The clinic room is developing

The room here at The Sheffield Health & Wellbeing Clinic has been developing continuously since it was opened in April. More therapists have come on board and we now have a 2nd herbalist starting their new career here after completing the degree course in Lincoln.

Patient numbers are growing steadily but there is plenty of room for improvement. Due to the nature of the business it is clear that most people find me as a herbalist through either meeting me or seeing a family member or friend go through treatment. This means that standard avenues of advertising tend to not work as well as planned. A healthy instagram account along with facebook followers is great for awareness but it doesn’t necessarily mean i get patients. A recent successful herb walk at the Hulme Community garden project in Manchester was a reminder that i need to get out more to showcase what i and herbal medicine can do. A new patient signed up the following week which felt like a gentle nudge i need to get out more.

I have also moved my large and ever-growing plant collection here to the clinic. The total now stands at 53 the last time i checked. This is slowly turning into a bit of an obsession but i really believe it makes a huge difference to the energy, quality and experience of sitting here with me and talking. Being surrounded by nature reminds us that it is nature that is healing us. The time and energy that goes into caring for them so we can enjoy their presence together is hopefully a reminder of the care and tenderness that goes into deciding what prescription a patient should be given.

Please have a look at the gallery below. Thanks again to all the people who put their faith and money into a project that i was unsure would be as successful at it has. Look at what you helped blossom!

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

Only 2 weeks remaining for consultations and repeat prescriptions

In 2 weeks I will be traveling to Portugal to work as a medical herbalist at BOOM festival in Portugal. The last consultation will be on the 14th of July. Please book yourself in between now and then or contact me for a repeat prescription to see you through until the 10th August when I return. 

If you are attending BOOM then please come and say 'Hi'. I will be in the Being Fields in a tipi with my dispensary. I will have various herbs for acute/chronic conditions and will be selling products outside of consultation times when I am there so please email or call as I will have my phone with me. 

If for any reason you cannot wait to see a herbalist or need herbs whilst I am away then please contact the Herbarium on Abbeydale Road. They will NOT have access to your information, prescriptions or notes but they be able to give you something helpful to keep you going until I return. 

Best wishes to all for a beautiful, fun-filled summer.

Boom Festival 2014

 

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 Sheffield Health & Wellbeing Clinic

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.

Sheffield Health & Wellbeing Clinic

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. 

Sheffield Health & Wellbeing Clinic

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'. 

The dispensary at Jonny's Apothecary

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. 

Thank you with Roses

 

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: Post Abortion Stress Syndrome and Associated Effects

"I really didn’t know how to start this testimonial for Jonny’s work. I am not a person who usually has a problem finding words nor to express my feelings. But working with Jonny is an unbelievable experience. So I think I want to introduce myself first. I am a 32 year old girl from Germany, who has struggled in life because of several issues. The biggest event has been the trauma associated with the inability to handle the abortion of my child which literally changed my life.

It feels like it has been the eye opener for my ego to finally connect to my body and soul. I didn’t know why but I quit my job, left everything behind for walking on the “Camino de Santiago” in Spain. My spirit was lost after the abortion and I wanted to find it again. Before I met Jonny I met a beautiful soul sister on the walk. She is wonderful in every way and a woman with so much truth and love. Last year in October I visited her in Sheffield and because of me still struggling in life, she recommended Jonny and his herbs. Trusting her deeply I had my first consultation during that visit. I thought the journey on the “Camino de Santiago” healed me from my
traumas but then I met the herbalist. It feels like the journey was a preparation and clean-up for what would come next in my life. It told me to forgive myself for what I did and to forgive the people who hurt me. And then I continued my journey with a new chapter: guided by Jonny and the herbs. It became a crazy route to my inner self, my real me as a woman.

Working with herbs isn’t easy and it is challenging as every therapy, I know that because I had one before. But the huge and main difference is this “being seen”. I not only had traumas and a numbness in my womb after the abortion, rather I had blemished skin, digestion problems, thrombosis (2 times), tinnitus and self-doubt as you have no idea. Jonny has been the first “doc” who really talked to me, listened to me, saw me and believed in what I said. I felt taken seriously and his conclusion was right. So I started the journey and took my herbs and oh yeah, the inner pain finally came out.

