Balanced Health for Life

24/06/2025

My recently planted garlic bulbs are sprouting already!!

Garlic isn’t just a kitchen staple—it’s a powerful natural medicine with a long tradition of supporting overall health, gut balance, and immune strength. Herbalists and modern research agree that garlic offers a wide range of benefits thanks to its unique bioactive compounds.

Key Benefits:
* Immune Support: Garlic enhances immune function, helps fight infections, and is traditionally used to ward off colds and flu
* Gut Health: Acts as a natural prebiotic, supporting beneficial gut flora while its antimicrobial properties help keep harmful microbes in check
* Heart Health: Garlic may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, supporting cardiovascular well-being.
* Anti-inflammatory: Garlic’s sulphur compounds modulate inflammation, which is a key factor in chronic disease prevention.

Key Herbal Actions:
* Antimicrobial
* Antiviral
* Immune-enhancing
* Carminative (supports digestion and reduces bloating)
* Hypotensive (supports healthy blood pressure)

Active Constituents:
* Alliin produces allicin & ajoene when crushed or chewed: The most well-known compound, responsible for garlic’s potent antimicrobial and immune-stimulating effects.
Sulphur compounds: Including alliin, allyl cysteine & allicin, support detoxification and cardiovascular health.
* Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS): Prebiotic fibres that feed healthy gut bacteria.

How much is useful:
1–2 cloves per day (up to 2-5g/day). Ensure it is bruised, crushed or chewed
Dried powder: 0.4-1.2g/day
Fluid extract (1:1) 0.5-2 ml three times daily

How to Include Garlic Daily:
* Add raw garlic to dressings or dips
* Roast with veggies or a protein (e.g lamb), stirfrys, soups
* Try garlic-infused olive oil or fermented black garlic
* Crushing garlic and letting it sit for 10 minutes before cooking activates allicin for maximum benefits.

Do you use garlic in your cooking? What's your fav?

For more Food As Medicine tips or wanting support with your health goals please reach out www.balancedhealthforlife.co.nz. And don't be shy...like and share the garlic love 😋

05/06/2025

Foods is Medicine series: Flaxseeds

Small but mighty for hormones & gut health. Flaxseeds are rich in lignans — natural phytoestrogens that gently modulate estrogen activity. They help increase SHBG (which regulates circulating hormones), improve estrogen detoxification, and feed beneficial gut bacteria that support hormonal harmony.

Did you know that just 1–2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds a day can help balance hormones, ease PMS or menopausal symptoms, and support your gut?

They also can:
✔️ Relieve constipation
✔️ Lower inflammation
✔️ Support mood, skin, and heart health
✔️ Are easy to add to your meals

✨ A true food addition for every stage of womanhood — from post-pill and perimenopause to your second spring aka menopause.

💡 Pro tip: Use freshly ground (Nutribullet or coffee grinder work well here) organic flaxseeds. Start slow and store in the fridge. Your gut and hormones will thank you!

03/06/2025

Welcome to my Food as Medicine series — a practical look at how what we eat can truly support our hormones, mood, energy, and vitality.

Whether you're experiencing PMS, hormonal migraines, hot flushes, mood swings, or fatigue, the foods you choose every day can play a powerful role in helping you feel more balanced, resilient, and in control.

First up: Phytoestrogens:
Phytoestrogens are natural compounds found in certain plant foods (e.g. soy, flaxseeds, sesame)
* Structurally similar to estradiol (the body’s main estrogen)
* Bind to estrogen receptors to help regulate hormonal activity
* Act as natural SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators)

✨ Think of food not just as fuel — but as information for your hormones.

Reconnect to the healing power of food — and learn how simple, delicious choices can help restore hormone harmony from the inside out. Reach out if you would like support with this: www.balancedhealthforlife.co.nz 💚

26/05/2025

Ever experienced this?

26/05/2025

Struggling with acne after coming off the pill? If you’ve recently stopped hormonal contraception (like Yasmin, Diane, or Brenda) and your skin has flared up, you’re not alone.

Many women experience post-pill acne, typically peaking 3–6 months after stopping the pill. This isn’t a new hormonal condition — it’s a withdrawal reaction as your body recalibrates.

