Naturopath Australia

Breathe Easy: Strategies for Optimal Sinus Health

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 05:10:00 GMT

Helping sinusitis naturally

Have you found yourself in the grips of sinus discomfort? That persistent congestion, throbbing headaches, and the nagging sore throat can truly disrupt your daily life. If you’re grappling with sinusitis and searching for effective relief, you’re in the right place.

This article aims to guide you through understanding sinus problems, their root causes, and an array of natural or alternative remedies to help you breathe easier.

Understanding Sinusitis:

Sinusitis is a condition affecting the paranasal sinuses, the air-filled sacs positioned around the nasal cavity. These sinuses come in four pairs, each with a distinct location: frontal (forehead), maxillary (behind cheekbones), ethmoid (between eyes), and sphenoid (deep behind eyes). These sinuses play crucial roles in breathing, immune defence, and structural support.

Primary Functions of Sinuses:

Ensuring Proper Breathing:

Sinuses produce mucus, ensuring the air we breathe is warmed and purified. Acting as a filter, mucus traps dust, pollen, and germs before reaching the lungs.

Vocal Resonance:

Sinuses contribute to vocal resonance, influencing the quality of our voice.

Structural Support:

Beyond respiratory functions, sinuses provide support to facial bones, maintaining the structural integrity of our head.

Recognizing Symptoms of Sinusitis:

Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses face challenges in their proper functioning, leading to inflammation of their linings. This inflammation can be triggered by various factors, including bacteria, viruses, mould, or allergens. Common symptoms encompass congestion, headaches, post-nasal drip, sore throat, facial pain, and even unpleasant breath.

Comprehensive Relief Strategies:

Hydration is Key:

Ensure you stay well-hydrated by aiming to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Proper hydration helps in thinning mucus, facilitating relief from congestion and post-nasal drip. However, be cautious not to over hydrate, as it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Embrace a Humidifier:

Investing in a humidifier can be a game-changer. By adding moisture to dry air, especially during seasons with low humidity, you can alleviate nasal congestion effectively.

Warm Compress Magic:

Applying a warm compress over your facial area provides soothing relief by easing pain and reducing pressure. This simple yet effective remedy can offer quick comfort.

Inhale the Power of Steam:

Steam inhalation stands out as a time-tested method for easing facial pain and promoting the drainage of sinus fluid. Elevate your steam inhalation by incorporating Naturopath Australia’s Sinus Inhalation Herbs or some Eucalyptus Oil into hot water for enhanced relief.

Cleanse the Air with Purifiers:

Environmental factors such as dust, mould, or pollutants might be exacerbating your sinus issues. Consider the use of an air purifier to minimise these triggers and enhance the quality of the air you breathe.

Summary

Finding the optimal remedy may involve a combination of these strategies tailored to your specific situation. For more natural health tips and personalised advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to Naturopath Australia. Your journey to improved sinus health begins here. Get in touch with Naturopath Australia if you need more tips on keeping your entire body healthy the natural way.

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MORA Therapy – Naturopath Australia

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 02:01:00 GMT

Have you been experiencing symptoms with a non-specific origin or simply a general feeling that something isn’t quite right with your physical health? MORA – Bioresonance Therapy could provide some answers and start you on the journey towards feeling your best again.

What is MORA Therapy

Mora Therapy is a type of bio-resonance therapy and alternative treatment that has been used by health providers for years. It is based on the principles of quantum physics and uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. It is non-invasive, and no negative side effects have been reported, making it a safe alternative to consider to supplement traditional medical treatments or treat symptoms with no known cause.

The benefits of MORA Therapy

There are numerous benefits to using MORA Therapy in a natural treatment setting, including identifying potential causes for health issues, as well as stimulating the healing processes of the body in a safe and non-invasive way.

Identifies underlying health issues

MORA Therapy can help to identify underlying health issues which may not be detected with traditional medical tests such as blood tests or scans. The therapy works by detecting and analysing the electromagnetic frequencies emitted by the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. This can provide valuable information about the patient’s overall health and help to identify any underlying health issues that the patient may not be aware of.

Boosts immune system function

The human body is incredibly effective at healing itself, and fighting off intruders such as bacteria and viruses when functioning optimally. MORA Therapy is thought to help boost the immune system by stimulating the body’s natural defences. It works by detecting and analysing the electromagnetic frequencies emitted by pathogens and harmful substances in the body. The therapy then uses these frequencies to stimulate the immune system and promote healing. It has also been found to useful in managing allergies and other overactive immune responses.

Reduces inflammation

Inflammation is a common cause of many health problems, including chronic pain and autoimmune diseases. MORA Therapy may help to reduce inflammation in the body by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes and therefore working to remove the source of inflammation. It works by identifying electromagnetic frequencies emitted by inflamed tissues and organs. The therapy then uses these frequencies to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.

Relieves pain

MORA Therapy may be useful in treating various pain conditions, including headaches, back pain, and joint pain. The therapy works by stimulating healing in the painful areas of the body, which in turn may help reduce pain over time.

Improves energy levels

Increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the body’s cells is one way that MORA Therapy can help improve energy levels. This can lead to increased vitality and a reduction in fatigue. The treatment may be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or other energy-depleting conditions.

Promotes relaxation

As this is a safe and deeply relaxing treatment, patients report that it is helpful to reduce stress. Lowering circulating stress chemicals in the system can reduce pain perception, and muscle tension, improve mood, and aid with behaviour changes such as smoking cessation.

Detoxifies the body

MORA therapy can help to remove harmful toxins from the body by stimulating the lymphatic system. This may lead to reduced inflammation and a boost in overall health and feelings of well-being. The treatment can be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from chronic illnesses or have been exposed to environmental toxins.

Improves digestive health

Digestion issues may be aided by stimulating the body’s optimal digestive processes by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and increasing blood flow to the organs. This may lead to a reduction in digestive problems such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Boosts mental clarity

This therapy can help to improve mental clarity by increasing blood flow to the brain and stimulating the nervous system. This can lead to increased focus, concentration, and better memory. The treatment may be particularly beneficial for those suffering from cognitive decline or difficulty concentrating.

Book a MORA Therapy session

Whether you suffer from chronic pain, digestive problems, or low energy levels, this treatment may help to improve your overall health and well-being. You can experience it for yourself by booking a session at our Gold Coast clinic.

If you are interested in trying MORA therapy, now is the perfect time to do so. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the benefits of this amazing treatment for yourself!

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The Journey to Optimal Health in 2023

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 22:59:00 GMT

At the start of a new year, many of us are thinking about how we can make this year even better than the last. New year’s resolutions focusing on reaching health goals are common, and while getting fitter or losing excess weight is certainly an important part of being healthy, many of us are looking elsewhere when it comes to health goals.

Our practice in 2022 saw an increased proportion of patients struggling with chronic fatigue symptoms, asthma, allergies and intolerances, migraines, and inflammatory conditions. We also noticed an influx of new patients that had struggled to manage health concerns via traditional medicine or were looking for a more natural treatment plan.

We also noticed many of our appointments were centred around non-specific health concerns. In other words, the patient felt that something wasn’t quite right. They were struggling with low energy levels, difficulties concentrating, mood changes, and mild physical symptoms such as pain or gastrointestinal issues, or mild sensitivities. They simply wanted to feel better.

While it may seem like a daunting task, with the right diagnosis, plan, and dedication, you can make big strides in achieving your health goals in the new year.

Step 1: Understand where you are

There are so many elements that can affect our health and how we feel. We can have vitamin, mineral, or amino acid deficiencies. We may be exhibiting an immune response to certain components of foods, environmental triggers, viruses, and bacteria or parasites. There may be hormonal imbalances, inherited factors, and many other issues that wouldn’t show up on a standard blood test.

If you have tried to get answers to explain physical symptoms, your doctor has been unable to identify a cause, and pathology has shown normal ranges, our hair analysis test could provide additional information to help complete the picture.

Step 2: Set realistic health goals

Once you understand where your health is currently, you can create a recovery plan. We can help provide natural treatment options for specific concerns, and you might also like to review other aspects of your lifestyle for a holistic approach to wellness.

Questions to ask yourself:

Taking a look at your health habits can help complement natural therapies in optimising how well you feel. One important step is to set realistic goals for yourself. Don’t aim too high. Break down your desired outcome into smaller steps, such as aiming to exercise three times per week or walking every morning before work. Smaller milestones can help keep you motivated and focused.

Step 3: Track your progress

Keeping a health journal can help you to track your progress. This can be done on paper, or by using an app on your phone. You might choose to record your symptoms and their severity. Any aggravating factors such as exposure to strong chemicals, poor sleep, or illness. You might track your energy levels, flare-ups, mood, diet, fluids, stress, and exercise as well.

Our memories aren’t always the most accurate sources of information. Being able to reflect on how you felt at the start of your health journey, as well as changes in your lifestyle habits, can help you to see how far you have come and how your efforts have paid off. A health journal can also help you pinpoint what is triggering your symptoms.

Summary

So in summary, by understanding your current health state, setting realistic goals and tracking your progress, you can take charge of your energy levels in the new year. We are here to provide guidance and support on your journey towards increased energy and better health. Let us help you make an action plan that best suits your needs so that you can start feeling better today!

We offer phone or in-person appointments to follow up and offer treatment options after your hair analysis test. Barbara Saker is a naturopath with over 30 years of experience, who can help to tailor an individualised plan to relieve symptoms and treat the cause of disease. Cameron Saker is a qualified Homeopath and Herbalist offering single remedy medicines, who is also available for weekend appointments.

The best way to start your journey is to order a hair analysis test here .

Included in your Hair Analysis is a complimentary follow up call with Barbara where she can help explain the report findings and answer any questions or concerns you might have.

You can also book an appointment here with either Cameron or Barbara at a time convenient for you.

We hope that all of our past, present, and future patients have a wonderful 2023, and offer our best wishes for reaching health goals and improving wellness and quality of life as the year progresses.

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5 Most Effective Natural Remedies to Help with Your Seasonal Allergies

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 23:10:00 GMT

Beat the sneeze, and reduce hay fever this spring!

Do you experience allergies? If you have seasonal allergies, you probably have a love/hate connection with spring. Going outside to smell the fresh blooms is alluring, but it isn’t as pleasant when you’re stuffy and congested!

Patients frequently use over-the-counter antihistamines to decrease the severity of their allergy symptoms. However, these drugs prevent the immune system from producing histamine due to exposure to an allergen. Histamine production can cause a runny nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and other symptoms.

Although taking antihistamines to treat the sniffles makes sense, these drugs can also have adverse side effects like sleepiness, lethargy, headaches, and nausea. Additionally, some patients utilise nasal corticosteroids, which can irritate and dry out the nose.

Are you trying to find a natural cure for your symptoms? We’ve compiled a list of Barbara’s favourite natural allergy treatments to assist you in getting through the season so you can start figuring out your best course of action for relief.

Hayfever Products

It has long been used in homoeopathic therapy to treat seasonal allergies and hay fever symptoms. It can lessen mild allergy symptoms and ease slight upper respiratory tract congestion.

Bromelains are also present in quercetain to aid in the reduction of inflammation, and quercetin in the supplement aids in alleviating the symptoms of mild allergies. Additionally, it functions as an antioxidant to reduce the body’s production of free radicals. Bromelains have analgesic properties.

Note this is a practitioner-only line, but patients may purchase it with a prescription through our Private Patients-only site. This product has a high concentration of quercetin and bromelain, which may lessen the allergic reaction to typical triggers, including dust and pollen. Possibly helpful for providing short-term relief from minor hip and knee pain.

The advantages of fungi herbal tea may reduce inflammation, relieve stress, improve the immune system, and more. This tea is excellent if exposed to black mould at home. Use it two times each day.

Eucalyptus oil will provide additional assistance in helping to open your airways and make you feel more comfortable. When used with Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil, it works best. Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil is sweet, fruity, and slightly camphorous. Arthritis, bronchitis, catarrh, cold sores, flu, coughing, fever, poor circulation, and sinusitis may all benefit from it.

The ingredients in Black Pearl Bi Min Gan Wan have been traditionally used to treat nasal congestion and to reduce the symptoms of hay fever.

It concludes our list of Barbara’s top five all-natural allergy remedies, which will help you get through the season and decide on your best course of action for relief. Also, we are offering specific discounts that you can use.

E-BOOK – The Sting of Summer

Discover practical, natural techniques to repel those summertime pests. Although prevention is always the best medicine, The Sting of Summer will provide you with all-natural remedies to lessen the discomfort of an insect bite, heat rash, or sunburn this summer. Take advantage of the opportunity to get this eBook, which is currently $4.99!

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2022 Mental Health Week – “Back to Basics”

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 01:39:00 GMT

Check in with your mates for Mental Health Month. 8th – 16th October 2022 is World Mental Health Week.

The 2022 theme – “Back to Basics” – provides foundational knowledge about mental health and mental health conditions and information about what individuals can do if their mental health is a cause for concern. Since the start of the pandemic, more and more people are talking about mental health.

World Mental Health Day was celebrated for the first time on October 10, 1992, at the initiative of Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. Up until 1994, the day had no specific theme other than general promoting mental health advocacy and educating the public.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.

What is Mental Health?

It’s an essential part of a person’s health. The World Health Organization (WHO) constitution says: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

According to the WHO, mental health is when an individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community.

4 Things for Businesses to Remember When Celebrating World Mental Health Day

The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon to show colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health. It can also be worn in memory of a loved one.

Are you seeking Natural Therapies for Mental Health conditions such as anxiety, depression, panic or stress?

Please contact Naturopath Australia , located in Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast as a first step in the right direction

We’d love to know how you’re celebrating this Mental Health month —let us know over on Instagram! #HealthForAll #NaturopathAustralia #BarbaraSaker

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R U OK?

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 03:08:00 GMT

This Thursday is our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.

Thursday 8 September is R U OK?Day – and a reminder we need to stay connected and make asking ‘are you OK?’ a part of our everyday.

That way if someone we know is struggling with something big or small they’ll know we care. When we genuinely ask, ‘are you OK?’ and are prepared to talk to them about how they’re feeling and what’s going on in their life we can help someone who might be struggling feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis.

You don’t need to be an expert to ask someone, ‘are you OK?’

Try and make time for regular chats about life’s ups and downs so you can build trust. That way when someone is struggling they’ll know you care and will feel comfortable opening up to you. It also helps to choose the right time and place for a meaningful conversation.

Cuppa & Convo – People love to catch up over a cuppa. When people are feeling relaxed and comfortable it can be easier to talk about life’s ups and downs. Drop by or invite someone to share a cuppa and have a meaningful conversation. Want to encourage others to make a moment meaningful and connect over a cuppa?

Walk & Talk – Sometimes it’s easier to have a conversation when you’re doing something side-by-side rather than face-to-face. Why not arrange a walk and talk for a friend in your community or during a lunch break?

Life’s ups and downs happens to all of us, so chances are someone you know might be struggling. Your genuine support can make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small. So, don’t wait until someone’s visibly distressed or in crisis to make a moment meaningful.

You don’t need to be an expert to have an R U OK? Conversation, listening and giving someone your time might be just what they need to help them through. Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed. Because a conversation could change a life

R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone going through a difficult time.

Are you seeking Natural Therapies for Mental Health conditions such as anxiety, depression, panic or stress? Please see the Mental Health section of our website for more information.

If you need immediate crisis or emotional support you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

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Natural Tips to Help Balance Your Mental Health

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 00:08:00 GMT

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Are you Struggling with Black Mould in Your Home?

Thu, 26 May 2022 00:36:00 GMT

Join Us

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The Dangers of Self Prescribing Supplements

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:17:00 GMT

I have seen so much of self-prescribing over the 30 years that I have been practising as a Naturopath.

It is very expensive if you are just listening to a friend. It may have worked for them, but your body may require something totally different.

This habit of buying anything that you are told will cure you, can cost a great deal of money and you can end up with cupboards full of supplements that will negate each other, or worse supplements that do not agree with you at all.

I have heard couples argue over the amount of money that has been spent by one partner in the hope of being cured. The tension that this has caused just creates another problem and more anxiety to be felt by the actual patient.

If you are chronically ill, it does not pay to gloss it over and just try to treat the symptoms, it pays to find the cause and actually start from that point in time.

You may have become ill after a family trauma, or an accident. It is good to work backwards to remember when you actually first became ill. Get to recognise your own feelings, and learn how you respond to situations emotionally and physically.

Take time to ask yourself the questions:

What problems did I have in my life at that time?
Is my condition a side effect of an illness that I had many years ago?
What treatment did I receive at the time?
Was it a virus or a bacteria?
Did somebody close to me die just before I became ill?
Can Grief affect me like this?
Do I feel guilty over an incident in my life?
How have you have handled the situations that life has thrown at you?

You have lived in this vehicle of your body for years, take time to get to know you. With this type of knowledge ask a professional to prescribe for you. You will feel better and spend less.

Symptoms of Self Prescribing:

You buy medicine your friends suggest
You do not finish the course
You have shelves full of supplements
The medicine doesn’t work
You never feel well
You are sensitive to medicine
You spent a lot of money to get well
You try every Doctor and Therapist
You listen to your friends
Nothing seems to work
You increase the dosage of medicine
It can give you nausea

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Gangrene

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:19:00 GMT

Gangrene is a medical used to describe the death of bodily tissues. It develops when the blood supply is cut off to the affected part as a result of various processes such as infection, vascular (blood vessels) disease, or trauma.

Gangrene can involve any part of the body, the most common sites include the legs, arms, toes, fingers, feet and hands. Three major types of gangrene exist.

They are dry gangrene, wet or moist gangrene, and gas gangrene.

Dry Gangrene symptoms

Many with Diabetes suffer the dry gangrene. It is caused by a reduction of the blood flow through the arteries. It appears gradually and progresses slowly. In this type of gangrene, the tissue becomes cold and black, begins to dry and eventually sloughs off. Dry gangrene is commonly seen in people with arterial blockages, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and smokers. Regardless of the cause, the dry gangrene is a lack of blood flow.

Wet or Moist Gangrene symptoms

Wet or moist Gangrene is a result of a complication of an untreated infected wound. Swelling resulting from the bacterial infection causes a stoppage to the blood flow. When the blood flow ceases the bacteria invades the muscles and multiplies which in turn prevents the white blood cells reaching the infected part.

Gas Gangrene symptoms

Gas Gangrene is a type of wet gangrene caused by the bacteria Clostridia. This is a type of infection-causing bacteria that grows only in the absence of Oxygen. As Clostridia grows, it produces poisonous toxins and gas. It spreads rapidly via the bloodstream and can damage vital organs.

Keep wounds sterile by cleansing thoroughly with an antiseptic solution and replace the dressing regularly.

I have seen many people working outdoors with potting mix, cement, plaster, and chemicals wearing shorts and sandals with open wounds on their legs that are covered in dust. This is so dangerous. It is not only the diseases like Diabetes that can give you Gangrene, it is carelessness in not taking the time to apply a dressing on an open wound and protecting your skin with long trousers at least.

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Signs & Symptoms of Female Infertility

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:47:00 GMT

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Female Fertility and Age Factors

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:44:00 GMT

Female fertility decreases with age. For women fertility starts to slowly decline when they are in their early thirties. Around the age of 35, the decline speeds up and by age 40 the chance of conceiving has fallen by half.

The biological reason for this is that, as women age the total number of eggs in their ovaries and the quality of the eggs decline.

The average of menopause is about 51 years, this has not changed over the centuries and this marks the absolute end of natural fertility.

It can be rare for a woman to conceive in the 10 years leading up to menopause. In part this is because the quality of the eggs that are released are comprised, at age 40 about 75% of eggs chromosomally abnormal which reduces the chance of pregnancy and increases the risk of miscarriage.

Here are some of the facts about the relationship between female age and fertility:

As can be seen it is wiser (if possible) to start your family earlier and not wait for certain financial levels to be achieved.

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Common Causes of Infertility in Women

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:42:00 GMT

Female infertility is a heartbreaking problem for those whose hearts are set on becoming a Mother.

The criteria set for determining if a woman is infertile is if they have been trying to conceive for a year and have been unsuccessful.

There are many reasons physically why a woman cannot conceive. The most common are:

If women are intending to try to conceive, they should take stock of their daily habits and lifestyle. Make a diary of your week’s menu, check that you are eating the foods that will help make a strong child. Take note of your sleeping patterns, check that you are getting at least 7 to 8 hours sleep a night. That your body is strong and that you exercise at least 3 times a week.

To physically birth a child is not called “Labour” for nothing. It is hard work. Even the women having surgical births have a period of recuperation to go through and need to be strong while they are caring for a baby at the same time.

Take stock of your habits and health before trying to conceive.

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Why Are So Many Women Infertile?

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:39:00 GMT

The number of women that are deemed to be infertile is staggering in a country like ours, where we have a plentiful supply of good food, our air is said to be some of the cleanest in the world. Exercise is widely promoted

We have access to healthcare and medicine. There are all the makings of a very healthy lifestyle.

Yet 1 in 9 Australian women are deemed to be infertile, that is a staggering number. Many women are choosing to set themselves up first financially before deciding to become pregnant. This is an important decision in the process as we all should know it is more difficult to become pregnant as we get older.

It would appear in our culture that it is becoming more and more difficult to find the right partner to father your child.

Looking at the T.V. every night we are being bombarded with shows like “Married at first Sight”, “Farmer wants a Wife”, “Beauty and the Geek”. It is sad when you have to go onto a reality show to hopefully find a partner. The other options are of course the “Tinders” along with the other online dating sites. These have been shown that they can be fraught with danger for the innocent.

Years ago most of us met our future husbands at a dance or were introduced to them by friends and family. In Australia today women are a lot more independent. They have their own houses, the majority are widely travelled, and have very definite ideas on what they want from their future husbands.

Women should realise that we are all human with faults, nobody is perfect and that partnerships teach us that we have to learn to give and take in any relationship to make it work.

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The Symptoms of Male Infertility?

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:37:00 GMT

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Substances which can Impact Fertility

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:33:00 GMT

To continue our discussion of Male infertility, we must also be aware of the males that have had cancer treatments, but come out still wanting to father a child.

The chemicals are strong with many side-effects, this can have a debilitating reaction in the body.

The Kidneys are generally one of the main organs weakened and this creates a lot of pain and discomfort, as the Kidneys are so prominently linked to the reproduction areas.

The Kidneys have to filter the chemicals and if your Lymph becomes blocked it can create many problems.

Some of the chemotherapy has long term side effects – loss of hair, loss of libido – Anaemia – enlarged prostate – which can lead to loss of self confidence.

Any disorder of the male sexual system ought not to be over looked. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause a discharge from the penis, which is an infection that can cause the sperm to be damaged.

Recreational drugs are another common reason for a low sperm count. These can lead to the reproductive organs producing lower testosterone.

Levels, which can then cause the testicles to shrink and produce less sperm. This often happens after a period of heavy steroid use.

Six of the major reasons for male infertility are:

Check to find the answer to your problem.

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Hidden Causes of Infertility

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:32:00 GMT

In our previous blog we looked at the possibility of physical trauma affecting the Male role in producing children.

We also have to be aware of what job a partner has, to check if there is anything connected to his employment that could weaken his reproductive system.

A landscape gardener has to contend with Roundup and other herbicides also pesticides that can affect the kidneys, and the reproductive areas of the body. Industrial chemicals are very difficult for the Kidneys to filter and help detox the body.

An man in administration is usually sitting 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week.

This also can have an affect on his circulation, the making of sperm and produce abnormal delivery of the Sperm.

Many men like a drink after work and on the weekends, where they can stand or sit around for hours drinking beer or wine, which is full of sugar, yeast, and hops. Some men admit to having 10 to 20 beers a day which is going to create an internal thrush.

This can lead to getting a urinary tract infection, which can leave the male with urine that burns, bad back pains, dizziness, lack of concentration, poor performance in the bedroom, severe itch around the genital area, the thrush may even cause a rash over the whole body.

The population needs healthy babies and that can only be achieved by having healthy parents.

