I’ve been working in CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) for many years, and one powerful healing modality I use is massage. I find that teaching massage is enormous fun as just a little know-how and technique delivers a whole new experience. I’ve been running various Massage classes since 1992, and Massage for Couples (mostly at…
The start of a new year is a great time to do a stock take on your health and well being – especially post-lockdown. Getting ready to review your health with your Naturopath starts by getting an up-to-date set of blood tests. Often your doctor has already done preliminary tests – so you don’t need…
The latest science on muscles, weight and health has some warnings for you if you’re over 65 AND picked up extra weight courtesy of COVID. This is beautifully explained by Ngaire Hobbins in her book Brain Body Food: Humans are beautifully designed with systems, which use the food we eat and oxygen we breathe from…
It’s a scary time in Australia as COVID-19 escalates. Particularly in my Melbourne home, where we’ve just gone back into lockdown. Anxiety and stress can have short term and long term consequences. In these limited times most of us can still do one simple thing – and go for a walk in nature. This is…
There are three main organs in the body that respond to stress: The hypothalamus (manages the release of hormones and other physiological functions) The pituitary gland (receives signals from the nervous system) Together they control the adrenal glands that release hormones in response to stress. 3. The adrenal glands (near the kidneys) Together these are…
The next R-U-OK day in Australia isn’t until 10th September 2020. That’s WAY too far away. At the moment, probably every day could benefit from being an R-U-OK day. All of us are dealing with a world in crisis – at a level that hasn’t happened for 100 years! Even if you’re not in immediate…
Warragul Greens loves some sunshine and thrives on moisture. You can train it up and over fences too.
Next you can see Common Sage or Salvia officinalis. ‘Officinalis’ means this is the official species used botanical/herbal medicine.
Commonly used in cooking, sage helps ensure digestive processes work well: especially to muster our bile flow to break down consumed fats/oils. You can use sage fresh or dried for later use.
In herbal medicine sage has a broad sphere of action: antimicrobial (including antiviral) taken as a tea and/or gargle/mouthwash; improving cognition and memory, reduces excess perspiration (sweating) in fevers or during menopause, reduces milk flow in weaning mothers. Commonly used in upper respiratory tract infections like sore throat and sinus issues.
For best effect and safety of any herbal medicine you must consult a Practitioner to guide you on the most appropriate dose and preparation FOR YOU . Generally sage in its basic leaf form for cooking or tea is considered a very low risk herb. Easy to grow from cuttings. Let me know if you’d like to give it a go to grow. I have plenty to share. This plant has travelled around our garden for about 25 years!
Food Feast: Warragul Greens/New Zealand Spinach aka Tetragonia tetragonoides. Easy nutritious green to grow in your garden (likes moisture) and you can find it along the Aussie shorelines (tastes a bit saltier). High in Vit C, magnesium, phytonutrients and fibre, this food has been a favourite of Australian indigenous peoples and early European colonists and had a resurgence of interest as a Bush Tucker option easy to grow in our own gardens. The leaf is mild to the taste and soft to the palate so easily incorporated into pies, pestos, salads and salsas. It contains some oxalic acid so those with kidney issues consult with a Practitioner first if you are concerned.
I recently discovered the work of Sydney’s Les Robinson on Enabling Change and his book on the art and science of “Changeology“. As I explored his website and resources, it occurred to me that it was as applicable to individual health improvement projects as to world-changing community and social change work. Here’s what the model…
We meddle a lot with women’s bodies – contraception, HRT, low carb diets, extreme exercise. Our bodies aren’t machines – they’re complex chemical/electrical/biological systems. For some women, it gets even more complicated if they have food intolerances or chronic fatigue issues. Sometimes, when things get out of whack, the things we think to be CAUSING…