My Story

I am Nik Bucceri, a qualified Western medical herbalist and registered member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. 

The name of my business, Botanik Herbs, combines the German word for botany, reflecting my heritage and my life-long passion for plant study, with what is at the core of my business: our amazing medicinal plants.

I found my way to herbal medicine when I was faced with a medical issue that conventional medicine was not able to fully address. I decided to seek a herbalist's help and saw reassuring improvements under her care. This positive experience, coupled with my love for nature, nudged me towards exploring this career. 

I have trained to degree-standard by completing a year-long foundation course and a 3-and-a-half-year professional diploma course with Heartwood Education, while working part-time as a gardener and then as a herbal dispenser both at The Herbary in Biddenden and later at Foreman & Jones in Hythe, where I am still based now. 

In addition to studying plant science, botany, medicine making, and the history and application of medicinal herbs, my education encompassed pathology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, physical examination, differential diagnosis, consultation skills, and safeguarding. On top of my academic studies, I completed over 500 hours of practical work with long-established herbalists in Kent, London, Portugal, and Canada. This saw me observing, as well as leading herbal consultations in training clinics, and writing many treatment plans and case studies.

I graduated with distinction in September 2024, and have now joined the shared practice at Foreman & Jones, working alongside experienced herbalist Jodie Foreman and a wonderful team of colleagues from different disciplines. I feel privileged to have Jodie as my mentor and have spent many hours of my clinical training in her popular student clinic, benefiting from her expert knowledge and guidance. 

I am also a member of the Jikiden Reiki UK Association, and have trained to Okuden level.

I live in Folkestone with my husband and my two cats. I enjoy sea swimming, walking, gardening, music, yoga, and afternoon naps. I am a fervent foodie and a habitual overthinker. My favourite herbs (at the moment) are Agrimony and Bay Laurel.

I am looking forward to building relationships with my clients, share my passion for herbalism and energy work, and help foster your wellbeing.

What is herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine is a way of treating a variety of acute or chronic conditions with the help of plants in a client-centred way. It is a time-honoured, gentle way of medical care, and many traditional plant uses are now confirmed by scientific studies. 

Many of today’s drugs can be traced back to medicinal herbs. For example, aspirin comes from the willow tree and is named after meadowsweet. Digoxin, a powerful heart medicine, is derived from chemicals that are found in foxglove, and morphine is made from poppies.

With the advent of modern medicine, traditional practices lost their prominence in many Western cultures, leading to the disappearance of significant herbal knowledge. 

Herbal medicine looks to nature for healing and acknowledges the connection we people have with our environment. As a medical herbalist, I aim to work alongside you to put you in a position of empowerment that allows you to look after yourself, and to initiate positive shifts. In short, I will work with you to identify the root causes of your dis-ease and aim to provide you with tools to build up your resilience. I count on your active involvement to make the treatment as dynamic and successful as possible.

I am a general practitioner and can work with people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Herbal medicine can have benefits in a variety of complaints, including digestive issues, skin disorders, hayfever, circulation, respiratory ailments, stress-related problems, poor sleep,  hormonal imbalances, fertility, aches and pains, immunity, nervous system conditions, or menopause. 

What happens during treatment?

After you book your appointment, I will send you an intake form that I ask you to fill in and send back to me at least 2 days before I see you. This will cover your contact details and some other pertinent information, for example whether you are taking any medication. 

Your confidential first consultation will usually be face-to-face and last for about an hour. I will take time to thoroughly listen to your current health concerns, take a  detailed medical history, and ask in-depth questions to connect the dots and build a holistic picture of your health. I will take your blood pressure and examine you if indicated. I will then make up a personalised prescription, using a range of herbs in the form of extracts, teas, capsules, creams, and other mediums. Your medicine may contain a variety of plant parts, including flowers, leaves, bark, roots, or seeds. I may use herbs that can help with specific conditions or body systems, or choose the plants for their energetic qualities to help you on a more emotional level.

In addition to your herbal prescription, I will usually also suggest lifestyle and nutrition adjustments, with a focus on nourishing food and personal wellbeing. With your permission, I might get in touch with your doctor and other members of your healthcare team to discuss the best way forward for you. 

I will encourage you to return for a 30-minute follow-up after 2 to 4 weeks, to see how you are doing on your medicine, to discuss any improvements or new developments, and to tweak your prescription for your full benefit, if necessary. After a few follow-ups, it is quite usual to just request repeat prescriptions if you are happy with your herbs. 

The length of treatment is very individual to each person, it is often possible to stop treatment once symptoms have gone, while some people stay on a prescription for years to maintain its effect. While you are in my care, I recommend regular appointments at agreed intervals to give me the opportunity to check in with you and make sure our approach is still working.

National Institute Of Medical Herbalists

To find out more about Western medical herbalism, go click here.

What is Reiki?

Jikiden Reiki is Reiki without modern influence or modification, the way it was originally established by Mikao Usui in Japan. It is a gentle hands-on therapy that may improve your sense of well-being, and can assist with treatment outcomes alongside herbal medicine and orthodox healthcare. 

The word Reiki (靈氣) means "universal energy" in Japanese, which encompasses all the energy that flows through us humans, through other animals, and through the plants, water, rocks, stars, earth... This energy is what connects all of us with each other, and with nature. I firmly believe that caring touch is a powerful way to remind us of this connectedness, and that it can make us feel safe in our bodies and positively influence our state of mind.  

What happens during treatment?

You will receive Reiki while relaxing fully clothed on my treatment couch or simply sitting on a chair if you prefer. Energy is passed between me and you while I place my hands directly on your head, heart space, belly, arms, or legs, for example. I will talk with you before we begin, to find out if you would like me to direct Reiki to a specific area, or you can let me be guided by where I feel it may benefit you most. 

Everyone’s experience of Reiki is unique. Most people find Reiki enormously relaxing and often report feeling a profound sense of wellbeing and deep relaxation. Usually, Reiki is felt as a gentle, calming experience and many clients feel positively energised after a session.  During the session, you may experience some mild tingling, twitching, warmth, coolness, or other physical sensations. Some people fall asleep, some people are unsure whether they can feel anything; all of these are entirely valid responses to treatment.

The treatment finishes with you lying on your front, so I can do Ketsueki Kokan (Kekko). This is a combination of swiping and tapping movements I apply to your arms, back, and legs in order to stimulate circulation after your Reiki session.

How many sessions should I have?

Even one single session may show benefits, but a  course of regular treatments can be more effective. These could be booked weekly, fortnightly, or less often, depending on your needs. 

I will  discuss a treatment plan with you at your first session, which we will review and revise as needed, depending on how you feel. 

Jikiden Reiki UK Association

To learn more about Jikiden Reiki please visit here.

Both herbal medicine and Reiki are complementary to conventional medicine; I recommend you always consult a GP about any health concerns, especially if they are acute or severe. I am more than happy to liaise with your wider healthcare team if required.