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Factors Impacting Fertility

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:30:00 GMT

It is amazing when an infertility problem arises in a family everybody just assumes that it is the woman that has the weakness not the male.

There are many reasons why a male can become infertile, testing has shown that one third of infertility is caused by male reproductive problems.

Only 4% to 10 % of Sperm are shown to be normal in a semen sample.

There is abnormal sperm production, abnormal sperm function, abnormal sperm delivery. Much of this can be caused by their lifestyle, physical trauma, or if they have had previous cancer treatments.

We have to start looking at the fact that the male is part of this reproduction story, the female may carry and bear the child but is only a part of the production process.

The lifestyle of the prospective parents play an important part in the begetting of children.

If the male has had a car accident, this can leave shock in the body and fear which in turn will weaken the Kidneys and the reproductive process.

We store our emotions in our organs, and with the trauma of a car accident, we all react in different ways. Some may be angry even at themselves as they may have caused the accident. This can affect your Liver and Gallbladder and then have a flow on effect to another organ, for example the Stomach, which in turn will cause the digestion system to weaken and prevent the correct metabolism of our food.

The wide range of emotions and reactions to the emotions can definitely create a problem for a male, especially if he is trying to procreate.

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Chronic Fatigue Signs & Symptoms

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:24:00 GMT

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Do You Have chronic Fatigue?

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:23:00 GMT

Chronic Fatigue – they are frightening words to many people who have lost their jobs, careers, even their businesses, homes, and friends because they were not able to perform any normal tasks that they could do so easily before this debilitating condition struck.

Many patients have been diagnosed with Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. If it is not known what is the matter with you and all the tests have proven negative, then “it must be in your head”.

So not only do these patients lose their normal lifestyles with social connections, they are labelled as mentally ill.

Often they are given anti-depressions that have very questionable side-effects, and can in the end create an addiction to the prescription.

Learn to listen to your body, be aware of the various weaknesses that occur and note the times that they happen. This information helps any practitioner. It can tell which major organ is weak, even the foods that weaken you or make you sick is part of the puzzle. Don’t feel sorry for yourself if you have “Chronic Fatigue”. There is a way out of this terrible condition.

Any practitioner needs your help. You know yourself better than anybody. Start taking notice of what you can do, and how weak it makes you. Is your throat sore? Are your glands swollen? Do your legs tremble when you try to walk? How long does it take you to shower and dress? The answers to these questions are important and will help solve the problem.

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Debilitating Chronic Fatigue

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:21:00 GMT

Chronic fatigue is one of the most debilitating conditions to strike our community. It can strike suddenly without warning and send a patient to bed for months.

All the tests you have may prove negative, as the tests will usually only show what has been requested. If the Doctor has not requested exactly what is the cause you will not get the answer that you need.

Many patients wake up one morning and suddenly have not got the energy that they had yesterday.

Getting out of bed, showering and getting dressed is the main chore of the day, and can take hours to accomplished. This scenario seems impossible to a young healthy person, but many teenagers are faced with this reality.

Many in this condition have been told that it is all in their heads that they are lazy, they just do not want to work.

I have seen teenagers crying with relief because they are told that they have Chronic Fatigue, now they think they know what is the problem.

Look at the words “Chronic Fatigue”. It means that you are always tired – didn’t these patients know that they are always tired?

So what have they gained by this diagnosis? In short, nothing.

The cause of this “Chronic Fatigue” has to be found, and when you are dealing with a normally healthy person, you have to keep looking.

The practitioner has got to get to know their patients, their habits and their diet preferences, their hobbies, where they were brought up.

Every country in the world has certain viruses and bacterias that are more common in that part of the world.

The practitioner must become familiar with their patients background.

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Chronic Fatigue Signs Not To Be Ignored

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:17:00 GMT

Because so many of us have such busy lifestyles, tiredness overall is dismissed as a cultural symptom.

There have been many surveys telling us that Australians are among the citizens that work the longest hours in the world.

That tiredness can be a signal that we need to slow down and “smell the roses”, learn to switch off and relax.

Enjoy our families more and invite our friends over for a meal and a chat, and take time to holiday and renew our energies.

But again, that excessive tiredness especially in young people may be a warning sign that there is something amiss, and just maybe a check-up is recommended.

Hypoglycaemia: people miss meals because they are too busy to eat, tradies in particular are prone to this.

They eat at 6am and maybe not again till they have dinner at night because they have to finish the plaster or maybe the concrete is drying too fast.

The brickwork has to be finished or they may not get paid this week.

When the 3 o clock slump kicks in, a can of coke will raise the blood sugar enough to finish the day.

When people have that exhausted feeling, no energy to do much at all, then it is time to investigate and look for the cause behind it.

Especially if you know that they eat good food and try to get enough sleep.

They are not heavy drinkers and do not smoke much or at all.

Look at the lifestyle – if that is as it should be, do not dismiss the exhaustion but search for the answers as to why?

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What your Stool Says About Your Gut Health

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:13:00 GMT

Checking out the Bristol Stool Chart gives us an indication of how our body is metabolising the foods that we eat. It is not a subject that all of us aspire to discuss, but the more that we learn about this vehicle that we have to live in as we journey through life, the easier that we can make it for ourselves.

On the Bristol Stool Chart …

Having gas, wind and bloat, can be very uncomfortable and painful.

If we live with Gas, Wind, and Bloat and experience the discomfort that it brings it pays to take time to learn about the foods that we eat that may affect our digestion and makes us so sensitive.

Many people that are gluten intolerant do not know that it can cause constipation, that leads onto painful wind, gas and bloating symptoms.

Lactose malabsorption gives the symptoms of diarrhoea, gas, wind and bloat

A fruit allergy – and the most common fruits to cause allergies are apples, kiwi fruit, and peaches – can leave you with severe abdominal pain nausea and Diarrhoea.

Vegetables that are known to cause gas, wind and bloat are cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, and broccoli.

Check out our homeopathic range, as these simple easy to take medications are known to offer relief.

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Do you get Gas , Wind and Bloat Symptoms

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:10:00 GMT

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Conditions that cause Gas, Wind & Bload

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:08:00 GMT

What are the conditions that may lead you to have Gas, Wind and Bloat, which is so painful, and gives you, in most cases, a swollen stomach and a look that the men can be heavy beer drinkers and it can make the women appear as though they are pregnant.

Constipation is difficulty having bowel movements often for days and in extreme cases weeks on end. Constipation can have many different reasons like lifestyle, not getting enough fibre, fluid, exercise, or fresh food. Medications and medical conditions (colon issues, neurological disorders, and metabolic problems) can play a part in the problem. Constipation can leave fermented food in our Large or Small Intestines creating gas, wind, and bloat.

On the Bristol Stool Chart types 1 and 2 indicate constipation. Separate hard lumps that look like nuts or marbles. The stool may present as a sausage shape cluster of these lumps.

Diarrhoea is the opposite to constipation. It includes more frequent bowel movements and / or more watery stools. Diarrhoea, especially chronic diarrhoea, can make you dehydrated, and it can also cause an imbalance of electrolytes.

Taking probiotics increase the friendly bacteria of your gut and may help with Diarrhoea.

On the Bristol Stool Chart types 6 and 7 indicate a Diarrhoea problem. Diarrhoea can be fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool. Or watery, no solid pieces at all – entirely liquid.

To restore both fluid and electrolyte imbalances drinking something like “Gatorade or Powerade” can be beneficial.

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Gas, Wind & Bloat

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:06:00 GMT

Bloating of the digestive area may come very quickly after a meal. It can become very painful, with sharp pains causing some patients to double over.

There are many reasons why we have these symptoms. It can be a parasitic and worm infestation. Many families these days because hygiene has improves so much, do not realise that drinking tap water may leave you with Giardia Lambia or other varieties of water based parasites.

Parasites breed and can interfere with your digestive system, reversing the peristalsis of the Ileo Cecal valve and causing the digested food meant to be eliminated to go back into the Small Intestine and creating pain, wind gas and bloat.

The type of foods that we eat, may cause digestive problems. Too many takeaways, sugary drinks and foods can create many problems with your metabolism.

Your body can become starved of the vitamins and minerals that you need to keep your body strong. Too much sugar feeds Candida and encourages it to spread throughout your system, killing the friendly bacteria of your gut. Taking a good quality probiotic can help this but it is even better to reduce the amount of sugary foods from your diet.

Too much takeaway, which can have high levels of fat and salt, can affect your Liver and even create a Gall Stone problem, which can add more wind, gas, bloat and reflux to the problem.

Many viruses can create a severe digestive situation. A virus like Epstein Barr which may affect every gland in your body, can weaken your digestive system and cause you to have “Leaky Gut”, which can cause constipation, diarrhoea, or gas, wind, and bloat.

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Do you have symptoms of the Black Mould?

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:59:00 GMT

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Signs & Symptoms of Black Mould Illness

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:54:00 GMT

Black mould has many different symptoms which is how we are fooled into believing that it is a different disease to what it actually is.

The mould can make you very sensitive to metal, where your skin can become black and marked if you wear gold or silver.

You can experience a metal taste in your mouth, which sends patients to the dentist thinking they have a broken tooth or the fillings they have in their mouth is the cause of this weird taste.

Many women suffer the pain of vaginal dryness, which can put a strain on their partnerships as sex can become very painful, which will cause them to avoid it as much as possible. That can create tension in the relationship as their partner may think that they are rejecting them.

This Black Mould with its many faces can cause a blister like rash on the tongue, the discomfort of which prevents patients from wanting to eat. Many have said that they can still smell food from breakfast in the mouth even as late as the evening.

Fungi of any sort can create a craving for sweet foods, fungi feeds on sugar and yeast and can keep spreading throughout the body if it is feed the diet it loves.

Often patients complain that they have lost their sense of taste, and that they are suffering heartburn and reflux. Fungi can grow where it chooses and often patients find that they cannot swallow drier foods, that it can stick in their throats and cause intense pain under their sternum for hours after eating.

Flatulence is another symptom of Black Mould that patients should be aware of, as it can be noisy, smelling and therefore embarrassing to be out in public.

Remember fruit is sugar, so try to limit your fruit intake to pieces a day.

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Health Issues Caused by Black Mould

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:52:00 GMT

As we have discussed in a previous paper, Black Mould is so dangerous to our overall health that we should be aware of it in our living quarters work spaces , sheds and outdoor areas.

I have pointed out the dangers to our Lungs , sinuses and therefore our breathing levels.

That is not all that it can affect.

Black Mould can give us a variety of symptoms including severe migraines that can lead you vomiting with diarrhoea for up to 12 hours.

Your head can feel like you are wearing a tight hat – headaches mild and severe.

Head feels like it is pumping / your hair on the crown of your head is especially oily.

Hair can fall out at your temples, a lump can form in the middle of the left temple.

Black mould because it can block your sinuses and your nasal passages can give short term memory loss. Your breathing can become laboured with these symptoms , making it difficult for you to walk far or to climb up stairs.

With conditions like this your breathing becomes shallow , you do not take the air deep down into your Lungs , your body starts to lack Oxygen and you can become very light headed and feel like fainting .

It is wise to do deep breathing exercises every day, lay on a bed and put your hands over the navel with your fingertips touching , take a deep breath pushing your stomach out, hold for the count of 4- the fingers should have separated with the air going deeply into your body . Release the air slowly until your fingers are touching across the navel again.

Doing this every day you are less likely to get Black mould and bacteria into your Lungs.

Your organs work much better with a good supply of Oxygen , and as a bonus- cancer cells do not like great levels of Oxygen.

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The Hidden Dangers of Black Mould

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:49:00 GMT

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Asthma Signs & Symptoms

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:58:00 GMT

Bronchial asthma is a lung problem in which small bronchial passages become swollen and narrow. This results in breathing difficulty and wheezing.

Older patients with a history of serious heart disease can get attacks of cardiac asthma at night.

The main symptoms are tightness in the chest, difficult cough, wheezing sounds on breathing out.

At times the skin may turn blue and the pulse may become fast.

In babies and young children difficulty in breathing results in the lower ribs being drawn inwards.

Bronchial asthma is a respiratory disease.

It is not to be confused with Cardiac Asthma which affects patients with heart disease and which is much more serious.

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Lesser Known Causes of Asthma

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:52:00 GMT

Asthma is a condition in which a person‘s airways become inflamed, swell, and narrow. They then produce extra mucous which makes it difficult to breathe.

Asthma can be minor, or it can interfere with your daily activities. In some cases, it can lead to a life-threatening attack.

Asthma can cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing and wheezing. The symptoms can appear to just come out of nowhere. Sometimes this can be caused by someone walking past that has a heavy perfume on, or a chemical like, for example, roundup sprayed onto the grass. This is acknowledged to be Allergic Asthma.

Emotional Asthma is another recognised form of Asthma. This can be caused by shock, a trauma of some kind, a car accident, a divorce, a marriage breakup which then can go on to affect the children of the marriage. Many children with problems at home and bullied at school have been diagnosed with the symptoms of emotional Asthma.

In natural therapies we recognise the possibility of this, and will add an emotional remedy, maybe from the Bach Flowers range, to the normal herbs and homeopathics that are prescribed for the Asthma itself. Rescue Remedy is an old favourite that many mothers carry in their handbags to give to a distressed child.

Asthma, because it affects the Lungs, can go on to affect other parts of our bodies. It can affect our lower back with all that coughing and wheezing. It can tighten and affect our shoulders and ribs. The vertebrae in our spine can weaken, often T12 and L1 will cause a problem and will need an alignment after the attack.

Remember Oxygen is the one compound that we cannot do without, we can live without food and water for a time, but without Oxygen we will die very quickly. Care for your body as this is your vehicle for life. Cars do not run without petrol or electricity and your vehicle does not go without Oxygen.

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Australia’s Growing Asthma Problems

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:48:00 GMT

Asthma is becoming more and more common in our communities; the statistics are worrying.

In 2017-2018, 10% of Australian children between the ages of 0-14 years old were reported to have Asthma as a long-term condition.

Asthma prevalence is nearly twice as high in children with disabilities.

Overall, 2.7 million Australians have been diagnosed with Asthma. We need to ask why in a country like ours, where we have good food, clean air and overall great living conditions, this can happen.

The world statistics are even more concerning. The five countries with the highest rate of Asthma are:

The countries with the lowest rates are:

The low rates are surprising in those countries, as they are often shown with fog filled cities where one cannot see in front of them, where in our country the sky is blue and clear.

In the above countries exercises like martial arts are encouraged and the breathing exercises of Tai Chi and Yoga are practised by young and old alike in the public parks.

So again, we have to look at why this is happening.

Do our children eat too many sweets? Are they taking too many prescribed medications with some of the recognised side-effects?

Are they playing games inside for too long and not getting enough exercise?

As a nation we have a tendency to shallow breathe, not expand our lungs fully. If we continue to do this for a reasonable time the lower lobes of the Lungs can start to close up and breed bacteria. This is a possibility that can begin to start our journey on road to Adult Asthma.

So, we should begin the most important journey of our life:

Learn to breathe in the oxygen, hold it in for a certain period. Exhale it and the greatest secret of all is to do without the breath for a period of time. The longer you can exercise to be without breathing in, the stronger your Lungs will become. For more tips on breathing exercises “The Power of the Breath” eBook is available in our online shop .

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An overview of Asthma

sofia.bryan@localsearch.com.au (Localsearch WebServices) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:46:00 GMT

The respiratory system is subject to attack by hundreds of organisms, either bacteria or viruses. The common cold and sinusitis are disorders of the respiratory system.

There are different forms of asthma.

Asthma Bronchial is a lung problem in which small bronchial passages become swollen and narrow. This results in breathing difficulty and wheezing.

Asthma Cardiac is another form of Asthma – Older patients with a history of serious heart disease can get attacks of cardiac asthma at night.

Children are often diagnosed as having asthma after being diagnosed with Croup, when there is failure to expectorate mucous from the Lungs. Breathing in fresh air and exercise helps keep the respiratory system in good order.

Many of us are what is termed “Shallow Breathers”. If we continue to do this our bodies can become short of Oxygen and not expanding our Lungs continuously can cause our lower lobes to close and breed bacteria.

We need to do deep breathing exercises every day as a health routine to keep out lungs expanded and give our body the Oxygen it needs.

For tips on breathing exercises, “The Power of the Breath” eBook is available in our online shop .

We can live without food and water for a limited time but not without Oxygen.

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Transvaginal Mesh

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 03:10:00 GMT

Join Us

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The Magic of the Neem Tree

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 03:23:00 GMT

The Neem tree ( Azadirachia indica ) is a member of the mahogany family, native to India and Burma. It is a close relative of Melia azedarach , usually called Cape lilac in Western Australia and White cedar elsewhere. Cape lilac is more cold tolerant than the Neem tree but has the same insecticidal properties.

Because of its potential as an insecticide, quite a lot of work has been done on Neem in Australia. Farms have been established in warmer areas and Neem products may well be a commercial crop for Australia.

There is an extensive list of insects that can be controlled by Neem – fruit flies, cockroaches, locusts, aphids, mosquitos, thrips, caterpillars, weevils. Many of the more useful insects like the bees, ladybirds, mantis are unharmed, yet the destructive pests are stopped.

Safety tests have been done demonstrating the harmlessness of Neem towards mammals, birds, and fish.

The best forms of trees for regular maintenance, but with high yield are those citrus-shaped selections that do best on moderately deep rich, but always well drained soil. Neem leaf production is best along the coastal strip of Queensland.

Neem trees are compatible with indigenous plants and animals, the trees have been grown in the dry hot North of Australia for over 50 years. The tree is resistant to drought, cyclone, fire, and snap frosts and will grow with minimal water and fertiliser input.

One Neem tree by itself, without crushing leaves and/ or fruit regularly will probably not repel more than 25 per cent of insects from the house and vegetable garden.

They attract a range of native insects which like their bark, insects that do not spread scale.

The PH of notoriously acid Australian soils is brought quickly up to neutral (PH7) within a period of two to three years.

Professor Steven Ley of the University of London has described Neem as having “a chemical so powerful that even one teaspoonful can protect seven football fields against caterpillars and locusts, but so benign that it will not hurt bees or ladybirds”.

Neem extract forms a stable emulsion in water and can be directly diluted in water to 1/500-1/20 prior to systemic or surface application with standard sprayers.

Neem sprays may be safely used to control fleas, ticks, lice and other parasites found on dogs, cats, birds and other companion animals.

We all should look at planting Neem trees in our yards, to protect our families from the dreaded midge bites that can itch forever.

Living in Queensland many of us are aware of the dangers and long lasting effects of the Tropical diseases that the mosquito bites can inflict, such as Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Dengue Fever Virus.

I am sure many families have had their celebration B-B-Que ruined by the insects that are attracted to the lights and smell of the food cooking.

The answer can be so simple – Plant Neem trees around your entertainment areas, and enjoy your family knowing that they are safe from being bitten by midges and mosquitoes.

It is a much safer option than spraying chemicals from planes, sometimes weekly, onto your properties that have the possibility of exposing your children to asthma, skin rashes and chronic diseases.

As we become more aware of climate change, we should look back to the past and choose the simpler and least expensive options to protect our land, our families and our health.

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Mould – Is it the Cause of Your Breathing Problems?

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 03:08:00 GMT

Mould is one of the most resilient species on earth; it can adapt to almost any environment, and for that reason, there are 1.5 million species of it on the planet.

Mould is mostly found in damp areas, where it grows and thrives. It can be found in our bathrooms, laundries, on our ceilings, behind our curtains and even underneath our beds and carpets.

It is also commonly found in our cupboards, where we store our possessions – such as leather handbags and shoes – allowing mould to transfer onto these items.

Mould is in fact very dangerous to our health. And this is especially the case if it is in our bedrooms, where we can inhale the spores into our lungs as we sleep and breathe deeply.

The Side Effects of Mould

The adverse health effects of mould are mostly lung-related problems. These include asthma, bronchitis, cold and flu-like symptoms, hay fever and pneumonia. Eczema can also be an adverse effect of mould in the home.

Additionally, acupuncture circles recognise that the lungs are linked to the colon. Therefore mould can even cause constipation and/or diarrhoea.

Evidence shows that it is the mix of microbes found in water-damaged buildings (due to mould) that are a major problem in particular. In healthy individuals, these microbes are identified by the body’s immune system, broken down and removed by the liver, then excreted via the bowels.

However, research has shown that 24% of the population can’t produce antibodies to fungi.

And for anyone who walks into a water-damaged building, an inflammatory response occurs that doesn’t switch off.

Symptoms of these fungi include fatigue, headaches, brain fog (results in mood swings), poor concentration, memory loss, aches in the joints, sleep disturbances and excessive hot and cold body temperatures.

Checking for Mould in the Home

We must always be checking our homes for mould.

To do this, locate moisture sources such as plumbing, gutter or roof issues, places of inadequate ventilation, insulation, waterproofing and drainage. Buildings in a flood zone are particularly of high risk.

It is also important to be aware of humidifiers left on too long, overly long showers and drying wet clothes indoors, which can all provoke mould growth.

Climate above 70% is ideal for mould growth.

In the event of water damage, materials like plaster walls, carpets, furnishings and underlay that has been exposed to moisture for more than 48 hours, and can’t be laundered, should be thrown out – otherwise, they will be a continually growing source of mould.

Adequate insulation and ventilation are recommended in the home, as well as air conditioners for hot and humid regions like North Queensland. If not done already, it is worth replacing single-pane windows with energy-efficient glass that regulates temperature.

Removing Mould

It may seem practical to remove mould with cleaning chemicals, such as bleach, however, this is a mistake. Many varieties of mould can use bleach as a food source. And even dead mould spores can contain mycotoxins.

To remove mould from nonporous surfaces, it is first important to wear a mask and rubber suit. Once protected, soak a microfibre cloth in a solution of 20% water and 80% fermented white vinegar. Rinse each time and repeat the process.

For porous surfaces, such as unsealed timbers, you can use a 70% alcohol solution such as ethanol.

While these are quick solutions, the best and most effective method is to call in professionals (visit iicrc.org ).

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Harmful Chemicals – Toxic Chemicals in the Home

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 03:06:00 GMT

Several years ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a list of 10 high-priority toxic chemicals that should be reviewed for safety – all of them found in the average home.

Unlike cosmetic and everyday bathroom products, many consumer products we buy are not subjected to the same chemical testing, which means our homes are more dangerous than we realise.

In a previous Masterclass, we listed the dangers of flame-retardant chemicals in common household products and furniture.

In this list are the 10 high-priority toxic chemicals from EWG – the dangers of them and where they are found.

Asbestos

Asbestos is frequently linked to lung-related conditions, such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue.

Asbestos is a carcinogen, found in automobile brake pads and clutches, vinyl tiles and roofing materials. Reports have recently revealed that asbestos is still being used illegally in Australian building materials.

Perc (Perchloroethylene or Tetrachlorethylene)

Perc is a potential carcinogen with links to numerous cancers.

Perc is used in dry-cleaning fluids, water repellents, paint removers, printing inks, glues, sealants, polishes and lubricants.

Phthalates

Phthalates are also called plasticisers. This particular group of chemicals is linked to reproductive damage and early puberty in girls.

They are found in PVC, plastic wraps, toys, vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics, garden hoses, blood storage containers, medical tubing, plastic clothes (raincoats) and personal care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, and nail polishes).

BPA (Bisphenol A)

BPA is carcinogenic and an endocrine disrupter with links to infertility, developmental risks and diabetes.

BPA is commonly found in the lining of food cans, plastic food containers, tetra packs, plastic and baby bottles, plastic dinnerware and cash register receipts.

Chlorinated Phosphate Fire Retardants

Chlorinated phosphate fire retardants have links to possible brain and nerve damage.

These chemicals are found in upholstered furniture, foam cushions, infant car seats and insulation.

TBBPA (Tetrabromobisphenol A)

TBBPA is another flame retardant with potential carcinogen and endocrine disruption properties.

It is found in electronic equipment, auto parts and appliances.

Brominated Phthalate Fire Retardants

Products treated with brominated phthalate fire retardants have been linked to developmental toxicity – particularly harmful to young children and babies.

