About us

As part of our training as Medical Herbalists we studied for four years in clinical medicine, differential diagnostic skills, pharmacology, materia medica, botany, nutrition and clinical examinations. We have both completed additional clinical training hours at Whipps Cross Hospital dermatology department with medical herbalist Alex Laird.

We are trained in comparable diagnostic methods to medical doctors, but we use natural plant medicine to treat the person. We are able to interpret blood and urine test results and carry out routine physical examinations. Our training allows us to identify any conditions where it may be necessary to refer to a GP for further tests. We have also been trained to prescribe herbs alongside conventional medication where appropriate.

We have furthered our herbal first aid and acute treatment skills by working with a dedicated team of experienced herbalists and other health professionals  at events around Britain.

More about Herbal Medicine and our approach

We are passionate about working towards social justice, and are involved in several projects to bring herbal medicine to people most in need - Herbalists Without Borders, The Medicine Garden and The Radical Herbalism gathering.

Read more about our other projects

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Becs Griffiths

I hold a BSc (Hons) First class degree in Herbal Medicine. The National Institute of Medical Herbalists also awarded me the Arthur Baker Award for best final clinical examination in the UK and the Dorothy Carroll Award for top final clinical examination at UEL in 2009.
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I have seven years of clinical experience and have treated hundreds of patients. In my first year of practise, I worked at Common Ground Health Clinic in New Orleans alongside other medical staff to provide free primary healthcare. This was a unique opportunity, through which I gained valuable experience supporting people with chronic health problems including late onset diabetes, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome.

In 2010, I established Rhizome Community Herbal Clinic in Bristol and a year later Annwen Jones joined me.

I have continued to further my herbal and clinic knowledge. Whilst working in New Orleans, I spent a year studying Appalachian Herbal Medicine with Alabama herbalist Phyllis Light. After returning to the UK I studied Chinese diagnostics and Chinese herbs for 18 months with Dedj Liebbrant. I then spent a year with Nathaniel Hughes at the Intuitive School of Herbal Medicine, deepening my knowledge of local herbal medicine.
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Having had a son in the last year, I am more than ever committed to treating mothers and children in my clinic. I am currently taking an accredited antenatal and doula training course with Amanda Rayment and Dominique Sakoilsky. This will enhance my ability to support and assist women and their families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  

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Annwen Jones

I graduated from The University of East London in January 2012 with a BSc (Hons) first class degree in Herbal Medicine. I was also awarded the Arthur Barker Award from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists for the best graduate.
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Immediately after finishing my training, I gained valuable experience working in London as part of the Herbal Barge project alongside herbalist Melissa Ronaldson, taking herbal medicine to different parts of the city via the waterways, giving health advice to the public, making medicinal herbal products and harvesting herbs.
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My own clinical practice began in the autumn of 2012 when I began working as a herbalist with Rhizome Community Herbal Clinic, and then in 2013 as a herbalist in the complementary health low cost clinic at Wellspring Healthy Living NHS Centre in Barton Hill. Since then I have developed my clinical experience and carried out continuous professional development, attending conferences and seminars all over the Uk and Ireland, and with The National Institute of Medical Herbalists mentor scheme.

I began teaching herbal medicine workshops initially whilst I was still training, teaching herbal medicine making skills in the Ecoworks Community Garden in Nottingham and Urban City Farm in Leeds. Since coming to Bristol I have developed my passion for sharing my skiils and knowledge about health, self-care and plant medicine, which has been a major part of our work with Rhizome.