Pukkas ekspertise inden for urter
Vi er en virksomhed med en ægte urtetradition. Over 22 % af vores medarbejdere har en formel kvalifikation (bachelorgrad, mastergrad eller ph.d.) inden for urtemedicin, plantemedicin eller ernæring. Vi tror fuldt og fast på, at der er meget at lære af den medicinske visdom fra traditionelle helbredelsessystemer kombineret med en fagligt stærk forståelse af videnskabelig forskning.
En af de måder, som vi realiserer vores mission på, er via de urteprodukter, vi fremstiller. Vi indkøber og bruger kun økologiske ingredienser af den bedste kvalitet, der er egnede til urtemedicin, og vores urteeksperter bruger viden fra den nyeste urteforskning og -uddannelse til at fremstille vores blandinger.
Vi bliver ved med at skabe innovation og lave nye produkter, der passer til forskellige forbrugeres smag, præferencer og livsstil, men vi holder altid øje med, hvad der virkelig har en effekt på menneskers sundhed.
Hvorfor har vi brug for en urterevolution?
Vi vil gerne sætte gang i en urtedrevet sundheds- og velværerevolution for at hjælpe vores samfund med at værdsætte urters gavnlige indvirkning på menneskers sundhed. Menneskers sundhed på verdensplan er inde i en vigtig periode – og der er store udfordringer forude.
Rundt omkring i verden lever vi længere, men mere usundt. Sygdomme, der er relateret til både over- og underernæring, er meget udbredte, og samtidig er antimikrobiel resistens en overhængende global trussel, hvilket gør det mere akut end nogensinde at finde alternativer til antibiotika.
Vi er nødt til at skabe et bæredygtige sundhedssystem, der understøtter og optimerer menneskers sundhed, samtidig med at det styrker planetens diversitet og fremtid. Ved at give adgang til uddannelsesmuligheder og promovere bedre sundhedsvalg støtter Pukka en urterevolution inden for præventiv og alternativ sundhed, hvor urter baner vejen for velvære.
Herbal research
Here at Pukka Herbs, we invest in a vibrant programme of herbal research led by Dr Viv Rolfe (Pukka Head of Herbal Research), working with world-leading universities. Pukka recently completed a successful clinical study on one of our herbs, andrographis, with Southampton University. The study showed that GPs across 16 practices were happy to prescribe a herbal remedy over antibiotics, where appropriate, and that patients were happy to take it. Other human studies are underway at Northumbria University and Exeter University looking at two of our other herbs, turmeric and shatavari.
Influencing healthcare
Members of our herbal team regularly deliver talks to inspire on the power of plants. Through our partnership with the College of Medicine we’re working on a radical programme to change conversations about health, bringing together leading figures in medicine, holistic health and research to build a truly integrated health platform. One such example is support for the new concept of 'social prescription', now supported across the NHS. We also co-hosted the conference ‘Before we really need anti-biotics…. What healthy alternatives can we recommend?’ to discuss how to tackle the rise of antimicrobial resistance which is a major global public health threat. Reducing the over-prescription of antibiotics is vital as well as identifying new herbal treatments, such as andrographis.
Inspiring and educating the next generation
There are so many benefits to being in nature, putting your hands in the soil and getting to know plants better. And it’s great fun too. We partnered with the Soil Association’s Food For Life Programme to teach children in schools and nurseries how to grow organically whilst learning about the wide-ranging benefits of herbs.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
Pukka Life Academy
In 2019, we launched a brand new CPD accredited education platform – curated by our herbal experts – called Pukka Life Academy, aimed at employees, trade partners and practitioners. Comprised of 14 interactive modules, Pukka Life Academy explores the concept of health and wellbeing from traditional, Ayurvedic and bio-medical perspectives. We match this digital resource with face-to-face sessions to support and encourage deeper learning within Pukka and our international community.
To get signed up to the Pukka Life Academy please email: education@pukkaherbs.com
Due to legal restrictions, this course is unfortunately not available to members of the public.

Meet the team

Sebastian Pole
Co-founder and Master Herbsmith
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
Herbal and Sustainability Director
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
Head of Herbal Education
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
Head of Herbal Research
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
Herbal Research Specialist
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
Herbal Strategist
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)
Herbal Education Specialist
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
Sustainability Manager
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
Herbal Development Expert
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.