ABOUT LYNN
I Was Born a Herbalist
Some people discover herbal medicine later in life. Looking back, I feel as though it has always been part of mine, a thread running from my grandparents' vegetable garden to the clinic I run today.
CHILDHOOD
Learning From the Garden and the Woods
As a child, I spent countless hours following my grandparents around their vegetable garden. Together we grew vegetables, herbs and fruit, and I learned that food came from the earth, and that plants could nourish and support us in many different ways. I watched seeds become plants, learned how to care for them, and discovered how different foods could support health and wellbeing.
Outside the garden I was often found in the woods, watching the seasons change and observing nature's rhythms. Long before I knew the names of medicinal plants, I was learning from them.
TEENAGE YEARS & FAMILY LIFE
Empower Growth
A Lifelong Connection With Plants
As a teenager, my interest deepened when I discovered aromatherapy. I began blending oils, reading books and exploring the many ways plants could support physical and emotional wellbeing. It felt like opening another door into a world I already knew existed.
As I started a family, herbs remained woven through everyday life.
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Lavender on a teddy bear's nose before bedtime
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Herbal creams for bumps and bruises
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Nourishing teas in times of need
Plants quietly supporting family life, season after season.
Looking back, herbs were quietly present through every stage of life. They weren't something separate from daily living. They were simply part of how I cared for myself and my family.
THE CALL TO LEARN
The Plants Called Me Deeper
The more plants I grew, the more I felt drawn towards them. I nurtured them, watered them, watched them grow and, in many ways, built relationships with them.
Many gardeners and herbalists will understand what I mean when I say that plants become friends. You begin to notice their personalities, their preferences, the conditions they thrive in, and the role they play within the wider ecosystem.
One day I felt a strong pull to learn more deeply, not just about growing herbs, but about truly understanding them. So I began formal training.
FORMAL STUDY & CLINICAL TRAINING
Empower Growth
Herbal Medicine Felt Like Coming Home
My studies opened up new worlds. I learned to prepare teas, tinctures, syrups, salves and other traditional herbal medicines. I studied not only Western Herbal Medicine but also gained insights from Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese traditions, discovering how different cultures have worked alongside plants for thousands of years.
I became fascinated by the energetic qualities of herbs and the different ways we understand their actions.
At the same time, I became increasingly aware that much of our traditional herbal knowledge has been lost or fragmented. Once, this wisdom was passed naturally from generation to generation.
The deeper I studied, the more I realised that herbal medicine felt like coming home.
A DEFINING MOMENT
Why Immune Resilience Matters to Me
"At twelve years old, a serious car accident resulted in the removal of my spleen. Living without a spleen taught me from a young age that health is not something we can take for granted. It is something we nurture every day."
Over the years, I became fascinated by the body's remarkable ability to adapt, compensate and recover. That experience shaped both my personal health journey and my professional interests. Today, I have a particular interest in helping people build resilience, support recovery and create strong foundations for long-term wellbeing. It also inspired what I now call the
Hedgerow Herbalist Resilience Framework,
the Five Pillars that guide every consultation.
Sleep & Recovery
Digestive Health
Stress & Nervous System
Nourishment
Movement
CREDENTIALS
Qualifications
✓ Diploma in Herbal Medicine (DipCNM) With Distinction
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✓ Iridology Practitioner (DipCNM)
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✓ Health Coach (DipCNM)
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✓ Usui Reiki Shiki Ryoho Master Teacher
✓ Karuna Reiki Master
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✓ Diploma in Naturopathy (DipCNM)
With Distinction
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✓ Student Achievement Award
Clinical Aptitude in Herbal Medicine
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✓ Qigong/Chi Kung Teacher Training
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Ongoing Professional Development
✓ Touch for Health Kinesiology
Practitioner in training, qualifying 2026
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I believe learning is a lifelong journey, and I continue to develop my skills and understanding through further study.
Professional Associations
I am committed to maintaining high professional standards through accredited training, continuing professional development and membership of recognised professional associations.
I am a member of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP) and the General Naturopathic Council (GNC). My training was completed through the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM), where I graduated with Distinction in both Herbal Medicine and Naturopathy.
Today
Consultations in Dorchester & Online
Today I offer consultations in Dorchester and online, supporting clients through personalised herbal medicine, naturopathic guidance and lifestyle support.
When I'm not in clinic, you'll often find me walking through Dorset's hedgerows and woodlands, greeting old herbal friends such as nettle, elder, hazel and wild garlic.
The more time we spend in nature, the more we realise it still has plenty to teach us.
With herbal gratitude,
Lynn May - Hedgerow Herbalist
