Goulds Natural Medicine

02/09/2025

An interesting study on olive leaf

Olive Leaf Tea Successful in SIBO Treatment - Hot off the Press!

As many patients (and clinicians) can attest, successful eradication of SIBO can sometimes be a challenge - whether this is with pharmaceutical options or natural medicines, like herbs and probiotics. So as a clinician, I’m always on the hunt to add more well-researched, efficacious tools into my SIBO treatment toolbox. Cue this olive leaf study….

49 patients with SIBO (as defined by a positive glucose breath test) were enrolled into this trial. Just over half the subjects (25) were randomly allocated to the olive leaf tea group and the other half to a no-treatment control group. Patients with hydrogen, methane (IMO), and mixed SIBO were enrolled – 40.8% were hydrogen producers, 34.7% methane, and 24.5% mixed.

For 2 months, patients in the tea group drank 2 cups of olive leaf tea daily. Each cup contained 1.7g of dried powdered olive leaves (~2 tsp) brewed in 250ml hot water for 7-10 mins. It is worth noting that they did not do any dietary changes. Breath tests, gut symptom assessment, and metabolic parameters were assessed at the beginning of the trial and then again after 2 months.

After 2 months, 88% of subjects in the olive leaf tea group were no longer positive for SIBO on breath testing vs 4.2% in the control group (P

28/08/2025

From the farm:

You hear a lot about butcher’s broom leaves, but we nerded-out at the farm last month about it’s roots and rhizomes (which is the part that we use medicinally). We also learnt that the “leaves” aren’t actually leaves but a rather a modified stem called a cladode, and that it gets beautiful flowers.

Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is best known as a herb that supports venous health and is often used in tonics to help with hemorrhoids. And according to Greive (A Modern Herbal) the aerial parts of the plant were bundled together to form brooms and used by butchers, hence the name.

08/08/2025

This Sunday 10th August, we will be cheering on Michelle Campbell who will be running in the City2Surf to raise funds for Bowel Cancer Australia—an amazing charity that provides vital support services, raises awareness, and funds life-saving research for those affected by bowel cancer. Michelle's sister-in-law is currently undergoing treatment for bowel cancer and she's dedicating every step of this run to her and the thousands of others battling this disease.

If you'd like to donate, every dollar counts:
https://city2surf25.grassrootz.com/bowelcanceraustralia/shell-s-city-2-surf-fundraising-for-bowel-cancer-australia

Hi there On Sunday 10th August, I’ll be running 14km from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach as part of the City2Surf. I’m doing this to raise funds for Bowel Cancer Australia, an incredible charity that supports Australians affected by bowel cancer through vital services such as patient support (nut...

08/08/2025

Let's celebrate breastfeeding ~ Anytime, Anywhere.

Thank you to our wonderful Naturopath Kate Holman for this gorgeous post surf breastfeeding photo.

26/07/2025

International Day of Self-Care was this week, and now it's the weekend and time to rest.
What better way than to sit with a warming cup of herbal tea and watch the rain falling on the garden?

What is your favourite way to rejuvenate?

06/06/2025

Our apothecary and clinic will be closed this coming Monday 9th June for the public holiday.
Enjoy some nature time.

16/05/2025

Do you sometimes wish you had more thyme ?

Meet our pet thyme plant that likes to relax in the sun just outside the farm lunch room. This sweet hardy volunteer plant has grown up between the pavers and welcomes us as we enter. We feel this botanical friend can be under valued. It is a versatile herb that can often be found when its needed being a common garden plant. It is pleasant in tea form, and in particular a valuable support for coughs, as a lung tonic and urinary antiseptic. Thyme has been used as a symbol for courage in past times.

13/05/2025

Those of us who were fortunate enough to attend the Naturopathic and Herbalist Association of Australia's conference this year were deeply moved by Petrea King's keynote address. Petrea is the founder of Quest for Life and an extraordinary human. Her work can be found here: https://questforlife.org.au/about/petrea-king/

24/04/2025

Our clinic and apothecary will be closed on Friday 25th April for the public holiday.

18/04/2025

Goulds Naturopaths, Dawn Whitten and Dr Jason Hawrelak, will be part of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA) workshop - Microbiome Across the Lifespan - alongside esteemed colleagues Dr Moira Bradfierd Strydom and Dr Joanna Harnett.

17/04/2025

Goulds apothecary and clinic will be closed for the long weekend (Friday 18th - Monday 21st). Open as usual 9am Tuesday 22nd April.

We wish you a restful weekend full of what makes you feel good.

04/04/2025

Dear Patients and Customers,

We would like to inform you of a recent product recall involving certain prenatal supplements found to contain incorrect (excess or inadequate) levels of iodine. This recall applies only to specific batch numbers, which have been identified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and manufacturers.

While we want to emphasise that we have not stocked or supplied any of the affected products, we understand that some of our patients and customers may be using them independently. As your health and well-being are always our top priority, we encourage anyone currently taking prenatal supplements to see if your product is affected by checking the official recall notice on the TGA website here https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/market-actions/recall-multiple-vitamin-and-perinatal-products

If you are concerned about your supplement or have any questions about safe prenatal care, please don't hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to support you with reliable information and personalised care.

The Goulds Natural Medicine Team

Several vitamin and perinatal (including preconception) products are being recalled due to a lack of or excessive levels of potassium iodine.