Sara Rooney

I am a qualified Medical Herbalist with over a decade of clinical experience in herbal medicine and additional postgraduate training in mycotherapy, the study of medicinal mushrooms. I have also recently completed further studies in the Systems Approach to Cancer with Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel, our Director and an award-winning Precision Health and Integrative Oncology doctor, now supporting our Integrative Cancer Care and Integrative Pain Care teams.

Herbal medicine support in integrative cancer care and integrative pain care

I am a firm believer in integrated health whereby natural medicine and modern medicine can be part of a bigger system whereby both can work individually and also, synergistically to provide the best possible health outcomes. The advances in modern medicine are truly amazing and life saving, however there are times where a gentler more preventive approach is necessary. This is where I believe herbal medicines, targeted nutrition and lifestyle medicine can play an important role. I have worked collaboratively in clinics with functional medicine doctors, physiotherapists and mental wellbeing professionals, as sometimes a combined approach is necessary to restore health. I am delighted to be a part of the Synthesis Clinic’s Cancer Survivorship and Carer Support, Integrative Cancer Care and Integrative Pain Care teams, and I work closely with our physicians, health coaches, rehabilitation specialists and mental wellbeing support professionals. A truly aligned team approach, combining the best personalised care from different disciplines, can really transform quality of life and wellbeing when applied consistently.

My background in herbal medicine

My pathway into medical herbalism began whilst working on a Quechua project in the Amazon basin, Ecuador, with limited access to pharmaceutical medicines after completing a degree in Social anthropology at Sussex University.  I was immediately drawn to working alongside the local Shaman collecting and propagating medicinal plants, and was treated successfully for several persistent ailments with these plant medicines. I was hooked and decided I had to learn more about plant based medicine.

I returned to the UK and completed a degree in Phytotherapy B.S.c.(Hons) at the University of East London whilst running a support project with young carers.  My research project was on Phytotherapy for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and was later published in the International Journal of Herbal Medicine by Elsevier.

Utilising my many years of experience supporting people across all walks of life with natural medicine, I can support, direct and empower you to achieve your health goals. Small changes make a big difference over time and these need to be sustainable, we work together to find changes that support you. Herbs and plant based medicines have been used for millennia to support women's health in every culture. I take a modern evidence informed approach to incorporating these natural medicines, the latest research and my clinical experience, to support you to optimum health and vitality, so you can feel you again.