Vicki Tapper - Naturopath and Herbalist

13/10/2021

I don’t like to single out any particular products over another and as a herbalist I can make up my own herbal blends and remedies, but boy is this a handy little remedy to have in your cupboard! How many times have you had your kids approach you with “my tummy hurts” and you then spend the next few minutes/hours scratching your head about what is wrong?
What did they eat?
Have they picked up a tummy bug? (Nothing will get you out of bed faster than being woken during the night by a terrifying small person, looming over your face saying I don’t feel well 😳)
Do they not want to go to school tomorrow??
Sometimes it can be really hard to work it out, particularly with the smaller members of the family as any number of things, including emotions, can make tummies feel “sore”.
Harker’s Wind, Calm and Settle contains Chamomile, Dill, Mandarin and Lemon balm herbs that are traditionally used to settle the symptoms of bloating and wind, relax the nervous system and calm upset stomachs, so it covers all bases.
From babies to even the biggest kids (ie) husbands who couldn’t help but have another serving of dinner 😉, adults just double the 5 years and over dose!

For more chronic issues or ongoing issues that don’t resolve, book in to see me and we can take a more in-depth look at what is going on for your little one.

As with all products bought over the counter, please follow the dosages on the bottle and of course ALWAYS see a doctor if you are in any way concerned or symptoms get worse.

04/10/2021

Naturopathy is defined by the following naturopathic principles. These principles help shape how and what we do as Naturopaths in helping individuals support their health.

1. First do no harm

Naturopathic practitioners prefer non-invasive treatments that minimise the risks of any reactions or harmful side effects. Safe and effective treatment is key. Naturopaths begin with minimal intervention, proceeding to higher interventions only if necessary and refer to other health care practitioners if the situation requires.

2. The healing power of nature

Nature acts powerfully through healing mechanisms in the body and mind to maintain and restore health. Your body is so intelligent and strives to maintain optimal health at all times.

By using natural methods, Naturopaths work to restore and support these inherent healing systems when they have broken down.

3. Treat the cause

Every illness/imbalance within the body or mind has an underlying cause, often in aspects of lifestyle, diet or habits of the individual. Naturopaths attempt to treat the underlying cause of illness rather than just treating the symptoms.

4. Treat the whole person

Naturopaths treat the whole person, as health or disease comes from a complex interaction of factors. To treat an individual, we must look at their whole being. Each individual is unique and thus requires a unique naturopathic care plan, catering to their individual, holistic needs.

5. Preventative medicine

The naturopathic approach to health care aims to prevent minor illnesses from developing in to more serious or chronic degenerative diseases.

6. Patient education

A principal objective of Naturopahic care is to educate the patient and emphasise self-responsibility for health.

24/09/2021

Sometimes it’s just that simple.

There’s a lot of noise, fear and opinions in the world right now.
Take a break.
Turn off the news, put down your phone and go outside.

11/09/2021

Making up herbal and homeobotanical formulas today for supporting clients through spring and lockdowns.
Homeobotanicals are one of my favourite ways of gently supporting health and well-being. They are very easy to take and pleasant tasting, great for kids and can be used along side most medications safely. Also a good option if you find herbal extracts a bit challenging to take 😂

07/09/2021

Absolutely!

01/09/2021

24/08/2021

Chickw**d pesto anyone?

My kids get really suspicious whenever I ask them to try something new… “why? What’s in it??” But they gave it a go!

General consensus is that it’s a bit much on its own due to its grassy undertones but would be great mixed in with some more traditional pesto herbs!

24/08/2021

Chickw**d!!

We are currently building a house so have these lovely big piles of topsoil scattered about our section, which are perfect for chickw**d to thrive!
This little beauty, which is commonly pulled out of home gardens, is actually a nutritional powerhouse, tastes similar to peas and is perfect for eating raw in salads. In herbal medicine it is most commonly used externally for itchy skin conditions such as eczema. So while I’ve got some time on my hands, I’ve harvested some chickw**d to make an oil infusion which can later be used to create balms and lotions, I was also lucky to have my faithful wee companion give me a hand

When gathering herbs and plants from the “wild”, it’s important that you correctly identify what you are harvesting as many plants look very similar.
Luckily chickw**d provides us with a few good clues, the stem has a line of hairs that run down one side of it, not all over. It also doesn’t contain any milky white sap when pulled apart and as my third pic shows it has a little “inner stem” that stretches when you pull it.

