Wight Herbal Medicine

10/02/2026

Herbs can also support dental health. A patient came to me with chronic genetic dental issues who had been using harsh mouthwashes for years and was getting to the point of them stinging so much they were intolerable. I was able to make them a custom mouthwash as an alternative using immune supportive, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herbs.

31/01/2026

19/01/2026

Mugwort – Arteminisa vulgaris
Mugwort is typically thought of as a magical herb, particularly for lucid dreaming but that reputation is actually fairly modern, only really appearing in the Victorian era, despite references to it throughout history worldwide. It was around this time that folklore, symbolism, and romantic reinterpretation began to overrule practical plant medicine but before that, it was seen as a powerful medicinal aide for gastrointestinal issues, poisoning, cancer, gynaecological issues. Historically midwives and female healers used it to bring on delayed menstruation, ease pelvic pain and to assist in labour and subsequent recovery.
During the Victorian period however, herbalism began to be disregarded and much maligned as scientism grew and began to dominate medicine. Women’s medical knowledge was disconnected from its clinical context given the rise of orthodox medicine as male physicians achieved almost celebrity status; as a result herbs were rebranded as mere folklore. Ironically many medical ‘discoveries’ were actually based upon isolating compounds in medicinal plants, such as aspirin and quinine.
Whilst there was a move away from whole plant use, many continued to still rely on the wisdom passed down through generations, given that many could not afford doctors. According to humoural medicine, mugwort was seen as a warm plant so as a treatment for cold illnesses.
As we can see from its name, it was linked to Greek goddess Artemis, who was the protector of women, childbirth, and midwives (seen as necessary at a time where girls would be expected to have children around age 13 or 14 and as a result death in childbirth or permanent injury was common); which is interesting given Mugwort’s historical use. So when medicinal plants are dismissed as merely folklore, their true possibilities become lost.
Today we use Mugwort largely for its bitter, carminative, nervine actions and in hormone regulation. There are some circumstances where it would be contraindicated, so always worth consulting a professional if considering exploring using this amazing plant.

19/01/2026

Results of new BMJ study on GLP-1 injections. Apart from it not being clear what the long term side effects might be, it is not a long-lasting solution to bring about change. https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-085304

13/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1486496010150045&set=a.441412761325047

Why You Should Trust Your Herbalist (Though the System Tells You Not To).

A doctor has a medical degree. A herbalist has... What?

Herbalists train for years. Many study longer than doctors, with qualifications in a first degree before moving into Herbal Medicine.

Herbalists learn anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, pharmacology, pathology, botony and phytochemistry. We learn how plants work biochemically. We sit with patients for hours, not minutes. We build protocols based on individual need.

We may not have the "credentials" according to Medics and we certainly don't have the same bank balance. But, I guess that is because ultimately Herbalism is vocational. We don't do it for anything other than a love of plants and a love of people. We're not "registered" in the eyes of the system, but frankly, these days who would want to be? Even the doctors want out.

The system funded by Rockefellers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation et. al ensures a bias in academia, research, university provision and drug trials. It has a vested interest in keeping herbalism outside. Why? Because herbalism threatens the pharmaceutical model. We can't be controlled, patented, or monetized the same way. So the system decided: if it's not us, it's not legitimate. They simply removed hundreds of herbs from the official pharmacopeia. Not because they didn't work, but because there was no money to be made.

You've been told institutional recognition equals competence. That a government credential means safety. That anything outside that system is unproven and risky. FALSE! I'd rather listen to my granny. She offered more wisdom than any MP/MLA/MEP that I can think of.

Herbalists have lower adverse event rates than most (if not all) medical interventions. Whole plant extracts are remarkably safe. We've used these plants for thousands of years. Not because we got lucky. Because they work.

The credential gap isn't about competence. It's about power. It's about who decides what counts as "real" medicine.

When deciding whether to trust your herbalist, ask: Do they listen? Do they have time for you? Do they know their plants? Do they understand your full picture? Do they treat you as a partner in your healing?

Herbalists (for the moment) have something the establishment can't give us: the freedom to put your health first. I'm not sure we will have that freedom forever but I'm certainly giving it my best shot whilst I can. Who's in?

10/01/2026

Interesting study regarding
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/000293789390699J.
What if hormonal changes are not necessarily the primary cause of menopausal symptoms?