These are found in polyurethane foam for furniture and baby products.

1-Bromopropane (BP or N-Propyl Bromide)

1-bromopropane may have adverse developmental and reproductive effects.

This chemical is found in degreasers and cleaners, spray adhesives, aerosol cleaners, spot removers, coin cleaners, paintable mould release, automotive refrigerant, flushes and lubricants.

DEHA (Diethylhydroxylamine)

DEHA is a probable carcinogen and is also linked to developmental toxicity in infants.

DEHA is found in plastic wrap and PVC plastic.

P-dichlorobenzene

P-dichlorobenzene is linked to liver and nerve damage.

This chemical is mainly used in deodoriser blocks, as well as in domestic and public toilet facilities. It is also used in domestic air fresheners, in mothballs and has some uses in the pharmaceutical industry.

Be More Aware

What to take away from this list?

Ultimately, it is a warning and an incentive for all of us to be more aware of the products we buy and allow into our homes, by always checking product labels for any harmful toxic chemicals.

Another way you can avoid these toxic chemicals is to make your natural products, which can replace cleaning products, air fresheners, cosmetic products and other common items bought in the shops.

On the Naturopath Australia Online Store, we have many available eBooks on how to make your homemade natural products. By learning these, you can be sure that all the products you use are safe for your family, while also saving money.

It only takes a little time to make these and it will also give your confidence a boost, knowing that you can prepare your own cheaply made kitchen products that normally cost many dollars of your hard-earned money!
Take a moment to view our eBooks at Naturopath Australia .

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The Benefits of Chromium for Glandular Fever Treatment

Mon, 17 May 2021 05:40:00 GMT

What Is Chromium?

Chromium is a trace mineral element (essential in tiny quantities) necessary for the proper functioning of insulin: the hormone that regulates glucose metabolism in the cells.

Whenever carbohydrates are consumed, the pancreas releases insulin, which stimulates the cells of the liver, muscles and adipose tissues to absorb glucose, the primary fuel source for all cells.

Chromium plays a vital part in insulin signalling. Insulin prompts the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream by attaching to the receptors on the surface of the cells, thereby making the cells’ membranes more permeable to glucose.

As a result, chromium helps people with diabetes to control blood sugar levels. People with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin their bodies make.

Along with treating diabetes, chromium may lower blood sugar levels, improving glucose tolerance and reducing the amount of insulin needed.

Chromium also has a function in the production of HDL cholesterol (good) in the liver. While oxidised LDL cholesterol can precipitate on the vein/artery walls – which can negatively affect the heart and vascular walls – HDL cholesterol can remove this effect.

Glandular Fever Naturopath

Chromium is one of the supplements used in our programme for glandular fever treatment, essential for the reason that glandular fever is linked to chronic fatigue and affects every gland, hormone and lymph node in our body.

In many cases, the pancreas is one of the main glands left weakened by this disease. I have found that people who have not had glandular fever properly diagnosed in the first instance, and who have experienced many recurrent attacks of Epstein-Barr or Cytomegalo (CMV) viruses (both glandular fever mutations), are left with diabetes 2 as a result.

To a lesser degree, many of us know about the common 3 pm sugar crash, when we feel the need to have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, or something similar, to help us get through the rest of the afternoon.

This is where chromium is invaluable; it prevents the sugar crash and balances the blood sugar, takes away the craving for something sweet and helps keep the head clear and the energy strong.

Foods High in Chromium

Highest sources of chromium in micrograms (ug) per 100 grams:

Vitamin C enhances the absorption of dietary chromium, therefore foods high in Vitamin C should be consumed at the same time.

Highest sources of Vitamin C per 100 grams:

Chromium Supplements for Glandular Fever

Not all of us are open or able to change up our diets straight away, and sometimes a regularly taken supplement can be a convenient option to help our bodies receive the vitamins and minerals they need.

Our natural chromium supplement at Naturopath Australia can be taken as follows: 1 tablet at breakfast, 1 tablet at lunch and 2 tablets at 3 pm. Prescribed this way, I’ve found it can strengthen the pancreas and reduce the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes.

Many people who are trying to lose weight have also found that, by taking chromium as part of their diet plan, their cravings for sweets are lessened and their weight-loss process starts much quicker.

On the other hand, deficiency of chromium can result in nerve illness, heart problems and increased cholesterol and fat concentrations in the blood.

Our chromium supplement is currently available from our patient-only product range at Naturopath Australia Online .

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Stress – The Electric Light Switch

Fri, 07 May 2021 03:13:00 GMT

The Stress Response

Stress – the disease of the modern world. If we give in to it, our bodies feel its full effect. It can cause our blood pressure to rise, our heart to race and feel like it is going to jump out of our chest. It can create anxiety in our life which can then convert to depression.

All of us deal with stress in some form daily. But not everyone reacts to it in the same way.

An interesting example of stress is the so-called “White Coat Syndrome”. Have you ever visited the doctor and felt a bit nervous? You took your blood pressure that morning and it was fine – 130/80 – great!

But when the doctor says “I will take your blood pressure”, you suddenly feel your muscles tense, and you start to fear that your blood pressure may be high. Then the doctor tells you “we may have to put you on medication – this is too high” at 170/90.

So, how did that happen?

This can occur when we have an inbuilt fear of seeing the doctor, or more precisely: the fear and anticipation of receiving bad news. We tense up, expecting something bad to happen, and our bodies respond negatively to the stress pressure put upon it.

This is called the Stress Response. Thankfully, there is also something called the Relaxation Response.

The Relaxation Response

Much research has been done in this field by Harvard cardiologist, Herbert Benson, who studied the effects of meditation on the body.

He found that striking physiologic changes came with meditation: sharp drops in heart rate, respiratory rate and metabolic rate. Herbert Benson named these changes that meditating people experienced as the “Relaxation Response” – the opposite of the “Stress Response”.

When Herbert Benson started writing papers about the connection between stress and high blood pressure, his colleagues at Harvard thought he was crazy for even suggesting it.

However, his continued research found that the majority of medical problems were either caused or exacerbated, by the chronic effects of the Stress Response on the body. And that the opposite – the Relaxation Response – could teach the body to control “involuntary” physiological phenomena, which has been called “Mind-Body Medicine”.

Meditation – Mind-Body Medicine

Herbert Benson found that a comfortable position, a quiet environment and a passive attitude was all that was needed to elicit the Relaxation Response. These are the foundations of meditative practice and also Mind-Body Medicine – a means by which we can control our body’s reaction to stress through a connection of mind and body.

Meditation can be a way to disconnect but also embrace our negative emotions. It can be a few peaceful moments to contemplate, as well as a prayer or mantra for those with religious beliefs.

We can practice Mind-Body Medicine and achieve the Relaxation Response by sitting quietly in a comfortable position. Focus on your breath and slow it down, while relaxing all of your muscles.

Whatever caused your stress, visualise it in your mind’s eye and see the situation resolved as you would want it to be while feeling the peace in your body that this resolution would bring. Likewise, we can also eliminate stress through peaceful acceptance, by embracing the fact that not everything is within our power to control.

A notable result of reduced stress through the Relaxation Response is that the sympathetic nervous system shuts off. Cortisol and adrenaline levels drop. The parasympathetic nervous system takes over. The immune system then kicks in, and the body can go about a complete self-repair process, treating and preventing illness and disease naturally.

This is the wonderful benefit of Mind-Body Medicine.
For more natural medicine solutions and techniques, visit Naturopath Australia .

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JUNK IN – JUNK OUT

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:26:00 GMT

Can you imagine being a fifteen-year-old but your brain acting as though you were 70 years old? That’s what some foods can do to you.

A Christchurch teenager experimented to find out the effects of food on his school work.

For two days he ate only junk food – Coco Pops, lollies, and cola for breakfast, cakes and pies for lunch, soft drinks and sweets for dinner. Then he did tests in reading, maths and typing. He repeated the tests after two days eating chicken, salad, rice and bread. The results showed a huge difference. When he was eating junk food, he read 43% slower, typed 50% slower and was 35% slower at solving maths problems than when he was eating healthy food. His mother noted that, during the two days on junk food, he was irritable, sluggish, and miserable. He brightened up when he started eating healthy food again and improved his results.

A New York film director who, for a month, ate three meals a day of McDonald’s hamburgers recorded similar effects. He put on 12kg, his cholesterol level shot up and his liver started to malfunction. He suffered from headaches, bad moods and even lost interest in the opposite sex!

Researchers in England found that teenagers who ate chocolate and a sugary drink (like coke) for breakfast slowed down their mental reactions to the same level as a person aged 70. Girls who skipped breakfast did less well at school and put on more weight than girls who had breakfast that included porridge or wholemeal bread, fruit and a glass of milk.

When you consider that a can of coke contains 10 teaspoons of sugar and combined with a chocolate bar injects more caffeine into your system than a cup of coffee, perhaps it’s no wonder that a regular intake of junk food can cause serious damage to your health, your weight, your moods and your school results.

What is a good diet for the brain? Two of the wonder foods are frequent drinks of water and regular servings of fish like salmon and sardines which are high in omega-3 oils, proven to be beneficial for the brain. If you eat wholemeal foods like bread, porridge and brown rice, daily protein from lean meat and chicken, calcium from milk and yoghurt, five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit a day, you will be well set up for a healthy body, a healthy brain and your marks could show the results.

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Let Food Be Your Medicine

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 02:24:00 GMT

Let Food Be Thy Medicine, and Medicine Be Thy Food

Nearly 2500 years ago, Greek physician Hippocrates, the “father of medicine”, recognised the simple importance of food and drink to our human health.

In modern times, however, this age-old wisdom of the health benefits and healing properties of natural unprocessed food has dwindled.

Unhealthy eating has become conventional and convenient, with many of us simply not mindful enough of the food and drinks we consume on a daily basis.

And yet when our health is compromised, the first thing we do is head to the medicine cabinet or the doctor.

Unhealthy Eating and the Effects

Often now when I shop, I find myself standing behind someone who has a trolley loaded with cartons of soft drink, processed meals and huge packets of processed chips.

These items in general have too much salt, too much sugar and preservatives, and will not strengthen their bodies or help their immune system. The strain on their digestive system will compromise their moods as well as their ability to wake up happy and jump out of bed ready to enjoy their day.

Instead, they will find it hard to wake up and face the day; they will feel sluggish, heavy and often very irritable. They will need coffee to even get dressed and are likely to find little things annoying. Feeling like this, they will miss the connection between their diet and their ability to wake up happy, strong and eager to go about their daily functions.

With a weekly trolley full of these purchases, they are staring down the barrel of ill-health.

Is Healthy Food More Expensive?

At the same time, I tend to overhear these same shoppers complaining about the cost of their purchases.

I remember once hearing a young woman on the radio complaining about the fact that she couldn’t save enough for a deposit for an apartment, and how years ago it had been so much easier to buy your own home than it is now, especially for the younger generation. The announcer then asked her to give him an idea of what she did every day as a general routine.

She told him about her morning and afternoon coffee, the lunches she bought every day and the takeaways she ordered at night. He did the sums, and she was shocked to learn that she had eaten her deposit in the space of three years.

Not only is unhealthy eating bad for our bodies, but it is expensive to maintain. It is a commonly thought myth that healthy eating is more expensive.

If only more of us planned our menus, did our own shopping and cooked our own food, then both our health and finances would win.

Health is Wealth

Life is meant to be enjoyed and good food is one of the many things that enable us to do that.

We are so lucky in this country to have access to good, natural food.

At one stage when I lived in the country, running a holiday park with four children, we were without income for nine months due to continuous flooding.

I had to learn very quickly to adjust my thinking and my planning. I made use of garbage bins full of yeast, wholemeal flour (SR and plain), sugar and brown rice. I also learnt to make my own bread and biscuits. My second son managed a family vegetable garden.

We were fortunate enough to be near a jetty where the professional fishermen came with their catch and we could buy fish very cheaply. We virtually lived on fish for months. We also knew a farmer that would bargain with us: our fish for his meat, his flour for my bread, plumbing jobs for his eggs and milk.

It was simple living at its best, but it kept my family healthy for minimal cost. And our health is always what is most important.

We all should learn to treat our food with the respect it deserves, as – just like Hippocrates advocated – it is one of the major attributes to good health. And as many of us go through life, we realise, sometimes too late, that our health is our greatest treasure.

You can have all the money in the world but without good health, you cannot enjoy it.

In addition to good natural food, another way we can look after our health is through natural medicine. Read more helpful masterclasses on health, natural remedies and more at Naturopath Australia .

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The Dangers of Flame-Retardant Chemicals

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 02:18:00 GMT

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The Facts About Cellulite

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 00:37:00 GMT

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Natural Remedies for Colds and Flu

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:33:00 GMT

For colds and flu, there are many natural remedies we can turn to relieve ourselves of the various common symptoms, such as bodily chills, sore throat, hoarseness of voice, coughs and excess mucus.

These natural remedies can be prepared and taken at home, using available ingredients that are organic and proven to be effective for fighting colds and flu while strengthening the immune system.

Chills and Colds

For chills and colds, dissolve 2 tablespoons of dry mustard and add to a foot-bath of hot water.

Keep your feet immersed in the foot-bath for 15 to 30 minutes, which will help to warm your body, stimulate circulation and relieve you of any chills. Top up with more hot water to regulate the temperature as needed.

Swollen Glands / Sore Throat

An acute dose of Blackmores PCIP tablets will help to alleviate swollen glands or an inflamed sore throat. Recommended is 1 tablet taken every 15 minutes for 2 hours (8 tablets in total).

As a practitioner-only medicine, these may be purchased from naturopaths or specific naturopathy stores only.

Mucus Release

If you’re experiencing an uncomfortable build-up of excess mucus, Fenugreek tea effectively releases mucus from the lungs and is soothing for sore throats.

To make the tea, add 1 teaspoon of the dried Fenugreek herb in hot water, then add 1 or 2 teaspoons of Manuka honey and drink as desired.

Colds

For colds, one of the most simple and effective remedies is chicken soup.

In the 12th century, the great physician Maimonides prescribed herbal baths and chicken soup for the common cold – more than 800 years later, the New England Journal of Medicine found Maimonides’ treatment to be highly accurate.

Research shows that chicken soup in fact works as a mild antibiotic and decongestant. Chinese healers also use chicken soup to treat colds, supplementing their brews with ginseng, which helps boost the immune system.

Hoarseness

Lungwort tea works wonders for upper respiratory problems and hoarseness and is widely available from most of our health shops.

Making the tea is simple: use 1 teaspoon of lungwort in a mug of hot water, then drink daily until the hoarseness subsides.

Cough

Not many know that the use of raw onion is beneficial for soothing a cough. This is done by finely chopping the onion and extracting the juice from it.

The juice should be mixed with 2 teaspoons of Manuka honey and kept for 4 to 5 hours. Once ready, it makes an excellent homemade cough syrup that should be taken twice daily using only 1 teaspoon of the syrup.

Improve Your Health with Homemade Natural Medicine

You can improve your health at home and prevent many common illnesses with the benefits of natural medicine. It is a wonderful thing to learn as it is both effective and simple, using plants and widely available organic ingredients with healing potential that many of us are unaware of!
To read more Naturopath Online Masterclasses – including a Natural Remedies Masterclass for Aches and Pains – visit Naturopath Australia .

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The Mystery of Chinese Herbs Solved

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:30:00 GMT

Throughout my years in Clinical Practice, I have often heard many of my patients claim that Chinese herbs must be better than English herbs due to the well-known fact the Chinese have used them for thousands of years.

Many patients almost appear to be in awe of Chinese herbs, as though they are mystical or more potent in making us well and healthy.

At the same time, I have noticed that Western herbs used by Naturopaths and Herbalists in Australia do not seem to garner the same respect.

I thought it was a good time that people in western countries realised that, in most cases, the herbs commonly used in healing offer the same benefits.

What I’ve often found is that Chinese practitioners use the Chinese names of the herbs, while Australian / English practitioners use the English version of the herb’s name – in many cases, they are exactly the same herbs with the same properties and healing potential!

Chinese and English Names of Common Herbs

As shown above, these are just a few clear examples of the same herbs in their English and Chinese names, which are used according to the practitioner.

What many of us do not know is that a lot of plants have botanical names, Latin-based names, English names and Chinese names!

For example, Zingiber is the Latin name for ginger, Sheng Jiang is the Chinese name. This commonly found herb is used in nearly every kitchen in Australia and is extremely varied in its uses, from improving the taste of our dishes to the powers it has to heal. It can relieve the nausea of morning sickness, as well as help to heal gastric disorders, motion sickness, cramps and sinus problems.

This also applies to the herbs listed above, which in most cases offer the same benefits to us no matter the name that’s used or where the herb originates from.

Herbs and Their Wonderful Natural Benefits

Our herbs have wonderful properties for healing no matter what they are called. The more we learn about the numerous herbs available to us and their amazing uses in natural medicine, the more we can appreciate their extensive abilities to heal, strengthen our immune systems and alleviate a wide range of conditions, from curing simple common colds to preventing heart-related problems.

Herbs have the ability to improve our health and the health of our loved ones without having to rely on store-bought medicines, and can even be grown at home, using seeds and little maintenance, to be readily used in our cooking and the various medicinal remedies that are available to us to prepare.

If you’re looking for one of the many effective ways to naturally fight illness and improve your overall health, begin learning about herbs. As mentioned, what’s incredible about herbs is that they offer many health-giving benefits no matter what name they are called by!

Browse and read more Barbara Saker Naturopath Masterclasses on health, wellness and natural medicine – just visit Naturopath Australia .

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Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:25:00 GMT

For common aches and pains, stings and burns, there are many natural remedies we can turn to that are very effective and easily made at home.

Plants, for example, have healing powers that many of us are unaware of, and in this masterclass, you will learn a few useful techniques and natural remedies that will help to prepare you for many common afflictions.

Head Pain, Feelings of Pressure, Tingling or Burning

The trigger for this acupressure is pain and aching around the top of the head, as well as uncomfortable feelings of pressure, tingling or burning.

Using the thumb or finger, apply direct pressure just below the mastoid process – a point found on the curve of the jaw in line with the lower ear. Take the head as far forward as possible and turn the face away from the side that’s being treated.

This should be held for 1 to 2 minutes.

Common Headaches

Make a 1-litre mixture of triple-strength lavender and rosemary tea to add to a warm bath. Add a further 10 drops of essential lavender oil and swirl to distribute.

Relax for at least 20 minutes until the headache subsides.

Bee Stings

For bee stings, it’s important to scrape the bee sting out sideways (never remove with tweezers) before massaging the stung area with a homemade paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Repeat as often as desired until the sting is soothed.

If a bee sting allergy is suspected, make an immediate visit to the hospital and apply the treatment while on the way.

Jellyfish Stings

Our tropical waters may have jellyfish in greater numbers from October to May, making it important that we are prepared for any unwanted stings when visiting the coast during these months.

Prepare a 2-litre spray bottle of vinegar and, if stung, flood the afflicted area for at least 30 seconds. If available, apply ice to further ease the pain and any swelling. Continue to monitor any jellyfish stings in case of an allergic reaction. Some stings, such as those from an irukandji, may present with minor pain at first before more serious symptoms develop up to 45 minutes later. If you suspect that the sting is from an irukandji or box jellyfish, make sure to seek urgent medical help.

Minor Burns

For minor burns, hold the burn under cold water continuously for 10 minutes, then smear an aloe vera gel or lavender oil on to the burn, which will help the cooling process.

Repeat this every 15 to 20 minutes without covering (leave the burned area to open-air).

To Counteract Shock

To counteract a shock, use Dr Bach’s effective rescue remedy, consisting of a natural homeopathic mix of cherry plum, clematis, impatiens, rockrose and Star of Bethlehem. Apply 5 drops under the patient’s tongue and continue every 15 minutes if the situation warrants it.

This remedy may also be rubbed on to pulse points if the patient is unable to swallow it.

The Wonders of Natural Medicine Remedies

Natural medicine is a wonderful thing to learn as it is effective, useful for a variety of common health problems and simple, using techniques that all of us can learn as well as remedies that can be easily made at home from the numerous plants we have readily available to us.

You can improve your health, and life, with the many benefits of natural medicine!

To read more Naturopath Online Masterclasses – including a Natural Remedies Masterclass for Colds and Flu – visit Naturopath Australia .

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Aromatherapy for the Home

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:19:00 GMT

Humans have always depended on a close relationship with nature to survive. In order to obtain food, medicine, clothing and shelter, it was important to have an extensive knowledge of plant life and the various benefits they offer human survival.

Likewise, the instincts of animals to derive benefits from plants is one of the most fascinating aspects of nature. Sheep eat yarrow when sick, lizards eat Chamomile to relieve snakebites, dogs chew grass to treat stomach problems and bears eat garlic as a spring tonic after awakening from hibernation.

Ever since scientists started trying to copy plants in their labs, people appear to have forgotten that for centuries humans only had plants to help them – plants that helped cure without the horrific side effects of many of our modern-day medicines.

Living on the Gold Coast, especially near our canals, we are always at risk of midgies and sandflies. A single bite can leave you with such an irritating itch; an itch that can continue to drive you crazy for days.

I have a friend who lives in a beautiful house on one of the canals, but around 5 o’clock every evening the doors to the patio must be closed to prevent midgies getting inside the house. So, on warm summer evenings, we have to dine inside to avoid getting bitten, unable to go outside to enjoy the balmy weather and view.

For many of us that understand the nuisance that midgies and sandflies present, it pays to know a natural insect repellent that can be made at home from easily obtained plant-based ingredients.

Natural Insect Repellent Recipe – Make at Home

For this recipe, always use essential oils – the vodka is used as the carrier. Almond oil may also be used as the carrier oil.

Insect Repellent

Natural Soothing Gel for Bites

If you have already been bitten, use this next recipe to soothe the bite and any irritation, applying it to the bite every few hours.

Insect Bite Soothing Gel Recipe

Aromatics and Making Your Own Air Freshener

Aromatics have been found in the tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs who lived more than 3,000 years ago. Affluent Egyptian women were so enthralled with the use of perfumes that they applied a different scent to each part of their bodies.

Centuries later, however, there came a period where over-indulgence in fragrances angered the Church. Perfume became synonymous with immorality and degeneration, therefore widespread use of plant oils and their scents ended in Europe.

During the 14th century, the Black Death ravaged Europe and Asia, claiming millions of lives. To ward off the infectious disease, the aromatic plants of clove, cypress, cedar, pine, sage, rosemary and thyme were burned in the streets, hospitals and sickrooms. And those who were in daily contact with the plants appeared to be immune to the disease.

Plants offer us many therapeutic benefits when used for aromatherapy, including soothing headaches, improving sleep and relieving everyday stress and anxiety. Artificial air fresheners bought from the store can be expensive and full of unwanted chemicals, so making your own air freshener at home using only organic essential oils is a better solution that is both cheaper and much more beneficial to our health.

To make a homemade air freshener, simply fill a 120 ml spray bottle with purified water and add your desired essential oils. Tighten the cap, shake well and spray the mist into the air. As the mixture ages inside the bottle, you’ll find that the scent improves.

For your first recipe, here is a nice aroma for the home that you can make from just three essential oils.

Floral Scent Recipe

Become Acquainted with Plants and Their Benefits

Do you know that you can help a child who frequently wets the bed with a simple remedy made from asparagus? That is the power of plants!

It is a completely safe and exciting thing to become acquainted with the lovely plants, flowers and herbs that are available to us and easy to use. As you learn more about them and discover the many natural benefits they have to offer your wellbeing and health, you may even decide to grow the plants from seeds to readily use in your home for cooking, natural remedies, aromatherapy and more.

When I first started learning about plants, I lived with my family of four children about 40 km from the nearest town – you couldn’t just run to the doctor, as that was a long 80 km trip. Luckily, one of my sons was a very good gardener and this prompted me to learn all the exciting things I could do with herbs and vegetables to improve my family’s health.

By simply getting to know plants and their many uses, you too can reap the amazing benefits of plants while enjoying an improved healthy lifestyle. Did you find this helpful? You can browse and read more online Masterclasses by Barbara Saker Naturopath at Naturopath Australia .

