Reflux is remarkably common, and the cause is probably not what you think. GORD (Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) simply put, is a condition that develops when stomach acid ends up in the wrong place.1,2 We know acid burns, so the logical thing is to take an antacid, However, what if we told you, that is just a band-aid, and for most people increasing stomach acid is needed to address the root

Why is it that when my anxiety gets worse there is often a change in how my digestion works? Well this is not surprising. Naturopaths have long understood that there was a strong connection between the nervous system and the digestion, however, this has now been demonstrated in the research, where it has been found that 95% of the body’s serotonin (an important mood-regulating hormone) is produced and utilised in

We’ve all met someone who speaks with such confidence you think “They must know what they’re talking about.” But when it comes to health, confidence is often not an indication of expertise. Humans have a tendency when learning new knowledge to feel as though they have suddenly become experts. However, after continuing to explore a topic deeply their confidence subsides as they realize how extensive that topic is and how

Adaptogens are such a common term for naturopaths and herbalists that we forget not everyone knows what they are or how they can help. So, what exactly is an adaptogen? And why do we love them so much? Interestingly, the term adaptogen didn’t begin in herbal medicine at all. It was first introduced in the 1940’s by a Russian scientist describing a collection of medical substances which appeared to promote

Social media glorifies the message “test don’t guess” which could make you think that more testing automatically leads to better answers, while the lack of testing could just be a “guess”. However, when working with a qualified naturopath or herbalist, our treatment plans are never about guessing, they are about understanding you. While pathology and functional testing certainly have their place, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. This may

When tension settles into your muscles, your whole body feels it. Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling anxious, your shoulders creep up towards your ears, your jaw clenches, or your neck and back become tight and sore? Anxiety isn’t just something we experience in the mind, it is a whole body response. During times of increased stress, muscles naturally contract,1 when that tension lingers it becomes uncomfortable, and

Last week we spoke about a herbal medicine that has been getting lots of attention lately, so this week we thought it was only fair that we spoke on one that works quietly in the background, with little attention. This week we are talking about Lime flowers or more formally known as Tilia cordata. Not only is Lime flower a valuable medicine to help to calm your farm especially when

Saffron has had a lot of attention lately. While it may be hard to know what’s true and what is just the newest health trend when its featured on social media, this little herb does have some impressive research behind it that makes it worth talking about. Clinical studies have demonstrated positive outcomes for saffron when compared with placebo as well as some medications.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 However, herbal medicine is never a

You may have heard that Echinacea is good for keeping colds and infections away, bought some and wondered why it seemed to have little effect.  The more research that is done into herbal medicine, the more it becomes apparent that there can be vast differences in the quality and efficacy of herbal medicine products on the market. Echinacea is a clear case in point, where a large variance in the

Many people make pronouncements about the safety or otherwise of Herbal medicine, but they are not always qualified to do so. When prescribed by qualified naturopaths or herbalists, herbal medicine has good evidence to support its use in a variety of circumstances, but you need to understand herbs to make full use of the research. Recently we posted a blog discussing raspberry leaf and its use in pregnancy, inspired by