Leaf Retreat

18/07/2026

The Large White had its best year on record in last year’s Big Butterfly Count with a whopping 396,510 records 🥇

Will it be number 1 again this year? Find out by taking part in the Big Butterfly Count from tomorrow!

All you need is 15 minutes to help assess the health of our environment and protect UK butterfly species for future generations. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj

06/07/2026

The beautiful plant in the images show the delicate flowers of Galega officinalis, commonly known as goat's rue. It was only planted a few weeks ago and it has had significant growth, so it must be happy in its environment!

The plant was officially named by botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. He drew the name Galega from the ancient Greek words gala (milk) and ega (to stimulate or bring) as farmers noticed that the herb significantly enhanced milk production in grazing cows and goats. Did you know however, that this plant also provided the conceptual blueprint for the widely prescribed diabetes medication, metformin?

In the eighteenth century, physicians noted its specific ability to relieve the intense thirst and frequent urination associated with what we now know as diabetes. The secret lies in its phytochemistry. Researchers discovered that goat's rue is rich in a compound called guanidine. By modifying this natural chemical framework, pharmacologists eventually synthesised biguanides (the fusion of two guanidine rings together with added side chains) to produce metformin (dimethylbiguanide).

Including daily fibre and vegetables in your diet and making simple swaps from refined carbohydrates to whole-food choices, for example swapping white rice for brown or red rice, to slow potential blood sugar spikes is a great way to maintain healthy metabolic pathways.

Bailey, C.J., Day, C. (2004) Metformin: its botanical background. Practical Diabetes International, 21(3), pp. 115–117. Available at: https://wchh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/pdi.606 [Accessed 6 July 2026].

02/07/2026

Did you know that Leaf Retreat is dog-friendly? 🐕

Recent data shows that 83% of dog owners now practice dog-first travel and 77% of owners state that a fully enclosed garden is an absolute must when booking a trip away (UK Petfood, 2026).

At Leaf Retreat we offer:

🐾 Total freedom for your dog - your dog can safely explore our walled garden while you sit and relax.
🐾 There are dog-friendly eateries and pubs in town but having some you time is always nice and so we offer a complimentary dog-sitting service.
🐾 We also have dog treats, poo bags and dog bowls to hand, should you need them.
🐾 Fully dog-friendly (aside from the clinic rooms which remain dog-free for medical hygiene purposes.
🐾 A 2 min walk into town, down a lovely little dog-friendly lane, and close to lovely beaches and woodland walks.
🐾 Consultations for you and your dog! 🐕

Whether you are booking a holiday or coming for a consultation, your furry friend can come with!

Check our upcoming availability for you and your best friend here:

Guest suite in Lincolnshire · ★4.77 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bathroom

28/06/2026

🍃After all the hard work of university it has been time to tend to our gardens and enjoy the sunshine ☀️

A garden does not need to be perfectly manicured to be beautiful. Over the years the existing plants and inhabitants have been the guide, leaving areas wild and gently cultivating around them, alongside slowly adding new features to what was a plain paved area. There are no pesticides involved or use of heavy handed machinery. The leaves and dead wood remain in the winter to support the hibernating pollinators.

When we share our space with nature it brings diversity - the key to a healthy environment. That goes for our own internal environment also, eating a diverse range of foods keeps us healthy too!

If you can’t make a visit we hope you
enjoy the photos 🐝 And if you do, you are always welcome to take some cuttings, seeds or new little plants! 🌱

19/06/2026

I am officially a Clinical Herbalist! 🎉 Clinical exam yesterday morning, finally three years are complete. Afterwards, a well needed trip to the beach to relax. The sun was shining with congratulations 🥂

Many of you might wonder what this qualification is and why I invested £21k for the additional training.

In the wellness world, the term herbalist is used quite freely; a qualified Clinical Herbalist operates at a completely higher level of medical and scientific training.

Training for OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) - examinations used by trained medics to ensure clinical safety and competency.

