My Story
I’m Natalie Middleton. Never one to stick to one path, I have spent 10 years working in healthcare, from Military Medic to the South Western Ambulance Service, before now turning to Herbal Medicine. I am based in Blandford Forum, Dorset, and this site is where I share what I learn as I build toward the launch of my herbal clinic and business on graduation, helping people take ownership of their well-being and rebuild health from the foundations up.
Working in frontline health care, I saw patterns that troubled me: the same medications, the same cycles, the same people returning… without ever truly getting well.
It made me question how we define health and how early we’re taught to recognise the warning signs before we reach a crisis point.
Taking Ownership of Health
I believe most of us are capable of far more than we think when it comes to our own well-being, not through perfection or restriction, but through attention and accountability.
That means learning to recognise what your body is asking for:
What energises you (and what quietly drains you)
What your digestion, sleep, skin, mood, and stress response are trying to tell you
What “normal” has become, just because you’ve lived with it for years
This isn’t about rejecting conventional medicine. It’s about building foundations early, so we rely less on quick fixes later, and stay stronger, more independent, and more resilient for longer.
Natalie Middleton - Less “quick fix”. More “why is this happening?” This is about understanding what your body’s signalling and strengthening the basics, food, gut function, stress, sleep, movement, before problems become your normal.
The Gut, Mind Connection
One of the strongest patterns I’ve seen, both clinically and personally, is how often well-being begins in the gut.
Digestion, inflammation, mood, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, skin flare-ups, they can be deeply connected to:
what we eat
how we eat
what we tolerate
and how our nervous system is coping behind the scenes
When the gut is supported, people often feel it everywhere: clearer, steadier, calmer, stronger.
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I’m training at Betonica School of Herbal Medicine on a four-year, degree-level herbal medicine programme. The curriculum includes chemistry, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, materia medica, plus clinical practice and supervised placements.
Find out more - Betonica School of Herbal Medicine
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Herbs are powerful, so safety matters. Some herbs can interact with medicines or be unsuitable in pregnancy/breastfeeding or certain conditions. Always check with a qualified practitioner or pharmacist, and don’t stop prescribed medication without medical supervision.
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It’s no secret the NHS is overstretched, and appointments can be short and reactive. My approach is collaborative, not anti-medicine, and focuses on taking ownership of health early, by strengthening foundations like digestion, sleep, stress, nutrition, and movement before things escalate.
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Once I’m qualified and the clinic launches, consultations will be 1:1 and typically 60–90 minutes for an initial appointment. We’ll cover your full health picture, current concerns, medical history, medications/supplements, diet and digestion, sleep, stress, energy, movement, and lifestyle, so nothing important gets missed.
After that, I’ll create a personalised herbal plan tailored to your current needs, preferences/taste, and safety considerations, with clear guidance on how to take everything. Follow-up appointments will be shorter and focused on progress, adjustments, and building steady foundations over time.
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I focus on responsible foraging, correct ID, clean locations, light harvesting, and respect for protected species. When wild harvest isn’t appropriate, I’ll point to reputable, sustainably sourced options..
Living Well, Without the Extremes
Health doesn’t need a strict plan or a perfect routine. It’s the day-to-day choices that keep you resilient, eating in ways that support steady energy, moving enough to stay strong and capable, and managing stress before it becomes burnout.
And yes, that still leaves room for real life: a cheeky pint, steak and chips, or that chocolate cake you can’t stop thinking about. The aim isn’t to be “good”, it’s to feel better more often, recover quicker when life gets messy, and stay strong, clear, and independent for longer.
