Bespoke Botanicals

09/03/2026

08/03/2026

And also worth a share for International Women’s Day! (Posted by another inspirational female herbalist)

International women's day 2026.

Wishing all women everywhere equality.

Why do we still need IWD in 2026?

Lets Just look at some of the thing my women patients have said to me in the 2 months 8 days of 2026.

*The doctor said no to a sterilisation because I might meet a man who wants to have children with me*

Lets deconstruct that: she's 30. Old enough to make up her mind. But worse than that A MAN SHE HASNT MET YET has rights over her medical decisions and autonomy.

*The doctor wont test my hormones, he says i'm over 40 so I must be menopausal*

I suggested she ask the same doctor for fertility testing because her husband wants a baby. He said yes right away. So wanting to know about her body was les important than a man's disappointment about progeny (her partner is a darling. Theres nothing like that going on just to be clear.)

* My periods are all over the place but the doctor tells me he tested my hormones 5 years ago so he wont test them again because we know whats going on *

Again I suggested she tell her GP she'd been trying to conceive forva couple of years and it wasnt happening. No problem getting all the tests plus an ultrasound. Surprise surprise, polycystic ovaries.

But why did getting pregnant open the door when pain and irregular menstruation didnt.

* I'm fairly sure its menopause. I've no energy, cant sleep, i'm struggling to concentrate. I've tried standard HRT but GP wont prescribe testosterone *

I suggested she tell the GP her husband was upset because her libido was absent. Et voila! Prescription for testosterone.

What all of these situations have on common is institutional s*xism. Once a man, who isnt even in the room, is inconvenienced by a woman's discomfort, distress or ill health, the testing a woman needs suddenly becomes available.

These are all educated, intelligent, professional women capable of advocating for themselves.

How much worse must it be for women who dont have advocacy experience or the option to seek private support?

Lack of equality shows up in so many ways. Inequality is far worse when you add Blackness or non traditional gender identity into the mix.

If these sound familiar or you or a woman you love or care for is experiencing this kind of discrimination encourage her to ask her care provider

" do you realise you just told me a man i dont know yet has rights over my body "

" do you realise you refused to do this till I told you a man was inconvenienced "

" do you realise you told me my comfort, concentration and sleep were less important than my husband's s*x drive "

Womens day is still relevant. SO relevant.

And, for the trolls out there. Its 19th November-International Men's Day

08/03/2026

Seems an appropriate post for International Women’s Day. Women tend to dominate the herbalist profession (though, if I asked you to name a famous herbalist I’m still going to hazard guess you’ll name a male one 🤯)

https://herbsociety.org.uk/2024/03/07/celebrating-women-herbalists-on-international-womens-day/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQanHZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEegaTVfgqxoqC8y3EHnaJ02ChgPdCHlSraWD085eL24A1oFA0VuyMW2ml_F6s_aem_m8H0obwbCXMGF_FqybmNBQ

Celebrating Women Herbalists on International Women’s Day Laura Pardoe| March 7, 2024 | Figures of the Herb World, Herbalism International Women’s Day seems an appropriate time to acknowledge and bring thanks and attention to the many women herbalists who have kept the tradition of Western Herba...

28/02/2026

The answer to this week's Herbal Trivia question is Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria). "Even though this anti-inflammatory herb contains aspirin-like compounds, unlike aspirin (which irritates the gastric mucosa) is used for gastric irritation with hyperacidity."

Meadowsweet is very effective for treating gastric irritation with hyperacidity, heartburn, and esophageal reflux (GERD) when combined with Licorice, Marshmallow, Chamomile, and Lemon Balm.

Meadowsweet is used as a mild herbal aspirin substitute for arthritic pain, bursitis, sprains, sciatica, headaches, back pain, and fevers.

It is an astringent and antibacterial, making it useful for diarrhea, especially in children, use it with Chamomile, Ginger, Strawberry leaf, and Cinnamon.

Herbs containing methyl-salicylate also act as antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics to the urinary tract.

Although Meadowsweet contains aspirin-like compounds, it only mildly thins the blood. It does not cause gastric irritation or Reyes syndrome. Use cautiously with blood thinning medications.

The flowers and young leaves have a definite methyl-salicylate odor when crushed. They were used as strewing herbs in houses and churches in England to freshen the air and “make the heart merry”.

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.