The study of pathology (how diseases develop) and pathophysiology to understand the internal mechanics of what is happening in the body.

Due to this specific level of education, qualified clinical herbalists hold legal exemptions under the UK Medicines Act / Human Medicines Regulations. This grants us the unique authority to formulate, blend, and prescribe bespoke, therapeutic-strength herbal medicines tailored specifically to you.

Something wellness shops or uncertified practitioners cannot legally do. With 500 hours of clinical training I can ensure a professional service. Membership with professional bodies such as the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and the CPP ensures high standards of patient care and consistent professional development.

Seeing a professional clinical herbalist is not about working against modern medicine it is about intelligent integration.

If you are already taking prescribed pharmaceutical medications, herbal prescriptions are cross referenced on a database to avoid potential drug-herb interactions. I can also communicate with your GP.

If you are currently stuck on a long NHS waiting list looking for answers, visiting a clinical herbalist can safely support your vitality, ease discomfort and address functional imbalances in the body while you wait for a formal diagnosis, providing a level of control and autonomy.

Herbal medicine shines when addressing longterm, complex chronic health issues by looking at the root causes and treating the whole person, not just a disease.

Yes, you can google Ashwaghanda for stress or pay huge monies to TikTok wellness experts but they are not trained and herbalism is far more than treating a symptom.

Whole-body plans using food, phytochemistry and supporting the nervous system alongside, creates lasting and effective change. Are you willing to invest?

To celebrate opening my clinical practice, I am offering initial consultations at a special introductory rate:

* Current Introductory Rate: £75
* Standard Rate (From September): £125

If you are genuinely struggling financially, due to poor health, I offer a Friday clinic for a nominal donation as herbal medicine should be available to everyone. Please book to join the Friday online clinic. Please note, that unfortunately new appointments can not be granted should you not attend your allocated appointment.

Please email: [email protected] to arrange your appointment and be given a link for a Halaxy Telecall.

I look forward to helping you find health and vitality through simple dietary and lifestyle changes alongside plant medicines.

11/06/2026

🌿 Welcoming our new guest. Second job - providing joy during the revision process - one Clinical Exam to go! 🍃

09/06/2026

Symbolised as messengers of joy, hope, and renewal, Leaf Retreat is honoured to be home to a family of seven blue t**s. It is lovely watching the fledglings learn to fly, feed and listen to their quiet chatter. A great way to start the day!

In a world that often keeps us in a state of high alert, nature provides us with an opportunity to reset our nervous system, steering us into a parasympathetic state, that of rest and repair. Scientific research by King’s College London found that real-time mental well-being was boosted for eight hours with bird encounters, including those with depression , you can read more here: King's College London. Exeter university demonstrated a direct correlation between the abundance of birds and trees in a neighbourhood with lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress among residents. You can find the study details via ScienceDaily.

While I offer a double en-suite accommodation area so customers outside of the local area can make the most of their consultation time, it also provides the ideal opportunity for a digital detox and opportunity to enjoy nature as we are very scheduled yet still 5 min walk to town.

Lucky guests who have booked these coming months will get the chance to enjoy our birdie friends. Being dog-friendly too - well what could be better that a nature-based relax for all the family!

You can book your stay now here: Guest suite in Lincolnshire · ★4.77 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 private bathroom

If you can’t make it we hope you like our little video!

31/05/2026

🌿When you receive the most lovely humbling feedback from your client and then you find a butterfly in your home; gently sitting on your hand waiting for a rescue, and then while writing this post a second one arrives. I would say that it is a lovely positive sign that Leaf Retreat will be very successful!

🦋One exam tomorrow and then my 25 years of training will be complete - having an exemption in the Medicines Act Clincial Herbalist are legally able to prescribe herbs for clients for chronic disease priorisiting safety and effectiveness.

🦋Keep updated for a brand new website and booking system during the summer!

08/05/2026

I have mentioned the use of glycophosphate, thankfully Riverford have organised a petition. Let’s take action!

Riverford’s plea to keep glyphosate off UK food.