Keren Brynes MacLean is a qualified medical herbalist and proud owner of Health Food and More, located in Kirkcaldy’s busy St Clair Street. Keren established her herbal practice in 1996 and has worked full time as a medical herbalist since this time, running busy clinics in both Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy. Three years ago she took over the reins at Health Food and More, buying the business from previous owner Marion Hasse. This investment then enabled Keren to merge her busy clinic and herbal dispensary with the successfully established health food store, offering people a one stop shop, where they could have consultations or simply buy effective over-the-counter remedies if this were appropriate for their specific complaint.

Since this time Health Food and More has shown sustained growth with continued investment into new stock lines, staff training and publicity, which has increased the profile of the company, not only at a local level, but also at a national level, with the achievement of a national retail award in April 2009 and recognition of Keren’s achievements through a motion at the Scottish Parliament earlier this year. Statutory Regulation of the Herbal Profession is currently being reviewed by the Department of Health and Keren, who has been central to political lobbying on behalf of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, is hopeful that regulation will take place and increase public awareness of and access to traditional medicines in the UK.

She sees herbal medicine as being a viable and effective complement to mainstream orthodox treatments, often working for those grumbling chronic health problems that just don’t resolve with a conventional approach. Classically herbal medicine has been successful in managing low immunity, stress related issues, digestive complaints, hormonal imbalances and skin problems to name a few. Her busy herbal practice at Health Food and More is complemented by another of Fife’s leading therapists, Mariette Lobo, who was recently quoted by the Scotsman as “Fife’s Best Kept Secret”. Mariette brings with her a wealth of experience, not only as a skilled practitioner, but also as a lecturer in complementary therapies, with particular expertise within the field of cancer and palliative care, having worked at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow. She practices several therapies including Tuina, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Hypnotherapy and Aromatherapy.

Mariette is a Stress Management specialist, currently shortlisted to the finals for the Wellbeing in the Community category for the 2010 Fife Partnership Excellence Awards based on the Stress Management service her students have provided at the Fife Carers Centre, Kirkcaldy. She has also facilitated various staff day health events in both the public and private sector offering employers an opportunity to decrease stress in the workplace and increase well being and performance. Both Keren and Mariette are available for private consultations at Health Food and More, where their clinical experience and holistic approach brings about positive results for the large number of people who seek an alternative approach to managing their specific health complaints.

In addition they are interested in supporting good health in the work place and are keen to hear from Businesses who would like the opportunity to improve the health and well being of their employees. For further information visit the website on www.healthfoodandherbal.co.uk. You can email via the website should you wish leaflets and magazines for your staff room or waiting room, information about health promotion in the work place.

(Extract from Fife Chamber of Commerce)