Medical herbalist & natural health consultations
Finding clear, trustworthy health information can be difficult when there is so much conflicting advice available.
I offer personalised herbal medicine and natural health consultations, drawing on more than 20 years of clinical practice. I take time to listen to your story, consider your signs and symptoms, and develop an individual approach using traditional and evidence-based herbal medicine.
Consultations are available in person in the Baton Valley, near Nelson Tasman, or online.
If you would like to explore whether my approach is right for you, I offer an initial phone call at no charge.
I offer personalised herbal medicine and natural health consultations, drawing on more than 20 years of clinical practice. I take time to listen to your story, consider your signs and symptoms, and develop an individual approach using traditional and evidence-based herbal medicine.
Consultations are available in person in the Baton Valley, near Nelson Tasman, or online.
If you would like to explore whether my approach is right for you, I offer an initial phone call at no charge.
Experience & approach
New patients are welcome. Appointments, or requests for an initial phone call, can be made via an email request.
I gained my Diploma in Clinical Herbal Medicine in 2002 from the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine after three years of full-time study and have been in practice, mostly part-time, since. I also trained in Natural Fertility Management and have worked extensively with reproductive health issues, endocrine and digestive disorders, and fatigue. I'm passionate about plant medicine.
I have always had a strong connection to nature. As a young St John Ambulance cadet I spent weekends assisting in rest homes with caring for elders, and I remember visiting the Weleda medicinal gardens in Havelock North and being enthralled by the scent of lemon balm as we walked through a huge patch of that vibrant herb. I did my last year of high school in Indonesia and at 21 worked on an ethnobotanical research expedition in the Sumatran rainforest witnessing indigenous people who totally depended on the plants for their healthcare. I was in awe of their integration with their natural environment.
Motherhood inspired me to learn more about wellbeing within a natural context – homeopathy, yoga, whole foods and herbs became a part of everyday life. I founded Moontime Aotearoa, an enterprise offering washable menstrual cloths in the early nineties, and have a long involvement in environmental activities.
I have worked as a healthcare assistant at Nelson Hospital in the physiotherapy, emergency, rehab and general medical departments, giving me insight into the mainstream health world, both its benefits and shortcomings.
I now dwell in a rural valley at the base of the mountains of Kahurangi National Park. The valley is home to many of the herbs which I utilise in my practice, and whilst its not yet practical for me to be wild-harvesting all the herbs I need, increasingly I am to offer more locally grown medicinal plants to my clients.
I now offer Gather health & wellness retreats on the property where I live, expanding the scope of my work into the wilderness and tranquillity of the beautiful Baton Valley.
I gained my Diploma in Clinical Herbal Medicine in 2002 from the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine after three years of full-time study and have been in practice, mostly part-time, since. I also trained in Natural Fertility Management and have worked extensively with reproductive health issues, endocrine and digestive disorders, and fatigue. I'm passionate about plant medicine.
I have always had a strong connection to nature. As a young St John Ambulance cadet I spent weekends assisting in rest homes with caring for elders, and I remember visiting the Weleda medicinal gardens in Havelock North and being enthralled by the scent of lemon balm as we walked through a huge patch of that vibrant herb. I did my last year of high school in Indonesia and at 21 worked on an ethnobotanical research expedition in the Sumatran rainforest witnessing indigenous people who totally depended on the plants for their healthcare. I was in awe of their integration with their natural environment.
Motherhood inspired me to learn more about wellbeing within a natural context – homeopathy, yoga, whole foods and herbs became a part of everyday life. I founded Moontime Aotearoa, an enterprise offering washable menstrual cloths in the early nineties, and have a long involvement in environmental activities.
I have worked as a healthcare assistant at Nelson Hospital in the physiotherapy, emergency, rehab and general medical departments, giving me insight into the mainstream health world, both its benefits and shortcomings.
I now dwell in a rural valley at the base of the mountains of Kahurangi National Park. The valley is home to many of the herbs which I utilise in my practice, and whilst its not yet practical for me to be wild-harvesting all the herbs I need, increasingly I am to offer more locally grown medicinal plants to my clients.
I now offer Gather health & wellness retreats on the property where I live, expanding the scope of my work into the wilderness and tranquillity of the beautiful Baton Valley.
What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is a traditional form of healthcare found in cultures throughout the world. It uses plants and plant extracts therapeutically, drawing on both traditional knowledge and an increasing body of modern research.
