Moss Naturopathy

✨ Ready to transform your health journey? ✨

Book in a FREE 10-minute discovery call to explore the benefits of naturopathy and personalised healthcare.

✔️ Discover which service suits you best
✔️ Gain insight into the consultation process
✔️ Understand the potential outcomes of investing in your health

This is your chance to determine if I’m the naturopath that you’ve been looking for 🌿

Direct message me or follow the link in my bio to schedule your call today! 📞💫

Bundle and save on consultation costs by purchasing your initial and return appointments together 💚

Head over to mossnaturopathy.com to book ✨

I am officially qualified !✨

Last week I attended my graduation ceremony and was awarded my Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) degree.

Earning this degree was simultaneously challenging and fulfilling. I am very lucky to have met so many incredible and inspiring practitioners/mentors throughout this journey.

A massive thank you to all of my family, friends, and lecturers that got me through the last 4 and a half years of study.

Lots of love and gratitude 🙏🏻

𝓚𝓮𝔂 𝓱𝓪𝓫𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓶𝓶𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓽𝔂 𝓯𝓾𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭:

✨ Sufficient sleep

Inadequate sleep (

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I'll be consulting centre in Fitzroy (Melbourne) on Friday mornings from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm up until the 25th of August.⏰

This is your LAST opportunity to see me as a student practitioner at a special discounted rate. Can you believe how quickly time has flown by? 😮

When you book an initial consultation, you'll receive a FREE return consult! 🙌 To secure your spot, please give call reception on 03 9415 3327 and request me, Anjou, for either a face-to-face or telehealth consult.

Please keep in mind that our consultations typically last around 90 minutes, ensuring we have enough time to address your needs and provide the best care possible.⏱️

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free direct message me.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to invest in your wellbeing. Book your appointment now and let's start this transformative journey together! 💚

CONSULTATIONS

𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝙄𝙉𝙄𝙏𝙄𝘼𝙇 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙎𝙐𝙇𝙏𝙎

I am very pleased to announce that I am again offering naturopathic consultations in the student clinic, the Practice Wellbeing Centre (Fitzroy), every Thursday morning (9:30am-1pm) from the 2nd of March till the 11th of May.

For a limited time initial consults are complementary (usually $30). Return consults are $20 or $10 for concession card holders.

If you want to witness how natural medicine can support you in disease prevention and/or management let’s have a chat.

To book an appointment all you have to do is call the Practice Wellbeing Centre (Fitzroy) on 03 9415 3327 and request me for either a face to face or telehealth consult (Australia wide). The consultation process runs for roughly 90mins.

I have 2 uni trimesters left of student clinic so I recommend that you see me before I graduate if you’d like to take advantage of this very affordable pricing.

Note: The purchasing of herbal or nutritional prescriptions are optional whilst dietary and lifestyle advice is complementary.

If you have any questions please message me directly 💗

𝑀𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓈𝒶 𝑜𝒻𝒻𝒾𝒸𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓈 (lemon balm) has become one of my favourite medicinal herbs to grow at home. Since it is from the 𝐿𝒶𝓂𝒾𝒶𝒸𝑒𝒶𝑒 (mint) family it is very easy to propagate and grows prolifically in almost any climate.

lemon balm leaves have a soft and pleasant lemony flavour that is often enjoyed via hot infusion. I have also been adding them to my cooking or as garnish for cocktails. In the student clinic I usually prescribe it as an ethanol extract in a herb mix.

Naturopaths mostly utilise lemon balm for its carminative (debloating), sedative, nervous system tonic, mild antidepressant, antispasmodic (reducing muscular spasms), and diaphoretic (sweat inducing) actions.

Because of the herbs affinity for the digestive and nervous systems it is particularly indicated for indigestion that is associated with anxiety or low mood.
It is also indicated for symptoms of hyperthyroidism as it demonstrates TSH antagonism. Lemon balm also possesses topical antiviral activity so is sometimes used for outbreaks of herpes virus.

If you have a medical condition please avoid self prescribing and speak with qualified herbalist/naturopath for a personalised herbal prescription.

Note: caution advised if taking thyroid medication or CNS depressant.

Hey wonderful humans!

As promised, here’s an update to my upcoming appointment availabilities.

As you can see I currently only have 4 days left for this trimester so book in ASAP before I break for summer holidays.

