Bespoke Natural Therapies

12/04/2023

So well said. Health is about enjoying simple things in a well rounded way, but not over indulging. Support local, enjoy food of, check in on friends and family.

Anthony Bourdain said: "Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride."

10/10/2018

Make sometime to enjoy the glorious spring sunshine and nature’s bloom to increase you vitamin D levels and exercise your senses to increase your immunity, enhance sleep quality and reduce stress levels.

12/03/2018

Echinacea
As we start heading towards winter, it is a good time to refocus on the immune system. Originally a Native American remedy for snake bites, Echinacea is a blood purifier (cleanses the bloodstream) and also a lymphatic (cleanses the lymphatic system) making it an excellent herb to boost the immune system with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. Immune enhancing, immune modulating, depurative (improves detoxification), anti-inflammatory, vulnerary (promotes healing of wounds), sialagogue (increases secretion of the salivary glands) and antimicrobial.
Echinacea helps the body to fight off infections and reduce the term and symptoms of the flu and colds. Useful for weakened immune system, upper respiratory tract conditions (coughs, hay fever, tonsillitis, laryngitis, asthma), poor wound healing (ulcers, boils, abscesses, mouth ulcers) and candida, acne, conjunctivitis, and psoriasis/eczema.
Can be taken as a tea, a capsule, in cream, as a compress or poultice, in an eyebath or as a herbal tincture.
Caution: if you have a known allergy to daisy, ragweed or chrysanthemum it is best to avoid Echinacea as it is from the same plant family, Compositae. Also anyone taking immunosuppressive drugs. If pregnant or breastfeeding check with your doctor first.

18/12/2017

The silly season can see us overindulging. Balance out the bad with the good by consuming lots of antioxidants. Pack in fruits nuts and vegetables to your Xmas feasts and they will help your body reduce the build up of Free Radicals, maintaining a health body. Antioxidants reduce inflammation in the body and neutralize rouge oxygen which can cause cellular damage. Antioxidants are rich in Vitamins A, C and E as well as beta-carotene and lycopene. Berries are extremely high in oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) so create delicious menus including berries and dark chocolate (also high in antioxidants) for a balanced festive treat. Merry Xmas!

03/12/2017

Massage can be defined as a systemic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissue of the body for the purpose of obtaining or maintaning health. Massage is an ancient practice used by many cutures to promote health and wellbeing. There are now many forms of massage to suit everyone from relaxation to remedial. Massage is one of the most beneficial practices for the body as it effects so many systems. Cardiovascular - dilates blood vessels, improves circulation, decreases blood pressure and increase both red and white blood cell counts. Lymphatic system - promotes lymph circulation, reduces lymphedema (fluid swelling), increases the number and function of Natural Killer Cells which in turn improves the immune system. The pressure of touch creates a connection that triggers the Nervous and Endocrine system, reducing stress and anxiety, reducing pain and promoting relaxation. Massage improves skin and muscle tone, reduces muscle fatigue, reduces scar tissue, improves connective tissue healing whilst also strengthening the respiratory muscles and promoting effective evacuation of wastes from the body. It improves sleep patterns, reducing fatigue, improves mood, decreases feelings of anger, improves body image and increases mental alertness.
In short, massage makes you feel good, not only physically but mentally and holistically. So make sure you find time in your busy schedule to have a maasage and improve your wellbeing.

19/11/2017

With Summer just around the corner, for Australia, it is time to indulge in some delicious salads. Plenty of greens and raw vegetables will give you prebiotics, Vitamins and minerals. Add some nuts and seeds for taste, texture and good fats, plus a small amount of protein (eg. eggs, fish, meat, tofu, legumes) for amino acids. Create a delicious and nutritious dressing with citrus juice and a essential fatty acids (eg. flaxseed oil, wheat germ oil, extra virgin olive oil) with a splash of apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle a small hand full of berries for extra antioxidants and you have created a Power Packed meal that will replace any multivitamin. Remember to chew thoroughly to get the digestive juices flowing and assist digestion. Enjoy!

30/10/2017

Beetroot the forgotten superfood, packed with minerals and vitamins. The beet greens are high in Vitamin A, iron and calcium, whilst the beet roots are rich in iron, potassium, niacin, copper, and Vitamin C. The humble beetroot also contains folic acid, zinc, calcium, manganese, magnesium, fibre and phosphorus. It is almost like taking a multivitamin, but far more delicious. Adding beetroots to your diet will stimulate the immune system by improving cell respiration and tissue oxygenation, balance the bodies’ internal acid/alkaline (pH) and improve red blood cell production increasing heart health. A neutral thermal nature with a sweet flavour, beetroot improves circulation, purifies the blood, moistens the intestines, benefits the liver, and reduces constipation. Extremely versatile to add into your diet as it can be juiced, eaten raw grated, roasted or baked, steamed or made into chips, dehydrated, processed to make a dip or cooked into a soup. Easy to add to sandwiches, burgers, roast dinners or salads.

A detoxifying juice: Beetroot, apple, carrot, lemon and ginger

Caution: Eating too much of the leaves can inhibit calcium metabolism and avoid the leaves completely if you have kidney stones or arthritis as they contain oxalic acid.

25/09/2017

It is that time of year again!
Hay Fever is an allergic response to pollens and other airborne substances that irritate the mucus membranes of the nose, throat and eyes. This results in itchiness and swelling of the affected area. The reaction is in response to an allergen and develops when the immune system cannot differentiate between good and bad and releases histamine to attack the harmless substances thinking it a threat.
If you suffer from Hay Fever try a few of the below to get you through the season.

