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Jacqui Fernandez Naturopath Ballarat

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Jacqui Fernandez Naturopath Ballarat

Naturopath, Nutritionist, Psychotherapist & Counsellor in Ballarat. We offer a wholistic integrated approach to health & wellbeing.

Combining education & experience. Our philosophy is to follow the principles of naturopathy by treating the person rather than the disease. We work holistically with our patients to gain a deeper understanding that illness occurs on multiple levels and so employ various modalities. We encourage patients to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing by tuning into their own bodies and mindset. We promote a positive attitude, a healthy diet and simple lifestyle changes, incorporating consistency and respect for one's own inner strength, which goes a long way in improving health and wellbeing. Qualifications
Master (psychotherapy & Counselling) University of Ballarat
Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) University of New England
Advance Diploma Naturopathy. Nature Care College Sydney
Diploma of Nutrition. Nature Care College Sydney
Diploma of Remedial Massage. Nature Care College Sydney
Member of Australian Traditional Medicine Society

21/09/2025

The Pancreas: Quiet Achiever or Silent Killer?

Our bodies are complex and beautifully designed, with deeply interconnected systems. The pancreas is one of those “quiet achievers,” silently supporting digestion, balancing blood sugar, and keeping energy steady.

But under strain, it can shift into the “silent killer” — with rising blood sugar quietly damaging the heart, kidneys, and brain long before symptoms appear.

Too often, care follows a reductionist model that views organs in isolation. Real health comes from a holistic approach — recognising the interplay between organs, lifestyle, diet, and wellbeing. This broader view brings deeper insight and more sustainable solutions for long-term health.

Investing in your health means seeing the bigger picture — and that’s where true healing begins.

15/09/2025

I love my herb garden — it might be a little neglected, but it’s one plot that keeps on giving. Alongside the classics, I use fennel, tarragon, oregano, lemon balm, and coriander almost daily. Most days I mix a handful of herbs into my cooking, though sometimes one is enough — like thyme with a good steak.

A herb garden is a practical way to bring flavour, freshness, and simple remedies straight to the table — a clear reminder that food is your medicine. 🌱

If you don’t have a herb garden, start one this spring — you’ll love it.

05/09/2025

This Father’s Day, let’s celebrate the men we love by encouraging them to give us the greatest gift: their health.

We are losing our men too often and too young.

Men play a strong, vital role in our families and communities, yet they face higher risks of heart disease, cancer, accidents, and su***de — often dying younger than women. Too many ignore symptoms, avoid simple routine check-ups, and struggle in silence with preventable health issues.

By recognising that health issues rarely fix themselves, and by supporting early detection and breaking the stigma around mental health, we can change these outcomes.

24/08/2025

In the clinic, liver health is one of the most common underlying issues we see. When patients complete our Detox Questionnaire, they’re often surprised by both the simplicity and complexity of this vital organ — and by how many everyday symptoms trace back to it.

Your liver, kidneys & gut are the silent powerhouse behind your health — regulating hormones, balancing blood sugar, managing cholesterol, clearing toxins, and fueling energy. When they’re under pressure, the signs are subtle: fatigue, bloating, nausea, bowel changes, mood swings, and low immunity.

That’s why in around 95% of treatment plans we support these three systems. When they’re reset and balanced, most symptoms begin to shift.

Our Spring Detox Program is a comprehensive, gentle, guided reset — no hustle, just professional care — helping your body repair, rebalance, and thrive. Swipe through to learn why your liver matters and how detox works.

16/08/2025

Not One Size Fits All

A few years ago, I tried a supplement designed to directly target neurotransmitters. For me, there wasn’t much change — but many of my patients experienced quick relief. I often describe these as “Panadol for the emotions” — effective, but mostly short-term.

By contrast, certain herbal medicines with anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties felt more aligned with my way of prescribing — and with many of my patients too. They tend to be gentler, more modulating, and balancing, rather than simply muting symptoms.

When prescribing, it’s important to see the whole picture, personality, lifestyle, diet, and nutrition all shape how we experience anxiety and healing. A treatment plan may weave together supplementation, herbal medicine, psychotherapy, and lifestyle coaching to address past experiences and triggers, with the aim of targeting the areas most suitable for you and restoring balance in your unique orchestra.

Healing works best when it’s personalised — not one-size-fits-all.

10/08/2025

Often, We Know Something’s Not Right… But Where Do We Start?

Many of us have tried it all — quick fixes, rushed appointments, grabbing something off the shelf, or self-medicating with whatever we’ve read online.