Why does it happen?
The pill suppresses your skin's oil (sebum) production. When you stop, your body often rebounds with more oil and a temporary surge in androgens (male hormones). — causing deep, cystic and often painful breakouts and sometimes hair changes or irregular cycles. Acne can peak around 6 months post-pill.

While it is often temporary it's part of your body recalibrating, it can be disturbing and really knock your confidence. Naturopathic care can help guide the recovery process.
✔️ Start before you stop the pill! Preparing your body can ease the transition and reduce symptoms.
✔️ Support natural detox pathways
– Prioritise liver health and optimal elimination
– Stay hydrated and include fibre-rich foods to help eliminate excess hormones
✔️ Avoid A1 cow dairy
– Triggers IGF-1, a hormone that worsens acne and inflammation
✔️ Cut back sugar & refined carbs
– Concentrated sugars spike insulin and IGF-1 → more breakouts
✔️ Prioritise gut health
– Support digestion with gentian or betaine HCL
– Probiotics and prebiotic fibre help regulate hormones via the gut-skin axis
✔️ Zinc (30–50 mg/day)
– Reduces testosterone, bacteria, and keratin production
✔️ DIM (diindolylmethane)
– From cruciferous veg; naturally blocks androgens
✔️ Berberine
– Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and lowers insulin resistance & androgens
✔️ Inositol
– Improves insulin sensitivity and promotes natural ovulation
✔️ Cyclic progesterone therapy
– Supports hormone regulation and reduces DHT (a potent acne trigger)
________________________________________
🌸 Support your hormones holistically
Encourage natural ovulation — progesterone is a natural anti-androgen. If cycles stay irregular, check thyroid, prolactin & nutrient levels
Practice gentle movement, manage stress, and protect your sleep
💡 Consider switching to non-hormonal contraception (FAM, condoms, or copper IUD) to allow your cycle to restore naturally.

⏳ And remember — lasting skin improvement takes time. 💚 You don’t need to go back on the pill to fix your skin. It’s a process of hormone withdrawal and rebalancing — not a new forever condition. Most women see results within 6–12 months with the right support.
📩 If you're struggling with acne after stopping the pill, book a consult today. Let’s get to the root cause, naturally - I’d love to support you.
________________________________________

24/05/2025

Super interesting... health of BOTH parties super important for healthy bubba

We all know it takes two to tango, but even though males contribute half the genetics of a pregnancy, they are too often left out of the picture. This is especially true when it comes to studies on miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

07/05/2025

🧠Do you have migraines that flare around when you might be ovulating, your period or during perimenopause? You’re not imagining it.

Hormonal migraines are real and debilitating — often more severe, less responsive to treatment, and deeply tied to the natural hormone fluctuations in your cycle.

➡️ Estrogen drop is one of the main culprits, especially after ovulation, or before your period, postpartum, or during perimenopause.

💥 These migraines aren't "just in your head" — they involve:

Hormonal imbalances (estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, histamine)

Neuroinflammation

Gut health and nutrient deficiencies

Methylation and neurotransmitter shifts (GABA, serotonin, CGRP)

Aaah yes, that's a lot right!

🌿 Good news? There are evidence-based options to manage hormonal migraines: ✔️ Magnesium, B2, SAMe, and CoQ10
✔️ Herbal allies like feverfew, ginger, and soy isoflavones
✔️ Dietary strategies — especially reducing histamine, supporting blood sugar, and balancing inflammation
✔️ Targeted hormone and methylation support

If you’re navigating migraines around your period or during hormonal transition, working with a naturopath can help uncover what’s really going on — and guide a holistic, individualised root-cause plan.

💬 Jump on our website to book a consult and find relief together🌸
www.balancedhealthforlife.co.nz

30/04/2025

Yes Aviva! I feckn looove this!

27/04/2025

🌙 Why Do I Feel Like a Different Person Before My Period?
Let’s talk about premenstrual mood symptoms — the anxiety, low mood, irritability, or emotional overwhelm that can hit like clockwork in the days leading up to your period.

