Oswestry Herbarium

Simply put, Herbal medicine uses healing plant extracts to create supplements to complement health.  

Plants produce their own natural chemicals to defend themselves against infection.  These same natural antimicrobial products will generally work for humans as well, making plant-based medicine a good natural choice.   

Herbs and plants have subtle and complex qualities that mean a medical herbalist will match the right remedy to the right patient.  

Medical herbalists are trained to look beyond signs and symptoms to  the body as a whole in order to see what may be causing conditions to occur.  Bespoke combinations of complementary medicine are then prescribed.  

Sometimes a herbalist will notice that a change in diet or lifestyle needs to be made for the best possible results.  Herbal treatment advice is always highly individual as it’s important to get a clear picture of each patient as a whole.

How herbs came into my life.

I always knew I wanted to work with complementary medicine and specifically be a herbalist.  As a little girl, I was fascinated by the fact that plants could be made into medicines. I knew it was what I wanted to do.  

This fascination with herbs led me to study Herbal Medicine at the School of Herbal Medicine in 1989 and then I went on to become a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in 1993.  

I worked for another herbalist for a few years, gaining experience, and then I set up my own practice in 1994.  Later I took over Oswestry Herbarium in 2004 where I have practiced herbal medicine ever since.  

I love the practitioner side of being a medical herbalist.  To help people individually is incredibly rewarding to me, and I have gained so much experience over the last 30 years.  

I also very much enjoy giving over-the-counter advice, it is an opportunity to help people and get to know their individual story.  

If I’m your local herbalist and you’re interested in using herbal medicine, discovering what it can give back to your mind and body, please come into Oswestry Herbarium and ask for my advice.  

I offer private consultations where we can really get to the bottom of your worries and look at all aspects of life that might be affecting you. 

Consultations provide time and space to tell your story. 

We now have two Herbalists.

Louise Idoux

I will use my 30 years’ of, knowledge, intuition, and experience in herbal medicine to create a personal herbal, dietary and lifestyle plan, bespoke to you. This is based on the information the patient provides.

What to expect at a consultation Consultations take place at Oswestry Herbarium in a private consulting room.  My aim is to make you feel relaxed and welcome.

I will carefully review your medical history, considering everything – including your family medical history and importantly, we will discuss your habits, diet and lifestyle, looking at how you arrived at this point.   

Using this detailed information, I will draw up a tailored herbal and dietary plan individualised for you.  I then blend herbs to suit your exact requirements.  No two people’s needs are the same.    

Your personal treatment plan will include herbal remedies and, where appropriate, changes to diet, lifestyle and the addition of supplements.

Most herbal medicine is given in the form of a liquid tincture, herbal tea, tablets, capsules, cream, ointment, inhalation or lotion.  

It’s usually necessary to book a follow-up appointment to see how you are progressing.  This will be completely dependent on the nature of your condition and will vary between each individual.  

It’s really important to remember that herbal remedies are gentle and therefore can take longer to work than conventional drugs.  But rest assured that their effects are long-lasting and side effects are very minimal.    

I’m also happy to have short, informal chats over the phone to look at your needs and decide if herbal medicine is suitable for you.   

Consultation Times and Fees

Private consultations need to be booked in advance by calling; 

Oswestry Herbarium on 01691 656934.

Consultations take place on a Thursday between 8.15 am – 4.30 pm.  An initial appointment is 60 minutes and a follow-up is 30 minutes.  If Thursday is not possible some Saturday appointments can be made, however, these are limited and there is a higher charge.  

Fees 

• Thursday Initial Appointment – £75 
• Thursday Follow up Appointment – £45
• These prices do not include the cost of your herbs or remedies.

I will dispense your herbal medicine after your consultation.

Helen Whitworth

The Herbarium would like to welcome a new Herbalist to the team – Helen
Whitworth.

Helen is a medical doctor who also recently qualified as an Herbalist, gaining a Diploma in Herbal Medicine with Heartwood Education in 2024. She originally studied Medicine at the Royal Free Hospital in London (1991) then worked as a GP for many years in and around Shrewsbury.

Although loving her work with patients, Helen felt the herbs call to her and is thrilled to now be able to treat medical conditions in a more natural and holistic manner. Helen is particularly interested in treating menopause and complex medical conditions. In her spare time, she loves gardening, photography, reading modern literature and painting landscapes (badly!).

At Oswestry Herbarium we have a treatment room where we can offer additional treatments.

These include: 

• Osteopathy by Claire Arnold
• Allergy Testing by Val Hurren

CLAIRE ARNOLD – OSTEOPATH AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Registered Osteopath and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner based in Oswestry, Shropshire
Find out more about Claire

Allergy Testing 

Allergy testing with Val Hurren.  To book phone – 01691 656934

If you have questions about the test; 07790 391675

This is a simple test to show intolerance to foods that you could be sensitive to.

It includes a vitamin and mineral check to see if you are lacking in any of the vitamins and minerals important for you to maintain good health.

This test is particularly successful if you suffer from:

• IBS
• Skin problems
• Migraine/headaches
• Digestive problems
• Weight gain
• Arthritis
• Bloating
• Just feeling under par

The test takes around 45-60 minutes.  You will be asked to fill out a confidential fact sheet and your health and general well-being.  Results are given on the day. No blood is taken. No needles used. The test is done using the vega machine.

Advice will be given about substitute foods and how to increase your vitamin and mineral intake through diet.  

Please note that this is not a medical test.  

www.allergycentres.co.uk