Leslie M. Alexander - Medical Herbalist
Hello ~ My name is Leslie Alexander and I'm a practicing professional herbalist and owner of Restoration Herbs in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Interests in gardening & garden design, foods and culinary herbs propelled me into the world of medical herbalism. I come from a laboratory background, having received my B.Sc. in environmental sciences (Fairleigh Dickinson University) and then my Ph.D. from Heriot-Watt University. My PhD by research, with Martin Wilkinson, focused on the intertidal seaweed Enteromorpha intestinalis and raised a number of questions, including how does stress affect the organism. Between my experiences in Martin's lab, a post-doc in a molecular lab, and then my work as a Senior Research Fellow in environmental epidemiology, I began to think about health and wellness in new ways.
I was greatly influenced by herbal formulator and teacher Richard Phethean while living in Scotland & the English culinary herbalist Jekka McVicar. After working for several years in academia as a researcher, focusing on environmental factors affecting health, particularly children’s health, I chose to retrain as an herbalist.
In addition to continuing an individualized course of study, I completed a diploma course with honors at ACHS in Oregon, after submitting a dissertation on turmeric (also known as haldi to some, Curcuma longa to others). For the following two years, I had the good fortune of working with Richard Mandelbaum RH(AHG) as my clinical mentor. I was invited to join the American Herbalists Guild as a professional member in 2009.
After serving three terms, 6 years, on the council for the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), I joined the council of Herbalists Without Borders ~ a phenomenal organization working to assure access to affordable natural and botanical health and wellness through education, advocacy and grassroots projects addressing gaps in health justice, both nationally & internationally.
My practice is currently based in Erie, Pennsylvania where I see clients online and face-to-face either in my office or at their homes. Additionally, I have a sizable client-base outside of the Greater Erie area and work long distance with many people. I also do a fair amount of teaching, both locally and afar, online and face-to-face.
When not at working, I enjoy foods of all sorts, the outdoors, laughter, cyanotypes, tai chi and my canine pal, Ms ZadieBrindle.
If you'd like to discuss arranging a consultation, presentations, classes or studying medicinal herbs ... feel free to contact me.