy, physiology and pathology should be taught in schools, so the class touches on this framework.

This short educational session will help you understand more about plants for general wellness. I will share some simple and safe ways to start working with herbs at home, including helpful books and resources. It will also explore how herbal medicine is used in clinical practice to treat health conditions. And there will be time for me to answer your questions.

As always, if you have an ongoing problem or complex medical condition then it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional – whether that’s your GP, a herbalist, or another trusted trained practitioner.

Any questions? Drop me a line on messenger or by email.

The class will be held online by Zoom. Book your free place by emailing flowerandroot@gmail.com

If you are curious about a herbal medicine consultation and whether it is a good fit for you, book a 15 minute call to learn more here https://calendly.com/flowerandroot

I will share more about in-person events for 2026 soon. If you want to stay in the loop follow my page or join my newsletter via the website https://flowerandroot.co.uk/

22/11/2025

🌿 Herbal treatment for colds and flu 🤧

Herbs can be helpful for managing symptoms of the cold and flu virus and may help reduce the duration and severity of illness.

Typical symptoms include fever and chills, a congested or runny nose, a sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, mucous on the chest and inflamed lungs (bronchitis). There can sometimes be subsequent infection as opportunistic bacteria proliferates in the throat, lungs or ears.

As well as helping with acute infection, herbs and nutrition can help to support our underlying terrain and immune cells, helping to prevent recurring infection.

Two commonly used herbs in cold and flu preparations are culinary thyme (Thymus vulgaris), easily grown in the garden, and elderberry (Sambucus nigra), often found in woodlands and hedgerows ripening to a purple-black colour in autumn.

Thyme is pungent and fragrant, related to its high content of essential oils which are also highly antimicrobial. These essential oils, in particular thymol, have been found to be highly antimicrobial against the types of bacterial strains found in respiratory infection and inflammation (1). The herb can help open airways and clear congestion, easing shortness of breath – a fresh thyme tea can be a home remedy to try if you feel those first creeping signs of infection.

Our native elderberry has been studied in treatment of respiratory symptoms related to cold and flu. Patients who took the berry during infection had substantially reduced symptoms compared to the control group who didn’t take the berry (2).

In terms of prevention we have several plants which can act to support our underlying immunity in different ways. Echinacea (Echinacea angustofolia or Echinacea purpurea) is well known and studies have found it to increase white blood cells and strengthen their action, which can result in better immune response (3). The plant is native to north America and was used originally in indigenous medicine for severe infection. It is endangered in the wild so I use a sustainable cultivated source.

I like to combine several herbs together depending on what is being experienced to reduce individual symptoms and work on building underlying defences. Some are best for short term and some for longer term, so this should be considered.

If you’d like herbal help with lingering cold and flu symptoms or to support and strengthen your defences over winter, then drop me a message on here or book a conversation through the link below.
https://calendly.com/flowerandroot

References:
Image: Köhler's Medicinal Plants (1887)
1. https://doi.org/10.15421/011936
2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004
3. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1733

14/11/2025

How I came to herbal medicine and what herbs can treat.

Over the coming weeks I will be sharing more on what herbal medicine treats. But first I thought I’d start with how I came to herbal medicine myself, as like many people I came from a place of being unwell and using herbs to help my health.

I went through a phase of repeated problems which I struggled to manage, where medications didn’t seem to work and had negative side effects. Repeated courses of antibiotics, antihistamines for allergic reactions, steroid creams for skin eruptions, plus other medication.

I began to realise the conventional route wasn’t working for me when it came to these things, nor did it provide the deeper understanding I was looking for. A turning point came after using an immune suppressant cream prescribed for severe chronic eczema. I caught a virus a few days later - and had the worst viral infection and inflammatory reaction I’d ever experienced. Recovery took months if not years.