24/02/2026

16/02/2026

Hay fever already? Yes, because hazel, cypress, alder and poplar trees are begining to flower in Cornwall. So if your hayfever is triggered by those pollens, you will begin to notice the itchy, sneezy symptoms, watery eyes and general feeling of irritation. As herbalists we treat hayfever with a comprehensive plan; working to improve the immune system by modulating its response; strengthening the nasal and sinus mucus membranes - their role is to act as a barrier to irritants; working on gut health, because most of the body's immune cells reside there and gut health is fundamental to good immunity. Hydration is important too because plump, well hydrated mucus membranes can resist pollen better than dry ones. Ideally, treatment should start before the pollen is released, but sooner is better than later.

15/02/2026

https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2024/10/16/the-ginkgo-myth/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=email+blog&utm_campaign=2024-10-17+ginkgo+myth

Ginkgo is famous for its ability to boost your memory, focus, and concentration . . . but if that’s true, why didn’t I feel any of these results when taking some Ginkgo tincture? The truth is, there’s a big misunderstanding about Ginkgo and the way it works. Understanding the Ginkgo myth makes...

14/02/2026

A great explanation and exactly how I work. Whilst my prescriptions are bespoke to the individual and grounded in science I know lots of my patients refer to it as ‘their magic potion’, ‘gloop’ or (in one case) her ‘Go-Go juice’!

“Potion, Pond Water & Nutty Juice”

What My Patients Call Their Bespoke Herbal Tinctures
(And Why That’s Perfectly OK)
One of the unexpected joys of clinical practice is discovering what my patients lovingly (and sometimes dramatically!) rename their herbal mixtures.
Over the years I’ve heard them all:

“Potion” – usually said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
“Pond water” – honest, if not exactly flattering.
And my personal favourite: “Nutty juice.”
The “Nutty juice” in question belonged to a wonderful peri-menopause patient who insisted that while it may not taste like a tropical smoothie, it stopped her from becoming “nutts.” And really, when you put it like that… job done.
Let’s be real for a moment. Herbal medicine does not taste amazing. It’s not meant to.

It’s medicine.

What Is a Tincture — Scientifically Speaking?
Scientifically, a tincture is:
An alcoholic or hydroalcoholic extract of plant material, prepared by macerating fresh or dried herbs in ethanol to extract and preserve their active constituents.
In simpler terms:
The plant is soaked in alcohol (sometimes with water).
The alcohol extracts the plant’s medicinal compounds.
The liquid is strained.
What remains is a concentrated herbal extract — your bespoke remedy.
Alcohol isn’t there for drama. It acts as:
A solvent (pulling out active constituents),
A preservative (extending shelf life),
And a delivery system (helping absorption).
That distinctive strong taste? That’s the plant chemistry doing its work.
Why It Doesn’t Taste “Nice”
Many medicinal plants are naturally:
Bitter (like gentian or dandelion)
Aromatic
Earthy
Resinous
Bitterness in particular is often therapeutic. Bitter compounds stimulate digestion, liver function, and metabolic processes. So when someone tells me their mixture tastes “intense,” I often smile quietly — because I know those bitter receptors are doing exactly what they are designed to do.
Herbal medicine isn’t a sweet. It’s not a cordial.
It’s functional.

Bespoke Means Truly Individual
When I formulate a tincture, it is never “off the shelf.”
It is:

Designed specifically for that patient
Based on their constitution
Tailored to their symptoms
Adjusted for their stage of life
Two peri-menopause patients may both have hot flushes — but one may also have anxiety, another joint stiffness, another sleep disturbance. Their remedies will reflect that.
Your tincture is yours alone.

That’s why it earns a nickname. It’s personal.

Why Your Mixture May Change
Here’s something important: your tincture today may not be your tincture in three months.
Symptoms evolve.
Stress changes.
Hormones shift.
Digestion improves.
Sleep stabilises.

As the body moves, the prescription moves with it.

Herbal medicine is dynamic. It follows the person, not the diagnosis.

The Real Aim: Not to Need It Forever
This surprises people sometimes.
The goal of herbal medicine is not lifelong dependency on a bottle of drops.

The aim is:
To address underlying imbalance
To support the body’s natural regulation
To identify and work with root causes
To restore resilience
In an ideal scenario, the daily tincture becomes:
Less frequent
Lower in dose
Or no longer needed
Because the body is functioning well without it.
That’s success.
So Call It What You Like!
Potion.
Pond water.
Nutty juice.
If it helps you take it consistently and with a sense of humour, I am entirely on board.

