Gut Health and Naturopathic Support

Digestive issues are quite common and can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, poor dietary choices, food intolerances, and digestive disorders. Naturopathy offers a holistic approach to managing digestive issues by focusing on the root cause and promoting optimal digestive function through lifestyle and dietary modifications, herbal remedies, and targeted nutrient supplementation.

Herbs for Digestive Support

Several herbs have been traditionally used for digestive support and can help to improve digestive function, relieve bloating and gas, and soothe inflammation in the gut. Here are some of the top herbs for digestive support:

1. Ginger - Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that can help to reduce nausea, bloating, and other digestive discomforts. Ginger can be consumed fresh, in tea form or in capsule or tincture form.

2. Peppermint - Peppermint is known for its ability to relax the muscles of the digestive tract, reducing gas and bloating, and easing cramps. Peppermint can be consumed as tea, essential oil or in capsule form.

3. Chamomile - Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory herb that can help to soothe the lining of the digestive tract, reduce bloating, and promote better digestion. Chamomile can be consumed as tea or in capsule form.

Dietary Recommendations for Digestive Health

In addition to herbal remedies, dietary changes can be an effective way to manage digestive issues. Here are some dietary recommendations to support digestive health:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet - Eating a diet rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can promote optimal digestive function. Also, avoiding processed foods and refined sugars can significantly improve digestive health.

2. Chew Your Food - Chewing your food thoroughly can help to break it down more efficiently, reducing the workload on your digestive system and improving overall digestion.

3. Avoid Trigger Foods - Certain foods can be problematic for people with digestive issues, such as gluten, dairy, and processed foods. Identifying and avoiding these trigger foods can help to reduce digestive symptoms.

Nutrients for Digestive Health

There are several key nutrients that can support digestive health, including:

1. Probiotics - Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to promote a healthy gut microbiome. Consuming probiotic-rich foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement can improve digestive health.

2. Digestive Enzymes - Digestive enzymes are essential for breaking down food into nutrients that the body can absorb. Supplementing with digestive enzymes can help to improve digestive function and reduce bloating and gas.

3. Fiber - Fiber plays an important role in digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and reducing inflammation in the gut. Consuming fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve digestive function.

Digestive issues can significantly impact your quality of life. Naturopathy offers a variety of holistic approaches to managing these issues. By incorporating herbal remedies, dietary changes, and targeted nutrient supplementation, you can improve your digestive health and enjoy a more comfortable and enjoyable life. Remember that the key is to address the root cause of your digestive issues and to work with a qualified naturopathic practitioner to develop a personalised treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

You can book a free 15min Discovery Call here with a naturopath to see if we can help you.

Pic Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

The Number One Principle for Health & Why Self Care is So Important

Hello to you All,

I thought I would check in with you all today.   This was prompted by a client I saw who came to see me after thinking about it for a number of years.   I had been seeing his partner for a long time, but hadn't seen her for a year so I though she had gone on her merry way.    He had been struggling with chronic health conditions for more than 20 years and he came to see me for his gut health and general well being.   We had a really beautiful first consultation.  At the end when he was leaving, he turned around and said "I have got to say something.  I have been meaning to see you for years."   He had tears in his eyes...and I really stopped, listened and waited, as he couldn't quite get the words out.   He said:  "I have seen what you have done for my wife and today I feel like I have truly been heard.  I feel like I have had so many questions answered, that have been unanswered for such a long time.   I feel like I have been waiting for this for a long time".    In his own words, he gave me his deep gratitude and thanks.   He was paying me gratitude for the space he had been given.   He was also paying gratitude to himself for giving himself the space he obviously had been waiting to give for many years.  - I am not sure if he knows this yet.   

This is why I love, this work.  I love what I choose to do.

What I wanted to talk about before I got into that story today is committing to your health and how to do that.  What I realised, also took me a long time and many years to realise.  It was my own commitment to my own health and my mental health that would be the turning point for me on my own journey.  

So Here is the Number One Principle for Health

You might need a pen.  This is a tip, an idea, a seed that I am planting.  I wasn't ready for it for a long time.

This is the talk I have with many of my clients.

Principle number one

Principle number one Is committing to making your health, your number one priority.  This means believing that you are a valuable person.   This also means (and this includes mums', dads' and animal lovers), this means you are the most important person in your life.   Because without putting on our oxygen mask in the plane, we cant help anyone else.   When we do put on our oxygen mask on first in the plane, it is a trickle down effect.   We sit at the top of the pyramid in our world and below that are our first most important people, below that are our other important people and so on.... and below that is then being able to help a whole lot of other people, beings and animals.

This is truly how I feel in my heart much deeper now that I have my own health in a place where I can truly say, I feel the most vital and energetic that I have ever been.  When I was in the deepest illness called fibromyalgia for many years, I didn't have the ability to help others.  Now I feel I do.

I still hold and practice principle number one.    If my health and well being is the most important, then I am able to help other people.  I get more clarity on this if ever I get sick or I go on holidays and I take care of my self.

How Do I Do this?

The way to do this is to have an open mind.  It can be a really different way of thinking for some people, to put themselves first when they continually put their children, their puppies or their parents first.  They put this on hold or that on hold, because I cant do this.  I hear it a lot.  I hear from my older clients who are in their 60s say, "I cant do anything for my health until I have mum or dad sorted out.".  There is always going to be an excuse.

So if you are open minded and are willing to explore the cause of your dis-ease.  You need to be willing to put yourself at the top.

I had to share this with you after my beautiful restorative yoga class at Dharma Circle, which I highly recommend if you are willing.  This is when I get clarity.  To make time for yourself, sometimes you need to get the old stuff out of the way and bring in the new concepts and ideas and allocate 'you' time.  Time for your well being.  Especially if your excuse is "I don't have time because"  ...you can map your week out on a timetable.  Allocate work time and play time.  Especially for those Virgos who like to map things out.

Self care for you may look like....

Meditation & Yoga

Walking in nature

A little country hike

Dancing or dancing classes

Running

Self development workshops

A Health Retreat

Walking with your face in the sun

A massage

Deep breathing techniques

Weekends away

A regular holiday

True healing happens when you learn to listen to the messages of your body and you put your health, your mind and prioritise your time first.

I wanted to share this with you today because we are all worthy and special human beings.

If you have any words of wisdom or questions to share.  Please pop them on this thread.  We can all benefit from your innate wisdom too.

Enjoy the sunshine.

Love Chris x

Here is a wonderful morning meditation from Abraham Hicks - CLICK HERE

Christine Carley is a bachelor qualified naturopath, with a focus on women’s health and wellness. She passionately supports her clients with, fertility and IVF optimisation, menopause and hormonal health as well as gut health. She spent most of her early clinical practice working with people with chronic and complex autoimmune condition, whilst working in a clinic with cardiologist, psychologists, podiatrist and allied health professionals. She loves assisting those stress, anxiety, fatigue and sleep. She is a passionate health ambassador who takes a holistic, person centred approach to the wellness model of health.

Book an appointment or free online discovery call here: LOVE THY HEALTH or call 0409027221

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