We are told that menopausal symptoms are due to hormonal changes, primarly low oestrogen. However studies such as this and reports from indigenous cultures around the world would suggest that many do not have the same experience despite having the same hormonal changes.

Therefore something else must be at play; according to Daniel Roytas, when native women adopt a modern western diet and lifestyle, they begin experiencing the hallmark symptoms of menopausal syndrome. Stories from our elders in the west are often similar: I recall asking my grandmother about menopause and she indicated it had rather passed rather uneventfully.

I suspect one of the differences to contemporary women at the same age might be lifestyle and diet. Hence why attending to these factors (rather than focusing solely on hormonal balance) is so important in this transitional time.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the characteristics of menopause among Mayan women who did not have menopausal symptoms.Study Design: A cross-…

05/01/2026

What if colds and flu are a biological reset?
Every winter we hear a familiar story – usually rhetoric rather than reality and one which engenders a sense of fear and vulnerability in many. Illnesses are “going around”, you have been “exposed” to infectious pathogens and then when symptoms develop they are to be suppressed with pharmaceutical products.
However given we know that flu-like symptoms can be induced by activities such as physical exertion, for example (which after we can then feel considerably better) then perhaps this seasonal malaise is more a reaction to the changes in lifestyle that the winter period brings? Central heating drying the mucous membranes, less sunlight, less physical exercise, stress, more stodgy comfort food that is inflammatory, reduced nutritive intake or exposure to increased toxic load in other forms etc. So perhaps it is worth seeing these episodes as your body taking the opportunity to detox and reset.
So take this time to listen to your body: rest, hydrate, nourish and soothe. Plants either in the form of herbal extracts, teas or essential oils have a useful place in this process – they can help ease the discomfort of congestion, help congested, dry or tickly coughs, increase temperature and perspiration to help with temperatures etc.

There are lots of home remedies which we can make from ingredients we have at home:

Composition Powder (adapted from the 19th C Herbalist Samuel Thompson)

Recipe:
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp powdered cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
½ cayenne pepper
½ tsp licorice root ground

Mix spices together and store in a jar. To use, simply add ½ cup of boiling water and 1/8 tsp of the composition powder in a cup, and drink whilst hot. Sweeten with honey and/or add lemon juice to make a soothing drink to ease the symptoms of a cold.

Whilst there are many fantastic home remedies that we can use, there is sometimes the need for a bespoke prescription, perhaps including those herbs that are restricted and potentially toxic if not dosed correctly. As a medical herbalist I also offer consultations for acute conditions that require a one-off prescription so instead of reverting to antibiotics, consider giving herbs a go!

01/01/2026

Mistletoe is a plant that has a long history of use in a variety of traditions. The famous Roman Pliny the Elder wrote in his tome Historia Naturalis “We should not omit to mention the great admiration that the Gauls have for it as well. The druids – that is what they call their magicians – hold nothing more sacred than the mistletoe and a tree on which it is growing, provided it is an oak.. They believe that mistletoe given in drink will impart fertility to any animal that is barren and that it is an antidote to all poisons.”
Mistletoe or Viscum album is parasitic plant that attaches itself to host trees to extract water and nutrients and it is one still used in contemporary medical herbalism. It is reported to have antihypertensive, sedative, diuretic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory and is often used as an immune enhancer and vasodilator in high blood pressure or cardiovascular conditions, for example. For example, it can be used as an alternative to beta blockers. It is also used in nervous system complaints such as insomnia or anxiety/panic attacks and also in cases of epilepsy and tinnitus. Albeit in animal studies, research indicates it stimulate secretion of insulin from the pancreas so may have some benefit in diabetes.
But notably, research indicates its use in cancer treatment. For many years it has been used subcutaneously and intraveously as an adjunct in cancer treatment in Germany in particular. Iscador, an extract of mistletoe was studied in over 10,000 patients and researchers found that those with colon, re**al, stomach and breast cancer treated survived 40% longer than the control group when treated with the extract. As such it is one of the most commonly used ontological drugs in Germany, for example. Furthermore a recent (2025) meta-analayses concluded that mistletoe is a scientifically validated component of integrative oncology, bridging traditional medicine with evidence-based cancer care.

