Lyn Blythe Medical Herbalist

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.