I am so thankful for this journey, because I am standing today in front of my mirror and I see the woman. My true self. And guess what, I love what I see. My body and soul feels itself peacefully, they are once again talking to each other, finally. Jonny, thank you for being such a wonderful person, who lives his vocation with passion and heart. Don’t you ever think to quit because the world needs you. Thank you for taking care and for seeing “the human” behind “the being”. My journey with the herbs is almost there, and I am looking forward to what is yet to come.

Dear reader, I literally walked through fog, pain and confusion. At last, I am seeing the beauty of life and the happiness of being a human again. Thankfulness has a whole new meaning for me, because I feel blessed to wake up, and to feel the breath in my lungs.

Life is a bitter sweet symphony and I love to taste both with gratitude."

Nadine Dull

 

This patient was experiencing a deep inner numbness in her womb that had appeared after her abortion. Her mood, digestion and menstrual cycle were all altered and needed help to balance. Within one year the numbness has now disappeared, her menstrual cycle is now regular with minimal pain and her emotions now feel in control. Nadine has helped me understand the pain and trauma of what an abortion can mean for a woman.

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 crowdfunding

9 days ago i took the step to start a crowdfunder. Having wanted to do one since over a year ago i never had the courage or confidence to ask for help. Fear would always strike me at the thought 'nobody cares' or 'i won't get anyone donating'. Having shared these thoughts with other friends and therapists it would seem it is quite a common experience for people to fall under the weight of picking a financial target and being crippled by nothing but our own minds. You see with crowdfunding there are options that if you don't hit your target you can still withdraw, so naturally there is no excuse other than the emotions of fear to stop us from requesting financial help. 

Jonny's Apothecary is crowdfunding and needs your help

Of course some crowdfunders are better than others due to connections or rewards but the truth remains, we can all ask for help sometimes when we need it and see if the fruits of our labour in our community will return the gifts we have shared or brought to them in good time.

So for me this process has felt a humbling experience so far as i watch the donations come in. It feels my wait to build up the courage to do this was also closely linked with my feelings of self-worth. Now the time is right i can feel it. 

At the moment the crowdfunder stands at £490 with 19 days remaining to achieve the big £1,000. With every donation there is a choice to receive a gift in return so please read the options carefully. As i type some massages still remain at 30% off, an absolute bargain if i say so myself.

For me the integrity and honour of receiving donations I intend to share many blog posts about the progress and development of the clinic.

At the moment the room is almost ready for the next step. Furniture, stock, diagnostic equipment and marketing are all the next stages needed for Kelham Therapy Room to take its place in the Sheffield holistic healthcare scene. The crowdfunder is part of this next stage of development. Items needed include:

  • Lockable cabinets for stock
  • More stock than what i have now
  • Massage table
  • Cleaning products
  • Rug
  • Desk
  • Chairs
  • Desk lamp
  • Indoor plants for air quality

Please consider donating towards the crowdfunder and know that every £ received goes towards the development of the clinic. Herbal medicine is the medicine of the future and now more than ever people are turning their backs on pharmaceutical medicine for alternative natural options. Get involved in the transition and grab yourself a bargain in the process. If you were interested in herbal medicine donating only £45 will cover your first consultation with medicine for a month (normally £90). 

Please donate at:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jonnys-apothecary-and-kelham-therapy-room

 

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

Kelham Therapy Room Update

Kelham Therapy Room with new laminate floor and painted walls

After careful thinking i have decided to call the new clinic 'Kelham Therapy Room'. It will be marketed as an independent holistic clinic based inside Kelham Arcade. All the therapists will continue to be self-employed but i will market and advertise the venue under the new name. 

So the clinic has changed a bit more since last week......

Front door of the new clinic Kelham Therapy Room

The walls have been repainted and the windows cleaned. Underlay has been fitted along with a 12mm laminate floor with an oak finish. I'm really hoping the thick floor will keep any sound from outside the room to a minimum. The aim for the clinic has always been to give it a professional medical feel without it being 'plastic' or IKEA-ISH, if that is even a word. Not that i have a problem with IKEA! I just want to use more antiques and old furniture to fill the room. 

