Local resident Lorraine Love is turning her passion into a business with the opening of a herbal medicine clinic and shop in Swanage, Dorset.
The Purbeck Apothecary at 51 High Street, opposite the library, is to open its doors for the first time on Saturday 15th March 2025 and everyone is invited to drop in on the opening morning from 11 am for a small celebration.
Lorraine Love in her beautiful new shop in Swanage
“Wanted to do something else with my life!
Lorraine Love, who moved to Swanage in 1998, has a degree in Physics and a masters degree in Medical Physics and was working for a large corporate bank when she had a change of heart.
Lorraine said:
“I think the moment was when I was working doing some computer programming at J P Morgan and I thought I just wanted to do something else with my life!
“I went back to university and completed a BSC in Western Herbal Medicine but continued to earn money working for large corporates.
“In 2018, I was chatting to my hairdresser and she suggested that I should set up my own business as a herbalist, so I did. She became my first customer!
“I started by creating a website to sell herbal products, as well as taking on clients, advising them on herbal treatments for various health issues.
“But then Covid struck and I couldn’t meet with clients, so my plans had to go on hold. However, I’m now back on track and really delighted to be opening my shop in such a lovely position in the town.
“Not only am I opening my own herbal clinic but also it’s in the best place in the world. I think I had to live in Hackney in London for a bit, to really appreciate just how lucky we are to be in Swanage!
“It now feels like it was all meant to be – just perfect!”
A great position in the High Street opposite the library
Lorraine will have to regularly spray with water this growing reishi mushroom
Extraordinary reishi mushroom
The Purbeck Apothecary sells loose herbal tea, tinctures, sprays and creams but the centrepiece in the shop is the extraordinary fruiting body of a reishi mushroom, which can improve heart health and lower cholesterol.
As well as the products in the shop to buy, Lorraine has a consulting room at the back of the building where she can work out the best herbal medicines for people with various health conditions.
Stylish teapots with infusers to allow loose tea to brew
Lorraine’s own herbal tea blends from Cheer Up which is an anti-depressant with St John’s Wort, nettle and lemon balm, to Get It On which is said to be a sensual aphrodisiac tea for lovers!
“Gut health is a passion of mine”
Lorraine said:
“I’m not anti commercial medicines in any way – whatever works for someone is good. All that I do is based on science. I’m not a homeopath who will use small traces of herbs but a real herbalist. I use serious, strong doses as I am trained in herb interactions.
“When a client comes to me, I will look at everything and review all that they are taking including prescription medicine, so I can get the whole picture. I’m also quick to red flag any symptoms that I feel need to be assessed by a doctor.
“Where I can really help is in long term conditions where conventional medicine isn’t working. Things like irritable bowel syndrome and eczema are chronic conditions where there are alternatives that may work.
“Gut health is a passion of mine. It’s so important and fundamental. If your gut isn’t working properly you won’t be absorbing nutrients or medicines, but there are ways to improve that.
“Please feel free to pop into the shop. I’m always happy to have a chat!”
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts which can be mixed with a small amount of water and dropped into the mouth
Lots of interesting products to explore in the shop including many using nettles, which Lorriane says is one of her favourite herbs
Further information
- Celebratory open morning on Saturday 15th March 2025 from 11 am – all welcome
- The shop is normally open 10.30 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday. Clinic consultations are available at any time outside those times
- More about The Purbeck Apothecary on its website