Herbal medicine takes a whole-person approach, considering health, lifestyle and individual circumstances when selecting herbs. Like other medicines, herbs can have effects, side effects and interactions, which is why professional guidance can be valuable.
Western herbal medicine is distinct from Chinese medicine and homeopathy. It uses plant material and preparations derived from plants, traditionally drawing strongly on European and North American species while increasingly incorporating plants from other regions. Many useful medicinal plants also grow here in Te Tauihu / Top of the South.
Training in medical herbalism includes subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and pharmacology, alongside detailed study of medicinal plants and their therapeutic applications. Clinical training is also an important part of becoming a qualified practitioner.
Herbal medicine takes a whole-person approach, considering health, lifestyle and individual circumstances when selecting herbs. Like other medicines, herbs can have effects, side effects and interactions, which is why professional guidance can be valuable.
Western herbal medicine is distinct from Chinese medicine and homeopathy. It uses plant material and preparations derived from plants, traditionally drawing strongly on European and North American species while increasingly incorporating plants from other regions. Many useful medicinal plants also grow here in Te Tauihu / Top of the South.
Training in medical herbalism includes subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and pharmacology, alongside detailed study of medicinal plants and their therapeutic applications. Clinical training is also an important part of becoming a qualified practitioner.
Book now
In-person consultations in the Baton Valley involve a 25-minute drive from Woodstock Junction on a gravel road, followed by a short walk to the house. Allow around 50 minutes from Motueka or 90 minutes from Nelson.
There are options to combine your consultation with a relaxation massage, private yoga or pranayama session, or a wilderness walk. Please contact me to enquire for further details.
Fees
I want my consultations to remain accessible, so fees are offered on a sliding scale.
For new clients, the suggested fee is $150–$250 for up to 90 minutes. Follow-up consultations are $50–$100 for up to 30 minutes.
Please pay the amount within these ranges that feels right for you. If your financial means are limited, you are welcome to choose a token amount. My aim is to make consultations accessible to everyone.
There are options to combine your consultation with a relaxation massage, private yoga or pranayama session, or a wilderness walk. Please contact me to enquire for further details.
Fees
I want my consultations to remain accessible, so fees are offered on a sliding scale.
For new clients, the suggested fee is $150–$250 for up to 90 minutes. Follow-up consultations are $50–$100 for up to 30 minutes.
Please pay the amount within these ranges that feels right for you. If your financial means are limited, you are welcome to choose a token amount. My aim is to make consultations accessible to everyone.
Ready to make an appointment or have an initial chat?
Send an enquiry and I'll be in touch to arrange a suitable time.
What to expect
I take a whole-person approach, considering your health history, diet and lifestyle, family health patterns and current symptoms to build a comprehensive picture of your wellbeing. Where appropriate, I may carry out a physical examination or suggest that you speak with your GP about further testing.
My recommendations typically include liquid herbal tinctures or herbal tablets, and I may sometimes recommend nutritional supplements. If I believe your needs would be better addressed by your GP or another health professional, I will advise you to seek their care.
Over many years of working in health shops, I've seen how easy it is to spend money on products because a friend recommended them or because they sounded promising online. Professional advice can help you consider three important things:
Diagnosis – do you understand the health issue you're trying to address and whether the product is appropriate?
Quality – is the product well made and likely to provide the ingredients and potency you need?
Dose – are you taking an appropriate amount? There can be an important difference between a maintenance dose and a therapeutic dose.
My approach is individual because every person is different. I won't promise instant results or guaranteed outcomes. What I can promise is my full attention and a commitment to working alongside you to find the most appropriate way forward.
If, after your first consultation, you feel I haven't provided that level of care and service, I will refund your consultation fee.
My recommendations typically include liquid herbal tinctures or herbal tablets, and I may sometimes recommend nutritional supplements. If I believe your needs would be better addressed by your GP or another health professional, I will advise you to seek their care.
Over many years of working in health shops, I've seen how easy it is to spend money on products because a friend recommended them or because they sounded promising online. Professional advice can help you consider three important things:
Diagnosis – do you understand the health issue you're trying to address and whether the product is appropriate?
Quality – is the product well made and likely to provide the ingredients and potency you need?
Dose – are you taking an appropriate amount? There can be an important difference between a maintenance dose and a therapeutic dose.
My approach is individual because every person is different. I won't promise instant results or guaranteed outcomes. What I can promise is my full attention and a commitment to working alongside you to find the most appropriate way forward.
If, after your first consultation, you feel I haven't provided that level of care and service, I will refund your consultation fee.