I felt there had to be another way to approach things and wanted to get to the bottom of it. I began a lot of reading and research and saw a nutritionist and naturopath. I started to improve my diet, drink some herbal teas and forage for local plants like wild garlic and nettle. I eventually visited a herbalist and their approach really resonated with me. They were centred on understanding my story, symptoms and bigger picture in a way that was not overly formulaic or checking off a tick list. They didn’t put me on a standard protocol. They gave me an information sheet about my condition which summarised much of what I’d been looking into for many years, but couldn’t quite get to the crux of. I finally felt like I had clarity about what was going on and had a way forward to support my symptoms with herbs which were safe and gentle, without detrimental side effects.

These experiences led me to formal training in herbal medicine with Betonica, followed by The Plant Medicine School. I completed over 500 hours within their busy student clinics, observing and seeing patients. Whilst training I underwent surgery which went badly wrong, and again I came to herbs to aid my recovery, though this is another story!

After qualifying I founded Flower & Root with the aim of offering a complimentary approach and to raise awareness of holistic approaches to healthcare. All based on what I wished I had access to at the start of my journey.

I’m now a member of the Irish Register of Herbalists a professional body for qualified herbalists. I abide by their code of conduct which ensures high standards of ethics and practice for clients, and continuing professional development.

So what does herbal medicine treat? Well many non-urgent health concerns that you might take to a primary healthcare provider can also be supported by herbal medicine and nutrition. I aim to help people with a variety of health conditions to feel better, including:

🌿 Digestive problems like reflux, bloating, indigestion and IBS
🌿 Low mood or anxiety
🌿 Memory, focus and concentration problems
🌿 Fatigue, low energy and stress resilience
🌿 Insomnia
🌿 Heart palpitations or high blood pressure
🌿 Infections such as cold, flu, cough
🌿 Recuperation from illness or recurring infection
🌿 Hay fever and allergies
🌿 Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
🌿 Hormonal and reproductive health
🌿 Joint pain including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
🌿 Muscular pain, tension, injury and wounds
🌿 Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
🌿 Swellings or cysts

If you’re experiencing an health concern I can offer a free discovery chat to explore how I can help. Just drop me a message on here.

15/10/2025

Kitchen Immunity - Fire Cider recipe

I recently made some fire cider, a tonic which can help support immunity and resilience to infection in winter.

This recipe uses low cost culinary herbs and things you may have in your fridge. Often fresh horseradish is added but I couldn’t get my hands on this quickly. Like food and cooking, everyone will have their own recipe or way of concocting to their tastes so don’t be shy about making your own!

Here is a brief overview on the herbs:

🌿 Rosemary - antibacterial and antioxidant, it’s noted traditionally as a cognitive enhancer, its frequent use has been associated with longevity and protection
🌶 Chilli - warms, opens the circulation and can help to clear nasal congestion
🫚 Ginger - sweet and warming, also helpful in nausea and gently relaxes achey muscles
🫚 Turmeric - a well known anti-inflammatory which can enhance digestion and relive joint pain
🧅 Red onion - antibacterial, traditionally onion was infused in honey for cold and coughs
🧄 Garlic - antibacterial, opens the lungs, has a long standing reputation for fending off pathogens
🍊 Orange - sweet, aromatically uplifting and contains vitamin C

Fire Cider Recipe

• Organic raw apple cider vinegar 750ml (I used Biona from Stirling Health Food Store)
• 20g rosemary
• 5-6 small red chilli peppers
• 100g fresh ginger root
• 100g fresh turmeric root
• 1 red onion (white can also be used)
• 6-8 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 large orange

A 1 litre airtight Kilner style jar is needed for extraction

1. Wash ingredients, peel ginger and garlic, and scrub outside of turmeric to remove tougher skin.
2. Chop herbs finely, except for the orange. To minimise staining the turmeric can be cut in rounds.
3. Cut the orange in half and slice into quarters.
4. Put all your prepared herbs into your jar and mix.
5. Pour over apple cider vinegar to the brim. Herbs should be covered and submerged. Mix well and close. Infuse herbs for one month and shake daily. Watch for signs of spoilage.
6. Strain through a fine sieve or muslin then bottle the reserved liquid.
7. Store in the fridge, use within 3-months. Watch for any spoilage, for example change in smell or texture.
Dose: 1 teaspoon daily as a tonic (can be taken with a little water) to support immunity or in recuperation after illness. It can be mixed with olive oil and other seasonings to make a dressing for salads or cooked veggies.

10/10/2025

It’s been lovely meeting some of you lately ☺️ It’s encouraging to hear interest in herbal medicine and new ways of supporting health.

I’ve also had some questions about how things work and so wanted to share more about this - the approach is based on concepts of personalisation and balance. You can read more about it below.

I’m also in practice this afternoon and tomorrow so do drop-in if you would like to learn more or say hello. I’ll be making up some fire cider, a kitchen remedy and winter tonic
🌶🫚🧄🧅🍊🌿

🌼 Friday 10 October 2-5.30
🌼 Saturday 11 October 10-3

All welcome!

9 October 2025 It’s been lovely meeting some of you lately. It’s encouraging to hear interest in herbal medicine and new ways of supporting health. I’ve also had some questions about how things work and so wanted to share more about this. My approach is based on the concepts of personalisation...

02/10/2025

🍂 🍒 Autumn hawthorn and cinnamon syrup recipe 🍯

There are glossy red hawthorns berries brightening the hedgerows in Clackmannanshire this autumn. Hawthorn is a member of the rose family and one of my favourite remedies for the heart.

Traditionally hawthorn has been used as a heart tonic, increasing blood flow to the heart and its arteries. Many also find it has a calming, steadying effect. Modern clinical research suggests taking hawthorn extract as an adjunct treatment can support those with heart failure, helping symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue, with few side effects. It’s a nice example of how combining herbs and orthodox treatments can provide improved outcomes.

In this recipe I combined hawthorn berries with warming cinnamon. Cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar, and so also balances the sweetness here.

Hawthorn and cinnamon syrup
• 100g dried organic hawthorn berries (Crataegus monogyna)
• 10g true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
• 1 Litre water
1. Combine herbs and water in a saucepan. Soak for 2-3hours if possible.
2. Simmer gently, reducing by half. Mash berries now and then.
3. Once reduced strain through a fine sieve, pressing out the berries.
4. Measure liquid and return to pan.
5. Add sugar at a 2:1 ratio (sugar:liquid). Warm until dissolved. This ratio allows for unrefrigerated preservation and a thicker consistency.
6. Simmer gently for a few minutes with the lid on.
7. Cool, pour into sterilised bottles, cap.
Dose: 1 tsp per day as a tonic, ideally before food (avoid if issues with blood sugar regulation).
Shelf life: about 3 months in a cool, dark place but check for spoilage if opening often.

27/09/2025

👋 Hello from Flower & Root!
I’m here in the practice today for a drop in session, if you’d like to say hello, find out more about what I do, or just have a chat, the door’s open and kettle is on.

Alva High Street
10am-3pm

Pop by if you’re passing, everyone welcome 🌱

18/09/2025

🌿 Flower & Root Herbal Medicine is opening in Alva next week!

Hello everyone, I’m looking forward to welcoming you into the practice space, whether for an appointment or a friendly chat.

To book or ask questions message me here on facebook or get in touch by email or phone.

🕑 September and October appointments (booking only)
Book a consultation or short chat to learn more:
Tuesday-Friday: 2.00pm–6.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am–6.00pm

☕ September and October drop-in times (no booking needed)
Pop in, say hello, and find out more:
Fridays: 2.00pm–5.30pm
Saturdays: 10.00am-3.00pm

I’ll be posting updates, future drop-in times, and events here on Facebook. Follow my page to stay in the loop or join the join the newsletter via the website www.flowerandroot.co.uk for direct email updates.

Looking forward to seeing you soon! 💚