Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine

05/09/2024

https://vimeo.com/852864589

Ecologist Distinguished Professor Belinda Medlyn speaks of her election to the Australian Academy of Science Fellowship.

07/03/2022

With the devastating weather events that are continuing to affect Australia’s east coast, the AJHNM hopes the linked information below, prepared by the Australia Psychological Society, may be helpful to the many colleagues, family members and friends of AJHNM affected in QLD and NSW.

Australians frequently experience disasters, like bushfires, cyclones, floods, and less frequently, also experience human made disasters like community violence. These events can have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of community members.

10/12/2020

In 2018, based on a theory of toxicity, the TGA removed access to 3 western herbal medicines - Actostaphylos uva-ursi, Achillea millefolium and Turnera diffusa. These herbs contain arbutin, a derivative of hydroquinone. In 2020 the TGA restored access. December AJHNM published pivotal clinical evidence supporting the TGA decision to restore availability. In a systematic Review of clinical safety by Laura Dwyer and Ian Breakspear, a small amount of very low quality evidence was found for adverse effects following long term use, however the authors conclude their findings lack reliability and have very limited generalizability to clinical settings. This may be due to insufficient evidence from clinical studies with too few investigating and/or reporting adverse effects, or it may be because there are very few clinical adverse effects, despite the content of theoretically toxic arbutin. Evidence sources that include traditional and historical use, such as the BHP, report no adverse effects suggesting the latter is more likely. There are well articulated limitations of decisions based on theoretical evidence only - findings are often not consistent with clinical effects in humans. We don't have to look too far for an example - the Roche produced Tamiflu that many governments stockpiled in 2002 for use in pandemics - theoretically effective but no clinical evidence of any more efficacy than paracetemol (despite 10000% higher costs). Without acknowledging the limitations of theoretical evidence, and failing to invest in clinical research, our professions are vulnerable to policy based on theory. Congratulations Laura Dwyer and Ian Breakspear for calling this out and for an illuminating and thorough piece of work.

09/09/2020

How does trust manifest in Naturopathy and herbalism? There has never been a time when this has been more important - we are incredibly reliant on accurate information during the pandemic. September 21-25 is peer review week. Please share your experiences of trusted information, and how this informed your practice. https://peerreviewweek.wordpress.com/

Peer Review Week is a global event celebrating the essential role that peer review plays in maintaining scientific quality.

11/05/2020

11/05/2020

11/05/2020

23/04/2020

Physically distant with time on your hands?

With respect to our patients, it is critical we share our discoveries, claim our wisdom and document our wins and losses.

Perhaps you have discovered your own miraculous approach – and want other naturopaths' and herbalists' patients to benefit?

Perhaps from years of clinical practice, witnessing your patients heal, you have developed your own theoretical explanation you feel warrants recognition?

If you are interested in sharing clinical practice pearls with peers, this is how it is totally possible for you to formally publish clinical results, without needing complex University Ethics Committee approval:

Do a Case Study based on 3 participants [ #1,2,3], be sure to obtain their documented consent, then submit the results to a peer reviewed journal, such as the AJHNM, for publication (you can find the format here: https://www.nhaa.org.au/docs/AJMH/Articles/25_3_Writing_for_publication_case_studies.pdf).

Do it again, with another 3 participants [ #4,5,6], published by another or the same Journal.

Do it again, with a further 3 participants [ #7,8,9], published by another or the same Journal.

Finally, conduct a meta-analysis of the above 3 papers (ie combining data from your multiple studies and include any other relevant similar data exists) potentially demonstrating the results are consistent from one study to the next, thus identifying the common effect. And submit that meta-analysis to another or the same Journal for publishing.

Voila! You now have published research! ...And you have effectively spread your wisdom and knowledge to others who can benefit.

(adapted from an article in the Latest Perinatal Integrative Medicine Research Articles by IIMHO [Intl Integrative Maternity HealthCare Org] hosted by Kathy Fray)

17/03/2020

Hi there, A message to naturopaths and herbalists about Covid-19. We would like to take a moment and urge you all to take the lead in helping to dispel any misinformation circulating about Covid-19 and natural medicines.

Specifically, it should be clearly communicated to patients, clients, colleagues and manufacturers that there are no natural medicines (vitamins, minerals, herbs, nutrients etc) that have been shown in human clinical trials to prevent or treat Covid-19.

While some natural medicines can help enhance immunity, such measures should not replace good hygiene, social distancing, quarantining when necessary, or any other recommendations made by the Australian Government’s Department of Health.

Please remember that even if a patient’s immune system is strong, that patient may still carry and transmit the virus. While this pandemic is unfolding quickly, the prevalence of carriers in communities is currently not known.

Like you, our concern is for the safety of our communities. We stand with you in this fight and we will do everything we can to be a trusted support.

03/07/2019

Thinking of writing and publishing in this scientific journal? Our new MACA program could give your article the va va voom it needs to catapult your work into the stratosphere. MACA or the Mentor an Author in return for Co-Authorship or Acknowledgement will connect you with an experienced published mentor, an international expert who has published more than once in a peer reviewed scientific journal about your topic of interest. The AJHNM mentors list is increasing everyday as academics get on-board with the NHAA agenda to support naturopaths and herbalists transition towards an expert academic discipline in its own right. So far our specialised expert list includes naturopaths, herbalists, botanists, archaeologists, ethnographers, medical demographers, allied health, nursing and midwife academics, medical specialists all wanting to support members of the NHAA produce great articles in return for either co-authorship or acknowledgement 😀 Please get in touch if you would like more information editorajhnm@nhaa.org.au

29/06/2019

President Natalie and board men we David at Parliament House yesterday advocating for naturopaths and herbalists.

Yesterday, NHAA President and Board Director David Casteleijn travelled to Canberra to meet with representatives of the Department of Health. They discussed key issues for herbal and naturopathic medicine; and were joined by Jackie Arbuckle and Dr Amie Steel, chair and director (respectively) of Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists, and Assoc Prof Jon Wardle from the Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), UTS.
Yesterday's meeting was at the invitation of the Minister's office, following on from the information pack that the NHAA presented to Government, detailing evidence and efficacy of herbal and naturopathic medicine, and our work campaigning against recent changes to private health insurance.
The NHAA has been in Canberra multiple times this year, advocating for our profession. Yesterday resulted in an engaging and productive discussion with government representatives, specifically around private health insurance changes and professional registration.
We look forward to a continued conversation with the Minister's office and will keep working to strengthen and support naturopathic and herbal medicine practice in Australia.

11/04/2019

Thank you to the 35+ members and sponsors that joined us in Melbourne, Australia on March 26 & 27 for the 2019 WNF General Assembly!

Our host on day one was Endeavour College of Natural Health, day two, Southern School of Natural Therapies. Both schools welcomed the WNF and its guests with warm Australian hospitality.

For more information, visit http://worldnaturopathicfederation.org/events-meetings/