Herbalist

I’m a clinical herbalist with a private practice based in Erie, Pennsylvania and for years, I have seen clients both locally and abroad. Currently, I’m seeing clients both in-person and online.

As an holistic practitioner, I work with the whole person.

A consultation will encompass discussions around food and rest, activity, work and play. In my practice as a western herbalist, I bring together centuries of herbal tradition, contemporary thought as well as ideas rooted in both the Ayurvedic traditions of India and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). As a practitioner working with clients, I am also an educator.

My work with people and plants rests upon my training as a research scientist. Each person has a story. Every part of this story is reflected in physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, no matter a person’s age. I welcome working with all people.

Always ready to join an integrated team, I am the first to suggest that herbs may not provide all of life's answers to health and wellness. However, the evidence suggests that working with herbs is a very fine place to start. And it's not just evidence. It's my experience too, and that of my clients. When used appropriately, herbs are safe, effective and sufficiently powerful to shift the body towards a state of balance, interrupting endless cycles of imbalance, inflammation and dis-ease. Herbs can calm the heart, excite the mind, soothe a nagging cough and even slow a rapid heartbeat. And that's just the beginning.

Herbs can tantalize our tastebuds. Herbs can also touch the emotional and spiritual sides of our beings as well as our physical selves.

… a few comments from clients

With chronic mouth discomfort, inflamed gums, bleeding and more, Jolene Seville in Utah wrote:
"Things are going well! Using the root and salt water almost all of the redness is gone from my upper gums! Super exciting! Especially since whatever medicine the dentist used years ago never made that kind of difference.

Bottom gums are looking better too. Still some redness but I haven't had any tenderness other than occasionally after flossing."

What can I do to help myself prepare for surgery and promote a speedy recover? "LOTS", I replied.
After her hip replacement, KS in Meadville PA wrote:
"Together with Leslie I chose a date for surgery that, with her help, would provide enough time for her to help me be as well prepared as I could be for this surgery.
I also wanted an alternative approach to healing rather than a reliance on chemical prescription drugs and medications. With Leslie's herbal tinctures and teas and her guidance, my journey through surgery and healing was a proactive, positive, low stress experience. I even surprised my surgeon with the rate with which I recovered and regained mobility."

Is there a safe and effective means of controlling cholesterol levels that avoids the use of statins? YES!
In her mid-seventies, CH in Charlottesville, VA wrote:
"My cholesterol began to creep up. I was leery of getting involved with anti-cholesterol medications because of the unwanted side-effects, so I began to work with Leslie. She suggested an herbal mix and I thought I would give it a try. Wonderful results! In just three months my doctor made a note on my lab work which read, “Marked improvement overall. I recommend you continue your current regime.” She also made a note that my liver function was normal, thanks to Leslie and her herbs!"

Can herbs help with ADD or ADHD? Absolutely!
T, age 10, reported:
That he felt "much, much better." Headaches disappeared after 3 days. He was happier, sleeping better and after three weeks had gained 6 pounds after a noticeable weight loss while on pharmaceuticals. He said, "The monkey's gone to Pluto". When asked if there were things he didn't like about the protocol or found difficult, he said, "Everything's better ... no one's bullying me because I'm calmer."

What about addressing an array of concerns? Step by step
Cheryl Nelson, of Meadville, PA who is "not an anonymous person" wrote:
"I have been working with Leslie for quite a few years. Initially, I came to see her for herbal remedies for my Restless Leg Syndrome. With her recommendations and herbal remedies, my RLS has become less and less pervasive, and when it does bother me, the herbal tinctures ease it totally.
Leslie is very accommodating to meet my personal needs and look at the whole picture, She takes a refreshingly holistic approach. I am a recovering alcoholic and addict, so I did not want my tinctures mixed with alcohol. Leslie accommodates this very nicely, so as not to put my recovery at risk. She also takes my recovery into consideration when recommending any and all of my herbal remedies.
My next venture was to come off of some antidepressant medication. I only had mild depression and did not feel that the medication was helpful. Leslie worked with me for 6-12 months as I tapered off my anti-depressant and utilized an herbal remedy instead. Now, my depression is stabilized and if it begins to bother me, I utilize my herbal remedy as needed which keeps my depression from overwhelming me.
Lastly, I wanted to come off of two hypertensive medications. Over the course of about a year and a few months, we worked on tapering off both medications and utilizing an herbal tea to keep my blood pressure stable. My blood pressure is better now than it was when I was on both medications. It's also better than it's been in the last 15 years.
I totally support herbal medicine and appreciate Leslie Alexander who truly treats me as a whole person."

Is suffering with migraines inevitable? No!!
After years of pain, 3 out of every 4 weeks a month, Jo Ann of New Wilmington said:
"I have suffered from migraines for years. I have been to many doctors including two neurologists. I didn't like the way I felt when taking the medicine. It made me feel very tired. I decided to try a new path and that's when I met Leslie. In less than one month of working with her, my migraines were less frequent. After approximately three months I was headache free. Her interventions are safe and effective. I strongly recommend working with Leslie".

Am I the only person who finds lack of energy, sleeplessness and stress to be a problem? I don't think so!!
LJ in western PA wrote:
"I was stress, head to toe! I'd tried pharmaceuticals and *did not* like the side effects. My family doctor wanted to increase the strength of my prescriptions. The side effects got worse and my head felt even more foggy. Someone told me about Leslie. I had never worked with an herbalist before and was a little nervous about what to expect. Within a short time I felt *so much* better. I was sleeping and had a lot more energy. The herbs Leslie blended for me helped a lot. So did her other suggestions. I would recommend working with Leslie. She's a registered herbalist worth her weight in gold.”

It's my thyroid. Is it my thyroid? I can't think; my mind's foggy and my energy is all over the place!
FW in Germany wrote:
"Leslie & I have been working together for about a year now. Originally, I wanted to avoid thyroid medication, compounded or otherwise. We started working with herbs. Today, I feel super balanced. Not buzzy. Happy and awake. My mind's clear, I have my energy back. I'm productive and pleased with the herbs. I am happy that I have found an alternative that works. So much so that I also referred my 75 year old mother."