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Anti Inflammatory Food Pyramid

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:31:00 GMT

Please enjoy this free printable guide on Anti Inflammatory Foods – click below to download:

Anti-Inflammatory Food Guide

Download

To read more Naturopath Masterclasses on health, natural remedies and naturopathy in general, just click on Naturopath Australia .

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Headaches – Causes and Natural Remedies

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:22:00 GMT

Headaches are among the most common medical complaints. They can arise from numerous causes, including stress, eyestrain, hunger, dehydration, underlying infections or blood vessel disturbances in the head.

As they are so common, often troubling us at the most inconvenient of times, it’s important to understand headaches; the reasons they may occur, how to ease the pain and how to prevent them from happening in the future.

Types of Headaches and Causes

The most common headaches are those caused by muscle tension in the head, neck or shoulders, usually due to fatigue, stress or over-exercising.

A tension headache is often accompanied by a feeling of tightness around the head, along with weakness or fatigue, and may worsen with a sudden movement.

Migraine headaches, discerned by a throbbing sensation above one or both of the eyes, can cause excruciating pain, distortions in sensory perception and episodes of complete debility lasting days or even weeks.

Intensely painful headaches, often similar to migraines but felt around the head, can occur after a serious illness involving impaired circulation to the brain.

Other common causes of headaches include infections of the ears, sinuses or mouth, high blood pressure, glaucoma, allergies, brain tumours or abscesses, some drugs and various foods especially those containing the additive monosodium glutamate (MSG).

As a rule of thumb, you should seek medical attention for headaches that follow head injuries or for severe headaches that appear very suddenly.

You should also consult a health-care provider if you have the following symptoms: blurred vision, confusion, fever and neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, pressure in the sinuses, a pounding heartbeat or pressure behind the eyes that is relieved by vomiting.

Natural Remedies for Headaches

Thankfully, there is a wide choice of natural remedies in our arsenal that we can apply to prevent headaches as they occur and before they arise.

These range from quick, simple fixes to good nutrition, as well as various things to be aware of, such as our posture and sleep.

Quick and Simple Fixes

For a reduction in headache pain, apply a light coating of lavender or peppermint oil to the forehead (and neck if there is pain at the back of the head).

A cold washcloth or gel, applied to the source of pain on the head, can also help ease discomfort.

If you feel a headache coming on, drink a large glass of water every 3 hours until symptoms subside. With the busyness of day-to-day life, forgetting to hydrate is one of the most common causes of recurring headaches.

Drinking ginger tea, made by simply bringing a piece of ginger to the boil, also prevents headaches related to premenstrual tension.

Naturally, headaches are associated with pressure points and you can help ease headache pain by pressing the point at the end of your index finger between the thumb and index finger of either hand. If you press the point on your right hand, use the thumb of your left hand to hold the pressure – in a lot of cases the headache will be relieved within 5 minutes of holding the point.

Vitamin B6, Magnesium and 5-HTP

Poor nutrition can come at the cost of frequent headaches, however making sure that we maintain a healthy intake of vitamin B6, magnesium and 5-HTP is proven to boost healthy chemical production in the brain and lessen headaches in the long run.

Vitamin B6 aids energy production within the blood vessels supplying the brain, supporting them and also helping to avoid constriction – a catalyst for painful headaches.

Taking magnesium will also help, as magnesium helps the blood vessels prevent constriction as well as over-excitement of the brain cells. Magnesium-rich foods that you can easily incorporate in your diet include seeds, nuts, almonds and bananas.

Similarly, 5-HTP is useful in treating chronic headaches in children and adults, particularly headaches associated with sleep disturbance. Foods rich in 5-HTP include spinach, seeds and bananas, as well as white meat.

Important Things to Be Aware of

If you experience recurrent headaches, keep a diary of all foods eaten for several days to discern if any specific food or foods are causing the problem. As an example, chocolate and coffee are two foods renowned for causing severe headaches.

Over-exercising, or exertion, can lead to headaches, so make sure to make a note of any throbbing or pulsing headaches that arise during or after exercise. It’s also worth seeing your healthcare provider to rule out heart problems.

For those with blood sugar complications, snacking and eating smaller meals between large meals can help to prevent headaches. Simple and organic high-protein snacks that help to provide a long-lasting full feeling include almonds, watercress, parsley, fennel and cheese.

Last but not least, it’s equally important to maintain good posture throughout the day (by lifting your chin and protracting your chest to align the neck and spine) and to sleep sufficiently each night. As our brains need to recharge, poor sleep is a quick route to mental fatigue and recurrent headaches.

Conclusion

Headaches are common and unavoidable, afflicting all of us at some point due to the many causes from which they arise, but thankfully there are just as many simple ways to prevent them from happening both to ourselves and to our loved ones.

For intensely painful and persistent headaches or migraines, remember to consult your medical doctor or healthcare provider, as these may be associated with more serious conditions or illnesses that will need addressing separately.

For common and infrequent headaches, however, the various natural remedies that we have at our disposal offer easy solutions that we can use to take care of unwanted headache pain as we go about day-to-day life.

Did you find this masterclass helpful? You can browse and read more Naturopath Masterclasses on health and wellness at Naturopath Australia .

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Do you have a deadly chemical cocktail in your home?

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:29:00 GMT

Everyday household products could be killing us!

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Serrapeptase – The Miracle Enzyme

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 04:59:00 GMT

Serrapeptase is famously called “The Miracle Enzyme”.

Serrapeptase has had wide clinical use spanning over forty years throughout Europe and Asia. Serrapeptase is a naturally occurring protease agent enzyme agent with no inhibitory effects on prostaglandins and is devoid of gastrointestinal side effects.

This enzyme is produced commercially today through fermentation but was originally found in the silkworm.

The silkworm uses the enzymes to help digest the tough mulberry leaves that it lives on, and spectacularly it also uses the enzyme to dissolve a large hole in the wall of its cocoon after its transformation into a silkmoth.

It was in 1970 when scientists started to culture this enzyme in the laboratory by feeding it a protein – the results were a tasteless white powder that contains the Serrapeptase Enzymes. They then conducted double-blind trials, which showed that Serrapeptase has the ability to dissolve non-vital protein material in the body, such as cysts.

How Enzymes Work

Thousands of enzymes are working every second to build and regenerate our bodies – to “Digest, Build, Repair and Clean up”.

They are constantly being produced or converted in our body and depend upon the good living and healthy nutrition to keep ahead of the daily damage and regeneration our bodies undergo.

Specifically, enzymes act beneficially in ways that help:

As the effectiveness of these enzyme processes relies on good physical health and nutrition, it’s important to constantly evaluate our way of life to live the best lives that we can, because how we live, act and eat when we are young will result in good, or bad, health as we get old.

Help Yourself and Your Family Through Good Nutrition

At the supermarket, I often see trolleys full of Coke cartons, large packets of cereals, tins of soup, processed meats and loaves of white bread. There is very little goodness in all of that; nothing that will help keep our bodies strong and supple as we age.

It is well known that the more sugar you eat, the more your body will crave.

This reflects in the numerous reports about how young people, who are addicted to Coke and other soft drinks, often become overweight and depressed, while losing their teeth early and ageing very quickly.

The cost of these drinks and foods also adds up to a lot more than a well-planned diet made up of fresh vegetables and fruits, along with cheaper cuts of meat and fish that can be easily prepared and cooked at home.

I once saw a report on a cooking workshop that was being held in a regional town and, to my surprise, nearly 30 of the interviewed ladies admitted that they couldn’t cook and that their families mainly had a takeaway for dinner on most nights. Aside from the expensive cost of this way of living, the toll on their health would be epic as they age.

With that in mind, one of the best skills you can teach your children is to cook. To be able to make a nutritious meal out of very little will help them immensely when tight times come, and they often do at some stage in our lives due to reasons that are usually out of our hands. The ability to cook healthy meals, in addition to the nutritional benefits they will receive, will keep their spirits up to help them deal with whatever problems life presents them.

Try Serrapeptase to Improve Your Physical Health

To conclude, Serrapeptase offers a whole host of benefits to various vital bodily functions and processes. And, administered together with a healthy diet and lifestyle, the collective rewards will do noticeable wonders for the body – not just in the short-term, but as one age and becomes less agile.

It’s frequently called the “Miracle Enzyme” for a reason!

For those interested to try: organic, high-strength Serrapeptase supplements are available in our patients-only Naturopath Online Store.

You can find more information by just visiting Naturopath Online .

The post Serrapeptase – The Miracle Enzyme appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Learning to Love Herbs

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 04:54:00 GMT

We can grow herbs so easily on balconies and in our gardens among our flowers. They offer so much goodness and flavour to our foods and are cheap enough to provide a sufficient level of health and wellness to even the poorest of families.

Herbs serve a range of medicinal and therapeutic purposes when prepared and cooked properly, from regulating blood pressure and reducing nausea to soothing an upset stomach.

It is no wonder why herbs are also used in aromatherapy, offering various holistic health and wellbeing benefits that work to naturally put our minds and bodies at ease.

Having served communities throughout the ages, herbs are integral when it comes to practising good nutrition and natural medicine. However, many of us overlook or have forgotten herbalism and the wide-ranging benefits it has to offer.

Learning to love herbs is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and a practice that can be taught to your children and grandchildren!

Fennel

Fennel grows with little sun and water, but it can take over so bear in mind you may need to prepare more room for this.

Health : use the leaves, seeds and roots to soothe the stomach and relieve griping wind. It can also be gargled to alleviate a sore throat.

Cooking : use in moderate amounts in salads, meat, fish and vegetable dishes.

Ginger

Grow ginger from root division if you are living in the Tropics. It prefers a sunny place and moderate water.

Health : many pregnant ladies use it as a tea to prevent nausea. It’s also good for travel sickness and may help in relieving pain.

Cooking : use in spicy dishes like curries as well as with cooked or fresh fruit dishes.

Lavender

Lavender can be grown from cuttings – if none are available to you, you can purchase the plants from garden stores such as Bunnings. Keep in a sunny place and apply moderate water.

Health : use the flowers, leaves and the essential oil for wound healing, to calm nerves and spasms, and to stimulate bile production and blood circulation.

Cooking : lavender flowers can be used to flavour sugar and jams. Crystallised lavender flowers are also used for decorations on cakes and other desserts.

Mallow

Grow mallow from seeds, giving it lots of sun with little water.

Health : mallow is useful for applying to burns, bruises, swellings and sprains. It also eases stings and bites and may help to loosen dry coughs.

Cooking : mallow plant flowers make a lovely addition to salads. Mallow roots may also be added to casseroles and stews.

Spearmint

Grow spearmint from seeds or runners in semi-shade with lots of water.

Health : spearmint is proven to soothe pain, relieve nausea and promote perspiration for cooling body temperature.

Cooking : add spearmint when cooking fish, lamb, vegetables and salads. It also makes a nice addition to drinks.

Rosemary

Rosemary grows from cuttings, placed in the sun with little water.

Health : use rosemary flowers and leaves as a tonic and herbal restorative for the nervous system. It stimulates circulation and can also aid memory loss.

Cooking : rosemary is especially good with chicken, lamb and eggs, as well as sauces, stews, pickles and vinegar.

Sage

Grow sage from seeds or cuttings in a sunny spot with a little water.

Health : sage has anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities – keep a strong sage infusion in the freezer for rapid relief from mouth and throat problems. Sage is also known to reduce night sweats, and sucking on homemade sage ice cubes can help to heal mouth ulcers.

Cooking : sage is good in savoury dishes, soups, stews and dressings.

Herbs – Homegrown Natural Medicine

As shown, herbs are cheap and simple to grow at home and offer a wide range of natural health benefits and remedies when prepared as a drink, ointment or added to our food.

The herbs listed above are just a few, so there are many more amazing herbs to discover in addition to the mental and physical benefits that each provides.

You can visit the Naturopath Online Shop to purchase organic essential oils made from lavender, rosemary and other herbs. And to read more Naturopath Masterclasses on health, natural remedies and naturopathy in general, just click on Naturopath Australia .

The post Learning to Love Herbs appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

What Is Fascia?

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 04:36:00 GMT

Fascia is not a common word and most of us do not know what it is or how it affects our level of health.

It is an important lesson to learn is by being aware of what it is and how we can protect it will make our lives so much easier, and the mobility that we all treasure, especially as we age, will last so much longer.

Fascia is often thought of as the connective tissue that holds our organs together. However, we are now learning that it does so much more than that!

Along with connecting our organs, fascia is the reason that your skin, bones, muscles and nerve fibres are able to move so well when engaging in any physical activity. If your fascia is healthy, your movements will be fluid, graceful and comfortable.

Overall, fascia is the glue, or webbing, that makes sure our organs, bones, muscle tissue and blood vessels stay where they belong. It has more sensory nerve endings than muscles and is able to store and move water throughout the body, meaning it is one of the body’s most powerful sensory organs.

Helping Fascia with Healthy Food and Hydration

The biggest enemy to our fascia is sugar. It can cause it to become stiff and immobile and may even cause pain to the body pain in its movements. When shopping, make it a habit to check the labels for the sugar content in anything that you buy – it should not show higher than 10.

On the whole, diet plays a large part in keeping the fascia fluid and mobile.

A good rule of thumb for strengthening our fascia is adopting the good old fashioned way of eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Shop for red, green and orange vegetables and fruits, as these generally offer vital antioxidants that help protect our collagen against damage as well as repair it.

Foods such as nuts, seeds and avocados are also important for maintaining healthy fascia. Eating these daily is comparable to eating a Mediterranean diet, which is recognised the world over as one of the healthiest diets we could possibly follow.

Living in Australia we have access to some of the best products available, and those of us who have back gardens should ideally be growing our own organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. Even apartment balconies can be a suitable place to grow herbs, tomatoes, small crops and lots more.

Growing your own food is a good way to eat organically and healthily and, as a result, look after your fascia. It also brings a lot of personal satisfaction, as there is nothing better than picking what you have grown and taken it into the kitchen to prepare a meal!

As the fascia stores and moves water around the body, it’s equally as important to stay hydrated. This helps our fascia function while connecting water to all our vital organs, muscles and bones. If you struggle to stay hydrated, investing in a sturdy portable water bottle is an easy way to remember to drink water, both at home and when running errands outdoors.

Maintaining an Active Lifestyle for Healthy Fascia

The fascia empowers multiple parts of your body to move with fluidity, grace, energy and comfort. So, for those who are active – and want to remain active even in old age – making sure to look after fascia is very important.

Aside from keeping a healthy diet, this can be done with the exercise, frequent stretching and massages.

Yoga and pilates have been in Australia for many decades, but have only recently become popular with the general public. When I became interested in yoga in the sixties, it was classed as being “weird” – it was not seen as the mainstream platform for exercise that it is today!

Both these practices are great for staying limber and building strong muscle tissue – our fascia loves us stretching slowly and deliberately, as it keeps us supple and allows our movements to be easy, graceful and pain-free.

Similarly, with yoga and pilates, fascia is associated with gymnasts, who, by dedicating their training to building strong fascia and connective muscle tissue, are able to achieve seemingly impossible feats of strength such as the planche and the iron cross.

With that said, it’s a good investment of your time to spend a few minutes at the start of your day to stretch and warm up your muscles, joints and tendons before your first task. This can also be done throughout the day and before bed, which can help relax and condition the muscles for sleep.

Additionally, any cardio activity – for example jogging, skipping and swimming – is beneficial to the fascia, our blood circulation and maintaining strong, healthy organs. Other proven methods that help keep our fascia in a healthy state include foam rolling exercises, massages, cryotherapy and spending time in the sauna.

Of course, with all physical activity, getting enough sleep at night (at least 7-8 hours) for bodily recovery is just as, if not more, important.

Why We Should Look After Our Fascia

As fascia connects and fortifies our organs, muscles, bones and nerve fibres, making sure to look after and nurture our fascia through good nutrition, hydration and regular movement is crucial for staying supple, limber and active – even into old age.

Everyone wishes to remain healthy and physically active for as long as possible, and our body’s fascia is the key to preserving this mobility, along with keeping our muscles, bones and organs in place and working optimally.

With strong and healthy fascia, everyday tasks will become easier, the chance of experiencing common muscle pains will decrease and our ability to stay agile as we continue to age will last much longer.

No matter how many years you have behind you, it’s not too late to start caring for your fascia!

If you learned something from this masterclass, feel free to read more of our helpful masterclasses on health, wellbeing, natural medicine solutions and more by visiting Naturopath .

The post What Is Fascia? appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Parasites – Do You Harbour Unwanted Guests?

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 01:05:00 GMT

This subject is not pleasant, but not everybody realises how easy parasites are to acquire and how much damage they can do to our health.

Parasites often invade without us knowing, growing and surviving within our bodies while producing various symptoms that can affect us negatively, or be undetectable altogether.

In this Naturopath Masterclass, find out what parasites are, where we are most susceptible to them in everyday life and how to avoid and prevent getting infected.

What are Parasites?

The term Parasite is ordinarily applied to a weaker organism that obtains food and shelter from another organism – a host – and derives all the benefits from having that association.

The transmission of parasites involves three factors:

The combined effect of these three factors determines the prevalence of the parasite at any given time and place.

What’s important to realise is that they don’t necessarily stay in the bowels – they can travel throughout the body via the blood.

An infected individual may become a carrier without showing any clinical manifestations, and therefore serve as a potential source of infection to others. The ease of further transmission depends upon the habits and communal associations of its host.

The distinction between parasitic infection and parasitic disease should also be made. With parasitic infections, the infected host may experience little damage and no obvious symptoms. In the case of parasitic diseases, however, the infected individual develops pathologic changes and undesirable symptoms of varying degrees.

As the intention of the parasite is to live off its host, parasitic infections – which aren’t always detrimental to the host – are most common.

Of course, our trusty immune systems have ways of combating parasites, recognisable by symptoms such as fever and fatigue. One example of this is Eosinophilia, which is disease-fighting white blood cells (Eosinophils) produced when a parasitic infection is detected.

Types of Parasites and Sources of Infection

To give you an idea, here are various common parasites and their related sources of infection, which, going about day to day life, you may be more frequently exposed to than you know.

TYPE – SOURCE OF INFECTION

As aforementioned, a host can harbour these parasites and not be aware they are infected (not show any obvious symptoms), so it’s vital to know all the sources where parasites can be picked up and how to prevent getting infected.

Correct Hygiene and Food Preparation

With a new strain of coronavirus affecting all our lives, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the various infections our bodies are susceptible to. Similar to COVID-19, parasitic infections can take a while for symptoms to manifest, making them difficult to detect and more of a threat than most of us realise.

As parasites develop in places of uncleanliness, such as faeces and contaminated water, we must make sure to be aware of proper hygiene both at home and outdoors, such as when our kids are playing outside. This includes frequent hand washing, and taking extra care around animals and pets.

Correct food preparation is also important, with all fruits and vegetables requiring adequate washing before eating and all meats and fish to be well-cooked to prevent parasitic infestations from developing. This goes without saying but, often in our busy lives, basic hygiene practices are easy to be unobserved or overlooked.

Water Filtration and Purification

It is no ploy that we are all well-advised to filter our drinking water – not only for harmful chemicals but for parasites as well.

In nearly all our cities, it isn’t impossible that drinking from the tap can give you a parasitic infestation. If no filter is available, it is wise to boil your water for 5 minutes before making that cup of tea or drinking on its own.

On the Naturopath Australia Online Store, we sell high-performance water filters – proven to be safer than regular kettles – for chemical-free water purification. These are available for countertop installation as well as portable, ideal for families at home and those who need fast, reliable water filtration while out and about.

For our patients, we also sell ParaDetox herbal mixtures that eliminate toxins and other harmful pathogens found in regular tap water.

You can take a quick moment to view our available water filters now at Naturopath Australia .

The post Parasites – Do You Harbour Unwanted Guests? appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Tips for the Pandemic – Making Your Own Products

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 05:09:00 GMT

If this world of isolation that we’ve found ourselves living in for the past 4 months has taught us anything, it’s that we’ve all had to adjust to a completely new way of life.

With many people out of jobs and unable to leave their houses for different reasons, budgeting has become all-important, forcing us to make small sacrifices where needed to adapt and continue providing for ourselves as well as those we live with and love.

An old saying, “necessity is the mother of invention”, seems to ring true more than ever before!

So, with that said, it’s a good time to find various ways in which we can help ourselves out and enhance our lives and livelihoods without breaking the bank, and one way is by creating our own home remedies and recipes that we can use to boost our health and overall wellbeing during the pandemic.

The following simple recipes can be created at home, and do not involve items and ingredients that are hard to find or expensive to buy. The methods are also straightforward and can be prepared first thing in the morning or after the kids have gone to bed.

DIY Disinfectant Wipes

Strict hygiene and disinfection have become commonplace and part of our everyday lives since the pandemic started, which, naturally, led to shortages in hand-washes, sanitisers, wipes and other antibacterial products.

If you think about it, there is truly an endless list of things that need to be disinfected regularly if we want to protect ourselves and our families – trolleys, our phones, laptops and other devices, door handles, light switches, bags, gym equipment, bikes, reusable bottles, rubbish bins and more – and all of this constant cleaning can unknowingly get very expensive on a budget.

One way to save your money, as well as to adapt to the high demand online and in stores, is by creating your own disinfectant wipes to use at your disposal. It’s quick and simple, and teaching your children this skill will make them realise how many get used, and subsequently not to waste them!

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

Wait a short while for the mixture to soak in and the disinfectant wipes will be ready to use for any needed application. If you require a larger quantity, simply double the ingredients listed above.

Peel Away the Day Face Mask

As busy, hardworking women we also want to look and feel our best even when we’re just at home with the family, yet it doesn’t mean we have to purchase expensive luxury products that might spoil our carefully laid out budgets.

For women at home as well as those heading off to the workplace daily, here is another simple recipe for an effective and organic peel-off face mask that you can create and apply instantly at home, which will help in fighting off blackheads, acne, skin pigmentation and more, while leaving your face feeling refreshed and rejuvenated each time.

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

Once cooled, carefully apply the mixture to your face using your beauty brush of choice, while avoiding the eyes and mouth. If you’d like to treat yourself and relax while the face mask works its magic, apply it before taking a soak in a hot tub enriched with 10 drops of Lavender Oil – an easy way to pamper yourself at home without having to spend at the spa.

Ideally, leave the face mask on for 15-20 minutes. Once it has dried, gently peel the mask off from the chin up, then rinse your face thoroughly with water before moisturising with any chosen product. This can be repeated weekly or as desired, with more noticeable results if done on a regular basis.

Kitchen Chemistry Naturopath – The Magic of Home Remedies and Recipes

Our useful eBook series “Kitchen Chemistry” is full of wonderful DIY recipes similar to the above that have been tried and tested by a young mother who had limited time and finances. Delightfully created, written and illustrated by Jayde Fletcher during the lockdown, these 3 helpful eBooklets can be read individually or as a whole to improve your overall health and wellbeing at home without having to shop around and exceed your budget.

If you’re interested in honest, simple and organic remedies and recipes that will work to prevent ailments, enhance personal beauty and keep your home clean and safe during the current pandemic, this is a must-read!

You can discover the magic of home remedies and recipes in our three Kitchen Chemistry eBooklets – Medicinal , Beauty and Cleaning – now available for instant download on the Naturopath Online Store.

And if you’d like to read more free online masterclasses, as well as view our full selection of available eBooks and other health-related products, take a moment to visit Naturopath Australia .

The post Tips for the Pandemic – Making Your Own Products appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms and How to Manage Gluten Intolerance

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 23:49:00 GMT

Gluten Intolerance, especially Coeliac Disease, is a common health issue that can result in a variety of adverse symptoms if not managed accordingly. As it is a hereditary condition, as well as one that can be developed with age, it is important to be aware of its symptoms, along with the various solutions and methods that can be taken to manage Gluten Sensitivity and prevent such symptoms before they occur.

