Sabena Viles
medical herbalist
CANCER SURVIVORSHIP and integrative cancer care
BSc (Hons), MSc, PG Dip in Clinical Sciences, MNIMH, MCPP
Sabena is a practising Medical Herbalist specialising in evidence-based, individualised herbal medicine to support patients navigating their cancer journey. Having graduated with Distinction from the Betonica School of Herbal Medicine, she brings a unique and powerful blend of rigorous orthodox clinical research experience and deep botanical expertise to the multidisciplinary team.
Her clinical practice is anchored by a 35-year background in medical science, research, and development. After earning her BSc in Biochemistry, she spent a decade managing complex Phase I–III randomised controlled drug trials (RCTs) and global clinical programmes for leading pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organisations, including Sanofi, GSK, and Quintiles. This career in R&D gave her an in-depth understanding of biology and disease pathology and, crucially, of the vital importance of managing drug side effects and complex drug-herb interactions to ensure patient safety.
Driven by a lifelong passion for learning and medical science, she later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Sciences (Distinction) at Cardiff University and a Master of Science (MSc) in Neuroscience (Merit) at University College London (UCL). It was during her preclinical research at UCL, working directly with the brain’s immune cells, that she developed a profound fascination with immunology and its pivotal role in integrative cancer support.
Her transition into herbal medicine was inspired by a desire to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and cutting-edge science. Her rigorous four-year training at Betonica encompassed advanced anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition, and plant chemistry, alongside over 500 hours of intensive, hands-on clinical training in diagnostic and examination techniques. Melding her scientific roots with her herbal medicine training, her independent research focused heavily on integrative oncology, specifically investigating how different formulations of Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail mushroom) modulate immune function when used as an adjuvant to conventional cancer therapies.
As part of the Synthesis Clinic team, Sabena combines her research background with a compassionate, person-centred approach, formulating bespoke herbal prescriptions tailored to the needs of each individual. By working safely and collaboratively alongside patients’ conventional oncology treatments, her goal is to empower them, optimise their immunity, manage treatment side effects, and support their whole-person vitality through and beyond cancer care.
Sabena is a fully practising registered member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) and the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP).
Sabena
Package
3-month package with Sabena Viles - herbal medicine for cancer survivorship or cancer support
This package includes an initial consultation of 75 minutes and two follow-up consultations of 45 minutes.
TOTAL COST: £340
Pay in full in advance: £323 (5% saving)
Or pay monthly: £150 upfront, followed by 2 monthly payments of £95
The package is paid either in full in advance at 5% off, or as a membership at the full price. Membership payments are all completed within the package period.
After the package, further appointments are available at the following fees:
follow-up consultation of 60 minutes, £130
follow-up consultation of 45 minutes, £95
review call of 30 minutes, £70.
Herbal medicines are always charged separately. They are priced and sold by Synthesis Clinic Pharmacy Ltd under that company’s own terms, and are never included in a consultation fee or a package.
Cancellations and refunds
The package is to be completed within 3 months, starting from your initial appointment. Extensions are free of charge with management approval for a valid reason, and up to a maximum of 6 months. Once the package period ends and the clinic has made at least two attempts to contact you, any unbooked package appointments will lapse. Any further appointments are charged at the usual fee.
2 working days’ notice is required to cancel or move an appointment. A package appointment missed or cancelled with less than 48 working hours’ notice counts as used. A single appointment missed or cancelled late is payable in full.
A 14-day cooling-off period applies to every package, counting the day of purchase. If you cancel within this period, you will be refunded the amount paid, less each completed consultation charged at the full single appointment fee. Refunds are made by BACS transfer or through Stripe via the clinical portal; please allow 7 working days. No refunds are given for packages cancelled after the 14-day cooling-off period.
Reviews
Patients taking herbal medicine need a review at least every 6 months while stable. Further supplies may be withheld after a material change in medication, condition or circumstances until a review takes place.
If you would like some further information, you can book a free 15 min discovery call here (please note that this is an explanatory call only and no personalised advice will be provided).
Please note that Sabena will not be able to work with other medical herbalists or integrative clinicians outside our clinic, as we aim to keep an aligned and consistent approach. It is essential that you are consciously prepared to make some lifestyle changes and to be consistent with your herbal medicine before contacting the clinic and to invest time and effort into this approach with our support, as it is not a quick fix.
Please contact our Clinic Coordinators, to discuss the programmes and book in with Sabena.
If you have any questions about our services or are unsure about the support you may need in your individual case, please contact our Clinic Coordinators via this form.
Herbal Medicine Consultations
We offer online consultations with our specialist doctors and professionals providing nutrition, health coaching, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and emotional wellbeing support for people impacted by cancer during and after cancer treatment and their carers.
Synthesis Clinic is located in Berkshire. You’ll find us within easy reach of Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead, Henley-on Thames and Marlow.
Hours
Monday–Friday
9am–5pm
Phone
01628 964330