Because behind that slightly sharp, earthy taste is a carefully considered, scientifically grounded, individually formulated herbal extract designed for one purpose:

To help your body do what it was always designed to do — heal.

And if it prevents you from going “nutts” in the process, even better.
www.buddsherbalmedicine.com

13/02/2026

This is worth a watch. I’ve now spent around 18 months managing/ battling frozen shoulder. I find it REALLY frustrating when my body lets me down even if I’m doing all the right things. It’s part of the reason ‘I get it’ if patients have the same frustration. There are tips here. I’ve personally found regular (as in, every damn day) mobilisation exercises, gentle stretches, pushing to my limits stretches (whilst swearing at my shoulder “you will get better”) * disclaimer not sure this one should be recommended * and strength training (pushing myself when I can, not pushing myself if it hurts) have been my way through it. There are herbs that can help, and it’s definitely worth getting advice from a physio https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTxJpiciDcR/?igsh=cWN1cmdkYTY4dDJ3

11/02/2026

I’m someone who likes to understand how things work. I’m curious why things work, and question why we do things a certain way.

Perhaps it’s because whilst I was good at maths growing up, I had it absolutely drilled into me I had to show my ‘working out’, rather than just writing the answer.

Perhaps it’s because when I started studying science I became fascinated by patterns and predictability (and unpredictability!) and the buzz of exploring and asking “But, what if...?”

It probably explains why I’ve spent most of my working life self- employed 🙄

It is also what makes me a good herbalist.

If you approach herbal medicine by simply asking “what herb is good for a certain health condition?” you will rarely get good results. A cough that is cold, damp and phlegmy needs entirely different herbs to one that is hot, dry and unproductive; a tension headache needs different herbs to a headache driven my exhaustion, fever, hormones or high blood pressure. A herbal supplement that work wonders for your friend’s menopause symptoms may do nothing for yours.

Herbal medicine is an effective treatment when it addresses underlying causes. Yes there are great herbal painkillers, anti-inflammatorys, stimulants, sedatives BUT that is missing the point! Herbal medicine isn’t meant to be used in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs, matching symptoms to substance, one for one. Take this for that. Effective treatment happens when we understand what is causing the symptoms, what are the specific drivers and characteristics, what underlying pattern is going on under the surface, what is this persons individual constitution?

The allopathic approach (which some people mistakenly try to follow with herbal treatment) treats the body as if its passive, broken, requiring external intervention to force it back to function. If you have inflammation you need to suppress inflammation; if you have an infection you need to kill the pathogens; if you have pain you need to block pain signals. The body is the problem – the medicine is the solution.

A Herbalists approach is to consider the ‘workings out’ of the solution, and recognises our bodies want to maintain equilibrium; your fever isn’t an enemy it’s your immune system working; your inflammation isn’t a malfunction, it’s a response to irritation. Your symptoms are your body’s response to underlying problems and effective herbal treatment supports the bodies attempt to restore balance, rather than suppressing its adaptive responses. A medical herbalists approach is to remove obstacles to getting better (which also includes ensuring the 4 fundamental pillars of health are in place– good nutrition, regular physical activity, enough good quality sleep, adequate mental and emotional support) alongside herbs to support the body, rather than treating your body as something broken that needs a magic pill to fix it.

It’s my mission this year to help share this message. Herbal Medicine can transform so many health problems, I’ve witnessed it personally and professionally over many years. It’s frustrating when I hear “I tried herbal medicine and it didn’t work for me” from someone who means they (probably) tried an off the shelf remedy that their friend recommended, which wasn’t the most appropriate treatment for them as an individual. Or those who have spent a fortune on private tests, before being recommended more expensive herbal supplements packed with the latest herbal heros of the moment that actually weren’t appropriate for their individual needs.

When someone asks me what herb would I recommend for their *insert condition* I don’t hesitate to answer because I’m gate-keeping the magic cure that I’ll only reveal once you pay me, I don’t hesitate because I don’t have a number of options that are possibilities, I hesitate because I’ll only genuinely be able to tell you that after asking a lot of questions to understand exactly what is going on for you as an individual. This is why I always offer a free (no obligation) call before booking anyone in for a consultation. It gives time for you to ask me any questions you may have and to gain an understanding of the support I offer, it also gives me chance to find out a little more about what is going on for you in order to assess whether I think I can offer you the most appropriate treatment or if I should refer you to someone else.

If you want to book in a chat send me an email to info@bespokebotanicals.co.uk

or text 07801 071641 and we can get a time booked in that works for you