Prue Barrington Naturopath

Here is a quick look at the blog I recently wrote for Choice pharmacy Cameron park. If you would like to see me for a free iridology session, I will be instore every Monday 👀

x P

📑Our General Health Blog - Iridology

You may have heard the infamous saying, “Your eyes are the windows to the Soul..”

Did you know? The meaning behind this saying is a core value deeply rooted in Herbal Medicine’s insightful history and a key component used during consultation for many Complementary Health Practitioners.

Read more to learn about Iridology
https://www.choicepharmacy.com.au/iridology/

A fantastic explanation of the difference between our happy little critters of the gut and their invaluable food source.

The greater the exposure we have in beneficial bacteria, the more robust our microflora colonies become, which further enhances other areas of our health such as our mood, immune function, bowel motility and even hormone metabolism.

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How to Improve Gut Health: Probiotics vs Prebiotics l Dr Joanna McMillan Problems with your gut and digestion? Dr Joanna McMillan breaks down how you can improve your gut health.Poor gut health can lead to a range of nasty side ef...

"So, how much blood loss IS normal?" my clients will ask, with a look similar to that of a deer in the headlight..

I would say this is EASILY my most frequently asked question (second to pain - more on that soon, watch this space) when addressing irregularities with menstrual cycles, so I figure, why not answer it here:

According to research, it is estimated that a blood loss between 35 - 80mL is considered a regular blood loss or "normal" pattern, relevant to what your cycle looks like.

80mL is about 2 full shot glasses worth.

At this answer, most women gawk. Not because they themselves fit within this guideline, but because they are usually the latter. Almost all of my clients who come to see me with painful or irregular periods tend to experience much heavier blood loss.

This is not normal.

Heavier bleeding patterns can be an indicator of a much greater issue at large. There are many reasons why this could be and many questions to be asked.

Fortunately, this is where I come in - there are many safe and practical Holistic strategies that can be offered to manage heavy bleeds and irregular menstrual cycles with great success.

Working towards a life of manageable periods IS possible. No woman should have to put up with anything other.

Want to know how I can help you? Reach out for your FREE discovery call today.

Let's find that missing piece to your health puzzle together.

Want to work with Prue? Bookings available now, link in bio🌱

Comfrey Root has a long-standing history as one of our most treasured, skin-healing powerhouse plants that we have used in Herbal Medicine for centuries.
Although the complete understanding of some of the compounds in Comfrey root aren’t well known from a scientific angle – Herbalists have a well-recorded history of both the intended use and safe application of this herb when followed through correctly. For example, the traditional use of this herb was once the plant medicine of choice for speeding up the healing process of broken bones when consumed internally in the form of herbal tea.
In modern times however, we have since determined that this practice is no longer recommended as a safe method due to the high content of Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a constituent that can become toxic when consumed in high quantities over a long period of time.
The therapeutic benefits of Comfrey when applied topically are both wonderful and plentiful when used as a salve for irritated skin. This is because Comfrey also contains Allantoin, an active ingredient which is highly favoured for its ability to promote skin healing benefits such as increased cell growth and increased keratin production and for increasing the “thickening” of existing keratin cells (have a look at the labels on your natural shampoo or skin lotions – you will likely find it there too!)
In fact, Allantoin has become so valuable as a skin-healing ingredient that it is also used in a lot of pharmaceutical creams – mostly paired with topical analgesics such as Lidocaine which we use to treat burns, skin ulcers and wounds.
For correct use, only apply Comfrey salve to non-broken skin due to the high Pyrrolizidine alkaloid content.
To see if Comfrey Root is a good choice for you or if you have any questions, please reach out today I would love to hear from you!

Want to work with Prue? Please DM or call 0438 460 681 to book an appointment today! 🌱

✨A very BIG welcome to all of the new people who have been recently following my page! ✨

For those recently joining, it’s time to get acquainted (or, for those who have known me for years –let’s get reacquainted ;)

- My name is Prue Barrington, I am 27 years old and a big lover of herbal medicine and nutrition.

- I am originally from Pacific Palms, one of the Mid North Coast’s most flourishing and tropical tourist destinations. I only just re-located to the Hunter Valley around 12 months ago.