Yet the symptoms keep coming back… sometimes in new ways.

That cycle of fatigue, aches, anxiety, or foreboding isn’t “just in your head” — it’s your body calling for deeper care.

The 8 Steps to Self-Care will help you:

Understand how your body has been working (and why)

Discover what it needs right now to heal

Commit to the changes that will sustain long-term well-being

Because your health deserves more than guesswork — it deserves a plan designed for you.

28/07/2025

OFTEN, WE FAIL TO RECOGNISE THE SLOW BURN.

Rising living costs. Family demands. Workplace pressure.
Uncertainty in a shifting political environment that, one way or another, impacts us all.
It slowly takes a toll, not just on our physical health, but on our mental and emotional well-being.

These stressors don’t hit all at once — they accumulate quietly.
Until your body begins to whisper: fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, hormone imbalances… burnout.

Adrenal fatigue is real. It’s progressive — but it’s fixable.
With the right support, recovery isn’t just possible — it’s powerful.

21/07/2025

Why Do Naturopaths Recommend Functional Superfoods Daily?
Because they amplify your body’s ability to heal naturally.

Superfoods like fresh broccoli sprouts, berries, garlic, green tea, and mushrooms aren’t just health fads — they’re powerful allies that work with your herbal medicine, supplements, and lifestyle shifts to support deeper healing and long-term wellbeing.

We include them in your personalised treatment plan because they:
• Enhance the impact of herbs and nutrients
• Reduce inflammation
• Support gentle detox pathways
• Nourish your gut, liver, brain, and immune system

These foods become part of your daily rhythm, reinforcing your care plan between appointments, one nourishing bite at a time.

29/06/2025

Did You Know Many Modern Medicines Come from Plants?

Some of today’s most powerful pharmaceuticals were originally derived from herbs:
Paclitaxel (Taxol®) – a chemotherapy drug, derived from the Pacific Yew tree.
Digoxin (Digitalis) – used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias, from the Foxglove plant.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid) – a pain and anti-inflammatory drug, modelled on compounds in Willow bark.

While these drugs can be life-saving, isolating a single compound from a plant often increases the risk of side effects, removing the natural buffering and synergy found in the whole herb.

In herbal medicine, we use the whole plant, where active compounds work together to enhance effectiveness and reduce harm when used responsibly, resulting in a balanced, gentle approach to long-term healing.

Today, we have the benefit of an integrated model of care, combining traditional herbal knowledge and practice with scientific evidence and medical care. It’s not one or the other. It’s what’s best for you — informed, safe, and collaborative.

22/06/2025

In clinic, I often reassure patients that cholesterol isn’t simply “good” or “bad” or " ugly"; there’s more to the story. And that story is about how it uniquely affects you, shaped by your genetics, lifestyle, diet, stress, and more.

It’s completely natural to feel anxious when there’s a family history of cardiovascular disease and your blood test shows “high cholesterol.” But what matters most is how cholesterol is behaving in your body, and what else is happening around it.

In these situations, I take a holistic and personalised approach, exploring your nutrition, stress load, sleep quality, inflammation, and overall metabolic health.

With the right lifestyle changes, targeted testing, and, when appropriate, the support of herbal medicine or nutritional supplements, we can work with your body to restore balance.

Remember "Your cholesterol levels aren’t a life sentence — they’re a signal. Let’s listen wisely".

14/06/2025

A bit reflective this chilly morning. With the CFA rally coming to Ballarat on Sunday - WHEN TRUST BREAKS.

In my clinic, I see the ripple effects when trust breaks—whether in relationships, at work, among friends, or even in politics. No one wins when trust is shattered. Both sides offer justifications, but real transformation begins when we look in the mirror.

We must own our role, decide what we will—and will not—accept, and most importantly, choose to act. Let’s move from defence to clarity, from hesitation to courageous change.

Something to reflect on as we explore practical steps to rebuild trust, embrace accountability, and create healthier connections. Because when we take responsibility, real healing starts.

07/06/2025

Winter wellness starts in your kitchen. Your kitchen holds more healing power than you think to turn everyday ingredients into healing, home-cooked wellness.

With just a handful of staples—think salt, garlic, herbs, and spices—you can create simple, nourishing meals that support your immunity, digestion, energy and mood.

From mineral-rich broths to immune-boosting teas and hearty, slow-cooked meals… See below for how to turn your pantry into a winter wellness toolkit.

Address

Ballarat, VIC

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61414402045

Website

http://jacquifernandez.com.au/

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