Common symptoms of Gluten Intolerance in the Small Intestine include:

If you or someone in your family is experiencing one or several of the above symptoms frequently or over a long-term basis, it may be worth getting checked with a professional.

Wheat and Vitamin D Deficiency

Despite the many symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity, there is no specific damage done to the Small Intestine when it encounters Gluten, meaning many people with Gluten Intolerance may consume small amounts of Gluten without serious incidence.

However, wheat fibre, which is very high in Gluten, quickly burns through the body’s stores of Vitamin D and can, as a result, cause Vitamin D deficiency. If you are not getting enough Vitamin D, this can cause even further deficiencies, such as calcium loss, which may cause brittle and porous bones, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and a lowered Immune System.

To make sure you’re receiving enough Vitamin D, try to get 5-10 minutes of sunshine at least 3 times a week. During winter months, you can boost the body’s production of Vitamin D with commonly found Vitamin D supplements.

Whole wheat can also raise small, dense LDL cholesterol by 60%, leading to possible heart and circulation problems.

For those with Gluten Intolerance, replacing wheat with low gluten and gluten-free alternatives is important for looking after the Small Intestine’s hypersensitive condition, as well as avoiding the above symptoms.

Low Gluten and Gluten-Free Alternatives

Barley, Rye and Spelt do contain Gluten but the amount is far less than wheat, making them more acceptable options for those with Gluten Intolerance.

Gluten-free foods, however, are much more ideal if you live with Gluten Sensitivity, and typically contain high amounts of both protein and fibre – almost nutritionally identical to wheat. You can replace high-gluten cereal grains with these healthy gluten-free options:

It is also worth mentioning that, in addition to watching your Gluten intake, you should actively maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet to give your body the nutrition it needs to function optimally and ward off any illnesses and infections.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.”
Hippocrates, 460 BC

The post Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms and How to Manage Gluten Intolerance appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Amino Acids – Replace Expensive Supplements with a Healthy Diet

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:01:00 GMT

So many people these days are trying to protect their health, and often there is a stampede to the chemists and health food stores to buy whatever has been suggested by their best friend or family.

What is not realised is that not all supplements work well with each other, many in fact negate another, and so many dollars are wasted in purchasing expensive vitamins and minerals that will not improve our health at all.

So many westerners believe that “more is better”, which is not always the case – often the less that is taken is shown to be more effective in achieving our health-rated goals.

An example is Amino Acids:

There are 20 Amino Acids in total, 10 of which are produced naturally by the body, and 9 which are not and are vital to a variety of necessary bodily functions.

The 10 Amino Acids our bodies naturally produce are Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Serine and Tyrosine.

The 9 essential Amino Acids not produced by our bodies are Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine.

Amino Acids are essential for the transportation of nutrients around the body, a healthy immune system, reduced fatigue, hormone development and muscle growth, including muscle recovery (hypertrophy) after strenuous exercise, making them a popular oral supplement among athletes, bodybuilders and active individuals in general.

A deficiency in Amino Acids, on the other hand, is linked to poor immunity to illnesses and infections, digestive problems, depression, slowed growth in children and teenagers, reduced mental alertness, weight gain and more.

Start Maintaining a Well-Rounded and Balanced Diet

Like many things, more is not always better, particularly with BCAA (chain amino acids – found in popular fitness supplements), and thankfully the essential Amino Acids our bodies need can be received organically and steadily by mindfully maintaining a healthy and well-rounded balanced diet.

A diet involving a healthy intake of lean meats, fish, dairy, eggs, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds will provide all the vital Amino Acids with our bodies require to function properly, and this can be done without having to overcompensate, or rely on, expensive supplements that may lead to unwanted side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, unstable blood sugar, weight gain and more.

A healthy body starts with a healthy diet, so it’s important to always be mindful of what we’re eating, day in day out, before running to the chemist or health store to buy in-demand, and often overpriced, vitamins, minerals and other supplements that may negate each other and also lead to harmful side effects.

Here at Naturopath Australia, our goal is to look after bodily health with natural medicine solutions and practices, as well as provide the best organic products needed, at home and on the go, to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.

For more informational masterclasses on health, natural medicine remedies and more, take a moment to visit Naturopath Australia .

The post Amino Acids – Replace Expensive Supplements with a Healthy Diet appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

The Wonderful History of Colloidal Silver and Its Benefits

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 11:59:00 GMT

The wonderful history of colloidal silver began 6000 years ago during the many wars that were fought in hand to hand combat, where they marched line by line head on to meet their foe. There was no escaping the onslaught unless of course, you were a King, one of the Nobles or maybe a General, and only then were you allowed to stand back and watch the battle from afar.

For the average man, injury was almost inevitable and death a natural conclusion with the dirt and the dust of the battlefields, bringing with them infection and fevers that the warriors had no way of controlling. There were no medications as we know them now, no refrigeration to store foods or milk, and no possibility of using fresh herbs as a medication to help and to heal, as these battles were generally fought on barren plains with little or no vegetation.

The story goes that one of the Macedonian warriors covered his wounds with beaten silver to keep the flies and dust away, and, as time wore on, instead of the wound becoming infected and gangrenous, the wound healed itself well and without any scarring.

Thus, beaten silver was taken as part of the supplies when the warriors went to war, mainly by the wealthier soldiers of course, due to the cost, but their servants were often treated by the silver to prevent infection and illness.

As time progressed, the population came to realize that pure silver coins in their milk would keep it from going rancid and silver added to their food would keep it fresh on a long journey. With simple herbs, it was the medicine of the time.

Coming forward into 1400 to 1700s, the aristocrats of England and Europe started to make their drinking goblets and dishes from silver to allow the silver to mix with their food and drink to prevent them from becoming sick.

There is another story of one of the Kings of France whose enemies wanted him dead, so they decided to poison him by putting arsenic in his goblet. But to their dismay, he did not appear to get any weaker, so after many months they became too confused and frightened to continue. His goblets were made of pure silver which is the reason, given by historians, for his immunity.

In the times of the plague, silver proved an advantage for the wealthy, as overall they were protected and their immune systems were kept strong. In fact, they started taking cruder doses of silver (falsely thinking “more is better”) and because the silver was taken in such large doses their skin turned a blue colour – becoming known as “Blue Bloods”. As only the very wealthy could afford enough silver to turn the skin blue, it is a term used even today to denote the wealthy.

101 Uses for Colloidal Silver by Barbara Saker Naturopath

Colloidal silver is still used today as a safe and easily dissolvable mineral with wonderful skin healing properties for burns, wounds and infections. It can be sprayed or rubbed on the skin in liquid or salve form, or ingested orally as a dietary supplement, offering both antimicrobial and antibacterial benefits that our bodies would otherwise not be able to produce, as well as medicinal properties against various illnesses such as colds and viruses.

Our downloadable eBook 101 Uses for Colloidal Silver includes over 100 amazing uses for colloidal silver, both for the body and around the home, in handy booklet form that can be kept on your devices or printed to be read around the house. Learn why silver is kept in burn units across the country, and how colloidal silver can be an asset that you can utilise and implement in everyday life.

Those taking colloidal silver as an oral, or dissolvable, the supplement will also benefit from owning our battery-operated Portable Water Purifying Machine, which purifies up to 225ml of water on the go in just 90 seconds, using electrode rods (replaceable) for safe and chemical-free water purification. It also comes with a handy carry case and booklet containing helpful hints and tips for purified water use in general.
You can view our fantastic range of products, and other helpful masterclasses on homeopathy, naturopathy and more, by just visiting Naturopath Australia .

The post The Wonderful History of Colloidal Silver and Its Benefits appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

The Acupuncture Points of the Hand

Wed, 27 May 2020 11:24:00 GMT

As we are all using Hand Sanitisers to minimise infection and decrease the spread of the Coronavirus, I thought it may be interesting to learn more about the different Acupuncture points that are on the hand, which can be targeted to relieve ourselves of various illness-related symptoms that occur all around the body.

By using a high-quality hand sanitiser, one made with therapeutic aromatherapy essential oils, we have the ability to strengthen various organs of the body via Acupuncture points on our hands while, at the same time, protecting ourselves from the threat of the Coronavirus.

The hand channels, like all acupuncture points, are divided into Yin and Yang, which represent opposing Qi energy forces that must remain in equal balance to maintain good health and wellness in the body.

The Yin channels on the hand are:

The Yang channels on the hand are:

By applying essential oils to our hands by regular use of a high-quality hand sanitiser, we can activate these channels and promote the flow of Qi energy to prevent disruptions and imbalances before they happen.

Alchemic Essences Spritz Hand Sanitiser – Naturopath Australia Online

Our new Spritz Hand Sanitiser was created with this in mind, incorporating five carefully chosen essential oils – Cinnamon, Lemon, Clove, Rosemary and Eucalyptus – that each provides important healthful benefits to the body while simultaneously eliminating harmful bacteria and keeping the skin moisturised.

The natural benefits provided from each essential oil used in the Alchemic Essences Hand Sanitiser are as follows:-

Cinnamon Oil – may reduce stress and relieve pain. Cinnamon is an antifungal and antibacterial, which also helps to improve circulation.

Lemon Oil – has powerful antimicrobial activity that can uplift the mood while leaving a refreshing smell on the hands.

Clove Oil – is an antibacterial and antimicrobial, making it a natural enemy of germs. It has also been known to repel mosquitoes and ticks.

Rosemary Oil – helps support the immune system, soothes inflammation and improves memory.

Eucalyptus Oil – is calming, helps relieve congestion of sinuses and lungs, and eases aches and pains throughout the body.

Why not multitask when we disinfect our hands so many times during the day? All it takes is a high-quality plant-based hand sanitiser.

We’re proud to mention that the Spritz Hand Sanitiser also has an uplifting story behind it, having been created by one determined young mum who, during self-isolation, while her employment was made no longer possible, committed herself in creating the Spritz Hand Sanitiser to financially support her two special needs children, as well as assist in the shortage of hand sanitation products within her local community.

Other essential ingredients that make up the Spritz Hand Sanitiser include Aloe Barbadensis 99% and Ethyl Alcohol 95.2%, with all ingredients in line with TGA guidelines.

Alchemic Essences Spritz Hand Sanitiser is now available for purchase for all our loyal patients and customers at Naturopath Australia .

The post The Acupuncture Points of the Hand appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Replace Expensive Supplements with Everyday Foods

Thu, 14 May 2020 00:47:00 GMT

Making sure our bodies are provided all the essential vitamins and minerals is vital to a strong immune system, maintaining metabolic processes, keeping our bones, skin and red blood cells healthy, and lots more.

It’s a good idea to be mindful of which vitamins you’re not getting enough of, as well as the vitamins that you may be receiving in excess, as this can lead to various side effects that reverse their natural benefits and may result in symptoms such as weakened bones, nausea and stomach pain.

This, among many other reasons, is why you should aim for a good diet as opposed to taking supplements, as this safely limits the side effects, provides a well-rounded and organic intake of the nutrients your body needs, helps to develop healthy eating overall and, lastly, is not as expensive.

In this Naturopath Masterclass blog, we’ve listed 10 essential vitamins and minerals and the food that you can eat to replace over-the-counter supplements.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is produced with at least 5-10 minutes of sunlight 3 times a week. Going outside during the summer months will provide a sufficient amount of this, but during winter months it’s a good idea to aid the production of Vitamin D with the below foods.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential in helping the immune system fight illnesses and infections, and also promotes clear vision in low light, healthy skin as well as strong nails, bones and teeth. It is widely available in dairy and protein-based foods, along with the vegetables listed below.

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1, one of eight important B vitamins, is vital to maintaining a healthy metabolism, which includes the breaking down of carbohydrates, fats and acids and the distribution of this energy. You can replace any thiamine B1 supplement by increasing your intake of the below foods.

Folate (Vitamin B9)

Vitamin B9, also known as Folate, is especially important for women during pregnancy and birth, as well as maintaining healthy red blood cells and their oxygen flow. Instead of ingesting a Folate supplement during pregnancy, try to incorporate more of the below foods into your diet.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2, like Vitamin B1, is also ideal for metabolism maintenance, as well as vision improvement and overall health of the skin. It is widely available and can be easily received in the foods below.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 has essential properties for metabolic energy conversion, and also supports healthy skin, the digestive system and the lowering of cholesterol. You can find it in most lean meats and plant-based proteins such as the ones listed below.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 helps nerve sensation, metabolism and the overall health of our red blood cells. It is contained in most protein-based foods, whole grains, dairy products and vegetables, with some of these high Vitamin B6 foods listed below.

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral for the production of red blood cells, therefore a lack of this may lead to anaemia. When feeling prolonged fatigue or lethargy, you can reverse this by increasing your iron intake with the below foods and meal ingredients.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is vital to many bodily functions and their health, including our immune systems, blood cells and vessels, bones and skin. It is also the most important vitamin for the healing of wounds, found in most citrus fruits and green vegetables such as the ones below.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E maintains muscle strength, keeps skin and vision healthy, and aids oxygen distribution via our red blood cells. It is also another important vitamin for the immune system, like Vitamins A and C, and can be easily received by including the below in your meals.

Aim for a Healthy Diet Over Supplements

If you are aspiring to eat a more varied healthy diet, incorporating the above everyday foods into your daily meals is a great place to start, and will help to replace supplements in getting the essential vitamins and minerals our bodies need to function optimally.

By being mindful of the symptoms, you can target the vitamins and minerals that you’re not getting enough of, and begin incorporating the right foods that will aid in fighting off illnesses, fuelling metabolism and keeping muscles and bones strong.

Do bear in mind, supplements are not always trustworthy, may lead to various side effects and can be replaced inexpensively by simply targeting the right foods.

Take a moment to read more of our helpful Masterclass blogs on health, natural remedies and more by just visiting Naturopath Australia .

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The Advantages of Being Able to Use a Pendulum

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 03:00:00 GMT

Having endured and lived through many different situations and experiences, our bodies are a lot of wiser than we know and give credit for, and pendulums are a valuable medium through which we can connect to this inner wisdom and energy, seek guidance and attain answers to all sorts of personal life questions – both small and significant.

There are so many advantages to being able to use a pendulum effectively, and it is well worth your while to take the time and trouble to learn this skill, discover its rewards and practice daily until you have mastered it.

Brief Historical Use of the Pendulum

Pendulums have been used by Healers throughout the ages, often to diagnose diseases, find the weakest organs and check what medicines may be used to heal that particular disease. Fortune Tellers have also used pendulums in their businesses to predict the future as well as name the day and time an event may occur – often with outstanding success.

As with any tool, it is important who is using it as the tool is only as good as the user.

Years ago, when baby showers were a more simplified affair than they are now, bridesmaids would have arranged a light afternoon tea of sandwiches and cakes served with tea or coffee (no alcohol). They would have planned a series of games to entertain the women invited, and one of the most important games of the afternoon was the guests using a pendulum to try to predict the sex of the baby.

The guests would take a pendulum on a chain and hold it above the “baby bump”, ask the desired question and wait for the pendulum to swing clockwise or anti-clockwise to indicate whether it was a boy or girl. All the answers would be noted and kept for confirmation after the birth.

The use of pendulums was often linked to Witchcraft around the “Dark Ages” with no real understanding of how the answers were gained. In later years, many scientists were known to use pendulums to gain answers of a scientific nature, and these have also been used in mines in Germany, as far back as Queen Victoria’s reign, to regulate safe routes through rock.

Connecting with Your Inner Wisdom

Today, many are still surprised with the pendulum’s accuracy and ability to guide and direct them through various decisions and life paths.

How you choose to engage with your pendulum can be divinatory, purely corporeal or both, as these all provide a means to connect with, and tap into, your past and present inner wisdom, where you can receive advice, self-discovery and often rewarding responses that may bring new benefits to your life.

Questions to ask when using your pendulum can range from simple dietary and supplementary choices to relationship and career advice, in addition to making both everyday and substantial purchases, and even whether to decide to go to a certain event or not. Of course, this is most effective when asking questions phrased to return a binary “yes” or “no” answer.

The rudiments of this skill involve grounding yourself in a comfortable space, connecting with your pendulum (naturally assigning answers to the direction of its swings) and freely allowing its movement to provide you with guidance and answers.

Pendulum Predictions

Having run Naturopathic Clinics for 30 years, I have seen so many patients come in with boxes of supplements that may be valued at anywhere up to $500 – supplements that often were a waste of money as they did not address any of the patient’s current problems. Often, in fact, the supplements would negate each other, and in other people may set up various allergic reactions.

Taking the time to use a pendulum, and master its potential, would have saved their money, and provided the necessary guidance in choosing the right vitamins and minerals that would improve their immune system and protect their overall health.

You can receive a greater insight into the history of the pendulum, and all the step-by-step instructions on how to efficiently use one to choose your vitamins and minerals, navigate your career, make important life decisions and more, with our e-book Pendulum Predictions , available on the Naturopath Online Store .

The possibilities, and life-changing rewards, are endless if you take the time to learn this skill, and will help you to connect with your inner wisdom as well as find simple truths in your own naturally flowing physical energy.

You can browse our e-books, organic products and natural medicine solutions – as well as access more of our helpful online masterclasses and guides – by simply taking a moment to visit us at Naturopath Australia .

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The Story Behind Alchemic Essences Spritz Hand Sanitiser

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 03:02:00 GMT

This to me is a very personal and heartbreaking story, but one that is mixed with pride.

With the coronavirus outbreak affecting the import and export trade, Australia has had to deal with the lack of hand sanitisers and other essential items on supermarket shelves that all of us are used to having readily available without a thought!

Seeing A Current Affair , daily news updates and social media posts reporting the huge amounts of these products, as well as valuable medicines, being shipped off to other countries – to help their people when ours were in desperate need – was a devastating sight to see for one young mum. Instead of sitting back and ignoring the situation, this brought about her determination to overcome that lack of essential resources available to her family and friends with a brand new business idea!

As a young mother of two special needs children, isolated in her house for several weeks to help in the collective aim of flattening the curve, she decided that she would try to create a hand sanitiser that would help overcome the current shortfall – even if she could only help her close friends and family.

Unfortunately due to the outbreak of COVID-19, her usual employment was made no longer possible under current self-isolation restrictions, and she quickly saw the need to support her medical bills for her two children, while at the same time acquiring a sense of motivation to provide an additional supply of hand sanitisers in her local community.

With optimism, an entrepreneur mindset and the determination to create something positive from the chaos, she spent many tireless hours researching the best quality ingredients, along with the right bottles that would ensure the protection of the ingredients from light and heat, to make her own commercially available hand sanitiser.

And just like that, Alchemic Essences Spritz Hand Sanitiser was born!

I have since received our order of the Spritz Hand Sanitiser and it sure is a product to be proud of, and proof that quality was her absolute top priority during this pivotal moment in her life.

Ingredients of this new Australian-made hand sanitiser include Aloe Barbadensis 99%, Ethyl Alcohol 95.2% and Pure Essential Oils – Cinnamon, Lemon, Clove, Rosemary and Eucalyptus.

The carefully chosen, and organic, combination of ingredients in Spritz Hand Sanitiser will help to eliminate harmful bacteria, moisturise the skin and provide a light therapeutic aroma to keep your hands smelling and feeling fresh for several hours. Used with current WHO hand-washing guidelines, this hand sanitiser ensures to stop the spread of infection, and is designed to be both portable and simple to use.

All ingredients follow TGA guidelines.

We are now happy to announce that we have them available to you, our loyal patients and followers, on our website at https://www.naturopathaustralia.com/product/spritz-hand-sanitiser/ .

Supporting our local communities, family and friends at this time is a desire very close to our hearts here at Naturopath Australia, and we hope you have enjoyed the background of this brand new product as much as we have!

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Ginger Tea

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:18:00 GMT

Ginger has been used for centuries in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Herbalism.

Now, more than ever is a good time to start introducing ginger tea into your daily routine – not only does it help poor circulation but is beneficial to digestion and the respiratory system.

Simply peel and crush an inch of ginger root, add it to boiling water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes before straining and sipping the liquid – It’s that simple!

Natural sweeteners such as honey and lemon can be added to make it more palatable if you prefer.

This homemade tea may reduce inflammation safely in the same amount of time as many over-the-counter medications.

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Boosting Your Immune System Naturally At Home

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 04:55:00 GMT

COVID-19 is a new coronavirus strain that our immune systems have not encountered before, but thankfully there are many simple and inexpensive ways to support and improve your immune system to ward off and tackle any symptoms.

This complex circulatory network of leucocytes (white blood cells) and protein antibodies is key to the body’s protective functions against germs and pathogens, and its ability to effectively respond to these is determined by how much we nurture and look after it.

It’s a good time to boost your immune system with Barbara’s easy and convenient guide;

Eating a Varied Nutritious Diet

You can provide your immune system the necessary fuel to function by eating a varied nutritious diet that includes high-fibre foods and foods rich in vitamins. Fibre, vitamin C and vitamin D, in particular, are all proven to have immune-boosting properties and can be found in wholegrain foods, citrus fruits, green vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts and fish.

Now is a good time to start introducing ginger tea into your daily routine – not only does it help poor circulation but is beneficial to digestion and the respiratory system:

Crush an inch of ginger root, add it to boiling water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes before straining and sipping the liquid. Honey and lemon can be added to make it more palatable. This homemade tea may reduce inflammation safely in the same amount of time as many over-the-counter medications.

Before breakfast – and especially if you have a sinus problem – it is also wise to check your tongue to see if fungi/bacteria has created a post-nasal drip. If your tongue is coated, use a tongue scraper before eating as the food will take the infection down with it to the gastrointestinal tract and create a digestive problem over time.

Getting Enough Physical Activity

Alongside a healthy diet, physical activity stimulates your white blood cells and activates them in targeting unwelcome microbes and bacterium.

As it is recommended to stay home, finding ways to exercise or keep active at home is more important than before and can be easily implemented with simple daily routines involving aerobic exercises, such as jumping jacks and skipping, that can improve breathing capacity and blood flow.

For older individuals, who are more vulnerable, it is recommended to aim for as much physical movement or activity as possible.

Managing Wellbeing and Stress

Our mental wellbeing and stress levels have a big impact on our immune system’s ability to function properly, so making sure to manage these is vital.

Ways we can de-stress and relax during this time include reading, looking out the window or spending time in the garden, listening to relaxing music, communicating with loved ones and performing exercise itself, which releases natural endorphins in the brain that boost feelings of happiness.

Meditation is also a sure way to reduce stress altogether and can be easily done by sitting comfortably in a quiet space, focusing on something present, such as the flow of your breathing, and observing and accepting your emotions rather than feeling them.

Maintaining Good Sleep

Sleep is our body’s time to repair and recharge, and our immune system suffers as a result of prolonged lack of sleep.

Getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep is recommended each night, and we can improve this by making sure to complete at least five of the 90-minute sleep cycles, which progress into a deeper sleep and subsequently greater stages of reparation and restoration for both the mind and body.

A good diet, consistent exercise routine and managing stress will together result in high-quality sleep every night to help strengthen our immune systems.

If you are aware of any shortness of breath, especially when you lie down at night, it is also a good idea to have a diffuser beside your bed releasing an essential oil that may help open your nasal passages to allow more oxygen as you sleep. My favourite is the “Breathe Easier” mix of essential oils designed to support the lungs.

Support Your Immune System Via the Lungs

As COVID-19 is particularly harmful to the lungs, it is just as important to make sure our lungs are in good health to properly distribute oxygen to our infection-fighting blood cells.

Many of us do not realise that we are shallow breathing: not taking the air deep down into our lungs. If this becomes a habit over a long period of time, the lower lobes of your lungs may start to close as they are not being expanded. When this happens, it allows a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi to expand and create shortness of breath that can often be mistaken for asthma, bronchitis and other various lung diseases.

The Power of the Breath – Barbara Saker Naturopath

The following exercise is one sure way of getting the oxygen deep into your body, and may be easily done by the sick and disabled:

Lie on your back and place your hands with your fingertips lightly touching across your navel. Exhale and breathe in until you can feel your stomach expand and your fingertips separate. Hold as long as you can, then exhale bringing your fingertips back together as your stomach flattens. Try to do this five times a session, gently without getting exhausted, then repeat twice over the day.

