From Personal Struggles to Practical Solutions: My Journey into Herbal Medicine

Hi, I’m Sandi, a recently qualified medical herbalist who, for most of my young adult life, felt like my body was running on a completely different agenda. If you’ve ever experienced those monthly cramps that leave you doubled over or the way winter seems to wrap your brain in fog, you’ll know exactly what I mean. For me, it wasn’t just one thing—it was everything at once.

As a teenager, my periods were relentless. The pain would leave me curled up, clutching a hot water bottle like it was some kind of life raft. Meanwhile, the colder months brought this crushing sense of gloom that I later learned was seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Between the two, it often felt like my body and my brain were conspiring against me, and I was stuck just trying to get through each day.

Doctors offered solutions, sure, but none of them really addressed what I needed—to feel human again. That’s when I stumbled upon herbal medicine. I can’t tell you the exact moment it clicked, but suddenly there were answers. I learned I could reach to ginger tea for nausea, raspberry leaf to take the edge off the cramps, and St. John’s wort to stop winter from swallowing me whole. The changes weren’t overnight, but they were steady and real. I finally started to feel like myself—no dramatic epiphanies, just a sense of relief I didn’t think was possible.

That’s what brought me to herbalism. It wasn’t just that these plants worked; it was the way they made me feel connected to my own body for the first time. I wanted to understand why they worked and how they could help other people feel that same sense of ease and control. So, I threw myself into years of study, balancing the old traditions of herbalism with modern science, and here I am, ready to share it all with you.

I believe herbal medicine can be a practical, empowering way to manage your health, whether you’re dealing with periods that derail your life, the weight of winter blues, or just trying to feel a little more balanced. My job is to listen, to get to know your unique story, and to figure out how herbs can fit into your life—not the other way around.

Outside of work, I’m probably trying to keep my houseplants alive, walking outside in the cold because it’s good for me (so they say), or losing track of time in a bookshop. Healing, for me, is about patience and progress—no quick fixes, no pressure, just small, meaningful steps.

Let’s figure it out together. I’d love to help.