Evidence-Based Natural Medicine

13/10/2025

“All disease begins in the gut.” The words of Hippocrates may be ancient, but they continue to echo through modern medicine. The gut is far more than a digestive organ. It’s an intelligent ecosystem that shapes how we think, feel, and function. Within this delicate terrain live trillions of microbes that influence our immunity, hormone balance, energy, and even our emotional state. A thriving microbiome produces anti-inflammatory compounds and neurotransmitters like serotonin, explaining why gut health and mood are so deeply intertwined.

Through the gut-brain, gut-skin, and gut-hormone axes, this internal world communicates constantly with the rest of the body. When the microbiome becomes disrupted - through stress, poor diet, medication, or environmental toxins - the effects ripple outward, often appearing as fatigue, anxiety, skin conditions, hormonal imbalance, or chronic inflammation. Looking after the gut is more than just digestion. It’s creates internal conditions for vitality and genuine well-being to flourish from within.

11/10/2025

24/01/2025

Prevention is always better than cure. Why wait for a diagnosis to start optimising your health? While we may be living longer, we’re not necessarily living better. 🤒

My mission is to empower people to feel good in their minds and bodies, maintain mobility as they age, be free from disease, and truly thrive - because true wellness is about quality of life, not just lifespan. 🧘‍♀️

31/10/2024

Healing goes beyond symptoms; it’s about restoring wholeness.

17/10/2024

Hydration, nutrition, movement, social connection, & sleep. These are the pillars of wellness we often overlook, yet they are fundamental to thriving.

I recently had the pleasure of discussing this and more with in her DesignWell with Sarah interview series. She asked me for tips, tricks, and perspectives on holistic wellbeing.

Check out the full interview to discover how we are reshaping health and wellness, one step at a time. 🌱

https://www.designwellwithsarah.com/post/theinterviewseries-jessicamclaren

10/10/2024

Learn the language of your body.

In our busy lives, it’s easy to push through discomfort without really tuning in to what our body is trying to tell us. As a naturopath, I often see patients who struggle to describe their symptoms - when they began, what triggers or soothes them, and any patterns they’ve noticed.

Learning to pause, breathe, and practice mindfulness can transform how we interpret our body’s messages. This awareness helps us recognise when it’s time to ask for help, rest, eat, or simply slow down.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to health. Through my yoga practice, I’ve cultivated a deep sense of body awareness, helping me connect more fully with my physical and emotional states. This journey has allowed me to live with more balance and well-being, and I encourage everyone to take the time to listen within.

🧘‍♀️

18/09/2024

Big news!!! 💫

Someone pinch me!

I’ve landed my dream job and in just two weeks, I’ll be moving to Bali! 🌴 I’ll be living, breathing, and walking my talk in a tropical paradise, and I couldn’t be more excited. 🌺

It’s been an incredible journey starting and growing my own businesses, which I will continue to build from Bali. 🏝 But now, I’m ready to push myself into the unknown, embrace new challenges, and see where this next adventure takes me!

I’m beyond grateful for the support from friends, family, and everyone who’s been part of my journey so far. 🙏 This new chapter feels like a huge leap forward, and I can’t wait to share all the incredible things ahead. Here’s to following your passion, no matter where it takes you! 🥥🤍

28/08/2024

Join us on Saturday, 14th September, in Noordhoek for an enriching morning dedicated to exploring natural approaches to the menopausal transition.
Our morning together will include a comprehensive talk, a gentle yoga class, a breathwork session, and a calming herbal tea break. We will delve into the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, the organs affected, and effective lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal interventions to support your body during this time.
This workshop is suitable for both those currently on HRT and those seeking a natural approach to managing their menopausal symptoms.

Join Dr. Jessica McLaren, a passionate naturopathic doctor as she empowers women to navigate the natural transition of menopause - providing knowledge, tools & remedies to embrace the change naturally 🙏

30/07/2024

Life is a beautiful journey, filled with twists, turns, and endless opportunities for growth. Sometimes, we get stuck in our routines, seeing the world through the same old lens. But what if we were able to change our perspective? Imagine the world of possibilities that could open up for us.

Think about standing by the ocean, watching the waves gently roll in. Each wave is unique, just like our thoughts and experiences. When we change our perspective, it's like seeing the ocean from a new angle. Suddenly, everything looks different, more vibrant, more full of life.

In our healing journey, changing our perspective can be incredibly powerful. It helps us break free from limiting beliefs and self-doubt, allowing us to find more balance and fullness in life.

When was the last time you shifted your perspective?

🌊🐚🐟

08/07/2024

Who’s ready to join the whole foods revolution? 🍉 🍑 🍒 🌽 🥬

🥕 More than 10000 phytonutrients have been identified in dietary plants. Some of particular interest for their renowned therapeutic value are flavonoids, organo-sulfur compounds, carotenoids, anthocyanidins, and tannins. These nutrients are known to help lower drivers of disease, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, which contribute to many chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, and degenerative diseases.

🥝 These incredible nutrients in food can help boost immunity, maintain the body’s natural defenses, fight infectious diseases, aid digestive health and digestive disorders, offer a protective effect on joint and bone health, enhance cognition, improve energy levels and overall vitality.

🍇 Diet should not just be about calories and macronutrient requirements, although these are important. In Naturopathic Medicine, we use food as medicine, and for each health condition, create personalised meal plans that focus on incorporating foods that help manage and potentially prevent disease and enhance health.

🥗 If you want a specialised meal plan based on these principles, make a booking or DM me for a free 15-minute discovery call to determine how we can approach your diet.

20/06/2024

How are you feeling today?

Are you feeling good, happy, angry, tense, stressed, or overwhelmed?

Let’s take a moment to turn inward and meditate together. 🧘‍♀️

Find a comfortable seated position in a calm environment. Close your eyes and give yourself some moments to consciously relax.

Begin by relaxing your ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips, belly, back, waist, chest, shoulders, upper arms, elbows, forearms, hands, neck, and jaw. Notice how much tension you store in the muscles of your face. Relax your tongue from the roof of your mouth, soften your gaze behind your eyes, smooth the crease between your eyebrows, and relax your head.

Allow your mind to slow down. No feelings, thoughts, or sensations are wrong or right. Accept whatever comes up without following the story of each thought; just let them come and go.

Bring your attention to your breath. What is the natural rate or rhythm of your breath right now? Can you slow it down? With each inhale, breathe deeply through your nose into your belly, and then exhale through your nose or mouth. You may sigh if that feels good. Sit here with your breath, breathing in a sense of calm and exhaling any anxiety and tension.

Stay with your breath and remain in the moment for as long as you need. Give yourself permission to fully and completely relax.

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