Naturopath Queanbeyan NSW

09/01/2026

Are you drinking enough water? With a heat wave hear in south east in Australia we all need to check we are drinking enough water to stay hydrated.
Water accounts for ¾ of the weight of lean tissue and ¼ the weight of fat. Water’s role in the body includes:
• Carries nutrients and waste products through the body.
• Maintains the structure of large molecules such as proteins and glycogen.
• Participates in metabolic reactions.
• Serves as the solvent for minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and other small molecules that participate in metabolic activities.
• Acts as a lubricant and cushion around joints and inside the eyes, the spinal cord, and (in pregnancy) the amniotic sac surrounding the foetus.
• Aids in the regulation of normal body temperature.
• Maintains blood volume.
Don't wait to feel thirsty to drink, as you may already be dehydrated. Develop a habit of drinking water throughout the day.
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth.

Moonhawk Healing Natural Therapies is a wellness practice that has been providing safe and effective healthcare to the Canberra Region since 1999. Have a look for yourself.

08/01/2026

Hydration tips
Drink small amounts of water throughout the day eg around 100-150ml. Start when you first get up in the morning - have a glass of water before you have tea or coffee. If you think that you might be dehydrated, add some hydration formula to your water - you can easily by hydration formulas at your local pharmacy.
Want to discuss your diet and lifestyle with a view to having better health?
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth.

07/01/2026

Here in south east Australia we are having a heat wave. Where my clinic is will be above 30c, and as hot as 38c, so this is a reminder to drink water to stay hydrated. As humans we are up to 60% water, so it’s essential to drink water for our ongoing heath.
As a general rule, you need to drink between 1.5 and 2 litres of water daily. This will vary depending on gender, activity levels, age, and outdoor temperature. Around one fifth of the water we need from food and the rest from drinking fluids, e.g water, herbal teas.
Signs that you are not drinking enough water include:
- dark urine
- light headedness
- tiredness
- irritability
- feeling thirsty
- loss of appetite
- fainting
- headache
Here in Australia, we have some of the best water in the world. So, go have a glass of water, your body will thank you.

01/01/2026

Happy 2026 - may the year be filled with joy and happiness.
It's the time of year when cutting back or quitting alcohol enter some people's thought. I'm often asked whether it’s safe to drink alcohol. The short answer is probably not. Alcohol is classified as a Class 1 Carcinogen – there are causal links between alcohol consumption and increased risk of digestive system cancers (mouth, oesophagus, throat, and colorectal), breast cancer, and liver cancer. Risk increases as alcohol consumption increases.
Having said that, the occasional alcoholic drink is less likely to lead to cancer than regular consumption of alcohol. Personally, I rarely drink alcohol, I do enjoy a drink at celebrations, or with friends – usually only one. Two reasons why I rarely consume alcohol – the first is that there an alcoholic gene running through my family, and the second is during my studies to become a Naturopath I learnt about the negative effects on the body alcohol has.
The Australian NHMRC recommends adults have no more than 10 standard drinks in one week, and no more than 4 in any given day. Following these guidelines lowers, but does not eliminate risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth.

31/12/2025

New Year’s Resolutions
Start by focussing on one small achievable goal. It might be as simple as going for a walk 3 times a week. You might choose to walk to the bus top/train station, park your car further away from your workplace, get up 30 minutes early and go for a walk around your neighbourhood. If/then planning helps eg if it’s Monday, Wednesday or Friday I will do some exercise.
Remember, you can achieve big scary goals better by making small achievable milestones along the way.
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth.

29/12/2025

Interestingly, regular physical activity can help you maintain a New Year’s Resolution over time – regular exercise is linked to positive mental health outcomes.
Having trouble finding the motivation to exercise? Here’s some tips to get you started:
1 – Why do you want to exercise, what do you want to gain – for your health, for the long term benefits, for a specific event? Whatever the reason, identifying your why can get you started.
2 – Exercise with a friend. It might be for a walk, or going to a gym together. There is evidence that people who exercise with a friend exercise for longer.
3 – Do something you enjoy doing, that will increase your chances of staying with it.
4 - Don’t know where to start, then start small. Walk before you run, do a half hour of resistance training at first. Set a realistic goal with steps along the way. Remember, if you injure yourself early on, you’re less likely to continue with your exercise program.
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth.

