Hi, I’m Alyssa. I’m the founder of Tincture Herbal Consultation and Dispensary and a qualified medical herbalist. I am a member of National Institute of Medical Herbalists, an association that has been around since 1864 to guarantee the highest standards of herbalist care. The programme to study to be a medical herbalist is a rigorous, 6 year part time programme (4 year full time), that is equivalent to a BSc. It involves studying phytochemistry, anatomy and physiology, physical examination and diagnostic skills similar to what is learned by GP’s, as well as a detailed materia medica on many herbs. It also requires 500 hours completed in clinical training, spending the time with qualified clinical trainers working with real patients.

I have always been interested in plants and plant medicine since I was a child, but it wasn’t until I moved to the UK from the USA that this developed beyond an interest into a profession. Working as a herbalist means having a deep understanding of both the human and the plant world, and using plants to help restore health and vitality in my patients.