White Swan Naturopathy

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During lockdown illness still occurs. Colds, flu and allergies continue to bring our energy and mood down. To improve we...
19/08/2021

During lockdown illness still occurs. Colds, flu and allergies continue to bring our energy and mood down. To improve wellness preventive exercise (walking, pilates, yoga, home weights) and supplements (vitamins D and C, and zinc) can help shorten a cold or flu and improve the symptoms of allergies.

Try to do as much as possible outside in the sun (not enough to get sunburnt). 3-4000IU Vitamin D, 1000mg Vitamin C, and 24mg zinc taken daily with 1ml liquid extract of Echinacea can be very effective against colds. 1000mg vitamin C can help against allergies alongside other antihistamines. Lots of fluids (specifically water) are needed to replace what is used up during an inflammatory allergy reaction.

There are other herbs that aid the anti inflammatory properties of vitamin C and help reduce the effects of allergic reactions. These herbs can only be used after a consultation with a naturopathic professional.

Best of health to you all🌸🌞

07/04/2021

Prepare for Winter
It amazes me that old favourites remain the best to support the immune system whether it is to prepare for a cold or flu, or even COVID-19. Maintenance doses: Zinc (25mg per day), Vitamin C (200mg per day), Vitamin D3 (2000IU per day) and 2ml liquid Echinacea per day, prepares the body to start fighting as quickly as possible. But the amounts need to be increased to aid in the fight to: Zinc 40mg, Vitamin C 1-2g, Vitamin D3 4000IU and change to an Andrographis or Astragalus based herbal formula. Probiotics also aid in the immune system protection.

Social distancing is still going to help reduce colds and flu this year. So will vaccinations. There is always something that we can do to be proactive about our health and wellbeing. That includes the above suggestions, as well as exercise, stress management, and low sugar/low caffeine diets full of good fresh foods. Simple, old friends that see everyone through a season that is typically low in sun exposure and fresh fruits and vegetables but high in immune challenges and warming comfort foods.

Try making a change and see how lifestyle changes can improve your winter!

03/03/2021

It's been a while! I hope that the following is worth the wait.
An amazing herb called Licorice has been known to the Chinese for thousands of years, it has been known by the west for hundreds. The true herb of licorice is a sweet flavoured tap root that has no discernible flavour. The lolly called liquorice can be used therapeutically but it's best to take licorice under supervision as there can be unwanted side effects. These may be a mild laxative effect, raised blood pressure in those taking medication for hypertension, and water retention (oedema). But licorice can have many beneficial effects when used correctly by a trained naturopathic practitioner who will take a complete medical history, noting any prescription drugs or other herbs that may interact with licorice.

04/10/2020

Allergies can be seasonal or year round. Those who suffer from allergies can expect the usual symptoms like runny, itchy nose and eyes; itchy rashy skin; sneezing... Sometimes the usual over the counter (OTC) antihistamine doesn't quite help get rid of symptoms. One way to extend the antihistamine value of OTC medications is to take a good vitamin C and take Echinacea. An immune enhancer like Andrographis may accentuate the response of the immune system making the symptoms of the allergic reaction worse.

Another way to reduce allergic symptoms is to take antiallergenics. These include Baical Skullcap and Albizia. These herbs are best taken under naturopathic supervision to avoid herb-drug interactions.

To improve the information content of posts published by White Swan, please leave suggestions of health issues of interest. Thank you.

20/06/2020

In the past week I have been asked about ginger by several different people. Maybe I should discuss this simple but potent herb?

Ginger has been used for many lifetimes as a digestive stimulant and antiemetic. When used in a tea or in a tablet, ginger can be enjoyed by all who suffer from nausea of any kind. From morning sickness to the nausea caused by chemotherapy, ginger is useful and effective. If nausea has been caused by a fatty meal or pregnancy and soft drink or lollies are out of the question, then a tea of ginger is best.

Ginger does have to be prepared well to be effective. Boil thin slices of about 2cm of the fresh root for 10minutes, skin on. Then leave the tea to stand for 5 minutes before draining it off into a cup. Drink when the liquid is cooled but still warm.

Be very careful if you are taking any blood thinners or other blood pressure medications. Ginger can increase absorption of some medications. This could trigger a crisis to occur if taken alongside these medications.

07/03/2020

Corona virus is extremely hot news this month. I have seen surgical masks being sold out, hand sanitizer sold out and of course the toilet paper debacle. Setting minds at ease will take a long time. We're all afraid of something new, unknown and apparently deadly. May I remind everyone that we live with serious illness all the time. Staying calm is always the best first step. Rest and time to recoup energy is the next one.
I recommend that anyone who is feeling panicky at this time, go online and read the government's website on their recommendations.

We are already into an early cold and flu season - not surprising with the bad air quality we endured for months and then lots of rain kicking up pollen and dust. We have also been stuck inside for more of the past summer than we normally would be, so vitamin D is low. So what do we do? Echinacea products are brilliant as prevention, so long as it is taken consistently. Vitamin D, at no less than 1000IU (1 capsule per day), with vitamin C and zinc are good too for prevention of colds.

However, we also need frequent quality sleep to aid our immunity too, with low amounts of stress. Good luck with those two! In today's lifestyles we're frequently low on sleep and high on stress. Don't be surprised when you get sick even on Echinacea and the rest! Take Echinacea and everything else, so that when you do get sick it won't make you feel as sick as it could do and a cold won't last as long either. Our bodies require all sorts of bacteria, so take probiotics for immunity but stay away from hand sanitizers and sprays because they kill off the weaker bacteria and good bacteria and leave the more resistant strains.

