West End Wellness
This month, Louise Sylvester steps away from movement-based wellness to explore the healing power of plants and finds out how herbal medicine is helping people feel more balanced in a fast-paced world. Looking for the best herbalists in Glasgow? Louise may just have found them.
By Louise Sylvester
In previous editions, this column has explored wellness through the lens of physical activity and movement, but this time the focus shifts to the world of herbal medicine. In a society driven by convenience and speed, many of us are struggling with stress, fatigue, hormone imbalances and lifestyle-related health niggles. What if, instead of simply powering through or reaching for another caffeine fix, we paused to explore what nature has to offer?
Napiers the Herbalists is something of a local institution. Located on Cresswell Street, the store has been part of the West End’s fabric for decades, although it’s the kind of place you’ve likely passed many times without realising what lies behind the doors. I was recently invited for a herbal consultation with Nikki Biddiss, one of the owners and, as I am one of those who have walked by and never been inside, I was intrigued and open-minded as to what to expect.
Nikki’s Journey
Nikki’s own story is a reminder that life doesn’t always follow a straight line. Her first career was in banking, having graduated with an economics degree from Strathclyde University. By the age of 29, she had climbed the ranks to become a director at a major bank in London, but while she loved her job, she couldn’t ignore the growing sense that this wasn’t the path she wanted to remain on.
It was a book, ‘What Colour Is Your Parachute?‘ that changed everything. It encourages readers to look at their skillset, interests, and past experiences to find a path that aligns more with who they really are. Nikki realised she loved people, problem solving, fact finding and had long been interested in plants, skincare and the natural world. This led her to a four-year degree in herbal medicine and eventually, to Napiers. After starting out with Saturday shifts, she and her business partner Donna took the plunge and bought the business in 2017. Donna is an aromatherapist and runs the shop, while Nikki handles the clinic side.
Today, Napiers offers much more than herbs in brown bottles. It’s a sanctuary of holistic wellbeing. A calming space where you can book in for acupuncture, nutritional advice, massage, or, like me, a herbal consultation. Nikki told me they often try to help customers directly at the counter, but when things are more complex, they can refer clients to the clinic for a tailored solution.
Let’s Talk About You
And so, back to my consultation. It was 45 minutes where I talked, and Nikki listened. We covered a range of topics including sleep, diet, stress, digestive health, skin, energy levels, mood, hormones as well as my daily routine as a 45-year-old woman juggling work, two energetic children, a husband and a strong-willed dog. Nikki knew just the right questions to ask, gently guiding the conversation to uncover the things I might not have thought relevant. It was, quite honestly, therapeutic – a rare chance to talk in depth about the issues that can sometimes sit just below the surface.
At the end of the session, Nikki compiled a short list of herbs she believed could support me, all of them tailored to my individual needs. These were blended into a personalised tincture at the dispensary and I left with a small brown bottle and instructions to take 30 drops twice a day diluted in water. Time will tell what changes I’ll notice, but I walked out feeling lighter, clearer and cared for. Which in itself is already a result.
Post consultation, our conversation turned to broader trends Nikki has observed. She told me, ‘Since the pandemic, many people are finding it harder to access GP appointments and are looking for alternatives. Others are exploring plant-based remedies as part of a more conscious lifestyle shift, perhaps to veganism. Social media may be awash with wellness advice, but it can often be overwhelming and contradictory. We find that people want support, but they also want to be informed and respected.’
One topic that has become increasingly prevalent is perimenopause. Nikki explains that women often come in with a collection of symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and insomnia – it is during their consultation that they often realise they’re in the perimenopausal stage of life. With the right vocabulary, things start to make more sense, and while HRT is one route, it’s not the only one. At Napiers, the goal is always to offer intelligent, personalised advice rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
A Safe Space
The thing that I found most striking is the space that Napiers creates for conversation. When was the last time you were properly listened to for 45 minutes without interruption or judgement? That space alone – to be heard, to reflect and to start connecting the dots – is rare and a valuable part of the experience. Nikki says, ‘Often people begin to realise for themselves where some of their issues might stem from. It’s not about lecturing or prescribing, but about empowering.’
In a world where wellness is increasingly commodified and the internet offers a million different answers, Napiers offers something refreshingly different: time, care and connection. You won’t find flashy marketing or miracle claims here – just intelligent conversation, decades of knowledge and a respect for the individual journey.
So if you’ve ever walked past Napiers on Cresswell Street and wondered what’s inside, consider stepping through the door. Whether you’re curious about herbal remedies, struggling with stress, or simply want to explore a more natural route to wellness, this Glasgow institution might just hold the answers you didn’t know you needed.
And in my case? I’m two weeks into taking my tincture. Whether it’s the herbs themselves or the simple act of being heard, I’m already feeling that little bit more in balance – and that’s a good place to start.
Napiers the Herbalist
Glasgow Clinic Information
61 Cresswell Street,
Glasgow
0141 339 5859
There is no online presence for Napiers Glasgow store, so it goes without saying that the best way to find out more is by paying a visit and discovering for yourself all the wonderful products and services it has to offer. As with any specialist, independent store the advice and care you will be shown once you step over the door is second-to-none – shopping online just doesn’t compare. That’s why Napiers may be one of the best herbalists in Glasgow. If you are struggling to pay a visit, but need some advice then pick up the phone. The shopfront staff are on hand to offer a telephone consultation after which they will pack up the products suggested and send them to you in the post.
