This model of collaborative medicine offers the best of both approaches. After medical school Dr Clare went on to do her GP training and entered general practice in North London. Taking the opportunity to study for a BSc in Herbal Medicine at Middlesex University she qualified as a medical herbalist in 1999. Dilis then returned to Ireland to establish a Primary Health Care collaborative medicine clinic.

Although herbal medicine is core to Dr Clare’s training and expertise she also works with and highly values other complementary healthcare disciplines. These include Nutrition, Acupuncture, Psychotherapy and a wide range of hands-on physical and energetic and spiritual treatments. Please refer to our therapist’s pages for further information.

Dr Clare’s Qualifications and training Medical School: University College Dublin GP Training: London BSc Herbal Medicine: Middlesex University, London Hon. Clinical Fellow: National University of Ireland Galway Medical School Clinical Director

At her clinic in Galway, Dr Clare works with fellow medical herbalist Lara Jonasdottir to provide the highest standard of herbal medicine clinical care. Lara has an equivalent Clinical Herbal Medicine BSc as Dr Clare and has completed advanced general herbal studies with David Winston. David is a highly acclaimed author and herbalist from the U.S.. She also completed a post-grad Diploma level study with Dr Aviva Romm MD in Healthcare for Women using natural medicines. Ms Jonasdottir has recently completed a Master’s Programme on Teaching Clinical Medicine in National University of Ireland Galway.

Lara has an independent clinical practice with a joint clinical review meeting monthly with Dr Clare.

Healthcare Vision for 2025 for Ireland and the U.K

This vision specifies Ireland (Rep) and the United Kingdom as they are the only jurisdictions in Europe where you can consult a medical herbalist with a scope of practice to diagnose, clinically examine, prescribe and make herbal medicines. These rights have been challenged consistently since they were permitted in Tudor times. (These rights are also prohibited in the U.S.)

• Use herbal medicines confidently for everyday health problems.
• Have the basic herbal medicine first aid supplies in your medicine cabinet for family health issues.
• Be aware of the limitations of simple herbal remedies.
• Be able to consult a well qualified medical herbalist for most mild to moderate or recurring health problems that require a consultation and individualized prescription
• Your medical herbalist will be part of your medical team, working in collaboration with your family doctor, hospital consultant and other medical providers.

We teach the value of herbs for health and happiness

Quality herbal products: We provide a one stop shop of herbal apothecary, information and advice about herbal medicines

Herbal medicine clinic appointments: Appointments are available with well qualified medical herbalists in Galway

If it is not possible to attend our clinics in person we offer Skype/telephone consults

How will our vision be achieved?

Education: Dr Clare’s Academy offers an on-line Foundation Course in Herbal Medicine.

Dr Dilis Clare is a regular speaker at international academic conferences. Dr Clare Apothecary offer advice and speakers at lifestyle exhibition shows. Furthermore Dilis speaks as a recognised authority on radio and on TV to enthusiastically raise awareness of the benefits of herbal medicines.

Dr Clare is currently writing the first of a series of books. Her first book covers the choices we tend to make in healthcare and also how our choices are informed.  Dr Clare offers clinical teaching to herbalists to all levels of qualification at her clinic in Sea Road in Galway.

Education is the key to high clinical standards.

Products: Remember if you register with Dr Clare’s practice our clinicians will be able send you herbs direct. Dr Clare’s Blends’ also offer formulated solutions for particular common health problems. Alternatively you can purchase individual herbs if you wish and make up your own blends. Remember that you are required to inform us of any medication you are taking from the pharmacy, either over the counter or if prescribed by your doctor, so that we will be able to provide you with appropriate advice.

The most appropriate role for herbal medicines is mild to moderate health problems. These include; irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis, allergies including eczema, hay fever, asthma, all hormone related problems, early osteoarthritis, recurrent infections etc. It also includes wellness issues such as fatigue, stress and feeling unwell when all the medical tests are ‘normal’.

Acute infections and painful conditions can also benefit from a herbal approach in collaboration with a pharma medicine or surgical approach where indicated by a well qualified herbalist.

For severe health problems where there is structural damage to tissues (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cysts on the ovaries, inflammation of the stomach, persistent pain and swelling of any structure etc.) herbs will take longer and they will commonly be used alongside your prescribed medication in the context of a herbal consultation.

Without addressing nutrition and the stressors that accompany severe chronic health problems you limit the success of all medication including prescribed medication.

Herbs can reduce the side effects of medication and enhance their effectiveness.

Herbs can help with non-core disease effects such as stress, anxiety, insomnia and digestive problems that often accompany severe chronic illnesses and reduce your quality of life. These non-core problems often exacerbate the disease.