Bio

I am Robert Hale (aka Botanic Bob) while still on the road, herbalist, osteopath, acupuncturist, author, nature lover, walker, learner, poet, musical beginner, drinker of the “wine” of life, and some kind of healer.

My interest in and love for all things natural goes way back to when I was a child exploring the local countryside and its woods, ponds and brooks. I have been studying plants more seriously since my days as an undergraduate student at Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University), where my degree course in Biology included several modules in ecology. In 1990 I began to study plants as medicines when I embarked on a diploma course in Naturopathy with Rudy Lanza in Luserna San Giovanni, Italy. For over 25 years now I have been using plants in the clinic, mostly as adjuncts to treatment by osteopathy or acupuncture, of which I am a qualified practitioner. I have continually updated and expanded my knowledge both of plant biology and medical herbalism through online and self-study. In 2017 I achieved an Advanced Diploma in Herbalism from the School of Natural Health Sciences (UK) and in 2020 an Advanced Diploma from the Herbal Academy in Massachisetts, USA. I have an active interest in wildcrafting (harvesting plants from their natural habitat) and medicine-making. I have a clinical practice which serves the local community of Santa Eulària des Riu on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Ibiza, where I live with my wife Clouds Woman. I spend my down-time walking its hills, shoreline and cliffs, writing, and learning to play my beloved mandolin. I have two grown-up children of whom I am extremely proud.

This site website is the portal for my online herbal practice.

Qualifications and Professional Membership

I have professional qualifications in Herbal Medicine, Natutopathy, Osteopathy and Acupuncture. I am a member of the Sociedad Española de Fitoterapia (Spanish Society of Phytotherapy – membership number 671), the Registro de Osteópatas de España (Register of Osteopaths of Spain – membership number 139), and the Asociación de Acupuntores de España (Association of Acupuncturists of Spain – membership number 07603).

My areas of special expertise

• Spinal, skeletal, muscle and nerve pain.
• Musculoskeletal health.
• Neurology.
• Mood disturbances.
• The relationship between the mind and physical health, especially the role of stress.