Dirty belfast sink with cleaning products

To add to the look i have managed to source an old 'Belfast' sink. It was absolutely filthy when i found it at Swiftie's on Abbeydale road. But after some tough love and a lot of hot steam it has come up quite nicely. I will need this for washing hands for any examination or cleaning equipment used in prescription making. 

Jonny Woodall cleaning the belfast sink with steam

Hopefully the lights, dimmers, blinds and sink will all be fitted in the coming days and then the furniture will be ready to go in.

It is looking like the official opening day will be the middle of March. The first popup shop catering for Peddler's Market will be the start of April. Expect lots of herbal products such as Neil's Yard Remedies, handmade creams, teas, unique jewelry and essential oils. 

I already have a few therapists who have seen the room and want to work from it. Please get in touch if you want to have a chat about my ideas for the space and to see if you want to join the team. 

Here it is.... a beautiful restored Belfast

Here it is.... a beautiful restored Belfast

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

Why are we so resistant?

Angelica spp. In flower with the sun shining in the background

You find it difficult to change. A problem to carry through an action with volition and intent. For every block there is blame. Often this is external. Why are we as living beings so resistant to engaging with things that heal us?

Often humans will always gravitate towards the safest option in terms of addressing health problems. For many this is the world of food. How many people have started to change their life by first changing their diet? We often do this because it is quite difficult to refute that what foods we consume are in no way connected to our health. I mean even the NHS agrees with that one! 

Food is consumed at multiple points of the day, it is craved by us constantly. So of course it makes sense to see food as medicine. 

But what about herbal medicine, psycotherapy or homeopathy? Far too often I meet people who proceed to tell me their life story and how nothing in the NHS has worked. It is clear these people could benefit from herbal medicine. You give them your details and leave a compassionate conclusion to the conversation by saying concessions can be given if needed. 

But they never get in touch. Obviously there could be a multitude of reasons and people have autonomy to decide for themselves. What I want to touch upon is resistance to change. Those people who have the time, money and need to engage in a different therapy yet don't engage. 

Whether it is fear, loss of ones behaviours, or a sense of losing personality and charm it is clear the psychology of our state of mind is what governs a humans interaction with medicine. Not the disease itself. Why do we do this?

For it is at this moment that we realise that part of our psyche will always want to protect us. To keep us free from harm in any way shape or form. Humans have inbuilt mechanisms to learn repetitive behaviour as part of our survival instincts. If we didn't we wouldn't have made it this far. But when it comes to healing this same mechanism which keeps us from harm can also hinder us. Telling us stories that we don't understand what the therapy is, or it won't work, or that if it did work the NHS would use it.... etc. 

Some of my greatest healing moments have been when i have entered a therapeutic space with that voice screaming inside of me that i shouldn't be there or i won't enjoy this. At these moments i take a step back and breath. I ask myself some simple questions:

  • Am i physically at risk of assault or harm?
  • Will i be made to do something that is deeply against any ethical or moral belief i have?
  • Will somebody else be harmed by me taking part in this activity?

More often than not the answer will always be no to every question. It is at this moment i realise the power and grip on my body a part of my psyche has and i let go. I give in to the space or therapy and constantly get reminded at how strong and resistant my mind can be at wanting to engage with a therapy that will throw up challenging feelings. For it is this that is the issue. 

Therapy is about engaging with challenging, difficult parts of you that will be holding you back. It isn't all that fun to start to have to understand your anger, jealousy, rage or prejudices. But this is healing, this is therapy, this is what self-development is all about. Understand your 'self' in a way not previously known. 

Herbal medicine and the consultation process will focus on what difficult feelings or emotions you have and many of us find that far too challenging to engage with. Rather accepting our inner stories that nothing can be done and it won't work. 

Notice this resistance and access your given talent for bringing forth a momentum or courage and bravery at the unknown. Men and women all have an inner warrior that we can access in times of need. Sometimes picking up the phone and asking for help is the most courageous thing you can do. So don't hesitate, herbal medicine offers a completely different approach to anything pharmaceutical.

Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley) In flower

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

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!

