Hello and welcome back to The Herb Doctor Podcast with Caitríona Hegarty and Dr. Dilis Clare.
In this episode, Caitríona speaks with Dr. Dilis Clare and Tim Morrissey, the co-authors of Uprooted Medicine, a revealing history of medicine that restores herbs to patient-led care. Together, they explore the long arc of how herbal medicine became sidelined, the power of “authority” in shaping medical narratives, and why collaboration — rather than tribalism — is the future of effective care.
The conversation moves between lived clinical experience, medical history, and practical patient reality: what happens when people don’t fit neatly into a narrow system, how chronic issues build over time, and why earlier, gentler interventions often matter more than we’re taught to believe.
This is a grounded discussion for patients, herbalists, doctors, students, and anyone interested in joined-up medicine — not “either/or”, but clearer thinking, wider options, and better outcomes.
In this episode, we cover:
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Why Uprooted Medicine took ten years to write — and why it mattered
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How herbs became “invisible” in mainstream medicine (and what replaced them)
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The role of authority, compliance, and recurring patterns in medical history
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Patient-led care: acting earlier, asking better questions, widening options
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Why “collaborative care” is a more realistic model than “alternative” vs “orthodox”
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Who the book is for: patients, clinicians, medical herbalists, and policy thinkers
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Why herbal medicine is often framed as anecdote — and what gets missed when it is
Important note:
This episode is shared for general educational and cultural interest. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. If symptoms feel severe, unusual, or persistent — or if you have an underlying health concern — please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Buy Dr Clare’s Book – Uprooted Medicine: https://joinedupmedicine.com
Dr. Clare’s Apothecary: https://drclareapothecary.com
Dr. Clare Clinic: https://drclare.ie
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