Red Clover’s very nature mirrors the circumstances of the menopausal women, who at that age are often nurturing children, elderly parents and even grandchildren, as well as the workplace and wider community. Menopausal women are the nucleus necessary for life.
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Is it just you or is your brain not as smart as it used to be? It's probably not your fault, constant stress can actually negatively impact the effectiveness of your brain function. The good news is that you can do something about it.
A sense of uncertainty, lack of information and a loss of control - the kind of factors we find ourselves in amidst a pandemic (but also many other life events) create raised cortisol levels and thereby an increased stress response.
High levels of cortisol in the brain impact neuronal function, cause a reduction in learning ability, and atrophy of the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory.
As you are exposed to stressors, your body makes more and more cortisol, stress and uncertainty continue. You start to notice issues with memory, concentration and a reduction in productivity. This creates more stress and the cycle repeats itself.
So what can you do?
Allow yourself to de stress. This may mean asking for help and assistance, true rest, mindfulness practice, fun and socialisation, connection, exercise, earthing (time in nature), laughter.
Eat in a way that is truly nourishing for your body and soul.
Iron deficiency can be a factor in cognitive impairment so please look at this iron deficiency quiz and ask your doc to check your levels.
Magnesium is also essential to good brain biochemistry and adequate magnesium levels have been associated with a reduction in depressive scores in many different cohorts, such as bi-polar individuals, pregnant women, and the elderly.... just to name a few. An Australian population study connected a high dietary magnesium intake with a significantly reduced risk of developing cognitive impairment. Low magnesium intakes are also correlated with increased risk of mood disorders. Leafy greens are excellent sources of magnesium, as is dark chocolate, use himilayan pink salt on your food, take epsom salt baths. Supplementation is often indicated.
And then, of course, there's plant medicines. Some of my favourite herbs to boost your brain function include Bacopa, Korean Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Rhodiola, Gingko and Rosemary. All of these have shown improvements in cognition and/or memory when researched. Herbal prescriptions vary greatly depending on the individual however and may also be contraindicated with any medications you may be taking so please book in for a consult to get the best out of your herbs.
There are always things you can do to make yourself feel better. Come see me in clinic and together we can figure out a course of action.
Naturopath and Shiatsu Massage therapist with a great wellness blog
The part of this story I am thinking about the most though, is the way my hand jumped when writing his name.
When a high-profile case like this becomes news, the language used by the media and the outspoken medical professionals is around holistic medicine being 'alternative' and not effective.
It’s extraordinary that I was present when my father passed suddenly. Mainly because we live on opposite sides of the country, and I’ve only seen my dad for a handful of days in the last 15 months. I have shared the story of our last day here.
Flowers are the fertile expression of plants, they are the nectar, they are creative manifestations of divine love and life force. Flower essences capture the subtle healing properties of flowers in a safe and affordable way. It’s incredibly easy to make your own flower essences, and you can do so safely with any flowers you have in your garden.
This is a great example of how chemicals in many household cleaning and personal care products are assumed safe until proven harmful, when perhaps they should be assumed harmful until proven safe.
Both ultra processed foods and tobacco 'are legal, easily accessible, inexpensive, lack an intoxication syndrome, and are major causes of preventable death."
Some 'to-do's' have significantly more positive impact on your life than others.
This is a really simple, nourishing and easy one pot dinner, with plenty of protein and fibre and some healthy fat.
It's the kind of soup where you know you're looking after yourself with every slurp. The spices and ginger have some wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. It's inexpensive, easy, and counts as self-care points for the day.
A shiatsu at Wild Grace is a spiritual experience. Healing occurs in both physical and spiritual planes. A shiatsu involves breathwork, massage to physically manipulate and stretch muscles, and the use of healing sound to move energy out and through. At times I may guide you through healing imagery, and you may receive guidance from your spiritual support crew.
Here are some of most medicinal foods for your immune system, chosen for the phytochemical properties:
New research with some surprising new information on preventing and treating long covid, with some tips to make it accessible at home.
I’m always on a mission to eat the healthiest foods possible. Here’s twelve of the most nutritionally dense foods in our supermarkets and tips on how to eat them.
Have you noticed that you're gaining weight but don't think you've made any change to diet and lifestyle? Or it used to be easy to drop a couple of kg by cutting out snacks and exercising a little more but now that doesn't seem to be working. In fact, your jeans just keep getting smaller.
If you have chronic disordered digestive function, irritable bowel, weight gain, inflammation, low energy, autoimmune or chronic mental illness a thorough investigation into your microbiome can provide a very solid basis upon which to build a treatment plan and resolve your symptoms.
and maybe it was a missed opportunity to role model healthy self esteem and masterful life skills.
a gentle reminder to bring mindfulness to your dinner table and as an in-depth guide to how you can nourish yourself and your family with ease and joy.
Some herbs, like licorice, can interfere with the attachment of viruses to host cells and prevent their entry into the cell, helping prevent an infection from taking place.
I woke up minus the sore throat albeit with a husky voice, and no snot has overcome me.
Shiatsu is it's a combination of lightwork and deep physical manipulation of musculature. Rhythmic breathing and meditative music means you float out of the massage room feeling like you're walking on a cloud.
We all have a dialogue in our heads with a running commentary about our lives and opportunities. Do you let that voice diminish and debase you? Or do you train that voice to be on your team?
For the sake of better health, I want you to think seriously and honestly about what habits are impacting negatively on your health and what can you can do to avoid those triggers.