Hong, C.-E., & Lyu, S.-Y. (2025). Mistletoe in Cancer Cell Biology: Recent Advances. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 47(8), 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47080672

21/12/2025

The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. It’s a time when the earth is shrouded in darkness before gradually moving into light. In herbal traditions, this celestial event is marked by the concept of renewal and the potential for inner growth. It is representative of an energy shift which encourages past reflection and an opportunity to set intentions for the year ahead.
It is a time when evergreen plants that survive the cold are honoured, which symbolizes strength and the promise of new life. It is also a time when warming herbs that soothe and keep us healthy during the harsh winter months can be used. This enables us to become aligned with the rhythm of nature and to connect with the wisdom the natural world has to offer. The traditions of herbs such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg being incorporated into our foods offers us this opportunity, being warming, spicy, healing, calming and enchanting. Holly is a plant that has special significance in winter solstice folklore, being a symbol of everlasting life and showing life’s enduring nature and the hope that shines bright even in the darkness.

Winter Solstice Blessings to all!

07/12/2025

Black Cohosh or Actaea/cimicifuga racemosa is a North American plant, which has a long history of use. It is famously known for female reproductive health, specifically menopausal symptoms but also dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and premenstrual dysthymia (mood changes).But it is so much more than that.
Its antispasmodic properties make it helpful for the respiratory system (ie. shallow and spasmodic breathing as seen in whooping cough or asthma) and also for relaxing blood vessel capilliaries, meaning it can be helpful in cases of headaches, migraines and even vertigo.
In herbalism we also consider the energetic of herbs: that is whether a herb is hot, cold, moist, and dry; and this is important to consider not only in terms of the energetics of the condition but also the person themselves, which we might term their constitution.
Warming herbs promote circulation and balance to conditions of coldness and stagnation; cooling herbs help to balance hot states or conditions such as inflammation, for example. Drying herbs address wet or stagnant states and excessive secretions whereas moistening herbs hydrate and soothe irritated dry tissue.
Where does Black cohosh fit into this? It is a bitter, pungent and cooling herb so applicable in hot conditions such as those of inflammation. It is regarded as being grounding, calming and relaxing and beneficial for relaxing tension in the nervous system (i.e. anxiety) but it is also helpful for muscular tension and rheumatic/arthritic complaints.

29/11/2025

Sambuccus nigra: a traditional remedy supported by contemporary scientific research

Sambucus nigra fructus otherwise known as European elderberry, has long been traditionally used for seasonal respiratory complaints. Elderberries were traditionally prepared as syrups, decoctions, wines, and cordials and used during the seasons when respiratory complaints were prevalent; and typically administered at the first signs of cold or flu symptoms. It was noted in traditional texts that use of elderberries could reduce severity or symptoms and shorten duration which is now supported by an array of scientific research.

Its effects centre around immune modulation and antioxidant protection and it is said to have anti-viral properties.

Sambuccus nigra is still a staple in any dispensary and is generally safe and well-tolerated; although it is thought that those with auto-immune conditions should consult a practitioner who can safely assess its use in their specific case. It is often combined with other herbs in an acute infection mix; again to be taken at the first sign of symptoms.

At Wight Herbal Medicine, we also offer an acute consultation/prescribing service for those cases when people have acute complaints and prefer not to resort to antibiotics. Throat infections, urinary tract infections, chest infections, hayfever, ear infections are all good examples of conditions that can successfully be treated by herbal medicine without the damaging consequences (and often unpleasant side effects) that allopathic medicine can bring.

16/11/2025

Gymnema silvestre. Gymnema has been used for over 2,000 years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in the management of blood sugar regulation. Its other name is gurmar which means sugar destroyer; this refers to its ability to reduce the tongue’s recognition of sweetness.

Applications and clinical indications:
• Diabetes (both insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent) and hyperglycaemia
• Insulin resistance
• Metabolic syndrome X, to assist with weight loss
• Sweet cravings
• Dysglycaemia (lower doses)
• May also help to reduce hypercholesterolaemia and elevated triglycerides

Although the best approach to managing diabetes is through diet - primarily a real food, low carbohydrate diet - herbs can be also be used to support the body. This is generally a very safe herb although those already on diabetes medications would need to monitor blood glucose levels regularly.