Frequently Asked Questions

My tailored and individualised approach can provide effective support, including in cases where conventional medicine or over-the-counter herbal remedies have not yielded the desired results. 

I hold a level 6 diploma in Western Herbal Medicine and have trained to Okuden level in Jikiden Reiki. I am fully insured and a registered member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and the Jikiden Reiki UK Association. I attend courses and webinars and do a lot of reading and research to keep my knowledge fresh. 

Herbs can help with a wide variety of chronic and acute conditions. People often turn to a herbalist when they feel unwell without clear symptoms of a specific disease or after exploring conventional options without success.  Conditions include digestive issues, skin disorders, circulation, hayfever, respiratory ailments, stress-related problems, poor sleep,  hormonal imbalances, fertility, aches and pains, immunity, nervous system conditions, or menopause. 

Reiki can promote relaxation and calm the mind and body to help facilitate its innate healing abilities.

I have professional liability insurance with Balens.

You can book online, send me an email, call my mobile number, or call reception at Foreman & Jones. 

Please be aware that I cannot receive text messages on my mobile number. I also do not take enquiries over social media. This is mainly to keep organised and to be able to get back to everybody in a fair and timely fashion

I am happy to arrange a free 15-minute initial phone call to discuss your concerns and answer any questions to help you decide if you would like to work with me.

If you have written to me or left a message on my voicemail and have not yet had a reply, please rest assured that I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Please see the CONTACT page for my contact details.

While I would much prefer to see you in person at Foreman & Jones in Hythe, I can also meet you online. In theory, you can book an appointment with me no matter where you are in the world, but please contact me if you are outside the UK before booking, so that we can discuss how your medicine might be dispensed. I may not be able to send herbs to you depending on your country's customs regulations.

 I also offer distance Reiki sessions, please contact me to discuss. 

I practise at Foreman & Jones on Bank Street in Hythe. Our premises are located above Gingers Kitchen, the entrance is the green door between the main café and the deli counter. 

You can find Google map directions on the CONTACT page. 

There is 4-hour paid parking and very limited 1-hour free street parking right by my practice, and unlimited free street parking about a 5 to 10 minute walk away around Stade Street and St Leonards Road. Parking is free and unlimited after 18:00 h.

The nearest bus stop is Old Prospect Road (about a 2-minute walk away). This stop is serviced by a number of buses from both Folkestone and Romney Marsh. 

The nearest train stations are Sandling or Folkestone West or Central, from where a bus connection can be made.

There is no dedicated bicycle parking in the area, but you can leave a bike in the corner of the pay parking lot opposite the practice, or on some areas of wide sidewalk nearby, at your own risk.

The Mount Street pay-and-display parking lot is directly opposite the clinic, and there is limited 1-hour street parking around the High Street. If  you do not mind a short walk, there is usually free, unlimited parking to be found on nearby Stade Street and St Leonards Road any time of day. Parking is free and unlimited after 18:00.

Blue badge holders may be able to park for free at any time. Please check the rules here. There are two dedicated public blue badge street parking spots opposite the clinic on Bank Street, but they might not always be available.

There are no bicycle stands, but some structures where you can leave your bike locked at your own risk. 

Please see HOW DO I FIND YOUR PRACTICE above for ways to visit on public transport.

STAIRS  - The consultation rooms are on the first floor up a tall flight of stairs, so may not be accessible to people with restricted mobility. I can however see you online, and I offer distance Reiki if that would be of help to you.

PARKING - There is limited free street parking close to the clinic during the day. There are usually spots in Mount Street pay-and-display parking lot across the street from us. Blue badge holders may be able to park for free, or use other parking spaces in the area. Please check the rules here. There are two dedicated public blue badge street parking spots opposite the clinic on Bank Street, but they might not always be available. Parking is free and unlimited in the parking lot and on the street for everybody after 18:00, subject to availability.

FACE MASKS - Please let me know if you would like me to wear a face mask during your appointment. I can not guarantee that other people working or visiting will wear masks, but I offer evening and Saturday appointments, when it is usually quieter. We can also meet online.

TOILET - We have a small gender-neutral restroom with a regular toilet and small sink. 