Avoid Potential triggers such as Pollens from wind-pollinated plants, Animal fur, dust mites, Mould spores and Irritating inhalants (petrochemicals, cleaning sprays, car exhaust fumes).

• Increase Vitamin C as it helps boost the immune system by boosting macrophage activity and lymphocyte production and antibodies. (1000 - 2000mg daily in Hay Fever season, but reduce amount if diarrhoea occurs).
• Quercetin supplement inhibits the release of histamine, is an anti-inflammatory, immune modulator and anti-allergic. (Dose: 1500mg, divided into three doses)
• Horseradish and Garlic supplement, helps dry up discharge, is anti-catarrhal and anti-bacterial.
• Essential fatty Acids (EFA’s) have anti-inflammatory activity by down grading inflammatory prostaglandin pathways in the body. (Flaxseed oil, walnuts, oily fish such as sardines, tuna, cod, trout, herring, whiting)
• Avoid dairy products: as they encourage mucus production
• Increase Ginger intake as it strengthens the immune system with blood cleansing properties, and has expectorant and digestive actions, plus a powerful anti-inflammatory
• Increase intake of Bioflavonoids by eating brightly coloured fruit and vegetables which help inhibit histamine release. (citrus fruit, berries, apricots, grapes, green tea, capsicum and tomatoes.
• Freshly cut Pineapple contains Bromelain, an enzyme which has mucolytic and anti-inflammatory action. (Eat the core as this is where the highest concentrations are.)
• Avoid potential food triggers: Alcohol, caffeine (promotes hay fever), dairy products (promotes hay fever), food colourings, peanuts (promotes hay fever)
• Eat locally grown Honey: contains local pollens and encourages the body to produce a natural immunity. (stop if any adverse reaction)
• Fenugreek tea: daily consumption can reduce hay fever symptoms. A locally healing action and anti-inflammatory action on mucosal membranes
• Eliminate highly processed foods: as they cause inflammation

Lifestyle:
• Eucalyptus oil inhalation: a few drops of oil in hot water inhaled can open up the airways or put a few drops in a vaporiser.
• Wash hair at night as this will avoid pollens that have lodged in your hair during the day attaching themselves to your bedding
• Chamomile soaked cotton pads: placed over eyes can reduce itchiness
• Cucumber slices: placed over the eyes can reduce inflammation and soothe.

There are also many liquid herbs that can help, but a full Naturopath consult is needed to tailor the herbs to each individual. Call me on 0401 307 366 to book an appointment.

18/07/2017

Simple but true. Your thoughts play a major role in your overall health and wellbeing

Did you know?

[Via Living Traditionally]

26/09/2016

A simple inexpensive, versatile food that is not only delicious but contains protein and minerals and vitamins. The humble peanut, which is technically not a nut but a legume, has long been admonished as being bad for us. It is not so much the food, but the way we consume it (usually roasted, salted and in high qualtities). Eaten in its raw state and in moderate quantities, peanuts have many health benefits. Buy them in their shells, and discard shells into your compost, or buy organic raw peanuts in small quantities so that they stay fresh, or organic peanut butter. Peanuts are a rich plant-based protein source and low in carbohydrates, which along with their fat content and fiber makes them a low glycemic index food. Peanuts are rich in Biotin, Folate (important during pregnancy), Copper, Niacin, Thiamin, Magnesium (all associated with healthy heart function) and Vitamin E a powerful antioxidant. So add them as a snack, a spread to a salad sandwich or add them to a stirfry at the end of cooking. Obviuosly do not eat if you have a peanut allergy.

12/09/2016

A simple way to get more out of your diet is to add fresh herbs to your meals. For example, Basil is full of vitamins that calm the nerves, aids in digestion, relieves colic spams and stomach cramps. Corinader is a digestive and heart tonic, strengthens the urinary tract and can reduce the length of urinary tract infections. Caraway is packed with nutrients that assist digestion, especially of acidic foods. Dill cures flatulence, soothes an upset stomach, stimulates the brain, encourages lactation and is used in babies gripe water to reduce colic.The Mints benefit digestion, stimulate appetite, relieve flatulence and reduces cramps and spasms of the digestive system. Sage can reduce blood sugar levels, reduce fatigue, stimulate liver function, reduce perspiration and is great for a sore throat when garled as a strong tea. Parsley has many vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, manganese, copper, Vitamin A and C and chlorophyll. So plant some herbs this spring and enjoy the benefits.

26/08/2016

Unsulfured Organic Black strap molasses.
Blackstrap molasses is obtained during the third boiling of the cane sugar syrup and contains a unique concentration of vitamins and minerals. Good levels of Iron, Vitamin B6, calcium, manganese, magnesium, copper, selenium and potassium. These nutrients assist in many body functions and contribute to overall health.
Cost effective and delicious, this is an enjoyable way of topping up your intake of nutrients. It has a moderate glycemic index of 55, and antioxidants which help fight free radical damage to cells and DNA. Molasses gives a quick energy boost from the carbohydrate content but also a sustained energy output from the Vitamin B6 involved in energy production, and iron which is required to transport oxygen in the blood. The high content of Iron makes it ideal for those with lower iron levels (vegetarian/lactating/pregnant/anaemic). A natural stool softener that can improve regularity and quality, reducing constipation. Assists in musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular health and can boost skin and hair health.
Add it to your daily diet by using as a topping on porridge, included in baked goods, straight off a teaspoon or drizzled across dessert. Excellent way to improve the quality of your food intake.
Note: Not suitable for those with Fructose sensitivities. If having in-between meals, mix it with hot water and drink through a straw, to reduce the sugar exposure to teeth.