Natural Medicines
Naturopathic medicine often involves the use of several healing therapies to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. I apply the following therapeutic modalities and natural medicines:
Naturopathy is both an integrated system of medicine and philosophy of healing dating back thousands of years. The core foundation is a premise that the body possesses an inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopaths harness this ability and the healing powers of nature via herbs, vitamins and minerals, water, sunshine and fresh air; to support and enable health and wellbeing. An important naturopathic healing approach is to treat the person and not the disease, and treat the cause rather than the effects. Naturopathy emphasises prevention and encourages healthy lifestyles through physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Nutrition is vital for all life processes and anything that involves life has it at its core. Most illnesses start from nutritional imbalances and nutrient deficiencies, hence nutrition is the first step to and the foundation of good health, wellness and vitality. We are much more than what we eat and nutrition involves not only eating a good diet—it is about nourishment on every level. It involves relationships with family, friends, the society, and the planet. A naturopathic nutrition approach includes developing healthy eating habits, eating foods that support your health, fit your lifestyle and give you joy.
Herbal medicine utilises remedies derived from plant-based materials such as flowers, leaves and roots. Effective prescribing is based on centuries of formulations passed down from many different cultures and traditions. Combining traditional formulas with the latest scientific knowledge, herbal medicines are widely prescribed today. More and more traditional uses of herbs are being validated by scientific studies. Using herbal formulas prepared individually for each patient allows precise combining of indicated herbs that have specific therapeutic actions with healing and balancing effects on both acute and chronic illnesses – all this in one bottle!
Flower essences, such as Bach Flowers and Australian Bush Flowers, are liquid plant preparations made directly from specially selected wild flowers. The remedies act on the energetic level in the body and are taken orally a few drops at a time acting as a catalyst for positive inner transformation, enhancing emotional and psychological wellbeing. Just as good food nourishes the body, flower essences nourish the soul. They can be safely taken along with any food, herb, supplements or prescription medicines without any interaction. After taking flower essences, many people are able to heal faster, cope better with stress, gain a better life perspective and have a deeper sense of wellbeing. Taking flower essences can literally change your life!
Iridology involves analysing the iris’s colour and structure to gain insight into a person’s physical, emotional and mental health. Eye analysis adds to the ‘fine tuning’ of treatment strategies, the state of body biochemistry and emotional factors that can be hard to determine by other methods. Illnesses past and present are visible allowing taking steps to correct them. The iris not only displays genetic strengths and weakness but also the presence and location of inflammation, the level of vitality and state of the nervous system and, importantly, the degree a patient is responding to the current treatment. The iris is a diagnostic tool but it is not used for a clinical diagnosis of a specific disease. Iris signs develop well (often years) before symptoms of medical diseases can be determined.
Functional Medicine (or Systems Medicine) is a relatively new field of medicine that focuses on understanding the origins, prevention and treatment of complex chronic diseases. This type of medicine is patient-centered, integrative and science-based. While much of functional medicine is biochemically based (it makes extensive use of a variety of lab tests to help determine functioning of body systems and organs), it adresses the patient as a whole person, with a unique set of circumstances and a unique set of genes. All these factors interact in the development of what we call “a disease”. Functional Medicine integrates conventional medicine with naturopathic therapies utilising nutrition, supplements, herbs, exercise and stress reduction approaches.
Dr Wilhelm H Schussler, a 19th century doctor, chemist and physicist, identified 12 ‘tissue salts’ present in every human cell. These tissue salts or ‘cell salts’ are vital minerals required by the body to function well. They combine with organic substances to produce and maintain the vast number of tissue-cells of which human body is combined. Thus, any tissue salt deficiency or imbalance may result in pathological changes in body’s structures and functions. Tissue salts are also called biochemic remedies. It’s important to note that tissue salts are not drugs but micro dose cell foods prepared homeopathically in small amounts which ensures rapid and easy assimilation, for the speedy restoration of the natural balance of the body.
GAPS diet protocol was created by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride to support digestive healing necessary for the recovery from many diseases. The main premise of GAPS is the existence of a close connection between the digestive system and the brain. The term was created by Dr Natasha in 2004 after working with hundreds of children and adults with neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD), schizophrenia, dyslexia, depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and other neuro-psychological and psychiatric problems. For detailed information on the GAPS diet please visit this website http://gapsaustralia.com.au.
Reiki is an ancient form of healing that is practised today around the world. It is a form of hands on healing, with its origins in India and the East dating back many thousands of years. Reiki is a two syllable Japanese word meaning universal life force. We carry this energy in and around our bodies from the moment we are conceived. Reiki is holistic, it works on the body mind and spirit by stimulating a person’s own natural healing abilities. The blocked emotional and physical elements that lead to illness and disease are cleared. A Reiki treatment clears reopens the chakras and re-balances the flow of the universal life force around the body. This will stimulate the body’s immune system and natural healing abilities.
CLIENT EXPERIENCES
“Joanna is the definition of a perfect balance in her holistic approach to health care. She is grounded in the science of naturopathy, herbal remedies and nutrition; as well as bringing her warm and caring approach. Joanna’s passion for her work extends not only to face-to-face appointments, but ‘keep in touch’ emails, her website and regular newsletters. She also embodies radiance in her own health and personality! I would not hesitate to recommend Joanna to guide you on your journey to health, healing and happiness”.
“Over the past two years, Joanna has been my naturopath and consultant on all things relevant to my health and wellness. I have found her advice and consultations invaluable, as she has been able to improve many of my illnesses and ailments including: stress, menopause, and general unwellness due to an overactive (and often over-indulgent) lifestyle. What I appreciate most about Joanna is that her advice is evidence-based. As a PhD candidate in medicine, I am very sceptical about those who don’t do their research, and I find that Joanna presents the facts and the latest research in natural therapies. She has a lovely personality as well, which makes her an effective and pleasing person to partner with in keeping me healthy and well.”