BOOM festival advertisement listing the date (22nd Jul-29th July) and location (Portugal)

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

New Sheffield clinic now running

Jonny's Apothecary is pleased to announce that all further face-to-face to consultations will be conducted at a therapy centre on Abbeydale road in the west of the city. This will be an appointment only service so please get in touch to arrange a time that suits us both. 

The clinic is open 7 days a week but requires me to book the room in advance so it is highly unlikely I will be able to offer same day appointments. 

I am taking bookings as of now so please get in touch or let you loved ones know this service is now available. 

Medicine will not be dispensed on site so there will be an option for medicine to be posted to you or for it to be collected from Nether Edge Herbarium. The shop is open Monday to Saturday (10-1730). 

Salvia spp. Sage in bloom

 

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

Patient Testimonial: Help for Addictions, Stress and Mood related problems

"When I went to see Jonny I was so lost in life. However I didn’t even realise it. I thought things were okay, I was full of confidence and had a successful business.

Working with Jonny has been utterly life changing. With the amazing powers of herbs we have explored how my mind and body are linked, helping me see how my actions influence my health. After 6 months of working with Jonny and his herbs I now realise I didn’t know myself at all. What I saw as extreme (fun) behaviours were chronic addictions and harmful coping mechanisms.

I was miserable, on anti-depressants, skipping all social invites, getting high and being consumed by many addictive tendencies. My addictions have massively reduced with the help of herbs and Jonny referring me to a local psychotherapist he trusts. I foresee a time in the future when I can truly leave all of my addictive coping mechanisms behind. The progress I have made so far is fantastic but I still have work to do with Jonny and my psychotherapist.

It’s amazing how he checks on your physical ailments and links them to mental ones. With each consultation he gives you a prescription of herbs, each herb has a specific task specific to your need, be it physical, mental or both. Each time he ‘steps up’ your medicine, opening more ‘boxes’ of trauma or emotions and taking you further on a journey. He can do things your doctor could only dream of. I will only go to a doctor now if I break a bone. The rest I see Jonny. However I’m convinced with his medicine I won’t be developing any physical ailments till the day I die an old man. I have recommended him to everyone, 5 people have followed it up and all 5 are delighted they did. They all still have regular consultations and watching their transformation is a joy. Call Jonny and start your journey of healing.

Jonny and his herbs will be with me forever, he’s truly saved my life and I believe with every prescription he gives me I feel healthier, happier and stronger.

Thanks Jonny."

Tom Greatorex

 

This patient has continuously worked very hard to understand more about why he has developed so many addictive coping mechanisms over the years. Exploration of emotions has been key as well as supporting the body with herbs in dealing with stress. He has made great progress in a short space of time and is now engaging with men's work and men's support groups to develop himself even more. 

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

My 10 Day Vipassana Silent Meditation Retreat

Greetings for 2018.....

Whilst you may have been celebrating the tide of leaving 2017 and welcoming the new year with a party or celebration i was curled up in bed spending time living what could only be described as the life of a buddhist monk. 

I heard about Dhamma Dipa 10 day vipassana retreats approximately 4/5 years ago and never forgot the clarity and wisdom in the words shared with me about how it had changed this person's life who was communicating what it meant to them. It stayed with me ever since that day. Having completed the herbal medicine degree in 2017 i knew that now more than ever i wanted to go. 

The organisation is non-profit and takes their buddhist teachings of vipassana from a lineage of monks. The course is run on 'pay what you feel' donations so no money was exchanged beforehand. 

On the first day you are greeted by the welcome team and all electronic equipment is handed over for safekeeping. Men and women are split to different quarters and i ended up sharing a room with 4 other men. From day 1 you agree to abide by a strict set of rules:

  • No verbal or non-verbal communication of any kind

  • No sexual misconduct (Celibacy)

  • Only 1 small breakfast at 630am, 1 hot lunch at 11am and fruit at 5pm. Vegetarian/vegan.

  • No intoxicants or substance abuse

  • No exercise other than light walking during rest periods

  • No reading of books or literature

  • No electronic equipment to be used of any kind, Ipods, phones, laptops, music etc.

