Patient Testimonial: Depression, low body temperature and irregular periods

I had pushed myself to the limits - I had become volatile, sad, depressed and hopeless. Miserable. Really, it wasn’t fun to be alive, every day I was afraid of myself. What doom would I bring upon myself or those around me? Physically, I always felt cold (even during the summer time), my periods had become irregular as well as the fact that I had become too skinny. 

A friend told me about herbal medicine. I was curious. I am a firm believer that conventional and complementary treatments can work well together, that way a person has more choice and freedom over their health. This time, the conventional way wasn’t helping me, I wasn’t taken seriously. That’s when I got in touch with Jonny, I needed my health and sanity back.

Jonny is extremely knowledgeable, non-judgmental, but still firm in his approach. He is what one imagines, when one thinks of a wise health practitioner. Jonny usually explains how a herb works, which might appeal and reassure those who are more sceptical of herbalism. It can feel liberating to be aware what truly is in the medicine (tincture, tea, powder) you consume. 

It’s been 2 years now. The journey has lead me to feel more self acceptance, a increased warmer body, slow but steady weight gain and a lot more happier outlook on life. When my mood dips, I don’t destroy my relationships, I don’t quit my job, I don’t self harm. I am able to put on a nice upbeat song and dance my way out of the blues. I dance and stretch again! I love my job, I am able to express myself to the people around me, if something is wrong. My journey is not over, I am getting better and better every day, and there’s still space for more improvement.

I am amazed by the power of the herbs.

I can only be thankful and grateful to Jonny and the Herbs.

Eve (UK)

Eve was in a deep state of prolonged depression and sensitive mood swings when we first consulted. Her body was beginning to slow down with fatigue, whilst negative thinking patterns were keeping her locked into a cycle of suffering. Not only this, but her periods had been irregular for some time. With herbs and constant exploration of feelings, emotions, past events and childhood experiences we managed to unravel things slowly. Her drive and focus began to shine through the more her life began to improve. Culminating in many powerful lifestyle changes that now feed more joy and passion into her life. Well done Eve. It has been an incredible transformation over the last 2 years.

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

Patient Testimonial: Absent/Irregular Periods and low mood

I went to see Jonny after looking for a herbalist for a few months.  I'd tried a range of conventional and complementary treatments for absent/irregular periods. My condition was affecting my mood, attitude and skin and I was keen to explore a fresh approach.

Jonny's passion for the power of herbal medicine is beautiful to witness and made me feel confident in the process. I was advised at the start of our consultation that it would likely be an emotional and potentially lengthy journey. A year on I can say that this was very true and I've learnt a lot about myself along the way. I've had a dramatic improvement in my periods and my hormone balance. I've also let go of some past hurts and feel more open to adventure, love and new paths.

I found the consultations to be an opportunity to explore my current choices, relationships and beliefs and how this may link to the symptoms I was experiencing. Jonny explained how my condition may have developed as a result of life events and my attitude towards myself and others.  He also explained how each of the plants/herbs used would impact on my system by telling me their unique qualities. I found this part of the consultations really helpful and interesting. The tinctures prescribed were taken twice a day and their effects were felt both physically and emotionally. I also tried some tea made from a variety of herbs and flowers.

I enjoyed the process of personal consultations and found that a slight adjustment in each new tincture enabled changes in my system as well as new insights. I'm currently enjoying a more regular cycle, clearer skin and lower blood pressure. I'm sure the process will be ongoing and I trust that things will continue to improve for me.

I'd recommend Jonny if you are seeking plant medicine for absent or irregular periods; he is an expert in his work and will support you along your journey with empathy and understanding. 

Anonymous. 

This patient was becoming more and more frustrated with conventional approaches to her health problems. We spent time covering numerous issues to do with childhood experiences, relationships and her blood pressure which was quite high. The patient responded well to herbs and although it hasn’t been a straight forward path to recovery she has persevered to finally find a real place of balance with her monthly cycle and mood. I am very grateful for the trust and openness this patient placed in me with such a program.

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

Empowering your patients through the 'Locus of control'

It struck me recently how most of my work with patients these days is centered around using herbs for improving a patient’s perception of their situation and the control that they can take back in reclaiming a power within to move forward with their illness. Far too often i see people who suffer with mental or physical illness yet seem incapable of recognising how disempowered they are with their situation and how much of that disempowerment is a part of their own mind.

In psychology there is a concept known as the ‘Locus of control’. Locus of control is defined as an individual’s belief system regarding the causes of an experience and the variables to which that person attributes success or failure. Sound confusing? The concept is divided into 2 categories: Internal and external. If an individual has a more internal locus of control then that person is more likely to attribute personal success to their own individual abilities. An internal locus of control empowers individuals to experience themselves as able to influence outcomes that affect them. In a therapeutic context this is an important tool as it gives an individual the ability to recognise that when they make a mistake or something negative happens within their life that they take a courageous outlook to make sure it doesn’t happen again or learn from it to become wiser or better equipped for next time. I would term this psychological resilience.

