JAMA has signed a new partner Mollie as our new payment provider and will offer you and your clinic one of the lowest prices in the industry for payments. This however is not the only reason we have chosen them and they offer a wide and modern range of benefits – Mollie offers a modern, flexible payment solution with transparent, pay-per-transaction pricing. With features like Tap to Pay, Klarna integration, and seamless online and in-person payment options, Mollie empowers your clinic to streamline payments and enhance client convenience. Plus, with a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, Mollie is trusted by businesses across Europe for its reliability and user-friendly service.

Ah, hayfever season — the time of year when flowers bloom, bees buzz, and many of us can’t stop sneezing. For those with seasonal allergies, spring can feel like a foggy blur of itchy eyes, runny noses, and antihistamine fatigue. But as practitioners of Chinese Herbal Medicine, we have a whole toolkit of ways to support ourselves, our families, and our patients — not only from ancient texts, but also from the hedgerows and gardens right outside our doors. Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is strongly evidenced to improve hayfever symptoms and strengthen the immune system by modulating inflammatory responses, balancing the immune system, and supporting respiratory health.Here are a few key studies to explore if you’re curious: In the UK, we’re also blessed with a landscape full of healing plants — many of which have natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Combining our understanding of Chinese energetics with local herbs adds a rich and sustainable layer to our practice. Below are a few of my favourites to forage, brew, and recommend this season. The Chinese Medicine View of Hayfever In Chinese Medicine, hayfever is typically seen as an invasion of Wind — often Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold — affecting the Lung system and Wei Qi (defensive energy). A weakened Spleen or Lung Qi can also make someone more susceptible to seasonal triggers, while lingering Damp or Phlegm can contribute to congestion and sinus symptoms. Common formulas we might turn to include: But when we add local herbs into the mix, especially ones we can grow or harvest ourselves, we deepen the relationship between people, plants, and place. UK Herbs You Can Forage for Hayfever — with TCM Wisdom Here are six fantastic UK herbs you can forage or grow to support hayfever symptoms — each with their own energetic properties and uses in both Western herbalism and Chinese medicine. 🌿 Nettle (Urtica dioica) Western use: Natural antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, supports the respiratory system.TCM energetics: Cooling, slightly drying, moves Blood, resolves Wind-Heat, supports Wei Qi.Immunity impact: Nourishes Qi and Blood, helps clear allergic inflammation.Tea tip: Pick fresh young leaves (wear gloves!), rinse, and steep 1 tablespoon per cup in hot water for 10–15 minutes. ✨ Fun fact: The Romans used to stuff nettles in their armour to warm the skin, relieve pain, and fight inflammation — it was their version of a mobile pharmacy! 🌿 Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major) Western use: Soothes mucous membranes, anti-catarrhal, supports tissue repair.TCM energetics: Cooling, detoxifying, clears Heat, transforms Phlegm.Immunity impact: Useful for Lung Heat and mucous congestion.Tea tip: Steep 1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh leaf in hot water, cover, and infuse 10 minutes. 🌿 Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) Western use: Potent antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.TCM energetics: Cold, clears Heat and Damp-Heat from the Lungs and intestines, calms irritability.Immunity impact: Supports Lung health, cools allergic Heat.Tea tip: Use dried root slices — decoct gently for 20 minutes. Or use powdered extract in blends. 🌿 Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) Western use: Reduces eye inflammation and nasal discharge.TCM energetics: Slightly bitter and cooling, clears Liver Heat, astringes fluids.Immunity impact: Soothes red, itchy eyes and supports upper respiratory tract.Tea tip: Infuse dried herb and drink or use cooled tea as a compress for irritated eyes. 🌿 Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Western use: Soothes sore throats, modulates immune response, anti-inflammatory.TCM energetics: Sweet, neutral or slightly warm, tonifies Qi, harmonizes other herbs, clears Heat and toxicity.Immunity impact: Supports Spleen and Lung Qi, reduces allergic inflammation.Tea tip: Add a slice or a pinch of root to your blends — it makes everything taste smoother. 🌸 Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) Western use: Diaphoretic, anti-catarrhal, supports immune response.TCM energetics: Light and pungent, promotes sweating, releases Wind-Heat.Immunity impact: Clears nasal congestion, supports Wei Qi in early stages of invasion.Tea tip: Combine elderflower, nettle, and plantain for a gentle, aromatic allergy-relief tea. How to Make a Herbal Tea (Infusion) Here’s a simple recipe format to share with patients or use at home: Basic ratio: Optional: Add a teaspoon of local honey once the tea has cooled slightly — not only for taste, but for its own allergy-soothing properties. Foraging with Care: Ethical and Safe Harvesting It’s a gift to be able to pick medicine from your local hedgerows — but with that comes responsibility. Personal Reflections Learning about the benefits of what many only think of as weeds has given me a new respect and appreciation for them. I love growing these herbs in my garden now — and so do my chickens! Watching them scratch around the nettles and plantain feels like a shared ritual of seasonal care. Your Turn — Let’s Share Herbal Wisdom Do you use any local herbs to support yourself or your patients during hayfever season?We’d love to hear about it! Come and join the conversation in the Herbal Advisory Group Facebook group if you haven’t already — it’s a lovely space to swap clinical tips, formulas, foraging stories, and herbal inspiration.