- I began studying to become a Naturopath at the young age of 19 – during this time, my ‘Why’ behind my driving thirst for knowledge changed a million-and-one times before I decided I wanted to pursue a career in helping women with troublesome periods and other hormone imbalances.

- I also have struggled with my own hormonal issues including both Endometriosis and Acne (from as young as 8 years old!)

- I graduated in 2018 with 3 x Advanced Diplomas – one of which is Nutritional Medicine, which also made me a qualified Nutritionist.

- In my down-time, you’ll find me out and about on a bush trail, likely jogging with my brother’s young kelpie x staffie ‘Buddy’.
- I am always missing the Ocean.

- My taste in music isn’t what most people would expect upon first meeting me. I am a bit of a Metal Head 🤘😝and you can expect that I will be blasting either Screamo or EDM in my headphones at the gym 🎧🏋️‍♀️.

Now, time to pass the mic 🫵🎤

What is an interesting fact about yourself that no one may know ?

Please let me know in the comments below, along with one thing you would like to see on my page?

- P 💚

Now that we are mid-way through August, you may have noticed the notorious ‘August Winds’ have swept through in-land NSW and along our coastlines.
During this time, it is possible you may have noticed some changes in bodily function to match, including overwhelming hay fever-like symptoms and dryness in particular areas such as the eyes, lips, mouth and nasal passages. Do you know what these 3 areas have in common? They all contain mucous membranes.
Mucous membranes are a protective epithelial layer (a thin tissue that is largely compacted with cells) which contain wonderful, tiny mucous glands that secrete a rich mucous to keep the area nice and lubricated. When met with sudden changes to temperature and humidity (i.e. such as dry snaps) mucous membrane function may become compromised, offsetting a most inconvenient inflammatory response (que the dreaded hay fever sneezes and watery eyes!!).
Fortunately, in herbal medicine we have much to offer by the way of supporting healthy Mucosa and reducing the frequency of hay fever.
My top tip for managing hay-fever:

Get yourself a good nasal spray – a non-medicated option such as an Iso-tonic Seawater, is a safe option for daily use during the colder seasons. Some brands of Nasal Spray now come with saline blends that include demulcents such as Aloe Vera. My favourite brand currently is the Otrivin Breathe Clean Seawater & Aloe Vera.
For extra sore noses, I recommend trying a Nasal Gel which can be applied to the inside of the nostrils as needed. FESS Nasal Gel is another wonderful product that is formulated Sesame Oil, Olive oil and Vitamin E to lubricate and soothe sore nostrils.

- P💚

SEEDS TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY MENSTRUAL CYCLE 🌱

Seed cycling is a technique that may naturally help to support reproductive hormone levels (such as oestrogen), by alternating different seeds during the two halves of your menstrual cycle. ⁠

It's one way to use "food as medicine”. Ask your practitioner at your next appointment.
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Iron supplementing is one of the most common examples of self-prescribing in this day and age – gone are the days where you took your script to the pharmacist under the guidance of a healthcare professional where nowadays Iron Supplements are at your very fingers tips at the local super market.

Self-prescribing supplements has always walked hand-in-hand with the potential risk of causing harm, however Iron when taken incorrectly can cause some very serious problems which is why I would encourage you to ask yourself these questions first:

Am I deficient to begin with/what is my rationale for self-prescribing?
Are there any medications or supps that when taken in combination can cause harm? Do I have that knowledge to begin with?
Or…..Am I absolutely sure I have picked the right thing to treat something that I am not even 100% sure I have. If you answered with No, No and NO then I am sure you have figured out this option may not be within your best interest.

Which brings me to the point of this post– what if I told you there were two vastly different iron conditions with very similar symptom pictures...

Iron-deficient Anaemia vs. Hemochromatosis

Iron-deficient anaemia is a condition that can either be hereditary or acquired and occurs where there is a lack of healthy red blood cells, the blood cell responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues. Treatment may be a simple Iron supp however your praccie will need to assess whether other potential influences are at play such as low B12 and heavy menstruation (which would require additional herbal/nutritional support).

