12 ways to stay healthy(ish) over Christmas

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naturopathy healthy christmasDecember and early January can be tempting times of year to fall off your usual health regime. In some ways it’s ok to give yourself a little bit of a break and not feel too guilty about it, but there are certainly things you can do, to ensure you don’t fall too far!

Following are some tips I like to follow over this silly season, that’s right, even a Naturopath is tempted at this time.

1. Eat before you go out.

It’s hard to know what sort of food is going to be available at your Christmas party, so it … Read more ...

Rhodiola rosea.

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naturopathy rhodiolaRHODIOLA – an amazing herb for increased energy, stamina and mental performance.

Rhodiola rosea also known as rose root, golden root, arctic root and Russian rhodiola, is native to cold northern alpine regions, and is a hardy plant which thrives on rocky slopes. It has been used for centuries in Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Rhodiola possesses tonic and stimulant properties that increase resistance to stress and disease. It is traditionally believed to give strength and stamina and is known to increase attention span as well as work productivity, providing a dramatic boost in energy levels, increased memory and mental performance. … Read more ...

Naturopathy and Weight Management

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naturopathy weight managementThere are more deaths from obesity than malnutrition. It is estimated that 63% of adults in Australia are now overweight or obese, and 25% of children. These figures are on a steady incline, as are all the complications that come with it.

With so many “health experts” giving advise on how to eat, it can get slightly overwhelming knowing whose advise you should actually take, and if the latest fad diet is the one that will work for you. Weight loss can be individual at times, as there are other factors that may be hindering you, such as insulin resistance, … Read more ...

Naturopathy and Skin Disease

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naturopathy skin deseaseThe skin is an organ of elimination, and often we find that when skin problems arise, it can be a manifestation of something else that is going on within.  This could be toxicity, liver dysfunction, allergic reactions to foods and other substances, food intolerances, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies and digestive disorders.

What sort of skin conditions can a Naturopath treat?

  • Psoriasis,
  • Eczema/Dermatitis
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Dry flaky skin
  • Fungal infections
  • Bacterial infections
  • Slow wound healing

Conventionally, skin problems may be treated with steroids, antibiotics, and the oral contraceptive pill. If you do not react well to these, or are looking for … Read more ...

Naturopathy and Mental Health

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naturopathy mental healthWe live in a stressful and busy world. Once upon a time our bodies went into fight or flight when we were chasing the woolly mammoth or sabre tooth tiger, and then we could sit back and relax and enjoy our well earned meal. Now many of us are in a constant state of stress, which leaves cortisol and adrenalin levels high and therefore contributes to a host of other problems such as cardiovascular disease, reproductive difficulties, digestive complaints and poor immunity to name a few.

What you may not realise is that diet and lifestyle are a major contributing … Read more ...

Naturopathy and Fertility

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Naturopathic FertilityUnfortunately, couples are having more and more trouble conceiving in this modern age.  Once upon a time most of the blame lay with the woman, however it is currently believed that 40% rest with the male, 40% rests with the female, 10% is with both and 10% is unknown.

Common causes for infertility;

  • Medication
  • Subnormal semen analysis results
  • Infection
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Stress
  • Cigarettes, alcohol and recreational drugs
  • Toxicity
  • Aging
  • Thyroid abnormalities
  • PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids
  • Obesity and low BMI

 

How can Naturopathy help with fertility?

Your naturopath will take a very thorough case history as well as review any medical … Read more ...

Naturopathy and Digestive Disorders

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naturopath digestive disordersDigestive disorders can be a very frustrating condition to have, with the stomach aches, urgent trips to the toilet, bloating, pain, avoiding certain foods and many more embarrassing situations. It comes as a very welcome relief for patients when they seek help for these conditions.

The gastrointestinal system is so important for overall health of every other organ and body system. It is needed for proper digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients, without these the body would not be able to function. It is no wonder why people that complain of problems associated with poor digestion are often sluggish, lethargic … Read more ...

Naturopathy and Cardiovascular Disease

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Naturopathy and Cardiovascular DiseaseHypertension and high cholesterol are both a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. These conditions are largely a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices, however there certainly is also a large genetic link with some cases.

Some of the causes/risk factors of cardiovascular disease are;

  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Stress
  • Diet (coffee, alcohol, vitamin & mineral deficient foods, salt)
  • Inflammation
  • Oxidative stress
  • Lack of exercise
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Toxicity

Naturopathy has proven methods for lowering both high cholesterol and high blood pressure through diet and lifestyle changes, as well as nutritional and/or botanical medicines.

If you are looking for … Read more ...

Naturopathic approach to alleviating morning sickness in pregnancy

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natural-pregnancyMorning sickness is the acute, transient nausea associated with pregnancy. ‘Morning sickness’ is a misnomer – it may occur at any time of the day, though it most commonly occurs soon after waking. It is thought to be caused by increased levels of oestrogen being produced by the placenta and/or by increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin. Morning sickness usually starts in the first month of the pregnancy, peaking in the 6th week, and continuing until the 16th week. For 50% of all sufferers, it ends by the 16th week of pregnancy. For the other half, it may take up … Read more ...

Improving your chances of conceiving

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natural-pregnancyPreconceptual Care

Preconceptual care involves getting both partners into the best possible physical and mental shape to maximise your chances of creating a pregnancy that lasts to full term, and brings you a healthy baby at the end of it. Research indicates that a three to four month programme of healthy living will get you into excellent shape before trying for a baby, help you become pregnant more quickly and reduce the chance of miscarriage.

Preconceptual care is a common sense approach, and when both couples adopt these principles, it can dramatically increase the chances of a healthy conception.

 … Read more ...