If You’ve Been Feeling Not Quite Right, This Is For You

When people ask me what herbal medicine is, I usually smile because for me it’s not just a definition, it’s something I’ve come to trust deeply through my own life.

My connection to herbs actually began as a story passed down to me. My grandmother Eliza, who was from a German background, was known for digging up dandelion root from her backyard. I grew up hearing about this, and even though I didn’t fully understand it at the time, something about it stayed with me. That idea that plants could support health quietly planted a seed.

Years later, I saw Dorothy Hall on TV, and it sparked something again. Not long after, in my twenties, I had an acute infection and decided to try herbal medicine for myself. There happened to be a herbalist on my street in Annandale in Sydney’s Inner West and that experience was a turning point. A few doses later and I started to improve; I avoided the antibiotics and re-occuring candida infections that seemed to go alongside that.

I felt a deep connection to the herbs.....

From that moment on, herbs became something I returned to whenever I needed health support.

I used herbs to support my second child through juvenile arthritis, and during that time I saw just how powerful and gentle this approach could be. In my thirties, I experienced chronic fatigue, and ongoing bouts of fly - again it was herbal medicine that helped me find my way back.

There were other times too. Perimenopause, where I was able to support my body in a way that ultimately helped me avoid a hysterectomy.

Then in late 40's, a chronic lung infection that needed ongoing care.

Each time, I came back to herbs. And looking back now, I realise how much I’ve relied on them. I can’t really remember the last time I needed antibiotics, because I’ve been able to support my body through illness with herbal medicine.

The Moment It Became More Than Just Something I Used

At some point, it shifted from something I used to something I wanted to understand more deeply. That’s when I decided to study herbal medicine and eventually begin working with clients.

So when I talk about herbal medicine, it comes from experience, not just textbooks.

“I didn’t come to herbal medicine from a textbook. I came to it because I needed it.”

So What Is Herbal Medicine, Really

At its simplest, herbal medicine is using plants to support the body. But the way I see it, it’s really about helping the body find its way back to balance.

I remember a time when I didn’t feel quite right in myself, and I couldn’t fully explain why. Nothing major on paper, but enough to know something was off. That’s often what brings people to me now. Not always one big problem, but a collection of things that don’t feel like them.

Feeling tired even after sleeping. Not being able to switch off. Digestive discomfort. Hormones that feel unpredictable. Or just a quiet sense that your body isn’t working the way it used to.

This Is Where Herbal Medicine Works Differently

That’s where herbal medicine fits in beautifully. It doesn’t try to override the body. It supports it. It works alongside your systems, gently nudging things back into place over time.

What A Tincture Actually Is (And Why I Use Them)

When I prescribe herbs, I usually give them as a tincture. This is the part people are often curious about. A tincture is simply a liquid extract of herbs. The plants are prepared in a way that draws out their active parts, and those are held in a liquid so your body can absorb them easily.

But what matters more than how it’s made is how it’s used.

Why Your Herbal Mix Is Never “Off The Shelf”

Your tincture is made specifically for you. It’s not something generic. It’s a blend of herbs chosen to match what your body needs, often supporting multiple areas at once.

That’s one of the things I love most about this work. One formula can support your nervous system, your digestion and your hormones all at the same time.

How You Actually Take Herbal Medicine

Taking it is simple. Most people add a small amount to water once or twice a day. It becomes part of your routine. Something steady. Something supportive.

Some herbal tinctures don't taste very nice. I always laugh with clients about that. But it’s real and you can feel that it’s really helping your body - so the taste is often something that you crave.

What Starts To Change When You Stay Consistent

Over time, things begin to shift. Not overnight, but gradually.

Energy feels more stable. Sleep becomes deeper. Digestion settles. That feeling of being slightly out of sync starts to soften. I’ve seen this so many times now, and it still feels special every time.

This Isn’t About Quick Fixes

For me, herbal medicine is not about quick fixes. It’s about creating change that lasts, in a way that feels supported and not overwhelming.

If you’ve ever had that feeling that your body just needs a bit of help to get back on track, this is exactly where herbal medicine can make a difference.

About the Author I’m Leonie Sinclair, a clinical herbalist, Fellow of ATMS, and founder of Triple Tranquillity. I hold a Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine. I work alongside my clients, using herbal medicine to gently guide the body back into balance and support long-term health.