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Alan is a fully qualified Five Element Acupuncturist and has been practising this wonderful system of medicine at Napiers Clinic in the West End of Glasgow for the past 18 years.
Angela practices Herbal Medicine at Napiers Bathgate, Edinburgh & Glasgow, as well as with the Napiers CLAID Clinic.
Ania is a face massage therapist. I also work as a fitness instructor teaching yoga and other disciplines. I studied Public Health and Health Promotion in Poland and HND Sports Coaching course at Dundee College.
Audrey is a Medical Herbalist, graduating in 2007 with a BSc (Hons) in Herbal Medicine & Phytotherapy from Edinburgh’s Napier University and is a registered member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (MNIMH).
As a fully qualified, experienced Holistic Therapist, Bettina works with clients on a one-to-one basis to establish an optimal treatment plan or therapy to best support your skin health and well-being.
Cat offers a range of massage including holistic, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, advanced sports stretching and pregnancy massge.
Claire is an experienced Western Medical Herbalist (BSc), a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) and works at Napiers online clinic.
Clare is an experienced medical herbalist based in the West Highlands of Scotland, home to deer, livestock, ticks, and Lyme disease. She works for the Napier's CLAID clinic on a Thursday morning.
Clare began training at Edinburgh’s Napier University in 2005, gaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine in 2009. She joined the Napiers Clinic team shortly after her graduation, initially working in the dispensary before beginning her herbal practice in 2010. Since then she has been a key member of our clinical team, working alongside Dee Atkinson in running the general herbal clinics, as well as heading the Baby & Child Clinic.
Cybele is a passionate Sophrologist and founder of Chamapola, Healing Yourself - Healing Together.
Dean is a Naturopathic Practitioner experienced in Nutrition and Herbal Medicine. With interests in nerve problems, cardiovascular health, digestive disorders as well as male and female reproductive system wellbeing.
Dee is the senior herbal practitioner at Napiers the Herbalists in Edinburgh. She runs a general medicine clinic with a special interest in women’s health, managing hormonal health and ageing. More recently, Dee set up the Napiers Long Covid Clinic to facilitate an integrated approach between doctors, herbalists and nutritionist to this new disease.
Isabelle has over 20 years helping individuals and couples achieve their fertility goals through nutrition.
Jill is a fully qualified and insured Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist offering Outcome Based Treatments
John is a friendly and experienced counsellor offering 1-1 sessions on Fridays at Napiers Clinic in Edinburgh city centre and online via FaceTime/Skype. He has worked in private practice supporting people for over 18 years and brings a wealth of experience.
Kate is a BANT registered Nutritionist who owns and runs the Edinburgh Clinic of Nutrition. She trained for three and a half years at Patrick Holford's renowned Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London and is currently studying with The Institute of Functional Medicine in the US.
Kim is qualified in Aromatherapy Massage and Indian Head Massage. Working with the needs of her massage clients led to a deeper interest in their health and Kim studied the BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine degree at Napier University, Edinburgh.
Kirstin is a fully qualified member of the Society of Homeopaths and holds an RSHom distinction in Classical Homeopathy. Kirstin qualified from the Northwest College of Homeopathy's four-year training course in Manchester.
Lynn is a registered osteopath and has been practicing osteopathy for nineteen years. She studied osteopathy and cranial sacral therapy at the European School of Osteopathy and graduated in 1991. Lynn has a background in physiotherapy and is trained in structural, craniosacral, functional, fascial and visceral osteopathy.
Malgorzata graduated from the College of Naturopathic Medicine where she studied Western Herbal Medicine and Naturopathic Nutrition /Diplomas in Herbal Medicine (2017), Naturopathy (2017), and Naturopathic Nutrition (2020). She is also qualified in KORE Therapy, Anmo-fu - 5 Element Abdominal Massage, Craniosacral Balance and Stress Release Therapy and Cupping. Her first degree is a PhD in History.
Margaret practices Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy at Napiers Edinburgh.
Mark runs the podiatry clinic, offering diagnosis and treatment of various disorders relating to the feet, ankles, legs and lower back. He offers podiatry, chiropody, orthotics and nail surgery.
Mary is a qualified therapist in Swedish, Indian and Thai Foot Massage.
Mary trained in Edinburgh, and has been working as a complementary therapist since 1999, holding diplomas in Clinical Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Therapeutic Massage and Hopi Ear Candling gained from the International Therapy Examinations Council (ITEC). She is a member of, and is fully insured to practice with, the Complementary Therapists Association (CThA).
Mike is a body worker and NLP Practitioner who is passionate about working with the person as a whole; offering treatments that integrate body and mind.
Monica has a Masters degree in herbal medicine from the University of Central Lancashire. She is the research herbalist heading up the Napiers Lyme Clinic. The Lyme Clinic specialism is Lyme disease Borrelia burgdorferi and co-infections - crypto-infections Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia, Erlichia, Anaplasma, Mycoplasma, etc. A research herbalist is not the same as a medical herbalist and Monica does not run a general clinical practice. This allows her to focus on Lyme disease and bacterial and viral infections.
Natasha is an experienced and qualified medical herbalist in Western herbal medicine, a forager and mycotherapist.
Nikki was awarded a first class honours degree in Herbal Medicine from the University of East London and trained at clinics in Glasgow and London. She was also awarded the Arthur Barker prize for her final examination grades. Nikki also has ITEC Diplomas in Holistic Massage and Aromatherapy. She is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists which is the UK’s leading professional body representing herbal practitioners. NIMH members follow a strict code of conduct and are committed to ongoing and continual practitioner development and training.