  • Wake up at 4am.....lights out at 930pm

The day contains 10 hours of meditation where you are given a mat and cushion designated for your use throughout the stay in the meditation hall. This is the only time you share space with the opposite sex. But even then, men were kept to the left and women kept to the right. Even in the food hall men and women do not get to see or speak to each other. 

On day 1 you are given a very basic breathing technique which as the course develops everyday you are given another step towards the end goal.... total silent, purposeful and clear vipassana. So each day there are group sittings which you are obliged to attend, but other meditations you are allowed to go to your shared room and meditate there. But only in complete silence. 

Within the first day i started to feel that very familiar tension i get whenever i put myself through something challenging that in my heart i know will be good for me. Just straight away on day 1, having done only a few hours meditation, and silence for half a day i was feeling this growing feeling i didn't want to be there. My frustrations only grew as i could feel all the men around me drop into a lower vibration, our faces were clearly not very happy. 

So it begins, the inevitable process of craving and aversion. What the course teaches you is that for every moment there are sensations all throughout the body. Some of these sensations will develop words or stories attached to them. An out of control mind can fester stories for hours or days after an event. They also teach you that you and only you are the perpetrator of your own state of being. Whether or not people say or perform negative actions towards you, it is your ability to respond or react wisely or appropriately to such actions. Hence the reason why 5 people who are harmed by the actions of 1 person can all suffer variable consequences or states of mind. It is your own internal processes that are ultimately responsible for your craving, anger, aversion, hatred or stories that get created in your mind.

The vipassana technique is unveiled to you day by day as you drop deeper into your unconscious mind like a surgical operation. Each new day whenever the next vipassana stage was shared i would sometimes feel a huge expansive sense of joy or elation at what felt like a completely altered state of mind. This would sometimes be the complete opposite though and feelings of anxiety, stress or paranoia would arise. It was clear to me that each day there was a sense of awareness and focus on my mind and body that was developing through the technique.

372710-Buddha-sitting-closed_eyes-digital_art-Buddhism-meditation-glowing-fire-blurred-fractal-abstract-748x421.png

Within the first 5 days i noticed that everyday i began to crave and crave more and more. It was literally eating my mind and body alive. It was easy to see how whenever i have painful experiences i tend to crave something to squash or pander to that feeling instead of actually dealing with the original feeling. The process of stripping away all ability to distract oneself makes sense when all you are now left with is breathing, silence, your mind and body. After 5 days of craving everything from food, to music, to exercise, to walking i finally gave way and spoke to the teacher. I complained at how my cravings were making me feel like i was going to explode. She gave me some simple advice about focusing my breath on a particular point on my body. Then all hell broke loose in my mind as i switched to an incredible rage that rippled through me that night. I became painfully angry at everything and everyone around me. I desperately wanted to leave but i knew deep down this was good for me. 

My reasons for attending the course were bound in my sense of helplessness i have felt at certain addictions i have struggled with over the years. Why do i have them? Where do they come from? Why are some easier than others to drop? It felt like the answer was staring in me in the face on day 7/8 when upon walking in a little woodland around noon during rest period i found a holly tree. 

Upon finding the holly tree i had a moment of feeling somebodies presence around me. It was the leader of my men's group in Manchester. I recognised his smile in my mind and stared helplessly at the holly tree as i realised how much i use holly as a flower remedy for repressed, unresolved anger. The presence of this dear brother was a revelation as i remembered all the times i have seen him guide the mens group through intense rituals and ceremonial offerings. His humility, humbleness and wisdom is deeply inspiring to me. I realised at that moment i had to find a fallen holly branch to make offerings at the side of my bed every day. With the holly branch in hand i walked back to bedroom and began the same ritual every morning and night. Folding everything neatly and placing this holly branch on top of my clothes and bag. It was a reminder that for all of my addictions the driving force has been an unrepenting, burning fire of anger inside me that i have never known how to deal with other than using substances or other addictive cravings. 

It was these final days everything clicked in and although i was drained, exhausted and had barely slept for 10 days i found a deep sense of peace, love and sweet compassion for myself. My heart exploded on day 10 as were given permission to talk to others. It was like a huge cloud had lifted among the group and my heart expanded with pride at how much i had learned about myself.