If this is you, know that you’re not alone — and more importantly, you’re not “just hormonal.” These symptoms are your body’s way of saying something's off. Let’s break it down 👇

🌀 There are s*x hormone receptors in all parts of your body and hence why you can experience a wide range of (full-body) symptoms. ⏳ Symptoms usually start 7–10 days before menstruation and typically resolve within a few days of your period starting.

🌙 Common PMS Symptoms (jeepers there's ALOT!)
💭 Mood & Emotional Symptoms
Irritability or anger
Anxiety or nervousness
Low mood or depression
Mood swings
Tearfulness or increased sensitivity
Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
Difficulty coping
Social withdrawal
Insomnia or poor sleep
🧠 Cognitive Symptoms
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Forgetfulness
Poor focus
Reduced motivation
🩺 Physical Symptoms
Bloating
Breast tenderness or swelling
Headaches or migraines
Fatigue or low energy
Acne or skin breakouts
Joint or muscle pain
Constipation or diarrhea
Nausea
Food cravings (especially sugar, carbs, salty foods)
Increased appetite
Fluid retention or weight fluctuation
Lower back pain
Sleep disturbances
🌀 Behavioral & Lifestyle Impacts
Changes in libido
Increased clumsiness
Reduced productivity or engagement
Disrupted daily routine or work performance

🧠 What Can Cause Premenstrual Symptoms?
Histamine or Mast Cell Activation
Ever notice anxiety, irritability, or insomnia before your period? Estrogen can ramp up histamine release, triggering mood swings, headaches, and sleep disturbances. This is especially common in women with histamine intolerance or allergies.

High-Normal Prolactin
Even slightly elevated prolactin levels can impact dopamine — your “feel good” neurotransmitter — leading to low mood or emotional sensitivity before your period.

Iodine Deficiency (and other nutrients)
Iodine isn’t just for thyroid health — it also supports breast tissue and hormonal balance. Low levels can contribute to breast tenderness and mood changes during the luteal phase (your premenstrual window).

Gut Issues
Your gut is where hormones like estrogen are processed and where serotonin is made. Gut inflammation or dysbiosis (imbalance in gut bacteria) can lead to hormonal imbalances and poor mood resilience before your period.

Progesterone Sensitivity (Neurosteroid Change Sensitivity)
Some women are more sensitive to the normal drop in progesterone that happens before a period. This change can affect GABA (a calming brain chemical), making you feel anxious, moody, or unsettled — even when your hormone levels are “normal” on paper.

💡 When PMS becomes severe or significantly disrupts your life, it may be a sign of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) — a more intense condition that can benefit from targeted support.

🌿 Naturopathically, PMS is a sign of imbalance. With the right support, it’s possible to experience a smoother cycle, less emotional turbulence, and more ease in your body. And the good news? There is support. As a naturopath, I help women uncover the root causes of hormonal and emotional symptoms — and gently rebalance the body with nutrition, herbs, lifestyle, and targeted support.

💬 If you’re ready to feel more like yourself all month long, let’s chat. Send me a message or book a consultation.

26/04/2025

Im so passionate about women's reproductive hormone health! Keen to discuss this more!

22/04/2025

Soaking this up now that the rain has finally stopped here in Rotorua

Most of us in the Western world live between an apartment, a car and an office, leaving minimal time spent immersed in natural environments and extended time periods under artificial light and in indoor pollution. In fact, many of us even exercise indoors.

The antidote to the negative effects of indoor living may be as simple as getting outside for about 20 minutes per day.

Spending time in natural environments isn’t just refreshing, it’s essential for our wellbeing! Just 120 minutes per week outdoors has been linked to better health and higher wellbeing, according to a 2020 study. The best part? It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy it in one go or break it up throughout the week - it all adds up!

As the weather cools, it can be hard to prioritise outdoor time but time in nature can fit seamlessly into your day: a morning walk, a lunch break outside, or an outdoor catch-up with a friend.

The benefits also extend to children, with research showing that growing up around green spaces supports mental health.

Making outdoor time a priority is a small change that can have a meaningful impact for your body and mind. How will you incorporate a little bit of nature into your routine this week?