The best part of all, all you have to do to grow Chickw**d is not w**d your garden, it pops up EVERYWHERE 😂

09/08/2021

While the traditional hay fever time of spring hasn’t hit just yet, now is the time to start getting to the bottom of this frustrating condition, particularly if hay-fever is a problem for you year after year.
Gut health is a major component of nearly every ailment we face and hay-fever is no exception. Studies done on the faecal matter of adults with seasonal rhinitis (hayfever) have found lower levels of good gut bacteria and show that alteration of gut microbiota in adults increases the risk of seasonal allergies. Food allergies and intolerances, deficiencies in minerals and vitamins and a lack of fibre and fermented foods in the diet all play their part in increasing the severity of hay-fever. Zinc for example can play a major role in reducing allergy symptoms.
I can also provide you with some wonderful supportive herbs to help you manage and reduce the response your body has to pollens, grasses and dust.

Book online at www.connectedwellness.co.nz

08/08/2021

Just a friendly reminder for those that need it 😉

08/07/2021

One of the most common complaints I come across in practice and in store is a lack of energy. While there is a myriad of reasons that can contribute to this, one of the biggest is dehydration. The majority of people are chronically dehydrated, so much so that they don’t even realise it anymore.
The average adult requires 2 litres of water a day, more so if exercising, breastfeeding or drinking diuretics such as coffee and alcohol!

Our bodies are over 60% water and it is required for nearly every process that occurs in the body.
• Digestion
• Nervous system function
• Elimination of waste and toxins
• Blood pressure regulation
• Digestion
• The transportation of nutrients to our cells
• Glowing skin
• Energy
And the list just goes on and on

I’m sure we’ve all had a houseplant that we’ve neglected and not watered and saw the resulting sad, tired, drooping and dry plant that then succumbs to disease….picture what’s happening inside your own body when you don’t water it!

Fill a 2 litre jug and leave it on your desk at work or on the bench as a visual reminder to have a drink, or set a reminder on your phone that goes off throughout the day, with practice and a little effort it will soon become a habit that is doing wonders for you and your health.

Worried about having to rush to the loo if you’re drinking that much water? Don’t guzzle it, sip slowly over the course of the day and as your body adjusts to being properly hydrated you should find you won’t need to go as much.

24/06/2021

It’s safe because it’s natural right???

Ummmm no, not always.

Herbs can contain very powerful active constituents, which may interact with many different types of medications.
Certain herbs might speed up the way your body metabolises a drug making it less effective - oral contraceptive pills are a good example here!
Or it may slow down the time it takes the drug to leave your body, resulting in a buildup of medication within the body.
Any number of interactions can occur if the wrong drug/herbs are combined.

Iron is a prime example of a nutrient that can be toxic if it is supplemented unnecessarily. Always get a blood test to check your iron levels first, as you can become very unwell if you end up with too much iron in your system.
That fatigue you are feeling could be from any number of causes, not just low iron.

And please don’t take esssential oils internally without the advise of a highly qualified Aromatherapist (and I’m sorry an essential oil sales person doesn’t cut it). Essential oils are very concentrated and potent and can be highly toxic if used inappropriately.

Always check with a qualified health professional who can advise you on what is safe for you.

20/06/2021

One of the most exciting things about moving to our 1 hectare block is the space and scope I now have to develop my much longed for herb garden so I can grow and make my own teas and remedies!
I’m pretty impatient so luckily herbs like Calendula are quick and easy to grow and so good for making healing balms and creams. www.kingsseeds.co.nz has a huge range of herb and vegetable seeds to choose from.

17/06/2021

Withania / Ashwaganda

Withania or Ashwaganda as it is also known, has to be one of my most favourite herbs, particularly for those stressed out with the pressures of modern daily life. Withania is an adaptogen, which means it enhances the body’s tolerance to stress and is used to improve vitality and to aid recovery after chronic illness. It is a relaxing and nourishing, a gentle sedative and is useful for anxiety, insomnia, excessive thinking, and for all conditions caused by stress.

Withania can be taken in either a liquid or capsule form or as part of a homeobotanical formula that I can tailor to suit you.

As with all herbal supplements, it’s best to talk to a qualified natural health practitioner before taking any herbs to ensure that it is safe for you and doesn’t interact with any medications or supplements you are already taking.

I am available for consultations Monday and Friday. Book online at www.connectedwellness.co.nz

16/05/2021

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a holistic healthcare system that is practised worldwide, every body system is considered to look for underlying causes for your symptoms, including the mind and emotions.
Naturopathy is a complementary form of medicine, not an alternative and I will work alongside your doctor by taking any medications into consideration when forming your treatment plan. Both complementary and allopathic medicine have their place in supporting the health of the individual.

I will use a combination of diet, herbal medicine, lifestyle changes and supplementation to help return you to a state of optimal health and wellness.
Initial consultations typically take 90mins as I take an in-depth look into what is going on for you.

Naturopathic consultations available Monday and Friday.
Book online at www.connectedwellness.co.nz or for further information contact Vicki on 021 525 970

Connected Chiropractic Matamata. Lily Baigent, Chiropractor