It will be interesting to see what the long term ramifications of heavy hand sanitizer usage will be. Just wash your hands after coughing or sneezing into them and use your elbow or a tissue to sneeze into instead of your hands. Simple but effective ways to ensure low exposure to others!

13/01/2020

There are many health conditions that trouble people but there is one that isn't even a disease but it plagues each of us at some time in our lives. Weight control.

Whether it is to gain weight or to lose weight for medical or other reasons is a burning problem for many. To look wholisticly at the problem questions must be asked such as: is weight gained/lost because of diet, medicine, medical conditions, lack of/too much exercise? Amount of exercise is reasonably easy to fix for most and the issue of medicines and medical conditions is best tackled within a consultation with your healthcare professional but diet is something else altogether (and also requires input from your healthcare professional).

Assuming that you are following a suitable, balanced diet, what else can you try? Refined sugars are a stumbling block for any diet. A refined sugar is a carbohydrate that has been cleaved through processing to make glucose. Our bodies are programmed to use glucose as their preferred energy source and so many people prefer a diet high in pies, lollies, cakes, biscuits, breads, drinks and shelf-stable sauces.

Gymnema is a wonderful herb that can come to the rescue. It stops sugar cravings and balances out blood sugar levels. Combine the Gymnema with cayenne pepper and green tea and you have a great way to keep weight in check.

Always check with the appropriate healthcare professional that you can use weight management herbs (a medical doctor will not be of any use with herbal advice). DO NOT use herbal supplements if you are taking any medications including other herbs as they may interact. Before seeking weightloss strategies see your doctor or naturopath for a checkup on blood pressure and blood sugar levels to help put you on the right plan.

29/12/2019

Happy New Year! As Christmas is now past we have the new year to look forward to. Liver detoxes, diet control, and any number of outstanding health conditions to be tackled.

This is the first installment of short blogs where as many issues are covered as possible. Since alcohol and rich sugary foods are the mainstay of Christmas and New Year celebrations, liver detoxes are up for discussion.

The following is to be undertaken under supervision by a qualified practitioner.

A liver detox is simply where herbs and supplements are used to improve the livers function of turning nutrient gained from our food to useful nutrients. When we use herbs such as St Mary's Thistle, globe artichoke, Dandelion root and Andrographis we are improving the movement of nutrients within the liver and their release from the liver. Vitamins such as A, C and E support liver function as does vitamin B2, R,S alpha lipoic acid, and glutathione. It is best to find as many of these as you can in a formula. This is because they support each other, one working on one part of the liver while another works elsewhere. Keep these supplements close when you feel sick after eating fatty foods, or have hangovers after alcohol. A detox is meant to take up to 3 weeks and should always include dietary changes to low fat, salt and sugar containing foods and lots of water (1-2L per day). 2 liters of water per day is too much over long periods of time so only use this much water as a flushing of the system that lasts only 1-2 days.

I hope that this gives a guide to detoxing. There are many ways to detox so ask your friendly naturopathic practitioner as to a detox that will suit you best.

27/10/2019

White Swan is a naturopathic business focused on the whole person and their needs. Year round practitioner learning makes sure that patients get up-to-date treatment protocols that are research based.

Within a consultation the patient will give an in depth medical history, be given nutritional guidance, liquid herbal formula(s) and treatment guidelines and aims. Follow up consultations allow for treatment updates and support.

All sorts of conditions will benefit from an naturopathic consultation including: skin conditions, sluggish liver, impaired memory and concentration, hormonal imbalance, bone loss, and more.

A consultation can range in length from 30 minutes up to 2 hours and is priced accordingly.

05/09/2019

Now that the weather has started to change and become warmer, stomach bugs will come out to play. To avoid the dreaded vomit bug start taking probiotics and ensure that stomach acidity is high. To raise stomach acidity just add bitter foods such as endive lettuce and radicchio to pre-dinner nibbles or start taking gentian or dandelion root herbal extracts at about 2ml per dose per meal. It is important to take bitters before meals to prepare the stomach for food. Another stomach must are digestive enzymes found in a number of over the counter brands.

As they say, prevention is better than a cure and as stomach bugs are only present when stomach acid is low.

13/07/2019

Cold outside, isn't it? Warming ourselves is very easy with circulatory stimulants. Simply add garlic, chili or ginger to your next soup, stew or sauce to bring increased blood flow to your core. By bringing blood to your digestive system we can increase our core temperature just enough to feel comfortably warm for up to an hour after eating. Stamping our feet increases the blood flow to our lower extremities. Add a cup of tea to warm up your hands and you can remain comfy without a heater. Short of a warm blanket and a heater, a little effort will bring healthy warmth to your body.

12/06/2019

For years it has been known that health begins with the gut. How much this was true we didn't know until recently. The human gut is more complex than anyone could have guessed with layers of microbiome (bacterial colonies) along its length. Not only that, but, different bacteria are responsible for different effects all over our bodies.

Look closely at the different bottles of probiotics on the shelf. There are bacteria for digestion eg paracasei and acidophilus; immunity (most bacteria), eczema eg casei, rhamnosus and reuteri; and women's health, babies born via Caesarean section or put onto high doses of antibiotics early on eg some bifidobacterium and lactobacillus strains.

Bacteria can effectively affect the body by releasing low levels of essential vitamins such as vitamin B12, Biotin and vitamin K into the blood stream and triggering our immune response via chemical signals. They also inhibit pathogenic bacterial growth and partially control stool consistency and gas production.

This winter, go for a probiotic that has a few different strains in it. Each strain supports the functions of another as their functions often overlap. It makes little difference if the probiotic is in the fridge or is shelf stable. It is personal preference as to which is likely to be remembered to be taken, if that makes sense.

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5/3 Short Street
Helensburgh, NSW
2508

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+61407546319

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