Pukkas expertis på området örter
Vi är ett sant växtorienterat företag – över 22 % av våra medarbetare har en formell kompetens (kandidatexamen, magisterexamen eller doktorsexamen) inom örtmedicin, växtbaserade läkemedel eller näringsfysiologi. Vi är passionerat övertygade om att det finns massor vi kan lära oss av traditionella behandlingsmetoder kombinerat med en sakkunnig förståelse av vetenskaplig forskning.
Ett av de sätt som vi förverkligar vårt uppdrag på är genom de örtskapelser vi framställer. Vi anskaffar och använder endast ekologiska växter av högsta kvalitet med behandlande egenskaper som uppfyller krav på farmakopénivå. Våra örtexperter hämtar insikt från den senaste forskningen och utbildningarna på området vid utvecklingen av våra blandningar.
Vi fortsätter att förnya oss och lansera nya skapelser som passar olika smaker, preferenser och livsstilar, men alltid med ett öga på vad som har en positiv effekt på människors hälsa.
Varför behöver vi en växtrevolution?
Vi vill starta en ”Herbal Health and Wellbeing Revolution” för att hjälpa vårt samhälle att förstå och värdesätta de fördelar som växter kan bidra med när det gäller vår hälsa. Hälsovården världen över har nått en avgörande punkt - och stora utmaningar väntar oss.
I hela världen har livslängden ökat samtidigt som vi har en mer ohälsosam livsstil. Förekomsten av sjukdomar kopplade till både för högt och för lågt näringsintag är hög, medan antimikrobiell resistens är ett omedelbart globalt hot vilket gör behovet att hitta alternativ till antibiotika ännu mer akut.
Vi behöver skapa ett hållbart hälsovårdssystem som stödjer och optimerar människans hälsa samtidigt som det främjar planetens mångfald och framtid. Genom att erbjuda utbildningsmöjligheter och verka för bättre hälsoalternativ förespråkar Pukka en växtrevolution med förebyggande och alternativ hälsovård, där växter går i täten för ökat välbefinnande.
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
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.
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.
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.