SEATING AND TREATMENT COUCHES - Our treatment couches are adjustable in height. There are chairs without arm rests for you to sit on while you wait for your appointment. The chairs in the treatment rooms are dining-type chairs, most without arm rests. It may also be possible to provide you with a low lounge-type chair if desired. Please let me know if you specifically require any of these seating options before you book your appointment. 

SCENTS - We usually burn scented candles or diffuse essential oils on the landing, in reception, and in any of our rooms. Please let me know if you would prefer this not to be done while you are seeing me. 

NOISE - There is usually soft music playing on the landing and in reception, and I use music during Reiki. Please tell me if you would prefer it off. 

There are usually other practitioners around during opening hours, and people may be coming and going, and you may hear talking, noise from the café below us, or sounds from the street. It may help to book an appointment during quieter times or to arrange to be seen online if necessary. Please speak to me so we can work something out.

LIGHTS - The overhead lights in the treatment rooms and in reception can be turned off during the day if need be, but if I see you outside daylight hours, I will need to leave some lights on for practical reasons. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help if you are sensitive.

BRINGING PEOPLE WITH YOU - You are welcome to bring a chaperone, carer, or companion to your appointment. They may wait outside the treatment room, or come in with you. Please let me know in advance if you would like them in the room with you, so I can provide enough seating. Please be aware that I will usually not be able to provide a chaperone for you.

You are welcome to have a baby or child with you in the room if you are not able to make childcare arrangements for your appointment. Please let me know if you need help with getting a pram or push chair up our stairs. If you can, please let me know in advance if you are bringing a child to your Reiki session, so we can discuss how we can make it relaxing for the both of you.

We can offer some books and toys kids can play with; please let us know if that would help keep them occupied while you're being treated.

BABY CHANGING AND FEEDING We unfortunately do not have dedicated baby changing or feeding facilities. You are more than welcome to change or feed children in the common areas, but if you would like more privacy, it may be possible to use one of the treatment rooms if available. Please ask, so I can check. You can usually always have access to our storage room; it may not be the cosiest, but there is a chair and a table and you can close the door behind you. We have a microwave that you can use, and please let us know if you need hot water, a glass, plate or bowl, or cutlery.

REMOTE APPOINTMENTS - As much as I would like to meet you in person, I can offer online consultations or distance Reiki to accommodate your needs.

ANYTHING ELSE - Please let me know if there is anything else that I can put in place in order to make your time with me more comfortable. Please do not hesitate to tell me if there are any problems that need addressing, or if there is anything else I need to consider.

At the moment, I do not usually wear a face mask while I am working, but please let me know if you would like me to wear one for your appointment.

At Botanik Herbs, everyone is welcome, valued, and respected. This includes LGBTQIA2+ and trans people, as well as folks of all cultural backgrounds, faiths, ages, body shapes, neurotypes, and abilities.

I offer a safe, inclusive space and am committed to providing respectful, affirming care.

If you have specific needs, access requirements, or questions about how I can best support you, please feel free to reach out.

My pronouns are she/her. I will ask for your pronouns so I can address you respectfully.

Yes, of course. Most of the herbs in the dispensary are completely safe for children and teens, and the dose will always be adjusted for smaller people. If you are breastfeeding, it is even possible to treat your baby if you take their medicine for them. It will reach them through your milk! 

Children can take herbs in tincture-form, as they only contain a small amount of alcohol and can be mixed with tea, water, or juice. But I can also prescribe a herbal tea if that is preferable.

Reiki is also suitable for children and may help them relax. However, sessions may need to be shorter. Please discuss your children's needs with me in a free 15-minute phone call.

During your first hour-long consultation I take a thorough case history of your presenting complaint and health history. This is because I recognise that superficially unrelated symptoms may actually be connected and might need to be addressed  together to treat you holistically. 

Follow-up appointments are up to 30 minutes long and give us a chance to discuss your progress and any tweaks that might be needed. 

A consultation may include diagnostic examinations like taking your blood pressure or listening to your lungs. 

Please see ABOUT for more details.

 You will remain fully clothed and either sit or lie down comfortably. I will lightly place my hands on and sometimes above specific areas of your body to guide energy flow. At the end of the session, I will use my hands to apply some gentle movements across the back of your body and legs to stimulate circulation.

Jikiden Reiki maintains the practices and teachings of Reiki as they were originally taught in Japan, emphasising simplicity and authenticity. It avoids Western adaptations and focuses on the original techniques and philosophy. 