Hemochromatosis on the other hand is a hereditary disease that causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. This condition can cause iron overload and with too much saturation has the ability to damage many parts of the body, including your liver, heart, pancreas, endocrine glands, and joints. Treatment is usually in the form of blood-letting by a healthcare professional.
Whilst these conditions sound like complete polar-opposites, the symptom picture of the two share many similarities including:

Extreme fatigue
Memory fog
Tiredness & weakness
Dizziness

See how easy it is to mistaken symptoms?

Where a family history of hemochromatosis is present, I will always recommend an Iron Studies test for good measure with my clients.

Always consult with your healthcare professional prior to starting any new supplement you are unsure of.

✨️Appointment Available with Prue ✨️

3pm today - follow up or initial consultation.

DM to book now!

Available times today as seen below 👀🌿

I have also opened up this afternoon's bookings to include after work slots for added convenience. If you've been thinking about booking in for a while now but couldn't make it to any of the other times available then now is your opportunity to get yourself and your health back on track!

Please share this post and get the word out the to help my small business to grow 🙂

P x

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Something a little bit different to spice up a cold winter's evening 🌮🥣

Spaghetti squash is a great replacement for pasta if you are looking to get more fibre into your diet - a key component when addressing female reproductive health, especially where removing excess oestrogen is a top priority. Spaghetti squash is buttery in flavour and when cooked will melt in your mouth 🤤 You will find one of these bad boys at your local farmer's market or healthfood store.

For a dairy free option, try nutritional yeast for the topping or your favourite vegan cheese. I enjoy the Daiya line which can be purchased at your local woolies.

Prue sent you a video! Discover even more ideas for you

Hey everyone, I know it's been a little while since I've posted here. So what better time to offer a sneaky October Special 🎃 for my wonderful clients.

Be kind to yourself ✨you are responsible for your outcome. What baby steps will you take today?

Repost: Turia Pitt

Absolutely love this ❤💛🖤

'Healthy in body and mind': Aboriginal women create mindfulness app in language Women from Central Australia's NPY Women's Council create recorded meditations in Kriol, Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantjiatjara languages to help combat mental health and trauma issues in Indigenous communities.

~ S L E E P M A I N T E N A N C E ~

'Whirring thoughts'.......

'Monkey chatter'......

'Wired AND tired'.......

And dont forget all of the 'What if's??!!'...........

Has your MIND been getting in the way of a good night's rest lately?!

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The importance of a goodnight's sleep is easily taken for granted by many and when we aren't getting in some decent Zzzzzz's, its no lie - our bodies sure do let us know!

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Sleep is an integral part of our body's physiology - one which allows for the growth, recovery and repair of cells and tissue in the body which happens overnight.

So what happens when we don't get enough sleep???

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The ramifications of poor sleep quality can manifest differently from person to person,
however, some of the common "red flags" associated with impaired sleep quality may include:

•Poor memory & concentration
•Low mood
•Irritability
•Increased anxiety
•Weight gain/ "sluggish" metabolism
•Elevated blood pressure
•Reduced immune function

BUT....

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Does this mean that this is your 'rabbit hole' to fall down when it comes to the fate of your health?

Of course not!

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Sleep maintenance is something that can easily be improved by introducing the right nutrition, herbal medicine and lifestyle tools to support and nurture a healthy nervous system (especially one that welcomes rest & recuperation 😉)

Your sleep is my priority.

Want to find out more on how you can improve your sleep quality??

》☆ CALL NOW to book an appointment ☆《

I cannot thank you all enough for the kindness and support I have received this past couple of weeks!!

You guys are truly awesome 💚

My goal for this page is to uplift and motivate well-health for all of my lovely followers by providing an educational source to guide you through all things 'Hormone Imbalance' - whether it be hormonal acne, difficult/ painful periods right through to those intense menopausal hot flushes. I've got you covered ladies!

As a practitioner, my passion is to provide you safe and practical holistic support with nourishing herbal medicine and nutritional guidance tailor made for YOU!

Please message me any queries you may have I'd love to address these with you.

Alternatively if you would like to book a consultation with me, please message through private message/messenger or call me by hitting the 'Call Now' button on my page ✨✨

Prue Barrington Naturopath updated their website address.

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