Home-based herbal practice

Adults looking for a complementary approach alongside their GP care, often for stress, sleep, digestion, skin or women's health. Most come through word of mouth and local contacts.

A fee for a longer first consultation, a lower fee for follow-ups, and a charge for the remedies you make up. Repeat clients over several months are the core of the income.

• Solid herbal medicine training
• Good listening and note-taking
• Clear, honest communication about what herbs can and cannot do

• Check the rules on making and supplying herbal remedies for individual clients, and on selling ready-made products, which can need registration or a licence
• Advertising rules on health claims are strict, so check the ASA and CAP guidance, and take particular care around cancer and other serious conditions
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance suited to herbal practice
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to clients visiting your home
• Herbs can interact with prescribed medicines, so ask about medication and know when to refer clients to their GP
• Training can take years and costs are not included in the startup estimate

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your equipment, herbs, insurance and room set-up. Training can take years and its cost is not included in that estimate.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how many clients you see and what you charge. Most clients come through word of mouth and local contacts. Allow at least around 8 hours a week.

Check the rules on making and supplying herbal remedies and selling ready-made products, which can need registration or a licence. Check ASA and CAP advertising guidance on health claims, suitable insurance, and whether your landlord, lender or council must agree.