01/09/2026
A new chapter: The Derbyshire Community Herbalist becomes Elder Roots
After many years practising as The Derbyshire Community Herbalist, today marks the beginning of a new chapter.
My herbal practice is now Elder Roots – The Elder Roots Holistic Herbalist.
This is much more than simply changing a name. Over the years my practice has developed considerably, shaped by more than three decades in healthcare, my work as a Registered General Nurse, my training and practice in herbal medicine, my university lecturing in Clinical Herbalism, professional research and development, and perhaps most importantly, by the hundreds of conversations I have had with patients about what it actually means to live with illness.
The more I have practised, the less interested I have become in simply asking “What herb treats this condition?”
I am much more interested in understanding the person who has the condition.
That means looking carefully at diagnosis, symptoms, medicines and investigations, but also at nutrition, sleep, movement, constitution, stress and nervous-system patterns, work, relationships, life events, coping, environment and the wider story of how somebody arrived where they are.
That philosophy sits at the heart of Elder Roots.
It is why I describe my work as Holistic Medical Herbalism: holistic first, because the whole person provides the framework; medical because good clinical knowledge, safety and appropriate conventional healthcare matter enormously; and herbal because plant medicine remains the therapeutic tradition and craft at the centre of what I do.
Elder Roots will continue to work with people seeking support for everyday health concerns, but I also have a particular interest in long-term, persistent and medically complex health problems, where there is rarely one simple answer.
For existing patients, nothing is being taken away. I am still here, your records remain with me, and your care continues. Elder Roots is the development of the practice you already know, rather than its replacement by something unfamiliar.
For new patients, consultations are primarily available online throughout the UK, with local home visits available by arrangement.
The new website is now live:
www.elderroots.co.uk
There you can read much more about my approach, consultations, fees, care pathways and how to get in touch.
After a lot of work behind the scenes, it feels very good indeed to finally welcome you to Elder Roots.
Deeply rooted herbal care for the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
Karl Bedson RGN BSc (Hons) Medical Herbalism
Holistic Medical Herbalist
Elder Roots
Evidence-informed holistic medical herbalism for adults, children and families, from everyday health concerns to persistent and medically complex conditions.