CLINIC PROMOTION
Until the 16th of December you can get 3 consultations for just $30! Just mention the offer to our wonderful reception team and they will honour it.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been referring their friends/family to me. It truly means so much to me and I feel so blessed🙏🏻

* CLINIC UPDATE *

This trimester I will be conducting consults on𝙏𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝟯𝙥𝙢-𝟴𝙥𝙢 (from 13th Sept till the 29th Nov) in the student clinic where I am supervised by qualified and experienced practitioners.

If you want to witness how natural medicine can support you in disease prevention and/or management let’s have a chat.

To book an appointment all you have to do is call the Practice Wellbeing Centre (Fitzroy) on 03 9415 3327 and request me for either a face to face or telehealth consult.

𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

Initial consultation:
• $30 full price
• $20 for concession card holders

Return consultation:
• $20 full price
• $10 for concession card holders

I have only have 24 weeks left of student clinic so I recommend that you see me before I graduate if you’d like to take advantage of this very affordable pricing.

If you have any questions please message me directly 💗

𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘢

Passionflower is a visually stunning and popular nervous system herb with anxiolytic, spasmolytic, nervine, sedative, and hypnotic properties.

It increases GABA (main inhibitory neurotransmitter) levels in the brain which produces a dampened sympathetic response. Because of this it is most often used to improve symptoms of anxiety, nervousness, and irritability as well as poor sleep onset and maintenance.

It can also be used for nervous tachycardia, tension headaches, and palpitations. Passionflower could relieve muscle spasms in IBS that are triggered by stress and/or anxiety.

In clinic we incorporate this herb into either a liquid formula or a herbal tea blend. If you want herbal and/or nutritional support with any of the aforementioned symptoms/conditions let’s chat, I’d love to support you!

You can book in a consult with me on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon at a time between 3:15pm and 5:30pm (telehealth available). Just call the Practice Wellbeing Centre on 03 9415 3327 and request me to book.

I have been practicing in the Practice Well-being Centre, a student-led clinic, for the last four weeks. It’s been a extremely enriching experience! I feel so blessed and can hardly believe that I will be graduating in less than a year.

So far I have seen clients with stress, PMS, menopause, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Raynaud’s syndrome, and fibromyalgia. I am very grateful to the clients who have booked in with me so far because this is so invaluable to my learning journey 🙏🏻

Book an appointment to see me in the next eight weeks before I am unavailable during my three-week uni break. 💕

Through the Winter Wellness Herbal Infusion Initiative I’ll be offering acute consults at the Practice Wellbeing Centre starting from the Tuesday the 28th of June!

Call 03 9415 3327 to book in a 20-30 minute consult with me on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon between 3-5:30pm and receive a personalised herbal tea blend. Reception hours are 8am-8pm, Monday to Saturday ☺️

Herbal tea blends can support:
- Sleep
- Relaxation
- Digestion
- Focus/study
- Energy
- Immunity

See my next post for upcoming appointment availabilities ✨

Note: the total time commitment is 45 minutes as an additional 15 is needed for supervisor approval and dispensing.

✨EXCITING NEWS!✨

I am so pleased to say that from next Tuesday I‘ll be conducting naturopathy consults at The Practice Wellbeing Centre, located in Fitzroy at 45 Victoria Street (VIC).

It is a student-led clinic thus pricing is very affordable (see second slide)! There I will be supervised by qualified and experienced practitioners to ensure client safety and treatment efficacy.

This is a wonderful opportunity for me to finally put the last 3 years of dedicated learning into practice and help others in their unique health journeys. With a holistic approach I can assist with a wide variety of health complaints including but not limited to stress, anxiety, IBS, bloating, immune function, thyroid dysfunction, acne, and PMS.

Consults run for 90mins total and are either face-to-face or via telehealth (Aus wide). They include an in-depth health assessment (45mins) that is followed by a 30min intermission where I review your case and construct a treatment strategy that is then approved by my supervisor. After this we meet again for the remaining 15 minutes to discuss your personalised treatment plan and goals.

Please share this post with anyone you think would benefit from this offer 💗

Please note that I am unable to accept clients who are considered close friends or family but if this is you and you’d like a consult I encourage you to consider booking in with another student. Please feel free to message me regarding this.

IRON

Iron is a vital trace mineral involved in many important physiological processes including oxygen transport and utilisation, collagen production, thyroid hormone synthesis, and immune function.

So how do we source iron?

