Restoring Vitality Naturopathic Clinic

05/11/2025

Peri-Menopause Versus Menopause

Although these terms are used interchangeably sometimes, they are two very clear-cut phases women experience in midlife.

Peri-menopause is the time before menopause happens and generally lasts from 4 – 10 years. The average age it occurs is from mid 40s to mid 50s, but can be earlier or less rarely, later.

I like to think of it as puberty in reverse – as it’s a time when women experience a lot of hormonal upheaval. Think of a hormonal teenager – only older and more tired! Hormones start to swing up and down as the body tries to whip the ovaries into one final push at reproduction.

This manifests as symptoms such as:
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Insomnia and sleep disturbance
• Irritability, mood swings
• Changes to the monthly cycle – either longer or shorter
• Changes to periods – usually heavier, sometimes lighter
• The famous hot flushing and night sweats
• Changes to libido and vaginal dryness
• Fertility generally declines – but ‘change of life babies’ can happen. Contraception is still important.
• Brain fog, loss of memory and concentration
• Weight Gain, especially around the middle

For a certain percentage of women symptoms can be very severe and debilitating. If symptoms are affecting your life you don’t have to tough it out. There are nutrients and herbs that can be very effective in supporting women at this time in their life.

Menopause, by definition, occurs one year after the final period. For many women menopause is the calm after the storm, a kinder phase of life. But some women do continue to have hot flushes and other symptoms.

If women in peri-menopause are given the information and support they need studies show they are less likely to have more severe health problems in the decades that follow, particularly osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Peri-menopause and menopause are two very distinct phases of a women’s life. Peri-menopause affects women in different ways depending on their health going into peri-menopause and their health history. It’s important to tailor treatment to suit a women’s individual health issues. Helping the symptoms, and transition of women in peri-menopause may also help prevent some of the health issues of women as they age.

19/05/2025

Reduce and prevent the suffering of sore throats, persistent coughs keeping you up at night, days off work, kids at home sick, concern with spreading your illness to elderly parents or new babies. Help to prevent infections going to the chest or middle ears and learn what to do if they do.
Come away with a Herbal Immune Kit to be prepared when the flu season arrives.

Send a message to learn more

17/03/2025

What are the symptoms of menopause? 🤔

The time before you last period is generally referred to as menopause. However the time leading up to your final period is really perimenopause.

This typically occurs in your late mid-40s to mid-50s but can be earlier or more rarely, later. If you are noticing changes in your body that don’t quite feel like your usual self, you might be in perimenopause.

Some common signs include:

🔥 Hot Flushes & Night Sweats – Sudden waves of heat that can happen day or night. Waking up drenched in sweat and throwing covers on and off.
😴 Sleep Issues – Struggling to fall or stay asleep, even if you’re exhausted.
😡 Mood Swings – Feeling more irritable, anxious, or emotional than usual without a clear reason.
🩸 Irregular Periods – Your cycle becomes unpredictable—shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter.
💨 Brain Fog – Forgetfulness, trouble concentrating and struggling to get through your work day.
🦴 Aches & Joint Pain – New aches, stiffness, or general discomfort.
🍽 Changes in Weight & Metabolism – Weight gain, especially around the middle, even though your habits haven’t changed.

Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to several years before menopause officially begins (which happens when you’ve gone 12 months without a period).

If these symptoms are affecting your quality of life, talk to your naturopath about ways to manage them—there are options! You’re not alone, and this phase is totally normal. 💛

07/03/2025

Can Menopause Cause Anxiety? 😟💭

The short answer is: absolutely.

If you’ve been feeling more anxious than usual, are between 45 and 55yo then it could be related to peri-menopause. Peri-menopause can start earlier than 45yo, but is more unusual.

Hormonal changes, especially the increased ebb and flow in eostrogen and progesterone, can have a direct impact on mood, leading to increased anxiety as well as irritability, low mood, and being emotional at unexpected times.

Other menopause symptoms such as: hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia and brain fog, can make things worse, creating a cycle of stress and worry. Insomnia is one of the more anxiety provoking symptoms of menopause as a poor nights sleep can make everything worse.

The good news is that there are natural therapies that can help. If you’re struggling, reach out—you deserve support. ❤️
https://restoringvitality.com.au

09/10/2024

Even though winter is over there are still a lot of coughs and colds going around.

