Alison Morton
Medical Herbalist
Hi, I’m Alison and I’m one of the two qualified herbalists at Healing Thyme.
I’ve been a herbalist for the last 11 years, and it’s been the most fascinating time of my life – I wish I’d discovered it sooner instead of in my 40s! I was a nurse and a health visitor for almost 30 years, but herbal medicine has added a whole extra dimension to my work as a health care practitioner and given me a more rounded perspective on health and disease.
I graduated from the School of Phytotherapy in 2000 and then studied for my Masters degree in herbal medicine from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine. For over six years I taught herbal medicine at the University of Lincoln, specialising in clinical diagnostic skills, but I’ve recently left that job (too far to travel) and now work part time in Healing Thyme, which I’m enjoying very much.
My husband Jim and I are very keen on growing our own food and I like to grow my own herbs wherever possible. To that end I'm shortly going to take on my first ever allotment – I’m very excited and hope I can share my ‘allotmenteering’ experiences with you over the next year or so.
I have lived in many different places, including up a Welsh mountainside (very misty!) and on a narrowboat (a lot cosier than you’d imagine) – this has given me the chance to see how plants like to grow in different locations and conditions, which often gives some insight into why they have particular medicinal qualities.
I’m married, with three grown-up sons and five grandchildren. They all use herbal medicine and often will consult me before they’ll go to the doctor, as do many of our friends. I find it very satisfying to be able to help my friends and family in this way, often just with things I go out into the garden to pick. I think everyone has the right to learn about how to use herbs to keep themselves and their families healthy, and am very keen to offer short courses on how to do just that – please contact me if you are interested.
