A Seasonal Practice
Slow, midwinter musings, and a clinic update
I’ve never been away from home at Christmas. This year, we chose otherwise, booking a last-minute trip to Dublin, Ireland.
For a few magical days we were swept up in the glow of the season. Winding our way through the cobbled streets, dodging last-minute shoppers, sipping whiskey in haunted pubs, and singing songs with strangers. The dark, gloomy skies bathing us in a constant twilight - never quite feeling like night or day.
Returning to Cornwall, I felt the quiet welcome me home. Now the land lies hushed, and the trees are stripped to their bare bones. I’m glad to spend a few more weeks luxuriating in the deep, slumbering energy of midwinter.
Like seeds lying patiently in wait beneath the soil, ideas are slowly germinating. Unhurried, and (for once,) in tune with my own step, I’m spending this time contemplating how I want my work to look at this juncture. It isn’t easy to go against a society that always demands growth, profit, and quick results. A bountiful harvest takes time, patience and planning.
But good things come to those who wait.
Stepping In Time With The Seasons
This year sees the start of my apprenticeship with the self sufficient herbalist Lucy Jones. Although I’ve been a naturopathic practitioner for more than 15 years, this venture is taking my work in a new, and more intentional direction.
As the investment of both time and money is significant, (hopefully culminating in the opening of a full time, private practice combing East and Western Herbalism,) this does mean that my customers will sees some changes in the way I’ll be working in the coming months.*
In Your Element - 12 Month Herbal Support Package
From next week, I’ll be inviting a small number of customers to work with me for one “turn of the year.”
This intervention is based around the nurturing Sheng cycle, sometimes described as the “Mother / Child” principle embodied by Traditional Chinese Five Element Herbalism. Designed to help you live more closely in tune with the cycles of nature (not just the annual seasons, but those within our own lives,) the idea is that as we move through the year, each successive element nourishes the next, providing balance and harmony for a bountiful harvest at the end of the work.
Participants will be provided with plant medicines and detailed resources to first undertake a herbal “Spring Clean.” This will be followed by four in person (or virtual) meetings, during which I’ll curate a seasonal prescription and herbal lifestyle plan which will move and change with your progress.
Our work together will equip you with the insight and tools needed to maintain vibrant good health on a long term basis.
This one year commitment is in stark contrast to the “quick fix” approach offered by some wellness programmes, where there is little room for discussion around natural constitutional imbalances, or how you reached this point.
In practical terms, the package consists of:
4 x 60 minute herbal appointments (One per season, booked in advance)
4 x 500 ml individually tailored herbal prescriptions
1 x 30 minute “over the counter - check in” call to be used at your discretion
Nutritional & emotional wellbeing support, and sensible lifestyle advice for the duration of our time together.
The cost for the service is 4 seasonal payments of £175 (excluding postage.) Paid subscribers to the newsletter receive a substantial 10% discount on this price.
To express an interest or request more information about this option, please send me a message and we’ll arrange a short “hello call” to see if this feels like a good fit.
Iridology at Sprout
On Friday 9th and Saturday 10th January, between 3 and 5pm, I’ll be joining my friends at Sprout Health Foods to talk about Iridology.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about this fascinating subject and the insights it can reveal about your inherited strengths and weaknesses, do pop along and join me for an informal chat and a peek in my camera.
The session is free to attend, and an opportunity to learn more about how herbal medicine can support you on an individual, constitutional level.
Walk with me!
If your goals for 2026 include spending more time in nature, learning more about plant identification or delving into herbal folklore, why not join me for a ramble?
Our next group outing will take place on the 21st March, where we’ll be exploring the herbal legends and plant medicines found in and around the scenic village of St. Newlyn East.
The ticket price includes downloadable digital resources and herbal tasters. Private group bookings, and gift vouchers are also available on request.
And finally…
In the coming months, I’m hoping to offer some seasonal Zoom calls to those of you who have kindly upgraded to a paid subscription. This will be a chance to gather together and discuss any home medicine making questions, or (if you’re a student or practitioner,) your clinical herbal queries. I thought it might also be a good space to share stories about herbal folklore, or potentially offer some nature journaling prompts.
My inbox is open to all your thoughts and suggestions - would this be something you’d enjoy? What would you like to see here?
If you have a moment, please do share your thoughts via the survey below…
For now, I hope you’ll find time to embrace the stillness of the season, take time out in nature and enjoy a little more time wintering.
Sláinte, Sarah
*After many years of operating at cost, it is with reluctance that I’ve conducted a much needed review of my pricing structure for 2026. This is to ensure I continue to cover the increasing cost of sourcing organically grown and ethically harvested herbs, as well as fulfil my future goals for the practice.
If you’re already an existing, long term customer (whose loyalty and support is the beating heart of my work,) please do send me an email before booking your next appointment, so I can offer reassurance and clarity about future fees.