28/12/2025

It’s the time of year when people’s attention turns to New Year’s Resolutions. Research has shown that the majority of people stick to a New year’s Resolution for as little as one week. Other research has shown that the majority stick to the Resolution for up to 12 months. Confused? I certainly was, until I read further into the different research and looked at what it means.
A Resolution is more likely to stick if you set specific goals that are supported by simple changes in behaviour. For example, if your Resolution is to lose weight, to be a success you need to specify how much weight you intend to lose, how you will achieve this goal e.g what changes will you make to your diet and lifestyle to support weight loss, and plan changes to habits, and how link those changes to your goals.
Personally, I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Making a change just because of the date strikes me as too arbitrary. You can make changes anytime throughout the year. Remember to plan those changes so you have a better chance of success.
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth.

25/12/2025

Here's hoping you had a wonderful festive season.
The period between Christmas and New Year is an opportunity to put your feet up and relax. Whether it's a the beach, inland, or even at home, take the time to decompress from a busy festive season. Check the fridge for leftovers and see what easy meals you can prepare from what's available.
My clinic remains open over this time - it's a perfect time for a health tune up - book in now www.moomhawk.com.au/bookings

20/12/2025

Is IBS and frequents trips to the toilet stopping you from enjoying life?
IBS often causes chronic diarrhoea, or you might cycle between diarrhoea and constipation. I've had patients who are afraid to leave the house without a change of clothes in case they have an 'accident'. I have helped these patients have a stable digestion that doesn't 'explode' unexpectedly. I prescribe a combination of herbs and dietary advice which can fix diarrhoea associated with IBS within days.
Book an appointment to see me here https://www.moonhawk.com.au/bookings/ My appointments are face to face or via TeleHealth

17/12/2025

Be kind to ourself over the festive season,
The festive season isn't all rainbows , unicorns, and happy families. The rush of the festive season can heighten stress. Sometimes we feel obliged to be happy all the time. The pressure to visit family you don't necessarily want to visit can be overwhelming.
Keep Your Nervous System Calm
Time out away from the pressure of the family get together can be beneficial. Five minutes of deep breathing, or a short meditation break, or a few minutes outdoors can restore balance and calm.
Herbal teas such as chamomile, passionflower, or lavender tea may help support relaxation.
Remember if it's ok to be no ok. Reach out to supportive family and friends when you need to.

16/12/2025

Remember to stay hydrated and well nourished over the holiday season.
Among all the cocktails, wine and other drinks over the Christmas/New Year period staying hydrated often gets overlooked. Even having too many soft drinks can lead to poor hydrations. An easy tip is to have a glass of water for every 1 or 2 festive drinks. Herbal teas are also a good alternative - some are delicious as an iced tea. This year I found a delicious Christmas tea that included Hibiscus, candied fruits, raisins, red currant, raspberry - when brewed it's a festive red colour and looks like a tasty cocktail, serve it cold in a long glass with ice, no-one will know you're not having an alcoholic drink.
Where possible choose nutrient dense food eg fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds. Including nutrient dense food can help maintain energy and benefits your mental health.

12/12/2025

You now have the top 5 tips to improve gut health, this is how can I change your diet to one better for my gut.
Start by keeping a food diary for a week to really understand what you are eating. It doesn’t have to be a written diary; take a photo of everything you eat. Review what you are eating and see where you can make changes e.g change to whole grain/seed bread, high fibre grains for breakfast (oats, buckwheat), add one extra serve of brightly coloured fruits or vegetables to at least one meal a day.
Small, regular changes work better than making massive changes all at once.