Kym E Hughes Naturopath & Herbalist

07/08/2025

Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, has been found in all tested lipstick brands and shades, raising serious health alarms.
Linked to kidney, lung, bone, nervous system damage, hormone disruption, and cancer, cadmium can accumulate in the body over time especially with regular lipstick use. Even small, repeated exposure through the lips can lead to long-term harm.
It interferes with calcium metabolism, weakens bones, disrupts hormones, and acts as a known carcinogen through DNA damage and oxidative stress. Regulatory limits vary, but even trace amounts may be unsafe.
Experts urge consumers to check for safety testing and demand cleaner formulations. This study reveals an uncomfortable truth: beauty might come at a cost far higher than we think.

07/08/2025

23/07/2025

Don't despair over your gut microbiome report

03/07/2025

One of our foundational beliefs has always been that quality supplements in the hands of qualified clinicians deliver best patient health outcomes.

Supplements are at the moment. With fitness influencers and startups promoting pills and powders for every health concern, and AI tools like ChatGPT offering health plans at the click of a button, it’s easy to assume that taking supplements is a simple, one-size-fits-all solution. But is it really that straightforward?

The truth is, using supplements effectively is far more nuanced than it seems at face value - the cause of ill-health may not be obvious. Whilst supplements are generally safe, supplement prescription is often complex and requires specialised knowledge about pathophysiology, biochemistry and physical assessment.

Taking the wrong product or an unsuitable dose can lead to treatment failure, or worse, negative health consequences.

This is where a qualified natural healthcare practitioner comes in.

A qualified natural healthcare practitioner is trained to assess your individual health history, history of supplement use, concurrent medications, allergies, intolerances, and potentially assess pathology results to determine to most appropriate product and dose for your needs.

Absolutely, herbs and nutrients have their place in the healing journey, but taking any supplement without viewing health holistically is unlikely to produce the most effective practice

27/06/2025

Although many things harm the gut, once you are aware of them, it’s easier to reduce your exposure.

And keep in mind that there are always steps you can take to heal the gut after years (or even a lifetime) of harmful exposure.

21/06/2025

Herbal medicines offer more than just a single ingredient, they deliver a symphony of plant-powered goodness.

Unlike pharmaceuticals, which focus on isolating one active compound, herbal extracts harness the full spectrum of nature's active ingredients.

This complex mix works synergistically to support the body, offering a more holistic approach to health. Every drop is packed with a balance of compounds, working together to enhance healing, restore harmony and boost vitality. 🙌🏼

18/06/2025

Certain foods are well-known for their prebiotic content, like Jerusalem artichokes, but a variety of plant foods contain prebiotics.

This makes it easier to get in 5 grams of prebiotics daily, which is a therapeutic dose.

PMID: 36815026

06/06/2025

Which is better, fermented foods or probiotics?

Well, they each have unique benefits, but neither can truly replace the other. Eating fermented foods will likely not give you the same targeted benefits as a strain-specific probiotic.

And strain-specific probiotics, while potent therapeutic tools, don't always provide the same benefits as fermented foods.

Fermented foods have a unique effect in that they increase the diversity of the gut ecosystem. However, not everyone tolerates fermented foods well.

A 2022 review in Nutrients did a great deep dive into the benefits of fermented foods. Check it out here PMID: 35406140

15/04/2025

08/04/2025

From wildcrafted herbs to cutting-edge quality testing, our journey has come full circle honouring tradition while embracing science.

What started with a single bottle of herbal medicine has grown into generations of dedication to quality, safety, efficacy and the healing power of plants.

Here’s to 140 years of crafting liquid herbal extracts for herbalists, by herbalists. And we’re just getting started. 🙌🏼

20/03/2025

Organic is best

05/03/2025

Have your health concerns been trivialised or dismissed when they are affecting your day-to-day life?

Have you ever sought help for your symptoms only to be told they are 'normal', despite your lived experience indicating otherwise?

Just because a symptom is common, does not mean it’s normal.

Physical, mental and emotional signs and symptoms are signals that something is abnormal and should not be overlooked, no matter how seemingly common or small they are.

Often it is the interpretation of lots of small signs and symptoms which paints the picture of our health and may point us in the right direction.

Naturopaths, nutritionists, TCM practitioners and other natural health clinicians are trained to look out for all the small signs and symptoms to piece together the greater picture of your health.

If you haven’t worked with a natural healthcare practitioner before, this might be your sign.