Join me for a HERBAL IMMUNE MEDICINE WORKSHOP
When: Saturday 19th October
Time: 10am – 12pm
It will cover:
• How to make elderberry syrup
• How to make an immune boosting soup with dried medicinal mushrooms and herbal roots
• How to make an immune tea
• Some home remedies for common symptoms
• Best herbs and probiotics to take if traveling

Take home (included in the workshop price):
• One bottle of elderberry syrup
• A dried mushroom and herbal root mix to add to Immune boosting soup
• Herbs for immune tea
• Recipe cards
• Information sheets

Investment: $80

Limit of 10 people
Even though winter is over there are still a lot of coughs and colds going around.

Join me for a HERBAL IMMUNE MEDICINE WORKSHOP
When: Saturday 19th October
Time: 10am – 12pm
It will cover:
• How to make elderberry syrup
• How to make an immune boosting soup with dried medicinal mushrooms and herbal roots
• How to make an immune tea
• Some home remedies for common symptoms
• Best herbs and probiotics to take if traveling

Take home (included in the workshop price):
• One bottle of elderberry syrup
• A dried mushroom and herbal root mix to add to Immune boosting soup
• Herbs for immune tea
• Recipe cards
• Information sheets

Investment: $80

Limit of 10 people
This is an in person workshop.
If interested, please let me know by sending me a message.

03/05/2024

Brain Fog in Peri-menopause is real.
Do you need more brain power to get through your day?
Would you like to have better Focus and Concentration?
Does your physical and mental energy take an afternoon dive?
Go to https://restoringvitality.com.au and follow the link to download this free recipe booklet full of ideas give you better mental and physical energy with food you already have in Your Kitchen!

08/03/2024

Solving Hair Loss in Women
The importance of getting to the cause.
Hair loss can be very distressing for women. In fact, it has been found that just over 55% of women with hair loss will meet the criteria for depression, which has resolved on resolution of hair loss.

Treating hair loss can take months due to the nature of hair growth cycles. Getting the treatment right in the first instance can prevent neglect or delay of the appropriate treatment. A careful case history and examination with respect to risk factors and current symptoms should be performed.

So, what can contribute to hair loss?

Hormonal imbalances, especially those associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can cause hair loss due to high levels of male hormones. Menopausal hair loss can also occur due to low levels of oestrogen and progesterone and resulting unopposed levels of male hormones. Higher male hormone levels cause less hair on the head, and unfortunately, more on the face – with women often experiencing rouge chin hairs and a ‘peach’ fuzz on the cheeks and chin. Helping to support hormonal balance can help restore hair.

Thyroid imbalance can also contribute to thinning for the hair as well as coarse and dry hair. Many women can have subclinical thyroid function, which basically means the thyroid function is borderline low, but not enough to be prescribed medication. This is where specific nutrients and herbs can help correct thyroid function and help healthy hair and skin.

Unfortunately, many people in Australia have nutritional deficiencies. When considering nutrients, it’s important to look at both diet and digestion – are nutrients being absorbed, is there disease of the digestive tract, is there poor appetite, disordered eating or poor intake of nutrients.

Hair is not a priority when there are health issues and can be the first thing to suffer. Stress and illness can cause an increased need for certain nutrients as the body attempts to correct any imbalance and repair cells and tissues. Stress certainly increases the need for certain nutrients, especially the B vitamins and magnesium. Stress can also affect the absorption of nutrients by shutting down the digestion.

Medications can directly affect specific nutrients resulting in hair loss. These include: acne medication, anti-biotics, antifungals, heart and blood pressure medications, antidepressants, gout medication, anti-seizure drugs and chemotherapy. Supporting nutritional intake of specific nutrients, under guidance of a health professional, while on medication can help prevent hair loss.
Getting on top of hair loss with the correct treatment can make sure hair loss doesn’t continue to go on unnecessarily, and reduce the distress associated with thinning hair.

05/03/2024

Restoring Vitality Naturopathic Clinic is now also operating as the Atherton Herbal Dispensary.
Open for Naturopathic consultations Tuesdays and Thursdays and for acute appointments Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Drop into 4 Jack Street, Atherton for a chat!

06/11/2023

This is what I call "The Fastest Salad in the West". Healthy doesn't have to be hard! This salad is super quick and easy
For more ideas download my recipe booklet from
restoringvitality.com.au

19/10/2023

Salad in a Jar - quick and simple idea that can make eating healthier easy. These can be prepared ahead of time and are great for work. If your making one salad - you might as well make a few days worth at a time. For more ideas visit: https://restoringvitality.com.au to download the free recipe guide.