Pukka's Herbal Expertise
We’re a company with a true herbal heritage; over 22% of our employees have a formal qualification (degree, masters or PhD) in herbal medicine, plant medicine or nutrition. We passionately believe there is much to learn from the medical wisdom of traditional healing systems, coupled with an expert understanding of scientific research.
One of the ways we deliver our mission is through the herbal creations we make. We source and use only the best quality, practitioner-grade, organic ingredients and our herbal experts draw on insights from the latest herbal research and education to make our blends.
We keep innovating and bringing out new creations that suit different tastes, preferences and lifestyles but always with an eye on what really impacts upon human health.
Why do we need a herbal revolution?
We want to spark a herbal health and wellbeing revolution, to help our society appreciate the benefits of herbs to human health. Human healthcare worldwide is at a pivotal point - and there are significant challenges ahead.
Around the world, we are living longer but less healthily. Diseases linked to both over and under-nutrition are highly prevalent, while antimicrobial resistance is an imminent global threat, making the need to find alternatives to antibiotics ever more urgent.
We need to create a sustainable healthcare system that supports and optimises human health whilst nurturing the diversity and future of our planet. By providing education opportunities and promoting better health choices, Pukka is advocating for a herbal revolution of preventative and alternative healthcare, where herbs are at the forefront of wellness.
Meet the team
Sebastian Pole
Pukka’s Co-founder and Master Herbsmith keeps a close eye on the formulation of our organic creations. Sebastian has been in clinical practice since 1998 using a blend of Ayurvedic, Chinese and Western herbal medicine and has pioneered organic and FairWild practitioner-grade herbs as the norm at Pukka.
Euan MacLennan
As well as heading up our herbal team, Euan also keeps engaged in clinical practice at an NHS General Practice in Central London. Having spent many years teaching clinical medicine, Euan is also conducting a clinical doctorate in gastrointestinal medicine at the University of Bath.
Joanna Webber, BSc
Jo oversees the delivery of our industry-leading education to a range of audiences. As an Ayurvedic practitioner (BSc qualified) and yoga teacher, she is passionate about bringing these two ancient sciences together to help people feel empowered about their health today.
Dr Vivien Rolfe, BSc, PhD
Viv has a background in gut physiology and nutrition and leads a portfolio of work looking at how herbs benefit our health. Much of this is done through engaging with young university scientists via internships and student projects, through to large-scale human studies on the safety and efficacy of our products.
Marion Mackonochie, MSc
Marion works with universities to develop research projects on how Pukka products can help health and wellbeing. She is a practising medical herbalist, a member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy and an associate editor with the Journal of Herbal Medicine.
Simon Mills
Simon has been in herbal practice since 1977 and at the forefront of the modern development of herbal, complementary and integrated medicine. In 1987 he co-founded the world’s first university centre for complementary health in Exeter.
Holly Huntley, DIP CNM (MBANT)
Holly delivers herbal education to our partners who sell our products, as well as practitioners in different fields. As an nutritional therapist, she is ideally placed to support this group of practitioners in deepening their herbal knowledge. She enjoys creating fun and interactive workshops to connect people to the power of plants.
Vicky Murray
Vicky is on the constant look out for opportunities to do things in ways that have maximum benefits to people, plants and planet. Vicky leads the development of Pukka’s sustainability strategy, including our science-based carbon reduction targets.
Claire Bergeron, DPharm, MSc
Claire provides herbal expertise to underpin Pukka’s teas, supplements and other product innovation work. Claire works closely with our operations team to ensure high standards for each raw material we source.