With the expanding focus on gut health as a key pillar of wellbeing comes increasing information regarding the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of it. We are inundated with information regarding what we should or shouldn’t eat, what foods we should eat in combination, what time we should eat, and what temperature our food should be. It’s no wonder that we get lost with where to start!

Breastmilk is finally getting the attention it deserves. More and more research is showing us just how incredible it is. Breastmilk isn't just baby food; it's a dynamic, living substance that changes to meet a baby's needs. And guess what? Mama's diet and lifestyle can play a significant role in shaping its composition. Yet, mamas are often overworked and underappreciated. Asking them to now think about the nutritional value of breastmilk can feel overwhelming. So here are a few naturopath-recommended tips that are easy to implement.

Breastmilk is a baby's ideal source of nutrition and immunity but, most incredibly, it is their ultimate gut gardener. It truly is a marvel of nature – a perfect blend of nutrients, hormones, beneficial probiotics and prebiotics.

With nettles in abundance at the moment it’s a great time to make some nettle dishes. Nettles, while not commonly used in the kitchen, can help with a range of health conditions including arthritis, hair loss and blood sugar control. Read more about the benefits of this often overlooked herb. Naturopath and Endeavour academic, Tracy Gaibisso has created this wonderful five-minute recipe for us.

When we last spoke, nutritionist and skin educator Jacinta Barbagallo was heading to northern Italy to support her brother competing in an international pizza competition before she settled in Bali for the winter. After the extended lockdowns in Melbourne during Covid-19, she relishes freedom.

“One of the greatest advantages of consulting 100 per cent online is that I can work from anywhere in the world and help clients worldwide,” Jacinta said.

They say the eyes are the window to your soul; and the study of iridology certainly confirms that. Iridology is an incredible tool that studies the iris, providing insight into systemic health concerns, genetic predispositions, and personality types. Although iridology is not a diagnostic tool, it is a wonderful supporting tool for consultations.

Autoimmune conditions are an increasing concern because of their impact on people’s lives and the limits of pharmaceutical treatment options. As with many other long term chronic conditions, complementary medicines such as naturopathy have much to offer in such cases ­– from helping to investigate the cause of the autoimmunity, to reducing symptoms, and more generally improving the person’s overall health and quality of life.

Let’s have a look at what autoimmunity means, how it can manifest itself, and how naturopathy can use herbal medicine to manage autoimmune conditions.

In her home country of Brazil, Paula Aguina studied architecture and worked as an architect for several years. Although Paula realised it wasn’t a career for her, she didn’t consider natural health an option until she was in Australia.

Water is such a normal part of our lives that we do not realise it can be a powerful therapeutic tool. In reality, water has been associated with medicine and health since the beginning of recorded history, and has been used by renowned physicians such as Hippocrates, the father of medicine, and Sebastian Kneipp who developed the water cure.

But how can something as simple as water have significant therapeutic effects? What conditions are known to benefit from the therapeutic use of water? And what are simple hydrotherapy practices you can use to support your health?