Persons with an external locus of control will be more likely to attribute their success or failure to luck or fate. External locus of control disempowers people to engage with learning as they see so much of their current success or failure as something outside of themselves. They are essentially hopeless in situations that they perceive as negative or hurting as they lack the knowledge of responsibility that would run through an internal locus of control individual. People with a more external locus of control will be more prone to anxiety disorders as well as other mental health problems as they fall into constant negative cycles of social or romantic situations where they are reminded how life is ‘unlucky’ or ‘cruel’ and their is nothing they can do about it.

The ever rising rates of mental illness in our teenage generations is, in my opinion, a result of us losing the value in teaching our children how to recognise the power that can be found within making a mistake, having something ‘bad’ happen to you or experiencing something cruel. It is in these moments that an internal locus of control finds the courage in taking action to learn, to bolster their defences, to engage with life by improving one’s physical and psychological abilities so that you essentially mature and grow as an adult. Lets be clear, this isn’t about denying any emotional response to pain, hurt or suffering. Emotions need to be expressed, but once they have come and gone the hurt individual would do well to be taught that they have a power within themselves to learn from this event.

So much of therapy is in engaging an individual with the sense that whatever horrific things have happened to them that their is something valuable to learn, maybe even something valuable to give back to the world to hopefully stop that situation or cruelty happening again.

Within my clinical practice i use talking therapies to analyse an individual’s circumstance and then write prescriptions using herbs that not only deal with the underlying physical issues but also engage a patient to take action within their life so that they develop an attitude that control can be regained. It can be quite amazing to behold when patient’s begin to learn the momentum that exists within their own bodies when they start to view life with an excitement again and really self-develop.

Often the clues for how or why an individual may suffer more with an external locus of control is due to childhood experiences. Especially when parents or care-givers are the abusers as these are the people who are often the first ones we look to for support in reminding us we have a power, we have a responsibility. The message in those situations is that you have no power and you might as well always give up as that is always what you have known, so why change?

The truth is that you can change at any age, no matter how powerless you think you are. The fear of bad things happening again diminishes as the locus of control switches from external to internal. Anxiety, depression and mental illness begin to improve and vitality returns as the patient faces life with a stronger attitude and conscious approach towards the inevitable sufferings of life. They have hopefully become wiser, more resilient and clear about the way forward. So ask yourself right now….. what are my core beliefs surrounding negative circumstances? Do you recognise how this may be holding you back in life? Maybe even making you sick? Research shows us that moving towards a more internal locus of control is better for our health and vitality, you might need some help getting there.

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

The Crowdfunder and New Clinic is complete

I would like to send a huge amount of gratitude towards the people who took the time to listen to the call and donate towards my funder. No matter how small your donation it has made a huge difference in creating the clinic. In total we raised approximately £1800 from people all over the UK and the world, so please allow me to show you what work has been completed.

The view of the clinic entrance with my dried herbs to the left of the door along with the screen and massage table. When i have enough funds i will transfer the herbs into kilner jars so it looks neater and provides easier access to dispense herbs.

To the right of the door i have the extra stock cabinet for herbs along with a leather patient chair and desk for consultations. One of the new light fittings that can be dimmed is hanging down from the ceiling. 

Looking away from the clinic entrance there is another practitioner chair to choose from. I have fitted a fridge and more storage for herbs, bottles and equipment. Lots of plants from my home were moved in to clean the air and make it feel 'fresh'. 

This is now the view of the dispensary when you walk into the clinic. I have 96 tinctures in the left cabinet and various creams, cannabis oil and other miscellaneous herbs in the right one. My beloved belfast sink and shelving was fitted to help clean equipment.

So far the patient feedback has been amazing and everyone is commenting on how calm and spacious it feels. I have a few more things to do like hang up a mirror, fit more shelves and tile above the sink but for now the clinic feels relatively complete. 

During the build i realised that the original name of Kelham Therapy Room didn't feel good so i have now changed it to 'The Sheffield Health & Wellbeing Clinic'. I have since built the website and so far we have 5 of us working from the clinic - Including a nutritionist, celtic healer, aromatherapist and myofascial release practitioner. I am hopeful more practitioners will use the room and our business will grow. 

Check out the new website at www.sheffieldhealthandwellbeing.co.uk

Again i want to thank every person who has donated money, time, resources, energy or just listened to me moaning about how difficult this was. I have to admit i was incredibly naive to think this would be easy but it feels done.

For now i feel my soul yearning to just sit under a tree and play my guitar..... listen to the sounds of the forest and learn what happens next. 

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

Jonny's Apothecary is going to BOOM festival 2018

Friends of the world. I have just received confirmation that I will be taking the dispensary to BOOM festival in Portugal. Offering consultations on a donation basis during the event. 

This is a dream come true for me. BOOM has been a part of my life for a few years now and bringing herbal medicine to participants from all over the world will do amazing things for increasing awareness of herbal medicine. 

I am unsure of my working hours at the moment but I believe that I will be working approximately 30-40 hours during the week. Patients will be offered 50 minute consultations and medicine will be prescribed during that time. 

Come and find me in the healing fields or contact me through email/phone whilst you are there.

Exciting times for herbal medicine!

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists MNIMH

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness
Clinics in Sheffield and Manchester

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary