My Story
I have had a lifelong interest in natural medicine and how diet and herbs may be powerful in supporting our health. I used many simple natural remedies for my family when we my children were growing up. When I developed multiple sclerosis in my mid-30s, I started looking at what I could do to help myself. I kept researching and started improving as I tried new things. I had the wonderful support of my husband and two daughters as well as the local multiple sclerosis nurse who encouraged me to study naturopathy. I studied using distance learning from Naturopathic College of New Zealand and graduated with a Diploma of Naturopathy. I really love working in this area and enjoy seeing the successes of my clients. I live in South Canterbury and work by appointment online.
What does a naturopath do? I look at the body as a whole or holistically (body-mind-soul) to see what interconnections there may be with your health issues. With a face to face consultation, I take blood pressure and look at physical signs (facial, nails, tongue, sclera, iridology) too. I look at your diet and lifestyle and give you ideas which may help you change to suit you body. I formulate a personal treatment plan, including dietary and lifestyle changes, supplementation and herbs. I may refer you to get some blood tests or other functional medicine testing to assemble more information. I like to keep in touch after the consultation to see how you feel and offer advice and support as well as follow up consultations. Follow ups are important to continue to work towards completing support of your health journey and client experience a more fulfilling outcome when they have regular follow ups.
I have a special interest in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disease, gut health, women’s hormone balance and depression and anxiety.
I am a member of NZAMH.
Prices
Initial consultations: 90 minutes $150NZD
Follow up consultations: 30-45 minutes $60NZD
Acute consultations: 30-45 minutes $80NZD
Children: 60 minutes $80, 30 minute follow up is $30NZD
Herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years, with most traditional cultures having a healers with an in depth knowledge of the herbal lore in growing in their area. My garden is my sanctuary and I grow many herbs for their culinary or medicinal properties. Many of them attract the bees and smell and look beautiful. I like making home herbal remedies from what I have to hand. Herbs like thyme and elder have a long history of being used as medicine in traditional remedies. The herbal oils I use as bases in creams and lotions come from my garden too. Some of them are considered ‘weeds’ but they are considered by many to be high in healing properties. Calendula and yarrow are two of my favourite herbs. Many of these weeds are actually nutritious foods, like dandelion and chickweed. This photo is of passionflower. I think it is such a beauty and one thing this has traditionally been used for is stress. Herbs are only one aspect I have used to maintain and support the function of my body due to multiple sclerosis.