Heme iron is the most absorbable form of iron and is found in:
• Meat (especially organ)
• Oysters
• Eggs

Whilst non-heme iron is sourced from:
• Nuts
• Legumes (including tofu, tempeh and peanuts)
• Leafy greens
• Whole grains

Do soak nuts, beans and whole grains in warm water overnight as it activates an enzyme called phytase which breaks down the phytic acid that interferes with the absorption of iron from these foods.

Enhancers of iron absorption include:
• Vitamin C (and other acids like citric, lactic and tartaric)
• Vitamin A and β-carotene
• Copper
• Sugars (most notably fructose and sorbitol) enhance non-heme iron absorption
• Probiotics

If taking a supplement it is recommended that you:
• Choose a product containing Iron bisglycinate as it is the most bioavailable form
• Use an alternate day dosage regimen (this increases absorption by 34%!)
• Take it in the morning an hour before breakfast (when gastric juices are more acidic)
• Avoid absorption inhibitors such as caffeine, whole grains, calcium, and zinc in the two hours post ingestion.

Note: iron is highly toxic in excess so please only supplement with guidance from a qualified health practitioner.

𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔

Common name: Calendula (also known as pot marigold).

If you’re not already growing these beautiful flowers for yourself, grow them for the bees and other beneficial insects!

These beautiful bright yellow/orange flowers are used in herbal medicine to reduce inflammation, heal wounds, stop bleeding, increase lymphatic flow, and either kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted microbes, fungi and viruses. This herb can be used topically for burns, acne, eczema, wounds, leg ulcers, varicose veins, and haemorrhoids. Internally it is used for mucosal inflammation, gastric and duodenal ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, acne, sebaceous cysts, and dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).

An easy way to access the benefits of this herb for topical use is through an oil infusion.

What you will need:

🧡Dried calendula flowers (these can sometimes be sourced from your local wholefoods and is my brand of preference)

🧡Your oil of choice (I used sweet almond oil)

1. Fill a glass jar 2/3 of the way full with dried calendula flowers.
2. Pour oil into the jar so as to cover the flowers by 3cm.
3. Close the jar tightly,shake and place on a warm, sunny windowsill
4. Shake it once daily for 6 weeks after which you can strain out the flowers.
5. Store in a cool, dark place and use as is or as a base ingredient in a homemade skincare product.

Note: whilst 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴 is generally well tolerated those with a known 𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦 family allergy should avoid its use. This herb is accessible as a home remedy but if you experience any of the aforementioned complaints please do consult with your GP, or a qualified naturopath for a personalised herbal prescription.

𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓇𝒾𝒶 𝓂𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒶

(Chickweed)

Parts used: aerial

You’ve probably noticed this humble herb growing in your local area. It grows in abundance as a ground cover.

I love this herb because it’s a wonderful for soothing, softening and protecting the skin. It is often used in a cream/lotion to relieve the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, burns, and other inflamed conditions.

This herb is also edible! Although, you should always ensure that it is free of pesticides prior to consuming. It can be added fresh to salads or cooked.

Herbal actions: demulcent, astringent, refrigerant, and antiulcer (peptic)

Have you spotted this herb growing near you?

Note: this herb is generally safe, but in some instances an allergic rash may develop.

Photo description: pages from Elisabeth Brooke’s “A Woman’s Book of Herbs” (1992)

Do you use face masks?

I love clay masks in particular and I’ve been using them for years, since I was a young teen!

Clay is a great ingredient of choice since it draws out impurities from the skin whilst providing minerals and antibacterial effects!

I have tried many different types of clays over the years and discovered bentonite clay to be my favourite. It is reputed to be more absorptive than other clays and is therefore indicated for oily skin and acne (me!). Because it is so drying I always ensure to hydrate my skin post mask.

It is important to remember that we all have different skin types and therefore we are suited to different treatments.
Plus, acne can be caused by numerous factors and can not be addressed by face masks alone.

Tell me your favourite face mask ingredients in the comments 💕

Photo by Olivia Groves

Here begins my relaxing and recharging for next trimester. I hope you are well being easy on yourself too !

This photo is from my last break that was spent in Mparntwe.

Hummus Recipe 💕

This hummus tastes waaaaaay better than store bought hummus! It’s super simple to make so I encourage you to try it for yourself.

Chickpeas are almost always in my pantry as they are so delicious and versatile! They are also a great source of protein, folate, calcium, potassium and magnesium. The tahini in this also makes it a source of zinc.