At JAMA, we’re always looking for ways to support our members in expanding their skills and services to better serve their patients. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer Phlebotomy Training – empowering our acupuncturists to take blood samples professionally and confidently. But that’s not all. Through our exciting partnership with Forth With Life, you can now offer your patients convenient, high-quality blood testing services. Why Train in Phlebotomy? Phlebotomy – the skill of drawing blood – is an incredibly valuable tool to have in your practice. With this certification, you’ll be able to: Our phlebotomy course is designed specifically for acupuncture professionals, making it practical, accessible, and immediately useful in your clinic. Partnering with Forth With Life: Modern Health Testing, Made Easy We’ve teamed up with Forth With Life – a leading provider of at-home blood testing kits. Their platform makes it simple for your patients to order a wide range of health tests covering everything from hormone balance and nutritional status to stress markers and general wellness. As a trained phlebotomist and JAMA member, you can: Professional, Trusted Results – Reviewed by a GP Every test your patient completes through Forth With Life is professionally analysed and reviewed by a registered GP. Patients receive a detailed, easy-to-understand report, including: This ensures that your patients are not only receiving data, but also actionable insights they can trust. A Win-Win for You and Your Patients This partnership is more than just a service – it’s a game-changer. Here’s why: Your patients get convenience, clinical-quality testing, and clear GP-reviewed reports. You get professional growth, better patient outcomes, and a simple way to earn commission. Ready to Get Started? Whether you’re looking to expand your clinical toolkit, offer more to your patients, or stay ahead in a changing healthcare landscape – becoming a trained phlebotomist and partnering with Forth With Life is an incredible step forward.

At JAMA, we understand that a strong support system is vital to thriving as a practitioner. That’s why we’re proud to offer a structured, meaningful Mentoring and Supervision Program designed to empower our members through every stage of their professional journey. Whether you’re newly qualified or years into your practice, the opportunity to share, reflect and learn within a supportive environment can be both grounding and transformative. Why Mentoring and Supervision? Supervision isn’t just about navigating challenges – it’s about growing as a practitioner. JAMA’s mentoring and supervision programs provide: Each supervisor in our program brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to practitioner development. They’ve all completed a full year of supervision training and are members of the Mentoring and Supervision Network. Program Structure & Eligibility If you’ve taken part in our free supervision offering, you’re eligible to join the mentoring program for up to two blocks of supervision. Each block offers a series of structured group sessions. Once you’ve completed these, you’re welcome to continue supervision independently with a supervisor of your choice – ensuring ongoing support tailored to your needs. This approach allows JAMA to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and accessible supervision model for all members. What’s On Offer? Option A: Monday Evenings with Sarah MathesonWith 30 years of experience in Five Element Acupuncture, Sarah is known for her calm and wise guidance. As the Chair of the Mentoring and Supervision Network, she brings profound insight and leadership to every session. Option B: Friday Mornings with Marianne KillickDates: May 2nd, May 30th, June 27th, August 1stTrained in TCM, Marianne offers a grounded and thoughtful approach, drawing on her experience in diverse clinical settings. She currently coordinates JAMA’s supervision program. Option C: Group Sessions with Naomi Swain Option D: One-to-One Supervision with Lisa Tailored individual sessions via Zoom, arranged directly with Lisa. With two decades of experience in Five Element Acupuncture and a passion for practitioner support, Lisa offers a compassionate, personalized mentoring experience. Session Logistics Each group requires a minimum of four participants to run, ensuring the sessions remain intimate but sustainable. This minimum supports supervisor compensation and contributes to our emergency supervision fund—an essential resource for members in urgent need. Please note: Each block of supervision is a paid service, and your commitment to the full series ensures the integrity and depth of the work we do together. Ready to Deepen Your Practice? The JAMA Mentoring and Supervision Program isn’t just a professional development tool – it’s a lifeline for connection, confidence, and continuous growth. Whether you’re seeking support, inspiration, or simply space to reflect, supervision can be a transformative part of your practice. If you’re interested in joining an upcoming group or arranging individual sessions, be sure to book early -spaces are limited and fill up quickly. Let’s keep growing, together. For questions or more information, please contact admin@jama.org.uk