Margaret MacMillan mnimh

I have been interested in health and healing systems since I was a teenager, with nutrition holding a particular fascination. I worked for many years in the wholefood industry then decided to train as a herbalist, a profession which combines my interest in people, plants and medicine.

Qualifying in 1992, I began my practice in Bristol in 1993 and combined this with working at Neals Yard Remedies as assistant Manager.

I met Sue Hawkey toward the end of my herbal training and discovered that we shared a dream – to open a herbal ‘centre of excellence’ devoted to the treatment of illness, the passing on of knowledge and skills, and the provision of safe, natural remedies and other domestic products for the local community.

In 1998 we founded Herbs for Health, and I now divide my time between treating patients, helping to run the shop, and teaching the nutritional courses ‘Food for Health’ and ‘Food for Healing’. Still living in Bristol (and enjoying the commuting!), I also have a practice at the Chandos Clinic in Redland, where I see patients on Friday mornings.

I am currently taking part in a research project involving the treatment of women experiencing menopausal symptoms. This is to test the effectiveness of herbal treatment from a practitioner as a whole, rather than just the use of individual plants. Seeing a herbalist offers the time to talk and formulate a plan for making changes which will help in the regaining and maintenance of health, along with any herbs prescribed. This often gives a much better chance of recovery than just taking ‘over the counter’ herbs or supplements.

Watch this space for the research results!