I feel more empowered than ever to understand the stories or cravings and aversions my mind creates whenever i am faced with something i don't like or don't want. This was a deeply humbling experience and although it hasn't 'cured' me of my minds craziness, or ups and downs, i now have an ability to stop my mind running away like never before. I also feel a love for myself and my heart that feels very healing. 

I would highly recommend this course to other therapists, healers and practitioners. It really is a sweet treasure to put yourself through something so difficult. This is by far the most challenging experience of my years of self development and one i hope to return to again next year to deepen the practice.

For more information on retreats which are open to anyone to apply for please visit: https://www.dhamma.org/en/

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

Happy 2018 to all....time for intentions

Dear patients, friends, family and readers. Happy 2018 from Jonny's Apothecary. Apologies for the gap in posting i have just come back from a 10 day Vipassana silent meditation retreat in the Lakes. More on that to follow!

It is around this time of year that i like to look inward and find what spark of intention i want to manifest for this year. Whatever theme i choose i will begin to embrace, explore, investigate, go on retreats/workshops/festivals, paint, read and ask questions about. This is usually something i feel needs deep emotional work to heal within myself. Last year was the year of discovering my 'inner man'. 2017 saw me start attending a monthly men's group in Manchester as well as attend psycotherapy for anger related issues. So many beautiful courageous warriors came into my life to gift me support or experience. It is hard to fathom how in one year so much was uncovered about my identity as a man and the male friends that now surround me. All of this started with one spark of curiosity, that moment of clarity when i realised how much i didn't know what being a man meant. Whilst this process will still continue it is time to embrace another theme for this year. 

This year 2018 i will focus on the heart. The centre of our second brain, that place we perceive love. Such a container of compassion, open hearted selflessness and yet so much darkness and pain to work through and heal. For me this year will focus on trying to understand what is within this heart of mine that wants to be heard, wants to be felt and ultimately changed so that my internal and external actions are more heart based. 

I am excited to see what doors open this year for me to understand myself more. It would be an appropriate assumption we could all do with some healthy, bold and exciting intention setting this time of the year. 

Heart blessings and happy intention setting to you all....................

pexels-photo-269583.jpeg

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

New Manchester clinic now running

ma-hc-logo-rgb.jpg

I will now be running a regular clinic in Chorlton, Manchester. Space will be rented on an ad-hoc basis whilst i build up numbers. Hopefully working towards a more regular monthly/weekly schedule that will be easy to follow for patients. 

The Manchester Acupuncture & Holistic Clinic is found at:
583 Barlow Moor Road
Chorlton
Manchester M21 8AE

Unfortunately i will be unable to keep a dispensary at this clinic so medicine will have to be made from my dispensary in Sheffield and then posted back to the patient. Price of consultation and medicine will be the same. 

If you are interested in becoming a patient then please get in touch. The Manchester Acupuncture & Holistic Clinic has a wealth of experience in many fields of holistic therapy. It is exciting to be a part of the team and offer herbal medicine to the city i was born in. 

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

 

10% off total bill at Jonny's Apothecary using Sheffield VCard

It is with great pleasure i can announce that as of today i accept the Sheffield VCard as a form of discount that can be applied to the total bill. I am offering cardholders 10% off the total bill. The total bill is the accumulation of the time and medicine costs (which vary upon each appointment). I am hoping that VCard holders can invest in their health using herbal medicine knowing that all the herbal products or medicines provided are vegan. 

Rest assured that your needs will be met at Jonny's Apothecary where most herbal medicine is organic, sustainably sourced and of course ...... Vegan!

The Sheffield VCard is a membership cardholder scheme that has been developed to link vegan's with Sheffield businesses that offer vegan products, food or therapies. 

"We want it to become as easy and fun as possible to be vegan and so not only will this membership keep you up to date with the vegan food and products available near by, but it will also reward you for choosing those vegan options via the fabulous deals available"

More information on the VCard and how to become a member can be found at: https://www.thevcard.club/

335792_43f14ad15c534794b94f269f3463c250_mv2.png

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

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

 

Patient Testimonial: Help for Ulcerative Colitis

"My treatment with Jonny Woodall has been ongoing for around the last 6 months and to outline the severity of my condition pre-treatment or should I say pre-herbal treatment I will give a brief history of my disease.

