More About Ruth
Ruth is fully accredited by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH), the oldest professional body for medical herbalists, established in 1864.
Ruth’s journey into herbal medicine followed a long and varied path. She first trained and worked as an Occupational Therapist, spending over a decade in mental health services.
During this time, she developed extensive experience in talking therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Behavioural Family Therapy, and facilitated group work focused on helping people manage challenging thoughts and emotions. Alongside this, Ruth trained in Reiki and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), running workshops to support others in learning these skills.
Ruth also worked for many years in social care, supporting adults and children with neurological and physical disabilities to increase independence and improve quality of life. This person-centred, holistic approach continues to underpin her work as a herbalist.
She has travelled widely across Europe, India, and the Middle East, working on environmental projects and studying sustainable living. Ruth is a qualified permaculture designer with a particular interest in forest gardening.
A lifelong plant enthusiast—an interest nurtured by her parents and grandparents from an early age—she has grown her own food and medicine for many years and prepares much of her own dispensary remedies. Ruth believes that high-quality herbal medicine is fundamental to achieving the best outcomes.
Outside of her practice, Ruth enjoys spending time with her family, her partner John, and their dog Iggy, walking in local woodlands and countryside. With foraging bag in hand, she harvests herbs thoughtfully and responsibly, always with respect for the environment.
Ruth Theobold
BSc (Hons) SROT, DP HM NIMH
Member of the Health Professions Council
