This clinic is a sliding scale offering where you can access in-depth personalised herbal support. Sessions are offered online and medicines are sent in the post. Medicines are grown and made nearly entirely from the land where I live. If I’m unable to grow a particular plant in quantity, I will purchase medicine only from organic and ethical suppliers.
The challenges of sliding scale
Designing a sliding-scale clinic has felt challenging. The balance of surviving capitalism myself, while also wanting to support people on low-incomes experiencing state violence and other forms of oppression is definitely difficult. But it is not insurmountable - I try to cover the costs involved through other fundraising strategies (online courses, merchandise, book sales, grants etc).
Despite all my creative efforts, I still live on a very low-income because of the sheer volume of unpaid grassroots organising and care work that I do including and beyond the Solidarity Apothecary (e.g. prisoner support work). I am a working-class femme with minimal savings and pension. Despite this, I know I have huge access to resources including access to land where I live, lots of friendships and comradeship, lots of skills, clinical training and many more things. I share these offerings from a dedication to liberation, not from some kind of martyrdom or self-exploitation.
However, I can also not deny a financial impact of unpaid work on myself and my future self - I really don’t want to grow old in poverty. When you grow up on a low income, it’s very easy to normalise this level of economic hardship and ability to endure ‘going without’. I have stood on picket lines demanding better wages for people in all manner of jobs, and I know that ultimately, I deserve a living wage too. I also recognise that most herbalists are extremely underpaid, as an extension of how capitalism undervalues and exploits feminised caring labour.
Where do you fit on the sliding scale?
Class is complex. It is inseparable from other forms of oppression (racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism, etc). People do not fit into neat categories or into neat sliding scales. Capitalist society generates and perpetuates a feeling of scarcity, for many this is acutely real (e.g. poverty), for others it is an emotional feeling of instability and fear which is also very real. Studies have shown that even millionaires feel that they do not have ‘enough’. Therefore, a sliding scale is a bit more complicated because of our different relationships with money - hence why it is important to integrate an analysis of systemic oppression and class rather than an emotional feeling of what you can afford.
Please see the question ‘Who is this for?’ In each of the packages below to help identify which package may be most appropriate for you. If you’re feeling unclear, I’m really happy to talk things through in a shame-free way.
Thank you for caring about liberation. I'm excited to work with you and connect you with plant medicines that can support you in your journey.
Nettle Package
Who is this for?
People on lower incomes or affected by structural oppression who want steady and supported herbal care over several months. If you live month to month or have limited access to financial stability, the Nettle Package may be the right fit.
What does the package involve?
- A five month container designed for slow and supported change
- One 60 minute comprehensive consultation
- Two follow up sessions of 30 to 60 minutes
- Herbal medicine supplied throughout the five months
How much does it cost and why?
The nettle package costs £250. Payment plans are available at checkout, where contributions can be made over five months if needed.
This rate covers the essential costs of clinical time, medicine making, dispensing and postage. I subsidise the costs involved through other fundraising efforts as an act of class solidarity.
Elderberry Package
Who is this for?
People with access to financial resources who want to sustain politically conscious and accessible herbal care.
Choosing the Elderberry Package helps keep herbal support available for people who face barriers due to class, state violence or low income. Many clients who could comfortably choose this tier do so because they want their care to contribute to wider collective wellbeing.
Financial resources may look like:
- Stable earnings
- Savings, investments or a pension beyond daily needs
- Family financial support or inherited wealth
- Home ownership or owning more than one property
What does the package involve?
- A five month container designed for slow and supported change
- One 60 minute consultation
- Two follow up sessions of 30 to 60 minutes
- Herbal medicine supplied throughout the five months
How much does it cost and why?
The elderberry package costs £350. Payment plans are available at checkout, where contributions can be made over five months if needed.
This rate reflects the full cost of providing herbal care including labour, materials, medicine making, dispensing and postage. Paying at this level sustains the wider work of the Solidarity Apothecary and directly supports free herbal care through the Black Flag Herbal Clinic.
Dandelion – Pay As You Go
Who is this for?
For people who need flexibility or cannot commit to a longer package at the moment.
What does this option involve?
The Dandelion Option allows you to access herbal support one session at a time, at your own pace.
Initial Consultation and one month of Herbal Medicine
- Includes a comprehensive intake call (usually 60 mins)
- One month of herbal medicine
- Costs £120 – payment plans available at checkout
Follow Up
- Includes a follow up call (30 to 60 minutes)
- Costs £60 – payment plans available at checkout
- Includes a review of your progress and a new month of herbs
There is no expectation to come regularly. You can return for a follow up whenever you feel ready, whether in a few weeks or a few months. Herbal care unfolds slowly and gently. You are welcome to re-enter the work at any time.