1 of can chickpeas
2-3 tbs of aquafaba from chickpea can
juice of 1 lemon
2 tbs tahini
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 garlic clove
Salt to taste

Blend it all together. Serve and top with olive oil and sumac/paprika 😌

The combination of lockdown and the gloomy melbourne weather has had me feeling rather blue and unmotivated.
I’m beginning to feel a lot better now and talking about it with my loved ones has really helped. 5 things that have succeeded to lift my mood include:

- talking to friends
- making clay face masks
- cooking yummy and nutritious meals
- moving my body (ie yoga)
- tidying my space (= peaceful mind)

What activities have you been finding helpful? I’d love to hear them!

𝙃₂𝙊

Our need for this nutrient is greater than any other but many of us struggle to achieve adequate water intake, especially during winter months.

The amount of water that you should be drinking is: your body weight x .035

An exception to this is during times of heavy sweating where intake should be 1-1.5L per hour.

Here are a few of things you can do to stay hydrated:

💧Keep your water in a drink bottle with a defined capacity to monitor and manage how much water is being consumed.
💧Add a slice of lemon or mint for flavour to encourage consumption.
💧Drink herbal teas for extra fluid.

Note: Try to drink fluids away from meals as this can dilute your gastric secretions and interfere with optimal digestion. Avoid excessive consumption (4L + within a few hours) as it can lead to hyponatremia (low blood sodium).

What are some things you do to ensure that you are consuming enough water?

Thinking of this beautiful moment spent sitting amongst the green budgerigars at kings canyon (Watarrka National Park).

🦜🍃

Where is your favourite spot to practice mindfulness?

GORD
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disorder
(AKA heartburn)

Refers to the reflux of acidic gastric contents (Hydrochloric acid) into the oesophagus. This leads to an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. Most people will know someone who suffers with this!

Swipe to learn more about signs/symptoms, causes, interventions and herbal remedies ☺️

The herbs on slide 5 offer some of the following actions required for the treatment of GORD:

• anti-inflammatory
• mucoprotective
• demulcent
• vulnery
• mucous membrane tonic

🌱

These herbs are accessible and generally well tolerated. However, I recommend consulting with a naturopath for a personalised prescription.

ARTICHOKE RECIPE

I’ve made this a fair few times as it is so so delicious and super simple. I encourage you to give it a go!

It is fantastic as an entree as the bitterness in the artichoke’s stem and outer leaves stimulate digestion by promoting the secretion of digestive juices i.e stomach acid and bile. This is important to the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients.

Ingredients:
- artichokes
- lemons
- mint
- garlic
- olive oil
- salt and pepper

1. slice off the top third of your artichokes and rub with lemon to prevent discolouration
2. cut off stems (leave a few centimetres as shown in 4th pic) and pull of the lowest leaves
3. prepare sauce with mint, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. fill a pot/saucepan with water (enough to submerge the top third of the artichokes)
5. stuff leaves and centre with mint sauce and submerge face down in pot/saucepan
6. place lid on pot/saucepan to boil and steam
7. It’s ready to dish when the stems are soft
8. serve with lemon and enjoy!

I always serve this with fennel and orange salad as they pair perfectly 🤤. The salad is also simple and made from oranges, fennel, red onion, lemon (sliced up), olive oil, salt and pepper.

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GLOBE ARTICHOKE

𝘊𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘳. 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘶𝘴 𝘓. (𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦 family)

I love this plant, with its beautiful and delicious bloom!
It is rich in vitamin C, potassium, calcium, zinc and iron. It is also a fantastic prebiotic source due to the presence of inulin. Artichoke's sesquiterpene lactones are responsible for it's bitter taste and hence some of its therapeutic effects.

This plant is used frequently in herbal medicine to increase the secretion of bile from the liver (Choleretic) and to prevent liver damage (Hepatoprotective).

Other actions include:
- Hepatic trophorestorative (restores liver tissue)
- Cholagogue (stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder)
- Bitter (tastes bitter and acts as a digestive stimulant)
- Hypocholesterolemic (reduces blood cortisol)
- Antiemetic (reduces/ relieves nausea and vomiting)
- Diuretic (assists with and increases urine output)
- Depurative (purifies the blood)

Clinical trials support its use in treating hyperlipidaemia, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, dyspepsia, functional gallbladder conditions, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence.

🌱

So.. don’t be intimidated by it’s spiky petals! It is so easy to prepare and is best complemented by a fennel and orange salad. Stay tuned for a recipe coming your way.

Who here loves artichoke?!!

Note: Caution to those who are allergic to plants in the 𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦 family

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