Starry Brook Natural Medicine

09/14/2025

Today is National Parents’ Day — a day to honor all you do and a reminder that you deserve rest, support, and relief. Parenting under chronic stress isn’t just “part of the job”—it can lead to anxiety, burnout, even depression.

In New Hampshire, supports are growing and available.

What you can access in NH right now:
• NH PFML: up to 6 weeks of wage replacement (≈ 60%) for your own serious illness, to care for a loved one, or to bond with a new child. Voluntary for employers; individuals may purchase if needed. 
• Mental health crisis & peer support through NAMI NH, NH Mental Health Hotline, and Children’s Behavioral Health Resources. 
• Programs like Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) for young children & caregivers who’ve faced trauma. 

You are not alone. You deserve rest, help, mental health care, and financial breathing room. Let today be permission to lean on these supports.

09/12/2025

✨ Today is National Hug & High-5 Day! ✋🤗 A simple hug or high-five might seem small, but science shows physical touch does BIG things for our health:
• A meta-analysis of 137 studies with ~13,000 people found touch interventions reduced pain, depression, anxiety, and stress in adults. 
• Hugs release oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), which lowers cortisol (stress hormone), reduces blood pressure, and boosts immune function. 
• Just 5–10 seconds of hugging can act as a stress buffer. 

Take a moment today: reach out, hug someone, give a high-five. It’s more powerful than you think.

09/11/2025

Today holds heavy weight. On 9/11, I lost my cousin in the towers. This morning, I struggled to reassure my children when they asked about Charlie Kirk’s murder. The flood of tragedies in recent years: school shootings, the pandemic, wars, political violence, environmental disasters—has been relentless.

The research is clear: constant exposure to brutal news cycles harms our minds and bodies. Today of all days, I urge you:
* turn off the news
* put down your 📞
Remember, grieve, honor. But don’t drown.

We need more than thoughts and prayers—we need real action:
• Accessible mental health support
• Screenings before gun purchases
• Leaders who choose responsibility

Whether you’ve lived through trauma like I have, or you simply feel weighed down by it all, take care of your heart and mind. Check in on your family, friends, and coworkers. Step away from the noise.

🕯️ In remembrance, with hope for change.

For more information on how the brain changes when bombarded with tragic news read here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-00981-x

08/26/2025

🐾✨ Happy National Dog Day! ✨🐾

At Starry Brook, our four-legged family members are part of the care team:
💜 Stella
🤎 Cannoli
💗Birdie
🧡 Pip

Dogs don’t just bring joy—they actually make us healthier:
✔️ Lower stress & anxiety
✔️ Reduced blood pressure
✔️ Boosted mood chemicals like serotonin & dopamine
✔️ More movement, play, and laughter

And if you look closely… the smallest one, Stella, is in every single photo! 😂 She has officially stepped into India’s pawprints as our clinic’s “healing dog.” Stella is specially invited into visits during challenging procedures or whenever a patient needs a cuddle break—because sometimes the best medicine has fur and a wagging tail. 🐶💞

Happy from all of us (human & canine) at Starry Brook Natural Medicine! 🐾💫

08/18/2025

08/13/2025

08/11/2025

08/06/2025

Immune support like elderberry, probiotics, and vitamin D help children start the year right! Our Beacons page is filled with our favorite immunity and kid-friendly products.

07/31/2025

Why labs matter post
Caption: Naturopathic care isn't about guesswork. Labs are the roadmap that helps me uncover the root causes of your health concerns. Whether we’re checking hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, or inflammation markers, labs let us create a care plan tailored just for you.
Covered by insurance? Often, yes. Worth it? Always.

07/30/2025

🌫️ Wildfire Smoke from Canada Is Impacting NH Air Quality—Here’s What You Can Do

Smoke from wildfires in Central Canada is drifting into New Hampshire, leading to poor air quality that can be especially harmful for people with asthma, COPD, older adults, and infants. Even short-term exposure can cause irritation, fatigue, or breathing difficulties in vulnerable groups.

As a naturopathic doctor, I want to offer some supportive tips—because this isn’t just about avoiding haze, it’s about protecting our lungs and overall health.

🌿 NATUROPATHIC TIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR LUNGS:
✔️ Stay indoors with windows closed when air quality is poor
✔️ Run a HEPA air filter to reduce indoor pollutants
✔️ Consider lung-supportive herbal teas like mullein, licorice root* (*avoid if you have high blood pressure), or thyme
✔️ Hydrate! Water helps thin mucus and supports your body’s detox pathways
✔️ Eat antioxidants—berries, broccoli, and citrus fruits help reduce inflammation
✔️ Nebulized glutathione or NAC can be powerful tools to reduce oxidative stress—ask your provider if this is appropriate for you

If you have asthma, chronic lung conditions, or are noticing more fatigue, coughing, or chest tightness today, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to power through it.

📍Need help protecting your respiratory health? Send us a portal message or call the office—we’re here to support you.

Breathe gently and stay safe,
Dr. Robyn Giard, ND
Starry Brook Natural Medicine

07/24/2025

Ever wish your doctor could blend science with real talk about your whole body? 👩🏽‍⚕️
From hormones to headaches, NDs like myself examine the full picture, including prescriptions and natural remedies.
✨ Check the list. See if it’s time to go naturopathic.

07/04/2025

Happy Fourth from our 1810 farmhouse 🇺🇸
⠀
Built just 34 years after the Declaration of Independence, our home has stood through generations of American history.
⠀
Our house sits near the original South Deerfield postal route where Josiah Butler, a respected statesman and postmaster, once served the community. His family later expanded the legacy, owning around 400 acres and shaping much of Deerfield’s early roots.
⠀
We feel honored to continue caring for this land. Slowly restoring it, brick by brick, is our way of preserving a little piece of New Hampshire history.
⠀
Wishing you a joyful and meaningful Independence Day ❤️🤍💙