Pearlyn is a licensed acupuncturist and a registered member of the Acupuncture Society, and is fully insured to practice acupuncture, tuina, cupping and moxibustion.
Rebecca is an Associate Nutritionist, specialising in gut health and women's health, from hormone imbalance to fertility, pregnancy and beyond.
Sara is qualified Medical Herbalist, Ayurvedic Therapist and Yoga teacher, holding an MSc. in Western Herbal Medicine from Middlesex University.
Sheila is a Holistic Therapist who qualified in KCR in 2019 with the KCR Academy. After a long career in retail, an ankle injury led her to seek an alternative approach to healing.
Shona has worked at Napiers Clinic for 30 years where she has picked up a wealth of knowledge about various complementary therapies. She trained as a Food Sensitivity tester with The Health Partnership Company, where she was taught how to use the 3 point marker system.
Thanos is an experienced Medical Herbalist and practises as a Herbalist and Orthopaedic Acupuncturist at Napiers in Edinburgh and at Napiers Bathgate.
Wendy qualified in 2002 with a BSc(Hons) in Phytotherapy. Since then she has practiced in Fife, Angus and the Lothians. She is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance involving the development of cysts on the ovaries which can lead to a range of distressing symptoms including painful periods, premenstrual syndrome, acne, facial hair growth and weight gain...
by Ally Broughton MSc BSc (hons) MNIMH Medical Herbalist, Researcher Herbal practitioner and member of the research team for the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance involving the development of cysts on the ovaries which can lead to a range of distressing symptoms including painful periods, premenstrual syndrome, acne, facial hair growth and weight gain. PCOS affects many women, an estimated 10-15% of the population, and is a common cause of fertility problems and may lead to other health conditions such as diabetesi.
Herbal medicines can help to restore hormonal balance containing a natural source of phytoestrogensii. Whilst these active plant constituents are not actual hormones, they are the ‘building blocks’ necessary for the body to produce hormones and gently stimulate the natural bodily processes into the correct hormonal balance, and thereby alleviate symptoms without side effects. Many herbs are a rich source of phytoestrogens including Agnus castus, Red clover, Marigold, Black cohosh, Motherwort and Ladies mantle. Recent research has focused on the herb Agnus castus.
Agnus castus has been used traditionally by herbalists for centuries specifically to treat hormonal imbalances and menstrual problems including premenstrual tension, heavy and painful periods and other irregularities in the menstrual cycle such as PCOS and endometriosis.
Modern clinical studies across Europe demonstrate the benefits of using Agnus castus in the treatment of premenstrual symptoms, menstrual irregularities and infertility, all of which may be associated with PCOS. Few side effects are reported in all studies, supporting its long traditional use and safety record.
A clinical study using Agnus castus extract on 176 women suffering with PMS: the study concluded an effective and well tolerated treatment for the relief of premenstrual symptoms including mood changes and breast tendernessiii. In another clinical study 121 women suffering from moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms were given an Agnus castus dried herb extract over 3 menstrual cycles. The study concluded that treatment was effective in the majority of cases in relieving symptoms, in particular, mood changesiv.
Other clinical studies have investigated potential benefits for improving menstrual irregularities and fertility problemsv.
A study on the safety of Agnus castus reviewed all published clinical studies available on side effects reported and concluded that it is a safe herbal medicine to take with no serious side effectsvi.
Approach involves prescribing herbs on an individual basis depending on the symptoms experienced, medical history, diet, life style, overall health and wellbeing. Following a detailed case history, a specific herbal medicine is prescribed. For PCOS specific advice on weight control, blood sugar balance, exercise and stress management can be helpful, all of which influence hormonal balance and overall health.
By consulting with a herbal practitioner, the herbal medicine and treatment plan can be tailored to your individual needs and gives you the added assurance that you are taking the right medicines safely. An individual approach means that all your health needs are taken into consideration.
The symptoms of PCOS can be mild to severely debilitating and can differ widely between individual women. There is a potential risk of developing diabetes, weight problems or infertility and it is therefore advisable to seek professional advice on any individual health concerns.
If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or are on prescribed medications for a health condition, always ask a professional health practitioner for advice before taking any over the counter herbal supplements.
Verity is a UK charity for women whose lives are affected by PCOS Verity is a self-help group for women offering support and providing up to date medical information. www.verity-pcos.org.uk
i March WA et al, 2010: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in a community sample assessed under contrasting diagnostic criteria. Human Reproduction: Vol 25(2):pp544-551 http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/2/544.short
ii Trickey R, 2003: Women, hormones & the menstrual cycle. Allen and Unwin, Australia
iii Shellenberg R, 2001: Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome with Agnus castus fruit extract: prospective randomized, placebo controlled study. BMJ: 322:134 http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7279/134.abstract
iv Prilepskaya VN et al, 2006: Vitex agnus castus: successful treatment of moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome. The European Menopausal Journal, Maturitas: Vol 55; pp S55-S63
http://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(06)00239-8/abstract
v Westphal LM et al, 2004: A nutritional supplement for improving fertility in women. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine: Vol. 49(4):pp289-293 http://www.reproductivehealing.com/medart/fertilityblend.pdf
vi Daniele C et al, 2005: Vitex agnus castus: A systematic review of adverse events. Drug safety: 28(4): 319-332
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