Lyn Blythe Medical Herbalist

18/12/2025

Medicinal mushrooms: Cordyceps and Coriolus (turkey tail)

There's a rollercoaster of emotions going on at present as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have classified Cordyceps and Coriolus as "novel foods", meaning companies can no longer sell these over the counter or via online shops to the public in the UK. This has obviously caused great upset to people who feel their health benefits from taking these mushrooms.

They have been classed as novel foods because they have not been consumed as food supplements in the UK or EU to a significant degree before 15th May 1997. However, they have been consumed in Asia for millennia. For this reason it is likely companies will be able to fast track an application for a novel food licence (as a Traditional Food). Until that time (assuming the applications are successful) it remains the case that companies cannot sell Cordyceps or Coriolus products in the UK.

Medical herbalists though are unaffected by this change as we prescribe according to medicine law, not food law. Consequently, we are still able to access, prescribe and dispense these mushrooms in the usual way, following a consultation.

28/11/2025

Alzheimer's disease and cognitive function.

Sage definition: "Profoundly wise".

Ongoing research suggests that sage (Salvia officinalis) enhances neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease and cognitive function via a variety of mechanisms.

Similar to the medication donepezil, constituents in sage (such as rosmarinic acid) are able to increase the transmitter substance acetylcholine at nerve synapses by inhibiting the enzyme beta-secretase 1 (BACE1).

Inhibition of this enzyme also reduces synthesis of amyloid-beta plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease.

Furthermore, various constituents in sage reduce oxidative damage in neurons by up-regulating antioxidant genes.

This supports one of the many age-old traditional uses of sage. As far back as 1826, Culpeper described sage as ".... of excellent use to help the memory, warming and quickening the senses".

Herbalists rarely give single herbs, however. Instead, we follow the traditional practice of combining appropriate herbs, tailored to the individual; not all herbs are effective, or indeed safe, for all people. In addition, frequently herbs must be combined in a way which will not affect orthodox medications already being taken. It is this combining of relevant herbs which increases efficacy in that individual, for example, by one herb facilitating the sufficient absorption of another.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625001859

17/11/2025

I couldn't have put this better!

Medical herbalists have trained for years (usually 4-6) in orthodox medicines as well as herbs, know our limits and would not make false claims. We use scientific journals to inform our studies as well as traditional knowledge. Herbs can work amazingly well if you know what you are doing and have realistic expectations. Qualified medical herbalists do a full consultation, have the right to formally diagnose and are being found in increasingly more NHS health settings. There are many healthcare gaps we can plug such as gynaecology, where herbs truly excel when used correctly. We may not be able to cure all, but we can make your quality of life much better. I trained while having ME/CFS myself, I can't cure it, but I can help myself manage my symptoms a lot better than using prescribed (to me) medications which caused lots of side effects. BUT If needed I'll still use them aswell. It's not an either/or situation. A directory of medical herbalists can be found here www.nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist and here: https://www.urhp.com/find_herbalist.php

11/08/2025

Simon Mills, respected herbalist and member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, speaks to Steven Bartlett about the many benefits of herbal medicine.

Here's an excerpt:

Is the root of every illness your gut? Could 5 simple herbs replace your medicine cabinet? Natural remedy expert Simon Mills reveals the herbal medicines that doctors overlook, and the herbs, spices, and daily habits to use instead!

Simon Mills is one of the most respected herbal practitioners of our time, with nearly 5 decades of clinical experience treating patients. He created the term ‘complementary medicine’ in the 1970s, has served as a special advisor to the UK House of Lords, and currently works as an Advisor and Author at Herbal Reality.

He explains:
▪️ How antibiotic resistance could kill millions and what natural remedies can do instead
▪️ The #1 hidden cause of chronic illness (that no one’s talking about)
▪️ How a common kitchen spice could kill 99% of cold viruses
▪️ The 8 plants that are threatening Big Pharma’s bottom line
▪️ The ancient medicinal plants we’ve been lied to about, and how to use them

Find the conversation here (from The Diary of a CEO, by Steven Bartlett, of Dragon's Den):

Is the root of every illness your gut? Could 5 simple herbs replace your medicine cabinet? Natural remedy expert Simon Mills reveals the herbal medicines tha...

31/07/2025

🌿 Wayside Herb of the Month: Rosebay Willowherb - Chamaenerion angustifolium 🌿

Also commonly known as fireweed, due to its propensity to reclaim scorched earth, where it often aids the regeneration process of scorched land. After World War II, it was one of the first plants to bloom among the ruins in blitzed areas of London, earning it the name Bombweed, too. It has been used worldwide as a medicinal herb for centuries before this however, with the fermented version Ivan Chai/Koporye tea documented as far back as the 13thC in Russia.

Still usually brewed into a soothing tea for relief from everyday ailments like headaches, infections, flu and even delirium tremens during severe alcohol withdrawal, Rosebay willowherb extracts have also shown effectiveness in easing various digestive issues, including ulcers, gastritis and colitis, whilst being gentle enough in it's action for children in appropriate doses. The astringent and antimicrobial effects have also been used topically applied to help with burns, rashes, and skin infections.

To read the full blog written by Jenny Carden-Porrett, visit our website: https://buff.ly/7vN7MsH

Note: When taking herbs, we recommend seeking the advice of a qualified medical herbalist.

23/07/2025

Here's an interesting study (published in May, 2025) trialling rosemary and monitoring its effect on high blood pressure.

The study lasted 45 days and resulted in a significant drop in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), and with no adverse effects, supporting both safety and efficacy of rosemary infusion.

There are many herbs which have a long history of use for hypertension. This allows herbalists to tailor a specific combination of herbs to each individual. Such an approach often allows several health issues to be addressed at the same time.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031325000569

13/03/2025

David Winston is a very experienced herbalist in the US, so this is worth reading.

I use agrimony a lot in my practice, not least as it’s one of our native herbs, here in the UK.

As herbalists, we rarely use herbs singly though, but instead combine them with other herbs to make a balanced “prescription”, tailored to the individual; it would be very rare for two people with the same condition to be given the same combination of herbs 🌿

Facebook Herb Walk

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is native to Europe, North America and Asia. It grows in waste places and in dry thickets in partial shade. It should be gathered when it is starting to flower, June through July. The part used is the leaf and herb.

Agrimony shows specidic activity for the urinary tract, especially the bladder, urethra and ureters. It is used for inflammation, irritation and burning/scalding urine associated with cystitis, urethritis, and interstitial cystitis. I use it with schisandra for bedwetting due to urinary irritation in children, as well as for treating urinary frequency in adults. It is also soothing to inflamed bile ducts, is a mild liver tonic and has significant antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity.

The herb can be used to make a yellow dye.

This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, and not be a substitute for professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional. Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova own work.

12/12/2023

For many of us, it's an incredibly busy time of year! 😯

With the in full swing, shorter days and fluctuating temperatures, it's important to focus on our 🩺

Over the next few days, we'll be highlighting some wonderful , often used during the months.

First up, there's Echinacea! 🌸

A very attractive garden , can help to boost the immune system and provide support with sore throats and the common cold. There is even evidence to suggest that Indigenous American people used echinacea more than 400 years ago to help treat infections and wounds!

Then there's garlic! 🧄

A familiar kitchen staple, has long been associated with protection. This perennial bulb is an anti-viral herb and allicin (an amino acid) is released when fresh garlic is crushed. This warming herb may help to lower blood pressure and prevent the common cold!



IMPORTANT: Always seek professional advice and consult a medical herbalist for a full consultation if you'd like to use herbs to help manage your health/a medical condition. To find out more and locate your nearest herbalist, head to our website (https://buff.ly/3EuY8bj) 🌿

26/09/2022

Children have always struggled with focus and concentration. My dad said that when he was a kid, the teacher would have his classmates that seemed to have a hard time paying attention do things like sharpen pencils and clean the blackboards to keep them moving. What a great idea! But what about an herbal approach to addressing this issue? I’m a fan of bacopa. Revered for its ability to boost cognition, bacopa has been shown to improve hyperactivity and inattention in children. Although it merits more research, existing data on bacopa show it to be very safe for use in kids. Considering the fact that we have thousands of two-year-olds (yes, two-year-olds) being prescribed strong psychostimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, I think it makes a lot of sense to try bacopa before anything else. If you use it for 8 to 12 weeks and it doesn't work as well then you can always go onto something else, but why not try something less intense, with fewer side effects, first?

Source:
Kean JD, Downey LA, Stough C. A systematic review of the Ayurvedic medicinal herb Bacopa monnieri in child and adolescent populations. Complement Ther Med. 2016 Dec;29:56-62.

09/07/2022

Agrimony is thriving at the moment, in meadows and grassy verges.

It’s a member of the rose family, so is rich in tannins. This has led to its history of use as a “digestive tonic”, particularly suitable if someone has a tendency to diarrhoea.

Other uses are many and varied, including for sore throats and gums, for wound healing, and for some urinary tract problems.

You can read more here:

https://www.lynblythe.com/blog/

03/07/2022

This is great advice!

There are still some elderflowers in Wiltshire, but get out there quickly as we’re coming to the end of their season in our area.