This is a simple way of increasing oxygen levels and supporting your heart and lungs. Our downloadable e-book “The Power of the Breath” includes various exercises to help with expanding lung capacity easily and safely. With the present pandemic that we are all facing, we need our lungs to be free of congestion, bacteria and mould to give us a fighting chance.

To Conclude

Taking care of our immune systems with a healthy lifestyle is our best defence against the coronavirus, along with following official advice and guidelines on proper handwashing and hygiene, social distancing and remaining at home where possible.

If you are concerned you may have COVID-19, use the symptom checker on healthdirect . And if you are currently experiencing any serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

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The Gall Bladder Meridian

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 05:35:00 GMT

The gall bladder, located under the liver, is a small organ that aids our digestion, releasing bile to the small intestine to help break down fats, oils and highly processed foods as needed.

In Chinese medicine, specifically Zang-fu, the gall bladder is one of five passive (Yang) Fu organs, being particularly unique in traditional Chinese culture for its distribution of vital energy that provides us with good judgment, courage and muscle strength.

This energy flows through the gall bladder meridian, a pathway of pressure points where various physical and mental conditions can be pinpointed and subsequently treated.

Below, view the illustration to follow the gall bladder meridian pathway, along with the various conditions linked to each individual point.

Point 1 Headache, eye pain, reddening of the eyes, vision affected

Point 2 Tinnitus, deafness, toothache

Point 3 Deafness, aversion to wind and cold, dizziness

Point 4 Pain in the outer canthus of the eyes, unilateral headache, vertigo affecting the eyes

Point 5 Facial swelling, toothache, absence of sweating in heat

Point 6 Tinnitus, sneezing, painful redness of the outer eye.

Point 7 Pain in the temporal region, swelling of the cheek, clenched jaws

Point 8 Stomach cold, persistent vomiting, fullness after eating, chronic infantile wind.

Point 9 Swelling of the gums, epilepsy, headache, fright and fear

Point 10 Swelling of the neck, deafness, fever and chills, goitre, wind headache, atony of the legs that affects walking.

Caring for the Gall Bladder Meridian

Each meridian point not only helps to identify and treat various conditions but represents specific emotions, as well as correlating links in the pathway through which life-giving energy, specifically Qi, flows and provides us with good health and strength.

Imbalance or obstruction in the gall bladder meridian results in the above listed conditions, which is why the organ itself is culturally associated with frustration, irritability, impatience and poor quality of sleep.

Caring for the gall bladder and its distribution of energy starts with a healthy diet involving citrus fruits and vegetables, in addition to plant-based proteins and fish – generally unrefined and unprocessed foods with low fat and oil.

Physical activity is just as vital to the gall bladder meridian, especially stress relieving exercises such as running and yoga, and subsequently meditation which inspires relaxation and contentment. Acupressure, including acupuncture, are also beneficial in restoring balance to the gall bladder meridian and its flow of Qi energy.

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The Life inside your Cells

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 06:20:00 GMT

Cells are the most basic building blocks of your body. The human body is made up of nearly 100 trillion cells, and are classified into approximately 200 different cell types.

Within most cells resides a whole community of little workers called organelles.

Each organelle has a different role to perform including energy production, maintenance of genetic coding, detoxifying harmful substances, cell replication, cell maintenance, and transportation of final products of digestion just to name a few.

You can see an animated version of what is happening inside your body’s cells here .

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Back to School & Work – Naturopath On-the-Go Super Lunch Ideas

Sat, 18 Jan 2020 00:22:00 GMT

Back to School & Work – Naturopath On-the-Go Super Lunch Ideas

Preparing your food for each day ahead is one of the best ways to lead a healthy lifestyle, making sure that each of your meals incorporates all of the vital food groups – fruit and vegetables, starches, meat/fish or beans/legumes and healthy fats – with a balanced intake of all the well-known essentials: carbohydrates, fibre, protein, vitamins, minerals and constant hydration.

As it’s still early in the New Year, it’s not too late to start mixing up the food you eat, as well as prepare for your loved ones, on a daily basis – especially for on-the-go individuals, such as kids heading off to school and seniors needing specific nutritional requirements for both emergencies and general health.

Here at Naturopath Australia, we’ve compiled a few simple, easy-to-prepare Super Lunch ideas, catering to each age group and lightweight in portability so that healthy on-the-go eating can be easily integrated no matter what day lies ahead!

Children’s Lunch

This balanced lunch for little ones is simple to prepare the night before or in the morning before going on the school run, focusing on healthy, rewarding options that are also fun and appealing to kids of all ages – even if they’re the picky type!

Providing children with a school Super Lunch that ticks all the boxes is crucial in their everyday ability to concentrate, learn and remain energised throughout the day. Just don’t forget a compact bottle for hydration and an ice pack that will keep their food fresh until lunchtime.

Worker’s Lunch

Ideal for busy workers in both office and manual occupations, this Super Lunch idea packs a punch with healthy carbs for energy sustenance and simple protein solutions that will feed the muscles and cause the stomach to feel full for longer.

A daily goal for working professionals is to maintain high energy levels throughout the day, supplementing each lunch with vitamin-giving fruits that will aid brainpower and concentration. A bottle of water for work is also an essential day-to-day accessory.

Senior’s Lunch

Seniors, especially those with specific nutritional requirements or handicaps, need a fast and easy lunch fix both at home and when on the go. This Super Lunch for seniors covers all the vital food groups and is straightforward to eat as well as quick for the stomach to digest.

If low blood sugar is a recurring issue, a simple sugary edible or drink is a must-have item at all times, easily packed in a portable snack bag along with a well-rounded healthy lunch, or kept at the optimal temperature in an ergonomically made water bottle.

Stay Prepared On the Go with Naturopath Lunch / Snack Bags

Naturopath Lunch Bags are ideal for the above purposes, compact in design and composed of a light neoprene fabric that is a breeze to wash. Made airtight to keep food fresh for the day ahead, these Snack Bags are an affordable solution for on-the-go individuals, whether it’s for you at work, the kids on school-days or a family senior needing pre-prepared food options.

Zip-up with an ergonomic carry handle for convenience, Naturopath Lunch Snack Bags come in a range of colours and designs for kids and working professionals, and include a neat ice brick that keeps food fresh without taking up space!

Reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottles – Keep Drinks Fresh and BPA-Free

To pair with your Snack Bag, BPA-free Reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottles by Onya come in a variety of colours measuring 500 millilitres in volume; an ample supply for the school/workday with high-grade 304 Stainless Steel that keeps original temperature.

Onya Stainless Steel Water Bottles are lightweight, leak-proof and simple to clean, and will make a great day-to-day reusable bottle for environmentally conscious families and individuals taking the first step in a more sustainable plastic-free lifestyle.

What do you think – excited to boost productivity and health by getting creative with your own daily Super Lunches? To view our Lunch Snack Bags and more of our healthful natural products and remedies, visit our Naturopath Online Store at Naturopath Online .

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Horary Clock – part 2

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 00:55:00 GMT

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WARNING: Protect your health, reduce the risk of inhaling smoke.

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 00:47:00 GMT

With the heavy smoke haze that is circulating throughout our States, we need to be very cautious as the inhalation of smoke has the possibility of long-term damage to your Lungs. The smoke has in fact gone as far as New Zealand, where the citizens of that county started to panic thinking there were bush fires near their city.

Try to stay indoors as much as possible. If you have an air-conditioner, set it to “recycle” to prevent the outside air coming into the house.

To help your breathing even when you are in the house, it is a good idea to put 6 drops of Breathe Easier oil in your vapouriser .

If you really have to go outside, make sure you have a mask firmly across your nose and mouth to prevent the air seeping in. Even though the masks may be hot and uncomfortable it is worth the effort to protect your future health.

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Horary Clock part 1

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 06:31:00 GMT

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Ross River Fever

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 05:56:00 GMT

Living in Queensland, I believe that we should all be aware of the dangers of mosquitoes and the tropical diseases that they spread.

To help prevent the spread of these viruses we should all take precautions around our homes.

Check around your living areas/gardens to make sure that there are no stagnant pools of water either in pots, buckets or small ponds. These are the areas in which mosquitoes love to breed.

Wear long loose clothing and use natural insect repellents in mosquito prone areas.

Avoid mosquito -prone areas especially at dusk and dawn, these are the times that mosquitoes are more active and more likely to bite us.

Ross River infection will often present at first with flu like symptoms, no coughs or sniffles, but will give you a fever, headaches, dizziness, chills tiredness and no energy.

As the virus progresses, you may develop stiffness in the joints, worse in the morning. A rash can occur on the body, arms and legs.

If the virus is not treated there may be symptoms of swollen joints, causing Epidemic Polyarthritis Infection which can result in debilitating arthritis, lethargy and muscle aches which can re-occur, becoming more intense and painful as you get older.

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Understanding Homeopathic Dilution

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 05:48:00 GMT

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The Beginning of Homeopathy

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 03:13:00 GMT

German doctor Samuel Hahnemann became discouraged by the often barbaric treatments used by medical practitioners of the late eighteenth century. He relinquished his medical practice to dedicate his time to chemistry and writing. Dr Hahnemann was fluent in many languages and used this skill to translate works of others. While translating William Cullen’s Herbal Materia Medica into German, he discovered that the symptoms produced by Chinchona on a healthy body were similar to the symptoms of the diseases that Chinchona was used to cure. This led to his theory that “likes are cured by likes” or “ similia similibus curantur”. His theory states that any drug capable of producing morbid symptoms in a healthy person will remove similar symptoms that are occurring as an expression of disease.

He subsequently started the first systematic drug trials in Western medicine which he named “provings” and published “Essay on a New Principle” in 1796 proposing ‘similars’ as a theory of treatment.

Dr Hahnemann began his “provings” by giving healthy people doses of medicinal substance in order to observe the effects of the substance. He gradually started to experiment with dilution of remedies as a means to reduce toxic side effects of similar medicines.

In the early 1800’s, Dr Hahnemann returned to medical practice, using homeopathic treatment methods based on his theory of “similars”. In 1810, he wrote the first edition of The Organon of Rational Healing to teach medical practitioners his new method of healing and starting teaching at the University of Leipzig, attracting a small group of unorthodox young medical students.

During the1813 typhoid epidemic in Leipzig, Hahnemann treated 180 victims with homeopathy, only 1 patient died. The 1812 scarlet fever epidemic was reduced in severity by use of homeopathic Belladonna.

During the 1831 cholera epidemics, homeopathy showed much greater success than conventional medicines. Four out of five people who contracted cholera died under conventional treatment. The mortality rate in the ten homeopathic hospitals in London in 1831-1832 was reported as 9%. The epidemic of 1854, the mortality rate under allopathic care was reported to be 59%, while under homeopathic care the mortality rate was reported to be only 9%.

Homeopathy was introduced to Australia in the early 1800s by English immigrants, with the first known mention in an 1830 newspaper. In 1841 the Sydney Gazette editor complained that popular homeopathy may overtake orthodox practice, closing druggists. A number of homeopathic pharmacies were established in the 1860s, and later, homeopathic hospitals. In 1946 Australian Institute of Homeopathy (AIH) was formed, which became the Australian Homoeopathic Association (AHA).

Homeopathy is practiced worldwide today and is one of the top four most used medical approaches internationally (with Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbalism, and conventional medicine). It is included in the national health system in Germany, India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, U.K., Switzerland and Cuba. 32% of French family physicians use homeopathy, 42% of English physicians refer their patients to homeopaths.

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Uterine Fibroids

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 06:54:00 GMT

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Pets and Their Emotions

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 06:52:00 GMT

Pets are very emotional and respond to different situations in an emotional capacity, the same way humans do. Emotions are amazing and the effect they have on our physical body is unbelievable, and it is the same for our animals.

The fear that our fur babies feel affects their Kidneys and can weaken them to a severe degree. Kidneys in Chinese philosophy come under the Water Element. Fear can lead to a weakening of the Psoas muscle, Upper Trapezius and Iliacus. It may damage the Femur / Acetabulum.

Certain Spinal nerves may also be affected, particularly in the lumbar area, when the fear is intense.

The anger and aggression felt by our pets will affect another major organ – the Liver. Their digestion may not be working adequately to break down their foods completely. Their blood not purified can then become toxic and develop skin rashes.

The Pectoral and Rhomboids can become a problem inflicting pain and discomfort. The cervical area of the spine can inhibit their mobility and create a stiffness in the body.

The Lungs are an organ where sadness, unhappiness and grief are stored. This can lead to a shortness of breath and slower movements. Your pet may be missing a member of the family, or its mate has died. The shoulders and ribs can become painful, with cervical vertebrae under strain. The Thoracic and Lumbar areas can also be weakened by the emotional stress.

The Small Intestine often malfunctions when there is an insecurity, a feeling of being abandoned or not being loved. This can often lead to diarrhoea, or constipation, where the eliminative system malfunctions. Pelvis, Knee or Symphysis Pubis can react to this emotion. The spine is capable of misalignment affecting the Thoracic vertebrae and creating a problem that appears to be totally unrelated.

We should be aware of our pet’s emotional responses to any given situation. As a child would react to a marriage breakup with one parent leaving, so will your pets experience the trauma. When our animals give their loyalty and love to a family, they feel the same intensity as any other member, yet often we are concentrating on our own reaction and forget they are sharing the pain as well. I often find that the Bach Flowers work well with pets. They appear to react positively to the benefits of the flower remedies, and it is so easy to put a couple of drops on their food in times of stress. Rescue Remedy is a basic go-to for any emotional response.

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Why do I get Shaky when I am Hungry?

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 06:52:00 GMT

Low blood sugar triggers a “must eat now” type of hunger – you feel shaky, weak lightheaded and irritable because your body wants you to correct the problem.

Signs of low blood sugar include hunger, trembling, heart racing, nausea and sweating. In severe cases it may lead to a coma.

However, overcorrecting with high sugar and carb foods that will lead to a high blood sugar level can make the cravings worse.

Hypoglycaemia is when blood sugar levels are very low. Many people experience this at 3pm and suddenly have to have a coffee and a sweet snack, which will raise the blood sugar level for an hour or so. Once your blood sugar level starts to drop, the cravings will begin again. Having this cycle, it is so easy to gain excess weight.

Protein type foods will hold the blood sugar level for much longer and will not leave residue cravings for sweets.

Even people with Diabetes can cause their blood sugar levels to drop too low by taking too much Insulin. Not eating enough and exercising too much after taking Insulin can have the same effect.

Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia

People with hypoglycaemia may experience the following early warning signs:

More advanced Hypoglycaemia can display more severe symptoms such as:

If you do not carry food and eat small every three hours with these type of symptoms they can be serious consequences.

Complications that may occur:

Hypoglycemia is often a sign of poorly managed Diabetes.

How Do I Correct This Problem and Gain Good Health?

There are simple ways to help overcome this health issue:

All of your body’s cells, including the brain, need energy to function. Glucose supplies this energy to the body. The hormone Insulin enables the cells to absorb and use it.

We have special bags that come with a freezer block available in our online Shop , that allows you to keep your snacks fresh and on hand to use every 3 hours. This will help maintain the blood sugar at a healthy level and so prevent these frightening attacks that may lead to heart damage and even long term to Diabetes.

Start a routine at night preparing the right type of snacks to fill your bag with. Leftover food from dinner, a hard-boiled egg, or maybe nuts or a homemade protein ball. Such a simple task that will protect your health and allow you to enjoy your life with more energy and zest.

These bags are light to carry and are wonderful to have beside you in the car or desk, allowing you to eat the correct type of foods that will stabilize your blood sugar quickly without the on-going sugar cravings.

The post Why do I get Shaky when I am Hungry? appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Gelatin Recipe

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 06:39:00 GMT

Collagen supports every joint in our body and improves elasticity of the skin (helping those wrinkles!), so it makes sense to include collagen in your daily diet. An easy and inexpensive way to do this is good old fashioned jelly with added gelatin.
Add 4 tablespoons of gelatin powder to 2 packets of jelly crystals in 3 cups of boiling water. Mix it well (a stick blender does this well). Pour into a 20cm x 20cm cake tin. Set in the fridge, then cut into portions the size of an ice cube.

Eat 1 cube morning and night. Improvement should be noticeable in 3 to 6 months.

The post Gelatin Recipe appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 05:53:00 GMT

There are many things that causes Chronic Fatigue syndrome but before we look at the causes, let’s look at what Chronic Fatigue means?

According to the Geddes & Grosset Dictionary Chronic means: Long Lasting, Fatigue means: A tiredness from mental and/ or physical effort, Syndrome means: a characteristic pattern of signs and symptoms of a disease.

In short we are looking at a period where we are always tired. The question that needs to be answered is: Why?

There can be many reasons – viruses, bacterias, chemicals, Fungi, parasites, tick bites, even Lyme disease. The way our citizens are travelling these days, we have to keep our minds open to diseases that are relatively new to Australia, making the task of finding the underlying cause even harder.

I have discussed the long term effects of Glandular Fever and you can read about this in other pages on the Naturopath Australia website but in short, Glandular fever can be a common cause of chronic fatigue Syndrome.

In Queensland, we have many tropical diseases that can have the long lasting effect of Chronic fatigue Syndrome.

We had a patient arrive on our doorstep that had laid on her bed for 10 years unable to go out of the house. Friends of hers from North Queensland brought her down to the Gold Coast and asked if I would treat her.

It turned out that she had had 5 tropical diseases that had not being diagnosed: Barmah Forest, Ross River Fever, Dengue Fever, Epstein Barr virus and Cytomegelo virus.
.
It was not an instant miracle, it took about six months for her recovery to be to the stage where she could go bush walking again and do all the things that she used to love so much. Her next goal she tells me is to climb the Kimberleys .

If you are a bushwalker, you have to look for the after effects of tick bites, mosquitoes, parasites and even take into account the possibility of toxic drinking water.

The chemicals that are sprayed to kill weeds can affect a lot of people if they breathe the fumes into their lungs. The kidneys may have a problem filtering the chemicals through the system, thereby causing a long term illness, which may exhaust the patient as well as leaving behind symptoms of vertigo and nausea.

Fungi is another possibility that should be taken into consideration, especially people that live in homes that have mould in them. If the mould is in the bedroom the patient may be breathing in mould spores every night that they sleep in that room, it builds up in the lungs over a period of time and weakens the immune system, creating a chronic fatigue situation.

I had one patient that came to me with the cantilevers bored into her forehead. She used to go to the hospital every six weeks to have her sinuses drained. She told me that it was agony to have the procedure done.

She couldn’t take deep breaths and felt that she never had enough oxygen in her body. She could not get off her bed for very long as she became so exhausted. Deep relaxing sleep evaded her,she even woke of a morning with chronic tiredness.

I put her on an anti-fungal diet, and gave her herbs to inhale to break down the fungi in the Sinus cavities. She was very sensitive to everything, so I had to be very cautious with any treatment that I offered. We were able to slow down the post nasal drip, which was the first big breakthrough that we had. From there on in, her symptoms started to improve at a great rate and now she enjoys good health, but still very aware of mould and the dangers it can mean to our health.

To find the causes of Chronic fatigue, many questions have to asked, and an understanding of the patient’s lifestyle is invaluable. For example: the patient mentioned above had worked on cutting canvas with the dust being inhaled year after year which was the catalyst of her Chronic Fatigue. Testing by by way of hair samples can give us a lot of information about what is causing your Chronic Fatigue

For Chronic Fatigue to be treated, you need to recognise the cause first. We determine this by doing a hair analysis and suggesting natural medicines that will help restore your vitality and energy. To order your Hair Analysis click here.

The post Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

How Long Does It Take To Get Over Glandular Fever?

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 06:34:00 GMT

How long to get over Glandular Fever is a very difficult question to answer. It belongs in the “how long is a piece of string” category and depends on a variety of factors…

The answer depends on how the virus was treated when it was first contracted. If it has been mistaken for a bacteria and it was not known it was a virus, giving antibiotics would cause the virus to seemingly improve for a time by making it dormant. At some time it will re-active and become acute.

Many patients that have come to the clinic are in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Some have been diagnosed with Glandular Fever, even months or years before, but every time the glands start to swell or the throat becomes swollen, the temperature raises and you generally feel unwell.

It is often mistaken for Tonsilitis with a Streptococci bacteria, and so antibiotics are again prescribed there by continuing the cycle.

Continuing to take antibiotics for a virus may create another type of disease in the form of a fungal infection.

This in itself adds another problem, as fungi can give many symptoms depending on where the infection activates.

If it appears in the sinus cavities, it may leave you with a post nasal drip that may take the fungi down into the gastrointestinal tract, thereby giving you digestive problems, as the fungi will affect the friendly bacteria of the gut.

Taking probiotics will only help the problem in the fact that it will start to restore the friendly bacteria, but the probiotics do not kill the fungi that has caused the damage.

Fungi can often be experienced as severe vaginal thrush thereby causing an irritating burning or itch which is capable of affecting your sex life.

There are many forms of skin rashes that are attributed to a fungal infection.

The fungi can create an overwhelming craving for sugar and yeast as these are the types of foods that will help it spread throughout our bodies.

This constant craving can give a higher level of sugar in our bodies, leading to obesity and, if the Pancreas is weakened by the glandular fever, there may be the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

When you start to realise that glandular fever affects every gland, hormone and lymph node in the body, it opens Pandora’s box to what other symptoms may occur.

If the lymph starts to swell the jawline, it may block and make the ears itch and irritating. It may be mistaken for earache instead of what it is – blocked lymph.

As I said earlier, it is a complex question as to how long it takes to get over glandular fever. A lot depends on the previous treatment, the strength of the individual immune system, the amount of stress in our life and level of rest that we can achieve.

The main thing is to listen to our bodies, if it feels that you need rest, then that is what you should do, if you feel that you can go for a walk on the beach, then by all means do it. This is one virus that you cannot exercise out of your body. If you want a complete cure then learn to treat it with respect.

It would be wise to determine the cause of these symptoms, and have testing done so that there may be appropriate treatment. We offer a hair sample test which may help your decision making.

It is extremely important that Glandular Fever be recognised for it to be treated and the weakened organs balanced. We determine this by doing a hair analysis and suggesting natural medicines that will help detoxify and strengthen the Immune system. To order your Hair Analysis click here

The post How Long Does It Take To Get Over Glandular Fever? appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Glandular Fever And Chronic Fatigue

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 05:14:00 GMT

Glandular Fever is widely linked to Chronic Fatigue symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue is becoming more and more common within our Society. Glandular fever gives no quarter, it does not distinguish between a physically fit athletic body or somebody that is already immune deficient .

There are so many cases where our top athletes have crashed for many months losing precious training times because they have contracted the Glandular fever Virus, some have even tried to keep up their training exacerbating the whole situation, and a few have missed important events that they have trained for years to compete in, such as the Commonwealth and even the Olympic games.

The problem with Glandular fever is that because it affects all of your glands and lymph nodes, you may get a variety of symptoms that appear to have no common cause.

The symptoms may actually change from day to day, which makes diagnosing very difficult and you may get confused and start to wonder if you are imagining it and whether it could be all in your mind. Sometimes you can be told this is a possibility and asked if you would like see a psychologist.

Because glandular fever attacks your endocrine system, it affects you not only physically but mentally as well. It makes you doubt your own decisions, the moods swings can be dramatic, you may feel depressed for no known reason, where before the virus, you were such a positive person, where every glass was half full.

You may find your friends are puzzled at the changes that they see in you and they cannot understand why.

In most cases unless you have been diagnosed you will not be able to understand why – one day you feel ok, the next day you have crashed and need to rest.

How often have I heard the phrase “this is just not me, what is wrong”?

You can’t get up in the morning, you are exhausted all day every day. Nobody can tell you why.

In my career as a naturopath, I have known many patients to lie on their bed for months trying to recover from this virus. Often these patients are thought to be just lazy and suffer unfair criticism from friends and family.

You can look at Glandular Fever as a possible reason for this condition.