Ulcerative Colitis is an Inflammatory bowel disease similar to Crohns disease but focused purely in the colon. I have suffered from the condition for three years and am classed medically as an extreme case. Symptoms range from loss of all control of the bowels resulting in constant voiding of the bowels with little or no warning, this at it’s most extreme can be 25 plus times per day, constant loss of blood through the colon, loss of vitamins and mineral and the ability to process food leading to general malnutrition. These are just the physical effects of the disease it also has led me to severe feelings of anxiety and even depression as your loss of control of your lower bowels can severely limit your scope of activities and social life as any IBD sufferer can tell you.

My treatment program within in the NHS following a colonoscopy was extensive and I have been treated with the full range of auto immune suppressant drugs commonly used with this type of auto immune disease as well as the use of strong steroids. The side effects of the drugs I was given ranged from extreme weight gain to a suppressed immune system which rendered my body incapable of fighting off even common colds. My skin healed incredibly slowly.... think constant cracked lips, cold sores any minor infection lasting weeks! Needless to say it was a deeply unpleasant experience and finally after some moderate improvement in my gut symptoms all the drugs stopped working! Leaving me at the point where the Doctors and Surgeons only suggested option was the surgical removal of my lower bowel and it’s replacement with a colostomy bag. I refused this option in the middle of one of my worst flare ups where I was constantly bleeding and again making constant trips to the toilet again 25 plus times a day. After all modern medicine had failed me I was really on the verge of giving up hope. If you have suffered a disease yourself you can relate to the feeling of desperation just to feel ‘normal’ again I am sure!

It was at this point in time that a friend seeing my pain and desperation referred me to Jonny Woodall. Our initial consultation was far ranging and actually brought to light things affecting my health which should have been obvious but I just hadn’t thought of previously such as running two businesses and working over 80 hours per week and stress from personal issues both past and present as just two examples. The analysis of lifestyle and mindset before medical treatment seems so logical but it was the fist time anyone had ever said to me ‘maybe working 80 hours a week with little rest is affecting your health?’ but I was never told that at the hospital or even asked about my diet or lifestyle. Jonny reviews all these things and gives you a very informed and neutral external perspective which in my case was invaluable in treating my illness.

After the initial consultation I was given a preparation of herbs and powder. Remember I was off all medication at this point and in the middle of one of my most extreme flare ups so far as I previously mentioned. Now the usual treatment for these flare ups is a huge dose of steroids or Prednisone which caused awful side effects as anyone who has used them can testify and had in the past provided me some short term relief from symptoms. However the side effects for me were too extreme so at this point I would no longer accept them as a form of treatment. I began taking the powder and tincture provided and within 5-7 days I would say had experienced a 40% reduction in symptoms (think from 25 + toilet trips to 10) which is actually on a par the effects of Prednisone steroids and a huge increase in my feeling of well being and general energy levels.

I continued my treatment after this initial relief and have made serious improvement in the last 6 months. It has not been a straight forward path to wellness and I'm still healing. I have however with the use of herbal medicines been prescription drug free for the last 6 months, experienced ongoing reduction in symptoms and progressed to new levels in my social life, professionally and in terms of general health and fitness using the relief and healing benefits from the medicine to progress once again with my life in all areas. I once felt I would be stuck sick and chained to a toilet for the rest of my life so I can definitely say how good it feels to be on the right path and feeling free of so many problems my illness once plagued me with."

Anonymous

 

This client has made a fast recovery using tinctures, powders and a change in perspective on work and social life arrangements. Unfortunately their treatment within the NHS had left them discouraged and pessimistic at what life has to offer. So much of this work involved analysis of family dynamics, routines and addictive tendencies that were hiding emotions that had not been expressed. This client continues to impress me with their inquisitive nature and an ability to constantly push themselves into new areas of health and discovery. It has been an honour to see you grow and heal. There is still work to do but this person is unrecognisable from the person that initially came to see me. Well done!

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