Amanda is passionate about herbal medicine and the way it can gently and safely resolve even long standing health problems. She first became interested when her young daughter suffered serious health problems which involved her having to have her body bandaged seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Despite being treated by doctors from four different hospitals, the treatments were ineffective, and there was constant concern about side-effects of the strong drugs prescribed.

As a last resort, Amanda started to look at complementary therapies, including consulting a medical herbalist. Finally her daughter's health started to improve, and it became clear that the herbal remedies had made a lasting difference.

Inspired by this Amanda initially trained as a counsellor and became a trustee of a national charity before going back to university to re-train as a medical herbalist. She now regards practicing as a medical herbalist and using natural medicines to help people to live healthier lives is the best job in the world. Now running a busy practice, seeing patients, dispensing, giving talks, contributing to articles regarding natural health (including The Mail on Sunday and Men's Health magazine), and constantly updating her nutritional and herbal knowledge.

Professional Qualifications

Training includes a BSc (Hons) degree in Herbal Medicine, the majority of which comprises of biomedical sciences e.g. human physiology, differential diagnosis, pharmacology. This means that Amanda has been trained to make a primary medical diagnosis and can assess if a herbal remedy may interact with any prescribed drugs.

Importantly Amanda is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (www.nimh.org.uk), which was established in 1864 and is the main regulatory body for the profession in the UK. All members have undergone rigorous training, follow a programme of Continuing Professional Development, adhere to a strict code of professional ethics and their practice is monitored by the Institute. The Institute is also involved in research and consults with the UK and European Governments.

At the 2010 Institute's annual conference Amanda delivered a lecture on herbal treatment for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders.

Continuing Professional Development

Ongoing study and training is essential for both ‘best practice’ and membership of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. Below are some of the courses Amanda has attended as part of her continuing professional development:

The Bristol Approach to working with People with Cancer

A four day training course at the Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre (formerly the Bristol Cancer Care Centre). Many patients who have recovered from Cancer have described how their elation at the news of their remission has changed to concern as their minds turn to ‘what they can do to reduce the chances of it returning’.

Attending this course was part of Amanda’s research regarding the choices available for cancer treatments and the robustness of the evidence of their effectiveness and safety.

Phytotherapy & Gastroenterology

A specialist course run by Dr A. Hutchinson, Dr A. Walker, Dr S. Berkovitz and Dr M. Wilcox. The objective of attending this course was to further increase the effectiveness of my treatment for people living with Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn‘s disease, Gastritis, Diarrhoea and Constipation.

The Herbal Treatment of Children

Led by Anne McIntryre FNIMH, the author of several books including Herbal Medicine for Children; Western and Ayurvedic Perspective. Information from her books have been featured regularly in the media and serialized on Radio 4’s Woman's Hour.