This virus may be attacking your adrenal gland. If that happens, you will not have enough cortisol to handle any stress that happens in your life, you may overreact to a given situation, and become very depressed or even angry in the circumstances.

Enough stress may cause your heart to race, which is very frightening and this may lead to anxiety attacks where you are afraid to leave the house..

With the endocrine system being weakened, your iron may be low. You are not digesting well if the pancreas is weakened and you become hypoglycaemic. In some cases, it has been linked to type 2 diabetes.

If your thyroid becomes unstable this may lead to fatigue and muscle weakness. Your weight may also change, either you put on excessive weight without a diet change or you may even start to lose weight. With the thyroid involved your metabolism alters and appears to leave you with another problem that does not make sense.

Even young people who feel that they are bulletproof, need to question changes that can alter their lifestyle without any apparent reason.

If you have any of these symptoms, and they are not making sense to you or you feel you are not recovering in a reasonable amount of time, please do not just accept it, Your health is the most important asset that you have, it is your vehicle through life and you need to treasure it .

It is extremely important that Glandular Fever be recognised for it to be treated and the weakened organs balanced. We determine this by doing a hair sample and suggesting natural medicines that will help detoxify and strengthen the Immune system. To order your Hair Analysis click here.

The post Glandular Fever And Chronic Fatigue appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Can Glandular Fever Cause Chronic Disease?

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 03:40:00 GMT

I believe that glandular fever is a major cause of the many autoimmune diseases that our population are facing.

Thyroid Disease:

Glandular fever affects the thyroid gland as it is part of the endocrine system. The virus may make the thyroid what is called unstable, where it can test as normal one day, the next day it may test as overactive, next week it may show as being under active.

The thyroid gland is responsible for secreting hormones that influence every chemical reaction in the body. It especially affects your energy, metabolism, reproductive health and digestion. It is a very important gland, and often underestimated.

This reaction of the thyroid gland may leave you feeling:

Type 2 Diabetes:

Unfortunately, this disease is becoming more common in this country, especially among our younger people.

There is a possibility that glandular fever may be responsible for this increase, as it may attack and weaken the pancreas. The pancreas is a large abdominal gland with both exocrine and endocrine functions. It secretes alkaline digestive juices and the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Insulin stimulates the storage of glucose, amino acids and fatty acids. Its principal action is to stimulate cells to take up glucose from the blood. Insulin lowers the blood-glucose level.

Without enough Insulin the blood sugar rises and we go into the danger zones of diabetes. Eating too many carbs and sweets will increase the blood sugar levels.

Infertility :

Many a young couple wanting a family are puzzled as to why becoming pregnant is not as easy as they would have presumed. Remember, glandular fever may attack every gland and every hormone in their body, leaving them with low sperm counts, or irregular periods.

Often the hormones are completely out of balance, too much oestrogen or not enough progesterone or testosterone.

Both male and Female should be tested for their levels of hormones. A lot of women presume that they are the only partner that needs to be examined. This is a two way street and glandular fever attacks both male and female. It does not distinguish between the two, the ovaries and testes both can be affected by this virus, leading to difficulty in conceiving a child.

Anxiety Attacks :

Unfortunately, in our clinic we are seeing more and more of these type of problems. Young people and some not so young coming in with racing hearts and breathless, anxious but not quite sure why they are reacting in that manner. There is nothing really wrong in their lives that they can pinpoint as the cause, but the reaction is so severe and so real to them. They are often scared to leave their homes as they are not quite sure when the attacks will happen.

What we have started to realise is that a large percentage of these patients have had one or multiple attacks of glandular fever.

The pancreas weakened can cause the blood sugar to drop too quickly, allowing the patient to feel light headed even dizzy. The insulin imbalance may cause the heart to race, which in turn is frightening, and they think they may be having a heart attack.

Likewise, with the adrenals involved with glandular fever, they may secrete too much cortisol, which can cause a similar reaction.

If you are diagnosed with glandular fever take it seriously. Realise that it may have far-reaching consequences if you ignore the advice that is given.

The best way to treat this virus is to listen to your body, rest if you feel like it, if you think you would like to exercise do so, but do not force your body into doing more than it really wants to.

I have found some people think that they be able to exercise Glandular Fever from their system. This is a mistake and may cause you to have a relapse.

As with any disease you will require simple healthy food, rest, hydration. These are the basics on which to build your health plan.

It is extremely important that Glandular Fever be recognised for it to be treated and the weakened organs balanced. We determine this by doing a hair sample and suggesting natural medicines that will help detoxify and strengthen the Immune system. To order your Hair Analysis click here

The post Can Glandular Fever Cause Chronic Disease? appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Is There A Common Rash Connected To Glandular Fever?

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 03:25:00 GMT

No, I do not believe so. Rashes can occur sometimes with the disease as the organs are weakened by the virus.

The hormones out of balance may cause a pimple/acne type of rash. If the viral attack is very severe you may have the liver weakened and the possibility of jaundice causing yellowed eyes and skin.

In many cases this virus is mistaken for a bacteria and antibiotics are prescribed. The rashes that I have seen appear to be a reaction to a particular antibiotic that is given .

With glandular fever the endocrine system is affected, and that can mean any or all of the hormones can be out of balance at any one time.

This may create fever rashes even to the point of hot flushes, the face may redden and the temperature may rise.

If the Liver is involved, red patches may appear anywhere on the body, sometimes they may itch and sometimes not, and in many cases it is thought that the Glandular fever has a common rash as part of its normal symptoms. I think that in most of these cases it has been a prior infection and/or a weakened immune system.

So we have to look at your prior history.

If there is prior case of skin problems, such as eczema or dermatitis, especially if cortisone has been used to treat the infections. The stress of glandular fever and the change in hormone levels may activate the old rashes. Even though I do not believe that there is a rash common to glandular fever, rashes may present during the period of the virus.

In one case of glandular fever I have seen a shingles type rash occur, later learning that this particular patient had three attacks of the herpes zoster virus (Shingles) over a period of nearly 20 years.

With the exhaustion and hormone imbalance that may be caused by glandular fever, headaches occur, you may be too tired to look after yourself well, so you do not eat fresh, home cooked food. In these cases, takeaway is the easiest option, resulting in your body becoming even more toxic.

If the Lymphatic system is blocking, as does often happen in Glandular fever cases, your system in incapable of getting rid of the toxins in your body completely.

With that happening in an already weakened system, your body has no other alternative but to send all those toxins out to the skin.

Remember your body is programmed to protect your vital organs, so it really won’t care if you do not look as attractive as you would normally, and your skin has blotches or even itchy rashes. Your immune system is happy your organs are not being so affected by the toxins.

Your body is amazing in its ability to help you heal. Listen to it, go with your feelings as to how to care for it. Remember, it is your vehicle for life. It is a bit difficult to trade it in and order a new one.

Good health is the greatest treasure that we can have. Protect it!

The post Is There A Common Rash Connected To Glandular Fever? appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Glandular Fever And Kissing

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 06:35:00 GMT

SHOULD YOU KISS SOMEONE WITH GLANDULAR FEVER?

No, that is why it is called the “Kissing Disease”. It is so easily spread by kissing and very close contact.

If they have been diagnosed with Glandular fever, try to make sure you do not use their utensils, cups or glasses. If you live in the same house, do not use the same glass for toothbrushes, keep your towels and face washers separate.

But having said that so many people do not know that they have ever had Glandular Fever , so they are not in a position to warn you not to come too close.

The most common error you can make is thinking that glandular Fever is Tonsillitis , because many of the symptoms can be the same. Sore throat, high fevers, headaches, swollen around the jaw lines, very hard to swallow. It is assumed that it is a Bacteria , when in actual fact it is a very contagious virus.

Glandular fever is pandemic in Australia , the Gold Coast Bulletin wrote that 80% of Australians may carry the disease .

When you realise that so many people may have had the disease, you start to know that it is harder not to have had it than to get it.

It is important to be informed about Glandular Fever which enables you to make a decision and consider other options. Glandular Fever has some of the same symptoms as tonsillitis and it is important to have checks done for other viruses and bacterias, not only the Streptococci bacteria, the most common bacteria linked to a tonsils infection.

As you can imagine if you realise that one member of the family has had Glandular fever, then you know that it is likely that other members of the same family may have had it too. Families have this habit of kissing and hugging each other, and if you are home, you may use a towel without thinking as you are comfortable in your own environment.

Glandular fever is known around the world , often under different names e.g Epstein Barr virus , Cytomegelo Virus and in the United States it is called “ Infectious Mononucleosis” .

It is often thought to be a Tropical Disease, but many of the colder countries have acknowledged its existence within their borders.

Glandular Fever, because it involves the Glands, Hormones and lymph Nodes can present with a variety of symptoms that are able to change each time it activates. Sometimes it can present with swollen Lymph Nodes in the groin or the neck and around the jaw. Other times it may be a sore throat and exhaustion.

An attack of this virus can suddenly change a period , it may become irregular , start clotting leading to pain and discomfort . a change in the balance of the Hormones may be responsible

Learn to listen to your body and be aware of any changes that may be happening , the quicker you recognize the differences the quicker they may be treated and the less permanent damage done to your body . Remember this is your vehicle to travel through life.

It is extremely important that Glandular Fever be recognised for it to be treated and the weakened organs balanced. We determine this by doing a hair analysis and suggesting natural medicines that will help detoxify and strengthen the Immune system. To order your Hair Analysis click here

The post Glandular Fever And Kissing appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Glandular Fever And Children

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 04:04:00 GMT

Can Children Catch Glandular Fever?

Many young children have contracted Glandular Fever

In Queensland, at Naturopath Australia, we have treated many children over the years and I have treated children from infant through to teenagers who have contracted Glandular Fever.

If you, or other close family members have had the disease (often you may not even know that you have had it) it can activate at any time and you may not be aware of the fact that you may be contagious.

You may think that you are just tired or have a sore throat. With such close contact with your children it is very easy to pass on the disease just by kissing or hugging your loved ones.

The most common time I have found for children to contract Glandular Fever is around the early years going into puberty.

For a child to contract Glandular Fever at this time can be very serious as their hormones are naturally starting to change.

Glandular fever will attack their glands, hormones and Lymph Nodes and present them with a variety of symptoms that often are not linked to the Glandular Fever which is otherwise known as Epstein Barr Virus.

Your teenagers can become very moody and difficult to deal with. They often do not want to eat or, indeed if the Thyroid is affected, they may put on weight or lose weight.

Girls may suffer painful, irregular periods sometimes with heavy clotting. Or they may experience severe mood swings in the time leading up to their periods. Some of these children have had to miss schools days because of sharp pains and nausea and heavy uncontrolled bleeding .

I have had girls crying in the clinic because they have bled through their clothes and were bullied and humiliated at school. Many have been prescribed medication such as contraception pills in an effort to regulate their menses.

Boys often do not have such obvious symptoms as the girls. Swinging moods, angry outbursts, sulky silent resentment, sore throats, swollen glands under the jaw or enlarged lymph nodes in the groin are some of the more common symptoms that they present. Muscle aches and joint pains, headaches sometimes nausea are connected to this virus.

It is extremely important that Glandular Fever be recognised for it to be treated and the weakened organs balanced. We determine this by doing a hair sample and suggesting natural medicines that will help detoxify and strengthen the Immune system. To order your Hair Analysis click here

The post Glandular Fever And Children appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Glandular Fever

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 02:23:00 GMT

Unraveling the Mystery of Glandular Fever

Glandular Fever is a virus that is totally underestimated.

It appears to attack every gland, hormone and lymph node in the body. This leaves us with a frightening picture of the damage that it can do in our bodies.

In many cases, there is no blood testing done, it is just assumed that it is a bacteria and antibiotics are given with the patient being asked to come back if they do not improve.

No antibiotics should be given for a virus especially Glandular Fever.

In most cases it will make the virus dormant, with the ability to reactivate depending on the amount of stress present in the patient’s lives. This may happen in three months, six months or maybe not even for a few years, depending on their lifestyle and the amount of anxiety and stress in their everyday living.

When you start to get a complete picture of just what it can do, you realise that more has to be done to take this disease seriously.

A common time to contract this disease is coming into puberty, when the glands are starting to change. This may leave a teenager very moody, and with constant sore throats and swollen glands. A girl just starting her periods may experience severe pain, headaches, irregular periods, skin breakouts and weight gain. I have found that in nearly all these cases, Glandular Fever is never even taken into account as a possibility.

With Glandular Fever, every gland, every hormone and every lymph node in the body can be affected.

We have to start to wake up to the fact, that that happens to affect nearly every function of your body.

Glandular Fever plays a large part in the level of energy that we have to do our daily tasks.

It is extremely important that Glandular Fever be recognised for it to be treated and the weakened organs balanced. We determine this by doing a hair sample and suggesting natural medicines that will help detoxify and strengthen the Immune system. To order your Hair Analysis click here

The post Glandular Fever appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Athlete’s Foot

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

This is identified by soft peeling skin between the toes, which can leave your feet clammy and smelly. It is caused by a fungal infection.

Athlete’s Foot is highly infectious, so do not walk around bare foot, where other people are likely to tread .Public showers e.g. caravans parks can be highly contagious if you do not wear thongs or some form of footwear. Do not allow sharing of thongs, sandals, towels or use the same bath mats.

After drying between your toes, wash the towel in hot water and soap with a few drops of Lavender oil. Don’t use the towel on other parts of your body because tinea can easily spread especially to the groin area.

Soak your feet in warm water and 6 to 10 drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil.

After washing the feet and drying them well dust between the toes with powered arrowroot.

For persistent cases, paint the area with tea tree oil and place a cotton wool ball moistened with several drops of the oil in your shoes at night.

Image courtesy of paisan191 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Parasites

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

A parasite by definition is an organism, which to some degree, injures its host.

Injury to the host may be brought about in a wide variety of ways. The most widespread type of injury is that brought about by interference with the vital processes of the host (you and me) through the action of secretions, excretions or other products of the parasites.

Parasites producing such effects may be in the tissues or organs, in the blood stream or the gastrointestinal tract.

Prior to the modern generations, mothers would worm their children monthly at least In our culture there is a belief that because of the higher levels of hygiene that internal parasites are an unlikely problem for us. Nothing is further from the truth! We can pick them up from drinking water or eating undercooked meat or fish, walking barefoot , patting or kissing animals and of course from other humans.

Consider everything you touch that has been handled by others: money, door handles, menus, salt shakers, fruit and vegetables – the possibilities for contamination are endless. There need not be obvious symptoms as parasites are programmed for survival and are highly adaptable organisms that are skilled at remaining undetected. Because of the detrimental effects on the body there is much research being done on the possible links between parasites, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Filtering all drinking water is a good start to preventing parasites.

Image courtesy of cuteimage/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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How Clean Is Your Home

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

How clean is your home?

A recent article in a Sunday newspaper highlighted the areas of most concern for harbouring germs. Surprisingly, the main offenders weren’t where you may think.

The Kitchen sponge/dishcloth is one of the dirtiest items in your home. This alone can harbour up to 10 million bacteria per square inch! Keep it clean by washing in hot soapy water and replace regularly.

Toothbrush and holder should be cleaned in hot water and dried after each use. Replace your toothbrush regularly to maintain good oral hygiene.

Towels can be a source of cross contaminating bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococcus. Don’t share towels where possible and make sure it is not stored damp.

Pillows and bed sheets are a haven for bacteria and fungi. Wash sheets and mattress protectors regularly in hot water and regularly replace your pillows.

Simple, good hygiene practices are an important part of good health.

Image courtesy of khunaspix/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Manganese

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Normal Thyroid function requires manganese because it is involved in the formation of Thyroxin, the Thyroid’s most important hormone.

When the body’s Estrogen, insulin or Parathyroid hormones are elevated the absorption of Manganese may be impaired as these hormones are antagonistic to thyroid function.

Manganese is located largely in the Mitochondria – The powerhouse of the body.

Manganese deficiency can lead to cartilage and connective tissue disorders, brittle bones and retarded bone growth which causes bowing can occur.

In America manganese deficiency appears to be as prevalent as iron deficiency. Low Manganese levels have been found in patients with hypoglycaemia, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, kidney problems and diabetes.

It is for energy and antioxidant protection, to help with dizziness and tinnitus. Manganese may be found in Spinach, Beets, Brussels sprouts, and Kelp

Image courtesy of smarnad / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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How To Stay Young

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long & loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots & lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. LIVE while your alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next city, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. I love you my special friend.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

12. Be aware of your surroundings; give thanks with Love and gratitude for all you see.

13. When you go to the supermarket take a look around at the abundance that is yours for the choosing

Always remember: * Lost time can never be found. *

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.”

Image courtesy of Christian Meyn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post How To Stay Young appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Bitter Gourd

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Bitter Gourd is a common vegetable grown all over India.

It is widely known for its medicinal properties. It contains a plant insulin which has been highly beneficial in lowering blood and urine sugar levels. It should be included in the diet of Diabetics.

The seeds may be powdered with a mortar and pestle and added to food. Often it is taken as a juice in the morning on an empty stomach. It is bitter in taste.

Bitter gourd is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, C and Iron.

It has been known to help hypertension, eye problems and respiratory weakness.

A teaspoonful of root paste mixed with equal amount of honey every night gives relief with asthma and bronchitis.

It is said that it is an antidote for alcohol intoxication.

To reduce the bitterness steep the peeled gourd in salted water before cooking.

Image courtesy of antpkr/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Rosemary – An Amazing Herb

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Rosemary is a wonderful herb that is used to improve memory, and with the currently high statistics of dementia, it should be a herb that is often used in our diets as a tea, or in salads.

It has wonderful digestive properties. Rosemary freshens the breath. Blended with Peppermint it aids the digestion and improves appetite.

This magic herb may be used as a relaxant, a tea before bed induces a good nights sleep. So soothing to the head and nerves and alleviates headaches. Many women use it as a hair aid; cooled tea rubbed into the scalp is an excellent stimulant and hair tonic. It increases blood circulation and helps hair become lustrous and dandruff free.

Image courtesy of James Barker / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Rosemary – An Amazing Herb appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Email Whitelisting

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Thank you for subscribing to Barbara Saker.

Many e-mail and Internet companies are now using programs to block unwanted e-mail, often called spam. Sometimes, however, these programs block e-mail you want to get.

To Ensure You Are Receiving Your Barbara Saker Emails Do The Following:
Be sure to add the corresponding Barbara Saker email addresses to your email white list to ensure the best chance of receiving our content and updates

A whitelist is a list of accepted items or persons in a set…. a list of e-mail addresses or domain names from which an e-mail blocking program will allow messages to be received.

Why is this important?

Unsolicited, unwanted advertising e-mail, commonly known as “spam”, has become a big problem. It’s reached such proportions that most e-mail services and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have put some sort of blocking or filtering system in place or begun relying on self-proclaimed blacklists to tell the good guys from the bad.

Barbara Saker applauds their intention to protect you from spam, but everyone agrees that the current systems for stopping spam are far from a perfect solution. They often block e-mail that you’ve requested, but that fits somebody’s idea of what spam looks like. The more responsible anti-spam activists are working hard to cut down on these “false positives”, but in the mean time, you might unexpectedly find you’re not getting your subscription’s content…

As it happens, there’s something you can do to keep your subscription’s content from falling into the false positive trap. You can fight the blacklists with a “white-list”.

White-list us now, before your delivery is interrupted.

Of course, every e-mail system is different. Below are instructions for some of the more popular ones. If yours isn’t here, please contact your ISP’s customer service folks for their instructions. (Forward the answer to us, and we might add it!) If you’re using some sort of spam filtering or blocking software yourself (in addition to what your ISP provides), we’ve also listed instructions on how to exempt your subscription from some of the more popular of those programs.

Gmail:

1. In your inbox, locate an email from us (eg. your welcome mail for the product you just purchased).
2. Drag this email to the “primary” tab of your inbox.
3. You’ll see that our emails will go to your primary folder in the future!

Yahoo! Mail

When opening an email message, a “+” symbol should display next to From: and the sender’s name. Select this and an “Add to contacts” pop-up should appear. Select “Save”:

Mac Mail

Select “Mail” and “Preferences” from the top menu.

In the “Preferences” window, click the “Rules” icon.
Click the “Add Rule” button.

Outlook 2003 & Later

The post Email Whitelisting appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

How The Oldies Ate

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

What was the diet our Grandparents used?

To go looking for answers we have to go back into the past and look at our grandparents, evaluate how they lived, what they ate, their level of stress and the effect it had on their nervous system.

Anxiety attacks as we know them now were unheard of, especially in such a large ratio of the population, and definitely not seen as a children’s complaint as it is becoming in this generation.

I lived as a child in North Queensland, and to cook a meal the wood had to be chopped and the fire lit, there had to be time allowed for the stove to become hot enough, all vegetables had to be pealed and cut, the meat was sliced and prepared by the household cook. There were no marinades or butcher’s diced meat for those housewives. Any desserts were made in the home kitchen. At night the bread was set to rise and the oats had to soaked and cooked well in the morning for breakfast, usually followed by bacon and eggs. After such a solid breakfast there did not appear the need to snack mid morning and nobody seemed to eat again till the midday meal, which in the heat of the north usually always constituted of a salad and some form of protein, often fish, meat or in some cases lentils.

School days these ingredients were made into a sandwich with wholegrain bread made at home, a banana or apple completed the meal. A glass of plain milk was encouraged when children came home from school, in most cases no food wasoffered as it was thought dinner would not eaten if there were snacks at this time.

Dinner was the meat and three veg I have heard many people laugh about, “the old people didn’t know how to cook”, often their sweets were just a piece of fruit. Sweets were treats, only for special occasions like Christmas, Easter and Mothers day. The excitement those treat generated weeks before had to be seen to believed.

The tiredness we see in children today just didn’t seem to be there. Why?

Image courtesy of zirconicusso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post How The Oldies Ate appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Chromium – A Mighty Mineral

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

These days when so many of our children are testing for type 2 diabetes this mineral is very important.

It has the power to slow down the cravings for sugar and to balance the blood sugar.

It is used a lot in the treatment of hypoglycaemia to prevent the after lunch lack of concentration and slump in energy.

It is important for glucose and insulin metabolism. In other words it helps provide us with energy to do all the things we need to do.

Chromium may be found in whole grains, raw cane sugar, shellfish, chicken.

Image courtesy of koratmember / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Chromium – A Mighty Mineral appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Ginger Pain Killing Properties

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

New research is showing that using Ginger may reduce pain and inflammation. The active ingredients in ginger – compounds called gingerols have a similar structure to capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilli peppers and capsicum, a known pain reliever. Capsaicin is used on the skin as a pain reliever.

It dulls pain receptors only after setting them off and this is a problem.

Capsaicin initially causes pain, but then it can eventually block the sensation of pain.

Ginger Molecules that are less pungent than capsicum can achieve the same effect without the initial painful response. Ginger helps control inflammation.

Many of us that use fruit and vegetables as medicines are aware of the value of Ginger in morning and travel sickness, nausea, bloating and intestinal colic. A cup of fresh ginger tea is very comforting to an upset stomach.

Image courtesy of africa/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Ginger Pain Killing Properties appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Bach Flower Remedies

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Bach Flowers Remedies – Part 2:

Continuing with our explanation of the Bach Flowers Remedies (if you missed part 1, you can find it here:

AGRIMONY: Is often used to help people that hide their worries under a mask of good humour. It may assist the patient in bringing their problems out in the open where they can deal with them.

ASPEN: Unexplained anxiety, fear that something will always go wrong. Aspen helps the emotions by alleviating unfounded fears.

BEECH: Doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Will help with a more tolerant attitude to others.

CENTUARY: These people have a lot of trouble saying “No”, even when they know they should. Centuary will help restore their confidence in their own judgement.

CERATO: is often prescribed to patients who mistrust their own judgement. They ask advice of other people because they lack confidence in their own intuition, often to their own detriment.

CHERRY PLUM: often these people talk about suicide, are very angry. Cherry Plum appears to make them calmer and more in control.

CHESTNUT BUD: Appears to help people that always seem to make the same mistakes over and over again. Chestnut bud gives a focus and allows positive changes to take place.

