About Apothecary Forager
Ruth Weaver BSc. (Hons) Medical Herbalist
Cornish born, Ruth grew up in a small town near Lands End, England where the surrounding countryside consists of abundant, ancient hedgerows and coast paths on which many plant species grow wild. Walking in these ancient landscapes that are so rich in the history of primitive life- it is second nature to connect with the ancient ways.
Ruth became aware of the issues of global warming during her youth. As a direct response to this difficult truth Ruth devoted herself to making change by aligning with strong values surrounding sustainability and living in harmony with the cycles and rhythms of the earth.
This combined with Ruth’s love of plants and healing set her on a quest to find a path that was caring and considerate towards this precious earth. By a chance meeting in her teenage years, Ruth was gifted a book called ‘Change the World 9-5’ which affirmed her calling to become a herbalist.
In 2009 Ruth moved to Scotland to embark on a 4 year study of Herbal Medicine at the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in Glasgow where she learnt from herbalists and experts from all over the world. Ruth completed her Herbal Medicine BSc. (Hons) at Lincoln University in 2012. Ruth is a member of the Herbal Alliance and is insured under Balens Insurance Ltd .
Ruth has sought diversity in her inspirations having worked with and learnt from many leading herbalists and herbal experts including the late Andrew Stableford, Dedj Leibbrandt, the late Christopher Hedley, Rebecca Lazarous , Annie McIntyre and The Seed Sistas . Ruth also spent a number of years working with a collective of frontline herbal first aiders at events around the UK providing both orthodox and herbal first aid.
As well as running her practice in West Cornwall- Ruth works for Herbal Reality - an online educational platform that shares traditional, scientific and practical insights written by experienced herbalists and health experts. As well as working on an long term project to enrich current monographs throughout the site, Ruth writes many of the Herbal Reality monographs which are published each month.
As an author Ruth works to a balanced view of traditional, scientific, energetic and practical insights. Ruth also participates in regular herbal and healthcare conferences and CPD (continuing professional development events).
About Herbal Medicine
What is a Medical Herbalist?
The professional training in herbal medicine is a rigorous and in-depth study. To become a Medical Herbalist one must achieve a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree or equivalent. A minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours is undertaken before completing the training. This comprehensive approach enables herbalists to practice with a deep understanding of herbal safety, clinical pathologies and pharmacology as well as equipping herbalists with skills in differential diagnostics, physical examination and comprehensive history taking.
Herbalists gain the highest understanding of the medicinal actions of herbs and how to optimise health with both herbs and nutrition. A herbalist understands that the body is a self correcting system and that imbalances or diseases occur when there is a disparity that has a cause.
Herbalists also understand the relationships between different body systems and how they are interconnected. Due to this understanding, a herbalist will work to make connections between multiple health conditions, then identifying the root of the cause before creating a treatment plan which includes a bespoke herbal formula, nutritional and lifestyle advice that addresses the full picture of health.
Why see a Herbalist?
There is a saying ‘a herbalist in every house, a medical herbalist in every village’. Whilst a medical herbalist can support those with more serious, life limiting conditions, Ruth believes that we should all be empowered with the knowledge and skills to support our health and treat simple conditions at home with the powerful medicines growing abundantly around us this is a message she shares throughout all her teachings.
Our unique constitution and life story should be honoured with a healing modality that acknowledges our life journey and alchemises to restore our natural balance using powerful, active vibrational medicines for the mind, body and soul.
Many people use shop bought herbal supplements to self treat at home and indeed many benefits will come from using herbs in this way. However there will rarely be a quick (or lasting) ‘fix’ without a deep analysis of how the pattern of ill health has formed. Just in the same way that one would not be expected to be able to walk into a pharmacy and self prescribe for chronic illness- one is unlikely to successfully treat themselves in this way with herbs particularly for long term or serious health problems.
How Herbal Medicine Works…
Curative treatment for illness requires a sophisticated and complex understanding of the dynamics and interactions within the body. This is why, to see the best results of using plant medicines for long term or chronic health conditions is seen by consulting a professional medical or clinical herbalist.
Herbalists are often asked ‘ is there a herb that’s good for…? ’. If this question is referring to short term or acute illness- a herbalist can usually offer simple advice on helpful herbs. However, when it comes to chronic or ongoing illness, herbal medicine is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Herbal medicines do not directly ‘substitute’ modern drugs i.e. replace lisinopril (a medication for high blood pressure) with a herbal hypotensive (agent that lowers blood pressure). Whilst in this circumstance a herbalist may use herbs that have a direct effect on blood pressure, they will also be supporting the entire system- using nervines (herbs that support the nervous system) and adaptogens (herbs that support the systems affected by high stress hormones) and cardioprotective herbs to support cardiovasulcar health etc.
An approach like this addresses the body systems that are implicated for high blood pressure- ‘indirectly’ however, this acts to moderate the system so that the mechanisms that control blood pressure are re-balanced. A herbalist will also be tailoring specific advice for their patients to make lifestyle and dietary changes.
What can Herbal Medicine treat?
Plant medicine is natural, safe and effective and can be used to treat a wide range of simple and serious conditions of mind, body and spirit. It is suitable for all genders and ages, from pre-conception and birth to elderliness and palliative care. With care it can also be used safely along side orthodox medications and treatments.