Herbalist in a shared clinic room

Clients who prefer a professional setting away from your home, plus people who find you through the centre's other therapists and its footfall.

Consultation fees and remedy charges, minus room rental. Busier days make the rent easier to cover, so many start with one or two days a week.

• Solid herbal medicine training
• Organised scheduling and record keeping
• Building referral relationships with other practitioners

• Rent is a fixed cost, so check the terms and avoid long commitments until you have regular clients
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and check whether the centre also requires its own cover
• Check the rules on supplying herbal remedies and on selling ready-made products
• Health claims in your advertising need care, so check ASA and CAP guidance
• Herbs can interact with medicines, so take a full medication history and refer on when needed

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on room hire terms, equipment, herbs and insurance. Rent is a fixed cost, so check the terms and avoid long commitments until you have regular clients.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £600 to £3,500, depending on how many days you hire the room, your client numbers and your fees. Allow at least around 12 hours a week.

Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and whether the centre requires its own cover. Check the rules on supplying herbal remedies and selling ready-made products, ASA and CAP guidance on health claims, and take a full medication history.