Early professional work
During the early stages of her career, Dr. Swainston worked with several internationally recognised natural health and pharmaceutical organisations, including:
- Nelson's Homeopathic Pharmacy (in) London
- Neal's Yard Apothecary (in) England
- Weleda Anthroposophical Pharmaceuticals (in) South Africa
These experiences contributed to her foundation in herbal medicine, homeopathy, anthroposophical therapeutics, and integrative natural healthcare systems.
Community healthcare initiatives
In the 1990s, Dr. Swainston established a free naturopathic clinic in Cape Town, funded through the profits of her independent health product companies. The clinic aimed to provide accessible natural healthcare to underserved communities at a time when homeopathic and naturopathic treatments were largely inaccessible through conventional medical aid systems in South Africa.
The clinic later expanded to include a team of three practising doctors and became an important community resource for patients seeking alternative therapeutic approaches.
Trans-Africa research expedition
Following the establishment of the clinic, Dr. Swainston undertook a trans-Africa motorcycle research expedition travelling from Cape Town to Ireland. The expedition was independently funded through her health product businesses.
During the journey, she worked with patients across remote regions where access to hospitals and conventional medical facilities was limited. This period exposed her to a wide range of tropical illnesses, rare diseases, and emergency medical conditions uncommon in urban clinical settings.
The experience became a defining part of her research philosophy, deepening her interest in the practical application and efficacy of natural medicine under challenging real-world conditions.
Publishing and research
Following her trans-Africa expedition, Dr. Swainston published a bestselling book on natural approaches to weight management through Struik Publishers in 1997. She later authored additional works focused on homeopathy, nutrition, herbal medicine, and preventative wellness.
Her more recent research has focused on nutritional approaches to cognitive health, memory preservation, and long-term brain function optimisation.
Her forthcoming book, Improve Your Memory: How to Care for Your Brain and Maximise Your Cognition, explores holistic approaches to supporting cognition through nutrition, lifestyle, and traditional and natural practices