Seeing a Chinese Herbalist in the Cotswolds: Consultations, Safety, Cost and Online Appointments

Most people who ask me about herbs have the same two reactions. The first is curiosity: they like the idea of something made specifically for them. The second, often a few seconds later, is a frown about cost, or taste, or whether it's safe to take alongside their tablets. All three are good questions, and this guide answers them as directly as I can.

What Chinese herbal medicine is

Chinese herbal medicine is one of the main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, with written records going back around two thousand years. Herbs are almost never prescribed singly. A formula usually combines several, chosen to work as a group and balanced against each other. The same pattern-based assessment I use for acupuncture guides which herbs go into a formula, and the formula is adjusted at follow-ups as things change.

If you'd like a feel for individual herbs, I've written about a few of them, including Bai Shao (white peony root), Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig) and Fu Shen. Those notes explain how each herb is described in traditional texts.

How it's regulated in the UK

This is the part most clinic websites skip, and it's worth understanding. Herbal products sold over the counter in the UK need either a full medicines licence or a Traditional Herbal Registration (look for the THR mark on the packet). A separate route allows a herbal practitioner to make up an unlicensed remedy for one specific person, following a one-to-one consultation. That's the route I work under.

Because these remedies aren't licensed medicines, the law and UK advertising rules don't allow practitioners to claim they treat particular medical conditions. You may see clinics that ignore this. I don't, and I'd treat a long list of "conditions treated" as a warning sign when choosing a herbalist.

Herbal practice isn't statutorily regulated in the UK either, so training varies widely. Herbal training is separate from acupuncture training, so if you're seeing an acupuncturist for herbs, it's worth asking specifically where and how they trained in herbal medicine.

What happens in a herbal consultation

An initial herbal consultation lasts about an hour. We go through your health history, current symptoms, sleep, digestion, energy, temperature, and for women, your menstrual cycle. I'll ask for a full list of your medication and supplements. I'll also look at your tongue and, if we're in person, take your pulse.

From there, I write a formula for you and explain what's in it, how to take it, roughly how long I'd expect us to review it over, and what it will cost. Follow-up consultations last 30 to 45 minutes. At each one, we review how you're getting on, and I adjust the formula if needed. Herbs can be prescribed on their own or alongside acupuncture.

Online consultations

Herbal medicine is the part of my work that travels well. If you can't get to Upper Rissington, I offer online consultations, 45 minutes for the first and 30 minutes for follow-ups, with the same structure as an in-person appointment. Your herbs can then be sent to you. It's a practical option if you live further afield in Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire, have mobility issues, or have young children at home.

What form the herbs come in

Most of the herbs I prescribe are whole raw herbs, portioned for you to cook at home as a decoction, with clear instructions. When it suits you better, I can prepare them in powdered form, which dissolves in hot water and is quicker to fit into a working day. I'll talk through which suits you. I'll also be straightforward about taste: some formulas are pleasant, many are earthy, and a few are an acquired taste. Most people get used to them quickly, and there are small tricks that help.

How I approach safety

Safety with herbs comes down to a few things done carefully every time:

• Your medication. I check every formula against your prescription medicines and supplements. Particular care is needed with blood thinners such as warfarin, hormonal treatments including HRT and the Pill, immunosuppressants, and medicines for epilepsy, diabetes and heart conditions. I'll ask you to let your GP know you're taking herbs.
• Your health. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver and kidney conditions and planned surgery all change what's suitable. If you're taking herbs over a longer period, I may suggest your GP checks your liver function.
• Your feedback. If anything feels wrong, such as an upset stomach, a rash, or feeling unwell, stop the herbs and contact me. If symptoms are significant, contact your GP or NHS 111.
• Fertility treatment. If you're having IVF, herbs are usually paused once stimulation medication starts unless your clinic agrees. My article on acupuncture alongside IVF covers this in more detail.

How herbs are sourced

I keep whole herbs in my own dispensary at the clinic. I buy from established UK suppliers who test their herbs for correct identity and for contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticide residues. I don't use endangered species, and I'm happy to answer questions about where any herb in your formula comes from.

“I’ve been having acupuncture for some time and jumped at the chance to work with her for a prescription of Chinese herbs… She has been really helpful throughout the process and open to making appropriate changes…”

What it costs, and why

As of April 2026, an initial herbal consultation is £56 and follow-ups are £36. The herbs themselves are priced individually, because the cost depends on which herbs are in your formula, the form they come in and how much you need. I'll tell you the cost before you commit, so there are no surprises. Full details are on my prices page.

People sometimes ask whether herbs are worth it on top of acupuncture. That depends on what you're looking for and what you can comfortably afford. Acupuncture happens at the clinic, perhaps once a week. Herbs are taken every day, so they become part of your routine between appointments, which some people value and some don't. If cost is a concern, tell me. I'd rather plan something sustainable than have you stop after a fortnight.

Who chooses herbs

Many of the people who choose herbs come to me for women's health, which I cover in my guides to period pain and irregular cycles and menopause. Others are living with long-term health problems and want a practitioner who looks at the whole picture alongside their medical team. You can read more on my Chinese herbal medicine page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chinese herbal medicine legal in the UK?

Yes. Under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, a herbal practitioner may make up an unlicensed herbal remedy for an individual patient following a one-to-one consultation. These remedies are not licensed medicines, so practitioners should not claim they treat specific medical conditions.

Is Chinese herbal medicine safe?

Safety depends on the practitioner's training, the quality of the herbs and careful checking against your health and medication. A properly trained practitioner takes a full medical history, avoids herbs that are unsuitable for you, checks for interactions with prescription medicines and asks you to report any side effects promptly.

How much does Chinese herbal medicine cost?

At Resolve, as of April 2026, an initial herbal consultation costs £56 and follow-ups cost £36. The herbs are priced individually depending on the formula and quantity, and Andrea quotes the cost before you commit.

Can I have a Chinese herbal consultation online?

Yes. Online herbal consultations are available for people who cannot travel to Upper Rissington. They follow the same structure as an in-person consultation, including your medical history and medication.

Can I take Chinese herbs with prescription medicines?

Sometimes, but every formula must be checked against your medication first. Particular care is needed with blood thinners, hormonal treatments, immunosuppressants and medicines for epilepsy, diabetes and heart conditions. Keep your GP informed, and never stop prescribed medication to take herbs instead.