Please see the PRICING page for information on costs.

Advance payment is required at the point of booking and before I dispense medicine. 

I ask for a minimum of 48 hours notice if you need to change or cancel your booking. This will entitle you to a full refund.

If you change or cancel with less than 48 hours' notice but at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment, you will receive a 50% refund.

If you change or cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled time, you will be charged the full amount. The same applies in case of non-attendance without prior notification.

Once I have started making your medicine, I can not issue a refund should you decide that for any reason you no longer require it.

Herbal Medicine

Yes, herbal medicine is generally safe, especially when prescribed by a qualified herbalist. Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years, showing its effectiveness over time. Many studies regarding herbal safety are on isolated extracts, whereas I utilise the entire plant, allowing its constituents to work in synergy, as nature intended. 

Additionally, I am trained to identify any interactions with pharmaceutical medications you may be taking and to pay attention to any contraindication, including safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so I will prescribe only herbs that are indeed safe for you.

However, any medicine can have side effects that were not anticipated, and anything taken in excess or without the necessary precautions can potentially be harmful, so it is essential to follow the dosage instructions provided with your medicine, to inform me of any other medication you are taking, to disclose any allergies or conditions you have that could be affected, and to let me know if you feel that something is not quite right after you start taking your herbs.

Jikiden Reiki

Yes, Jikiden Reiki is generally safe. It is a non-invasive, gentle practice suitable for people of all ages, including children and the elderly. It complements conventional medical treatments, but is not a substitute for professional medical care. 

Herbal medicine can be highly successful in supporting pharmaceutical treatments, for example when it helps with side effects. Many health conditions do require conventional care, and I would never recommend you reduce or discontinue your prescription medications in favour of herbs without consulting with the physician who prescribed them to you. 

I will always check whether you are currently taking any medications, as certain herbs can interact with pharmaceutical drugs.

Herbal medicine can be great with many chronic or acute health concerns, especially if it is a minor ailment.  Reiki works alongside conventional treatments to support overall well-being. However, I recommend you always consult with your GP if you have any health concerns, and I strongly encourage you to see a GP or mental health professional for any serious or long-term conditions. 

I am not trained as a doctor, a counsellor, or a psychotherapist, so I will signpost and refer you for diagnostic tests and other treatments if necessary, and I am always more than happy to liaise with your wider healthcare team while you are in my care.

If you are experiencing acute or severe physical symptoms, please always contact your doctor, call 111 or 999 as appropriate, or visit your nearest A&E or urgent care clinic. 

If you need to urgently talk to somebody about your mental health, the Samaritans are available around the clock here. 

This is hard to answer, because both herbal medicine and Reiki take a holistic, personalised approach and results may differ from person to person. 

With herbal medicine, factors such as the condition, its severity, how long you have had it, and your current health all play an influencing role. Please be assured that herbs do gently support your long-term healing.

With Reiki, some people feel improvements in their well-being after just one session, with others, it will take several treatments, and yet others discover Reiki is not for them at all.

With herbal medicine, I would encourage you to have at least one follow-up about 2 to 4 weeks after the initial consultation and after each change to your prescription. Ideally, you would come for monthly follow-ups until we know the herbs and lifestyle changes are working for you. If all is going well, we can then discuss longer gaps between appointments, e.g. every 6 to 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months... Please feel welcome to discuss with me any changes you might need or if you feel that it is time to end your treatment.

With Reiki, it is up to you how many sessions you would like to book. Even one hour can be beneficial, but most people opt for regular sessions. I will discuss your needs with you at your first session.

If you are feeling unwell on the day of your appointment, please do let me know. I am more than happy to reschedule or change it to an online consultation if that helps. 

To ensure the best care and maintain a safe environment for everyone, I kindly ask that you do not visit the practice if you are currently unwell with an illness such as a cold, flu, or any other contagious conditions. 

I appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

In the UK, herbalists are legally not allowed to treat pets, nor have I been trained to do this. Some herbs that are safe for humans could be really harmful when given to an animal. I would recommend finding a vet who specialises in herbal care.

In Jikiden Reiki, it is traditionally believed that animals are quite naturally attuned to the universal energy and hence would not benefit much from treatment, but please talk to me if you think Reiki could be right for your pet.