Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
Club: National Vegetable Society (NVS) Surrey District Association
Contact: Beth Otway
Email: beth@pumpkinbeth.com
Website: http://www.nvs.org.uk
Kayleigh Sinclair (the Historical Herbologist) will give a talk about Medicinal Herbs: Bridging Past Knowledge with Modern Research at 8pm on Wednesday 8th October 2025 in The Bletchingley Room at Redhill Methodist Church, Gloucester Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1BP.
Kayleigh Sinclair holds the position of Horticulture Team Coordinator at RHS Wisley, where she plays a key role in supporting various horticultural projects and initiatives. Beyond her responsibilities at RHS Wisley, she has a passion for Herbology and is pursuing an in-depth study of this field at the prestigious Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). In addition to her academic pursuits, Kayleigh proudly serves as an Ambassador for The Herb Society, advocating for the appreciation and understanding of herbs in historical and contemporary contexts.
Her primary interest lies in the evolution of medicinal herbs, exploring how they have been utilised throughout history. Kayleigh delves into the folklore and superstitions surrounding these plants and examines how these cultural narratives have influenced modern-day medicine and how we interact with them.
As a speaker and educator, Kayleigh frequently delivers engaging talks at the RHS, addressing topics such as Poisonous Plants, Elder, Mistletoe, and the Evolution of Herbal Medicine. With a passion for sharing knowledge and engaging her audiences, she has several presentations planned for 2025, where she aims to delve deeper into the intricate relationship between herbs, culture, and medicine.