Foster Natural Health
Herbal Medicine and Holistic Therapies in County Armagh & Down, Northern Ireland
Welcome to Foster Natural Health
Herbal Medicine and Holistic Therapies in Armagh & Down
Herbal Medicine and Holistic Therapies
Restore health and balance the natural way
Hello, my name is Maeve Foster and I am a Medical Herbalist and Holistic Therapist who studied a Licentiate in Herbal Medicine, Nutrition and Iridology at The Irish School of Herbal Medicine in Portlaoise, Ireland. I am a member of Irish Association of Master Medical Herbalists and I am also a qualified reflexologist.
I own Foster Natural Health, a practice in Newtownhamilton, South Armagh that is dedicated to helping people achieve good health and wellness through natural methods using herbal medicine, nutritional advice and holistic therapies. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries around the world as a gentle and effective way to restore health and balance to the body. Medicine made from leaves, roots, barks and flowers provides natural and effective solutions to help cleanse, detox, nourish, heal and support your body's return to health.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbs contain chemical components, which when extracted from the plant, have the ability to exert a positive effect on the body. Herbal medicine can be used for many conditions to help support the body and bring it back to balance. The active component of the plant is extracted and either dried to make teas and powders or made into liquids for tinctures. Herbs are also used to make creams, ointments or balms.
Herbs can be used for multiple purposes, e.g. to stimulate digestion, cleanse the blood, facilitate bowel movements or improve the functioning of any organ in the body.
Herbs are combined within a herbal formula to address different aspects of a persons condition after a full case history has been taken.
How It Works ?
As a Medical Herbalist I focus on cleansing and detoxifying the body first, then begin to nourish and heal the body with nutrition and herbs. One to one consultations allow time and space to discuss any health concerns and health goals. Iridology is used as part of the consultation to help understand the body's current state of health, its strengths and weaknesses. Iridology is the examination and analysis of the iris colour, markings and pigments to reveal individual health patterns. This helps create an individual herbal formula specifically to support each persons unique needs.
A consultation is usually an hour and 15 minutes, it involves taking a full medical history, including diet and lifestyle. This help us identify issues that may contribute to illness and help us formulate a herbal combination that will help the organs of the body restore balanced health. Dietary and lifestyle advice is also provided, this helps the patient understand what they can do to support their body and help it function better. Many conditions are made worse from environmental or emotional stress or even nutritional deficiencies, the most powerful restorative is a nourishing diet. My consultations always focus on helping people find ways to incorporate simple changes into their daily lives, empowering and educating people about how their bodies work and what their body needs to function in a healthy way.
Initial Herbal consultation
An initial consultation lasts about an hour, during which you will be asked lots of questions about your general health, diet, lifestyle and medical history.
The consultation is lengthy but helps build a picture of your whole health not just your current symptoms.
After that the work starts, I do a lot of research and put together a detailed health plan with lots of dietary and lifestyle advice and create a bespoke blend of herbs created specifically for you. Two people coming to see me with the same issue might leave with completely different prescriptions because conditions manifest uniquely on each person.
Follow-up Herbal consultation
After 3 or 4 weeks of taking your herbal formula, a follow up consultation provides an opportunity to review your progress and adjust your herbal remedies to your changing needs.
Fees
The cost of your herbal package will vary depending on your needs. This will be discussed during the consultation.
Herbal Medicine
Your Formula may include a tincture, an infusion, powder or capsules.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a gentle healing therapy that promotes deep relaxation and helps balance all the body systems. It is a safe therapy suitable for all ages and stages, whether you need relief from health problems, help to relax or simply need some pampering and caring for.
I am a full member of the Association of Reflexologists.
Benefits of Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can benefit your health in many ways, for example:
Support the immune system with immune boosting herbs
Help the body adapt to stress by promoting relaxation or increasing energy levels.
Soothe and heal inflamed tissues of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts
Help the body fight off infections
Enhance memory and cognitive function
Detoxify, protect and strengthen the liver
Relax the body and promote sleep.
Relieve nervous tension and release anxiety
Stimulate circulation and promote cardiovascular function
Soothe symptoms of coughs and colds.
Ease hormonal issues such as PMS or Menopause
Ease digestive problems such as IBS, bloating and constipation
Alleviate skin issues such as acne or eczema
Support the kidneys and help release excess fluid
Herbal remedies are safe and effective. When prescribed by a fully trained herbalist there are no side effects. Herbal formulae are individually tailored to suit the specific needs of each person.
Get in touch
Feel free to email me if you have any questions or to arrange an initial consultation appointment. You can also call me on 07545252929 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Frequently asked questions
- You may have a desire for medicines that come from nature and do not contain toxic or synthesised chemicals
- Herbal medicine, when used appropriately under the guidance of a qualified herbalist has fewer side effects compared to conventional medicine
- Herbal formula will be tailored to your specific unique requirements
- You want to try a gentle and effective way to support your health naturally
- You want to work with your body and enable its own innate healing ability
- Here at Foster Natural health we look at the whole person not just symptoms or illnesses
- You will gain self-empowering, self-care practices to look after your own health
- You will receive quality time to discuss your health concerns and health goals
- You can relax and enjoy a reflexology session with a reflexologist with over 20 years experience
Iridology is a holistic practice where practitioners, called iridologists, examine the iris (the coloured part of your eye) to identify the current state of your health. Iridologists use an iridology chart, which maps different areas of the iris to various body parts. By looking for changes in colour, patterns, or other abnormalities in the iris, iridologists believe they can detect imbalances, strengths and weaknesses in corresponding areas of the body such as inflammation and stress. During a consultation iridologists use lens and magnifiers to examine the iris. This information helps with creating a herbal formula that supports your body uniquely. Iridology is not however a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment.
There is a lot of information out there that tends to focus on specific herbs for particular ailments. Instead of applying herbs as direct replacements for pharmaceutical treatments, as a herbalist I consider them within the broader context of an individual's constitution, addressing root imbalances rather than isolated ailments. Healing with herbs requires a shift from symptom-specific fixes to a more integrative approach, one that respects the interconnectedness of a person’s physiology, emotions, and environment.
When you visit Foster Natural Health the first step is taking a detailed initial consultation, one that examines your health concerns, your diet, your sleep patterns and other lifestyle habits. This takes approximately an hour. I will also examine your iris to help build a picture of your current state of health.
After this the work begins to create the herbal formula that will work best for you. This may take the form of a tea or infusion, a tincture, some capsules or powders, in most cases all of the above. You will be given specific instructions on dosage and frequency. You will also be given specific dietary advice to follow and advice on natural therapeutics that will help your body return to good health.
Your herbal prescription should be reviewed in 3 weeks or a month with a follow up consultation. This is a shorter consultation where your progress is reviewed and your goals going forward are reassessed.
My Location
I am based in Newtownhamilton, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, and also in Newry, Co. Down.
Healing is a journey back to nature