CHICORY: Chicory people are the ones that are of the opinion that they know best for everyone else. Chicory gives the security that they can love without needing to control.

CLEMATIS: These are the daydreamers that live in a world of their own. Brings a sense of purpose to very sensitive souls.

CRAB APPLE: These people are often called OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Crab Apple can bring a sense of balance into their lives which makes living easier for them and the family around them.

ELM: These wonderful men & women are the salt of the earth where they try to take over all responsibility. Elm can help when they find it is too much and it is overwhelming.

GENTIAN: Our Gentian friends drop their bundles when ever they experience a setback. These people make poor patients as give up on any treatment before it has a chance to make difference. The remedy gentian encourages a positive outlook leading to a brighter future.

GORSE: Feel hopeless if given an adverse medical diagnosis and sink into a victim mode “WHY ME”. Gorse gives them the strength to stay calm and allow the treatments to work.

HEATHER: Talks incessantly about their problems . self obsessed. Heather gives the strength to cope with their own concerns , and can encourage them to listen instead of over talking everybody.

HOLLY: Carries resentment and hatred like a badge. Outbursts of temper Holly helps give a sense of peace and harmony, restores faith in other people.

HONEYSUCKLE: These people are inclined to live in the past. Trapped in memories. Allows a patient to appreciate the lessons learnt from the past but to live in the present and look forward to the future.

HORNBEAM: Chronic Fatigue. Feels like they are too tired to complete a task. This remedy works to restore people’s confidence in their own ability to finish what they start. Restores strength and optimism.

IMPATIENS: These people can easily become frustrated and irritable if things move too slowly. The Homoeopathic made from the Impatiens plant helps increase patience with people and situations.

LARCH: Lack of self belief. It is no use trying “I cannot do it”. Instills confidence in their ability to achieve their goals.

MIMULUS: Fear and worry around everyday situations . Any fear where a cause can be named. Gives courage to help overcome fears. Restore Balance.

MUSTARD: Overcome with gloom and depression . No joy in anything. Helps attain a serenity and stability. Regain joy in living.

OAK: The Oak character has a tendency to overwork and try to hide the tiredness, as they do not want to let other people down. They tend to push themselves until eventually they crash. Helps restore their natural strength and energy with balance.

OLIVE: Absolute exhaustion, both mental and physical. Balances the approach to life. Restores strength and vitality.

PINE: Living with guilt. Takes on guilt for everything around him. Helps people learn from past mistakes and move on to a more positive lifestyle.

RED CHESTNUT: Worries too much about their loved ones. Helps free the family from the overconcern. Creates a Balance.

RESCUE REMEDY: is not an individual remedy but a combination of five of the Bach Flower remedies. it treats shock and fear, and as any mother that has often used it knows, it has a wonderful calming effect on young children. It is also a wonderful aid during childbirth. Rescue Remedy combines Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, Impatiens, and Clematis.

ROCK ROSE: Blind panic, out of control. A feeling of helplessness. No hope. Gives a sense of calmness. Removes the panic from the situation.

ROCK WATER: Rigid in their ideas. Exaggerated perfectionism. They are always right. Helps them relax and even listen to and accept other people’s ideas.

SCLERANTHUS: These people cannot make a decision. Goes back and forth. Between two options. Mood swings. Helps them in their decision making. Changes uncertainty into a positive result.

STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Helps with shock. Supports the numbness and the inability to cope with the situation. Balances the normal mental, emotional and physical faculties.

SWEET CHESTNUT: Extremes of loneliness. Feels all hope is gone. Gives the strength to deal with life. Restores the desire to change any circumstances that have lead to this desolation.

VERVAIN: Holds tension and a great deal of stress. Over commitment to causes. Helps establish more tolerance of other people’s points of view.

VINE: A craving for power. Wants to lead and dominate. Helps turn that power into a desire to help and guide others without the domination.

WALNUT: Very sensitive to other people’s opinions. Cares too much what other people will think of her. Frees them from interference. They can gain the belief in their own decisions.

WATER VIOLET: Aloof and very often lonely. Water Violet helps them to drop the barriers and let other people into their lives.

WHITE CHESTNUT: Worry, worry, worry and mental arguments . No peace in their head. The brain is like a merry go round always going round and round with unwanted thoughts. Helps brings peace to the mind . Develop the ability to solve the problem and then let it go.

WILD OAT: Aimless drifting . Doesn’t know what it is they want in life. Calms the brain down enough so that they can establish their true vocation.

WILD ROSE: Apathy, lacks energy and mental activity. “Can’t be bothered” is a common phrase. Encourages a renewed interest in life.

WILLOW: Self pity, sulky and resentful, no gratitude “The Victim”. Helps with a more positive approach to other people. Stops the negativity.

Emotions are the electric light switch that creates disease in our bodies, and turns our mental problems into our physical weaknesses. Without stress and intense emotions there would not be so much sickness in our world today. Bach Flower Remedies are such simple medications without traumatic side effects that help to make life a little easier.

Bach Flower Remedies are available in our online shop.

The post Bach Flower Remedies appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Garlic

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

The most dominant mineral of garlic is sulphur. About 80% of garlic oil is in the form of sulphur elements. They are a natural antibiotic and they promote the elimination of toxins from the lymphatic system and organs.

Many of our soldiers cut up garlic and onions (they are members of the same family) and put them in their marching boots to prevent infection from broken blisters.

Garlic oil is most effective in clearing mucous from the respiratory system. A lot of our processed foods like refined bread, milk, cheese and drinks as well as smoking and environmental pollutants cause a build up of mucous in the body.

A cold is often a warning that the body needs to eliminate excess mucous toxins. People often get worried if they eliminate mucous but the more mucous that is eliminated from the body the better we will feel.

Image courtesy of Clare Bloomfield/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Fennel Seeds – Help Your Digestion

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Fennel seeds have long been used to fight hunger pangs by those on diets.

They can be put into broths, or taken as a herbal tea before a meal.

They help you digest the food, and prevent the forming of gases and wind in the stomach.

Therefore, no uncomfortable bloating in the gastrointestinal tract, which is a very common complaint in these times of rushed food often from the nearest take-away.

The cold fennel seed tea is very soothing on tired blood shot eyes.

Fennel seeds have been used in the treatment of gallstones.

The post Fennel Seeds – Help Your Digestion appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Thyme – Natural Head Lice Treatment

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Mothers Miracle – Thyme

Head lice are a constant worry for the mothers of school age children. They can be constantly passed from one person to another, usually by direct contact. Sharing of combs, brushes, hats and pillows will also spread lice.

Lice puncture the skin and suck blood, laying eggs, called “Nits” which attach to the hair. Large outbreaks may occur in schools as lice spread more easily and quickly in over crowded conditions. Itching of the head is the first sign that someone may have lice and nits, thoroughly check the hair, looking close to the scalp. The grey coloured eggs are just visible to the naked eye. Can be seen very clearly using a magnifying glass.

Combing essential OIL OF THYME through the hair with a fine toothcomb daily until they are cleared up is a natural and safe remedy. THYME is a powerful antiseptic which contains thymol.

The post Thyme – Natural Head Lice Treatment appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Take Care Of Your Pets The Natural Way

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Use the pantry to deter Ticks and Fleas

Mix 300 mls of water and 600 mls of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add 2 teaspoons of Almond Oil (which is a tick repellent). To make sure the fleas will stay away from your pets mix in a few teaspoons of lemon juice and citrus oil or peppermint oil. Both of these will repel ticks and fleas while giving a pleasant smell.

Be careful spraying onto the animal’s coat, stay away from eyes, nose, mouth and genitals.

The post Take Care Of Your Pets The Natural Way appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Radish

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

This little vegetable is amazing, it is one of the richest sources of iron, calcium and sodium that we have in the vegetable kingdom.

The leaves are often eaten in salads and have more calcium, phosphorus vitamin C and protein than radish itself.

You can prepare a syrup by mixing a teaspoonful of fresh radish juice with equal quantity of honey and a little rock salt, this is often used in the treatment of hoarseness, whooping cough, bronchitis and other chest problems. It may be given 3 times a day.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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My New Friend Simon

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

One day into my clinic came a little boy and his mother who was so sick. I was trying to treat her and Simon decided he was not getting enough attention and to change this situation he thought he would ignore every request that his mother made.

He pulled books off shelves and decided to yell when she spoke to him. I realised that I would have no hope of helping his mother if this behaviour continued, so in a very low voice I said “Simon stop that you will do as you are told “. He stopped and stared at me and ran from the room Simon at that time was 2 years old. Every visit his family made he would glare at me and keep his distance. This continued for 4 years.

Yesterday was for me a day of triumph. Simon came into the treatment room and pulled up a chair beside me and talked about his IPOD.

I AM FORGIVEN

Image courtesy of chrisroll / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Fruit And Vegetables As Supplements

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Using Fresh Fruit and Vegetables as Supplements is easy.

Beans: Vitamin A, C and dietary fibre
Blackberry: Vitamin A, B and B2, calcium, Phosphorus and iron
Blueberry: Antioxidants, Vitamins A and C
Coconut: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, E and some saturated fat

Figs: Dietary fibre, Vitamin C and Potassium
Kale: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and dietary fibre
Plums: Vitamin A and C, calcium, Phosphorous, Riboflavin, and Niacin
Raspberry: Vitamins A, B, B2, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and iron
Rhubarb: Dietary fibre, Vitamin c, Thiamine and Niacin
Sweet Potato: Vitamins C, A, E, complex carbohydrates, folic acid, potassium and dietary Fibre.

Image courtesy of amenic181/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Asthma Prevention Massage Technique

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Massage with the essential oils is a wonderful way to comfort a child and give them a sense of security, as well as a feeling of well-being.

This technique is often used to prevent an asthma attack in a small child.

Using this prescription for a child roughly two to seven years old:

30 ml Almond oil or vegetable oil, to be used to carry the following combination: Geranium oil 3 drops, Frankincense oil 3 drops, Lavender 5 drops.

Massage the back in long sweeping movements, moving from the base of the spine up and out towards the shoulders.

The post Asthma Prevention Massage Technique appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Toxic Chemicals In The Home

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Everyday household products could be killing us.

Air Fresheners – ethanol, phenol, xylene and other nerve deadening products: toxic to our organs.

Pesticides for termites and ants – Chlorpyriphos, has been found in homes 10 years after exposure: affects the nervous system.

Varnishes – Formaldehyde: potential carcinogen, eye and skin irritation, wheezing, coughing, nausea, dizziness and lethargy.

Polyvinyl wallpaper, Floor coverings, Lacquers – Methyl acetate: respiratory irritation, can cause headaches and impaired concentration.

Paints and varnishes- Cadmium, chromates and other potential carcinogens: memory problems, headaches, brain damage, lung disease.

Wood and textile Preservatives, Glues – Pentachlorophenol: toxic to Liver, Kidney, causes sweating, loss of muscle control, central nervous system damage.

The post Toxic Chemicals In The Home appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Celery

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

If you have been using refined foods for long periods of time you can develop arthritic symptoms with pain in the joints causing discomfort and mobility issues.

Celery, parsley and carrot juice mixed together can help eliminate some of those toxic substances that have deposited in the joints.

Regular use of celery juice provides essential alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium calcium, magnesium iron and manganese and lessens the pain of arthritis.

Celery is an excellent source of natural Insulin, a boon for diabetics. It would be a good idea to use celery sticks with the Hommus and avocado dips for your next party. Celery is rich in mineral sodium which may help in preventing a build-up of solid deposits in the arteries.

Image courtesy of digidreamgrafix/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Lemons – More Than A Fruit

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Lemons can be used for a lot more than eating and drinking.

If you have a lemon tree growing in your backyard and find you have excess fruit, why not juice some and freeze in ice cube trays for the off season?

Here are some lemon alternatives to chemicals:

Make a Furniture Polish by mixing 1/2 Cup Lemon Juice with 1 Cup of Olive Oil. Shake well and apply a small amount to a soft cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to the dry side and buff dry.

Remove most stains from the inside of your kettle by placing 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, fill kettle and boil. Rinse, ready for your next cup of tea.

Refresh and remove most odours from chopping boards by rubbing a cut lemon over surface.

Remove most odours from your fridge with a cotton ball dampened with lemon juice and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure the offending smell causing item is removed.

Place a couple of slices of lemon in a new bin liner, it will keep your bin smelling fresh for longer.

Rub your hands with fresh lemon juice or slices after preparing food such as garlic and onions to remove the strong smell. This can also help with stains on your hands from berries or beetroot.

Using ripe lemons, stick cloves all over the skin and place in your wardrobe. The heavily studded lemons slowly dry, leaving a wonderful smell. As an extra bonus, it will act as a deterrent to moths.

Image courtesy of Franky242/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Lemons – More Than A Fruit appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Grapes

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Grapes are easily assimilated; they are very valuable in the case of weak digestion, chronic fatigue and fevers.

The grapes combination of cellulose, sugar and acid make it a great laxative food, one needs to take around 350 grams of grapes daily to achieve the desired result.

As far back as 1556 German Doctors were using what they called the “Grape Cure” . These Doctors used fresh grape juice to be taken in five meals daily over a period of four to six weeks. They used this treatment for a variety of diseases.

The grape has a wonderful diuretic effect with its high water contents and potassium salt. Its value in kidney troubles is enhanced by its low albumin and sodium chloride.

Excellent food remedy in acute and chronic nephritis.

It may help in the treatment of kidney and bladder stones.

Grapes should be used as soon as possible after purchase as they have a poor shelf life.

Image courtesy of Ambro/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Grapes appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Onions – Natures Antibiotic From The Pantry

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Sometimes being a Naturopath can be frustrating and rewarding at the same time.

A lady rang me from a country area, she was 60 miles from the nearest town and had a baby that was screaming with sore ears. The mother had no car with her husband being away on business.

The request “what can I do? I have to stop my baby’s pain.” I thought “Great – what can I do now” – there was no ambulance to ring and no hospital with emergency rooms.

Suddenly, I remembered an old trick that I had used many years ago with my own children, I had four and we lived 40 miles from the nearest shops. I asked the mother to peel an onion and put it on a saucer over a pot of boiling water, cover the onion till it was steamed soft. Then remove the onion and squeeze it with a garlic press till all the juice was out of it. Making sure the juice was cool I asked her to draw up the juice in a dropper and put it into the child’s ears. Within minutes the pain was gone from the ears and the child was calming down.

Onion juice is a wonderful pain killer and a natural antibiotic.

WARNING: Be sure the onion juice is cooled before use.

Image courtesy of tungphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Onions – Natures Antibiotic From The Pantry appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Cabbage

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

These days we are offered a selection of cabbages. They are wonderful as a muscle builder and cleanser.

It is better eaten raw as it has high levels of Vitamin A.

A meal with raw cabbage is a wonderful way to stimulate the Intestines and relieve constipation issues.

Excessive daily intake may play a part in the Thyroid disease — Goitre.

Many a new mother that has a problem feeding her baby has been grateful to the cabbage leaf poultice for the relief of the pain of Mastitis. Use the thickest and greenest outside leaves. Thoroughly wash them in warm water and dry with a towel the whole leaves should be used for the compresses. Make the leaves flat, soft and smooth with a rolling pin after removing the thick veins Place the warmed leaves on a linen cloth and a soft woollen cloth should be put over it and left overnight.

Image courtesy of Bill Longshaw / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Protein Slice Recipe

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Ingredients

Method

Don’t be afraid to experiment with this recipe, substitute some ingredients – try using oats, pecan nuts, dried apricot, coconut, and sunflower seeds.

The post Protein Slice Recipe appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Bach Flowers

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Dr Bach qualified as a Doctor in 1912 and he became a Surgeon at the National Temperance Hospital London. Dr Bach became very ill in 1917 and was told that he only had 3 months to live. He decided that he still had a lot of work to do and became so absorbed in it that he suddenly realised that the three months had passed, and he appeared to be getting stronger every day.

It came to him that being absorbed in his work and not thinking about his illness appeared to give him a physical advantage. He started a new research that put the emphasis on the emotional responses to a disease. He chose Homoeopathy as the desired medicine as so little was required. He researched plants in homoeopathic form for various emotional states and was amazed at the response of patients to the medicine. People frightened and ill would be helped by taking the plant mimulus. Often people overwhelmed by responsibilities would become exhausted and depressed. Calm judgement would be helped by taking a dose of Elm to restore their natural confidence. Another wonderful Bach remedy is the wild Rose in the case of apathy and resignation, it will help reawaken an interest in living and a zest for life.
When Dr Bach died in 1936, he had put together 38 remedies that even today are used as a safe and beneficial complement to orthodox medicine.

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Ross River Fever

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

In the interest of your better health we would like to advise all our patients of the article that appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin dated Tuesday 24th February 2015.

“Mozzies put bite on city epidemic” (page4)

Doctor’s are warning that Ross River virus is on the increase and will only get worse. The Ross River virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, particularly those found in freshwater. With all the wet weather of late mosquitoes are breeding and an epidemic outbreak is expected.

Symptoms:

Mozzie Bite Prevention Tips:

If you are experiencing any symptoms please contact us for assistance.

The post Ross River Fever appeared first on Naturopath Australia .

Pomegranate

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

The ancient Doctors of Arabia used this fruit for the inflammation of the stomach and pains in the heart.

The sweet varieties of the fruit are regarded as a good laxative, the sour varieties more as anti inflammatories.

It is acknowledged as increasing the body’s resistance against infections, and has been used as part of the fight against Tuberculosis.

The roots and the stems of the pomegranate tree are well known for their ability to purge the body of Tape worms.

In some countries it is used as a treatment for anal itching, which can be a symptom of worms. Powder the roasted brittle and black skin, and mix it with a good quality oil and apply over the anus.

Image courtesy of adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Friends For Life

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

I came across this lovely poem by Katie Newell on a “Friends for Life” calendar.

“FRIENDS FOR LIFE:

Lifelong friends are like the stars
Distance may separate us,
But friends are always there to shine upon our triumphs,
Guide us through our darkness, and show us we are never alone,
Lifelong friends give beauty to our lives,
Inspiration to our souls, and Peace to our hearts.”

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Private Health Insurance Rebate

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

On 13 October 2017, the Australian Government made an announcement regarding the removal of the private health insurance rebate for certain natural therapies from 1 April 2019. Natural therapy modalities named in the announcement were: aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Naturopathy, Pilates, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Tai Chi and Yoga.

This announcement comes after a recent Review of the Australian Government Rebate by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies. Please join Australian Tradional Medince Society (ATMS) in support of natural medicine and our practitioners by contacting your local Member for Parliament. We all have a vote, and we vote for Natural Medicine! We invite consumers, practitioners and the industry to join together in one voice to tell our MPs that if they support the removal of funding for natural medicine via the private health funds, they will not get our vote in the next election!

Why?
By removing, this rebate from private health funds, the Government are limiting every Australian’s right to choose the type of health care they receive. This will affect demand for the 25,000 local small businesses in natural medicine and the wider industry impacting jobs. Natural medicine is a long-term preventative health care strategy and we strongly believe it is crucial to reducing the burden on the public health system.

What can you do?
Follow this link http://www.atms.com.au/support-natural-medicine/ , download the letter, add your personal touch and send it to your local Member of Parliment.

I support Natural Medicine and I vote!

Barbara

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Lavender – Natures Insect Repellent

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

There are so many insect repellents on the market, that you will wonder why I include this in my blogs list.

But when you read the ingredients that are in some of these manufactured products, it is a frightening thought to put them onto the skin of young children, the ingredients are so toxic, and the children’s skin is so porous that they absorb them easily.

You can make an insect repellent by dissolving 10 drops of Lavender in 5ml of Vodka and then blending this mixture with ¼ cup of water.

Store in a tightly sealed bottle or a perfumed atomiser. Just spray onto exposed skin and rub in well. If you attract those biting midgies or mozzies more than most, you may adjust your repellent by increasing the amount of your essential oil – an extra 10 to 15 drops should be sufficient. If your skin is very sensitive or you suffer eczema blend 10 drops of Lavender essential oil with 30 ml of almond oil. Store in airtight amber –coloured glass bottle. If the smell of the Lavender is not strong enough, keep adding the oil a drop at a time until the mixture is the desired strength. Use within 2 months.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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MRS 2000+ Services

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

Magnetic field resonance therapy – the new form of therapy without the side effects.

Body cells are the smartest, autonomous part of our organism.

Nutrients and oxygen must be provided for proper functioning waste products, water and carbon dioxide are broken down, resulting in an undisturbed, energetic equilibrium.

Pulsating magnetic fields with the bodies own frequencies can make for an improved metabolism, supporting the maintenance of health.

If the cell is in a state of equilibrium, man remains healthy: if it is disturbed, man becomes ill.

Barbara Saker has extensive training MRS 2000+ and Magnetic field resonance therapy and uses her knowledge and expertise to provide Naturopath Australia services. Find out more >>

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Missionary Volunteers – Unsung Heroes

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

I have worked for 30 years as a Naturopath, and there are so many stories that come out of clinics.

Some that are heartbreaking, some that make you laugh and others that can make you just wonder at the strength of the human spirit.

Some of the patients that I have treated belong to that wonderful band of people that go to the third world countries to make life easier for the villagers that live in direst poverty without enough food, clean water, medicines, or decent clothing. These volunteers, because they often just get a pittance, and in some cases they even pay their own way to go and help change the world then live in muck and are often abused by the police and security forces of these countries. Many have been robbed of any cash, phones and even their clothes.

Yet still they stay because as they say “if we don’t nobody else will”.

By the time I get a chance to meet them, they are sick with malaria, dengue fever, and even parasitic infestations. Their health is at its lowest, with nasty skin rashes and many gastrointestinal problems. There are thousands of these unsung heroes in our midst that have paid a terrible price for their kindness to others.

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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First Aid Remedies From Your Pantry

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

With a returning interest in organic and natural foods and the knowledge that they are so good for our bodies, I thought that I would extend this awareness to a whole new level – to look at the fact that these herbs do not only nourish us but are capable of healing simple illnesses as well. The advantage of this is that they are usually found in our homes and have a low cost benefit.

I have lived with four children in an area 40kms away from chemists, Doctors and hospitals and can understand the feeling of helplessness in a mother and father when their child is sick and there is nobody with medical knowledge to ask.

Every minute seems like an hour. As any parent knows children can become ill so quickly and the more immediate the treatments at hand, the more time it will give to get that professional help if needed.

So let us begin the journey and learn about the priceless gifts from our gardens that live in our pantries. These herbs and spices can help to keep our families well with low cost and accessibility.

Image courtesy of Praisaeng / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Brain Eating Parasites

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

We would like to share with you an article on page 11 of the Gold Coast Bulletin Newspaper on 10 November 2015.

“Killer Brain Parasite Find. Doctors have identified at least two adults who died of a ‘brain eating parasite’ linked to a cluster of three child deaths in outback Queensland.

Experts believe deaths from the rare killer disease found in fresh water may be double the 25 cases officially recorded in Queensland since 2000.

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare disease, with 98 per cent mortality, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

Most deaths are linked to properties which rely on deep bore water stored in cooling dams, tanks and pipes which accumulates dirt and germs.”

We recommend filtering your water before consuming to reduce the risk of parasite infestation.

Image courtesy of Image courtesy of holohololand / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Sage – The Versatile Herb

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 02:00:00 GMT

SAGE SHOULD BE AVOIDED DURING PREGNANCY AS IT COULD BRING ON A MISCARRIAGE.

The Chinese have a saying “with Sage in the garden you will never die.”

Cooled tea makes a soothing mouth rinse for inflamed or bleeding gums and is an effective gargle for sore throats, laryngitis difficulties in swallowing, infections of the tonsils and catarrh of the pharynx.

It is a great blood purifier and patting the cooled tea onto the skin helps close enlarged pores and overall gives a smoother look to the skin.

It has been known to eliminate worms in children.

It can relieve tension and soothe nerves.

Dries up milk in nursing mothers.

Best of all it grows so easily in a pot in the garden or on a balcony.

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