Living With Nature’s Rhythms...one season at a time.
A Candida overgrowth, outside sources of estrogen such as plastics, pesticides, toxic skincare and cleaning products, an overworked liver, HRT and the birth control pill all contribute to Oestrogen Dominance.
We need to maintain a healthy liver for many reasons. The liver works hard to maintain the right balance of hormones in the body. When it’s working effectively the liver will remove excess estrogen and toxins from the body. When it’s not – we have trouble, and more than just a hormonal imbalance.
Turmeric, St. Mary’s Thistle, Dandelion Root, Schisandra and Holy Basil (Tulsi). Have these as a tea, supplement or herbal tincture.
DIM is found in broccoli, cauliflower and kale. It helps remove excess oestrogen via the liver.
Ask in your health food store.
Oestrogen supports the growth of Candida. Research also shows that a common cause of Candida overgrowth is the use of oral contraceptives.
A waste product that, in the human body, mimics oestrogen is produced by Candida. This means that your body thinks it’s producing more estrogen than it really is. A problem!
The effect a Candida overgrowth has on a woman’s hormonal system is rarely acknowledged.
Besides symptoms related to PMT, other signs of estrogen dominance include:
– Ovarian cysts
– Infertility
– Breast swelling and tenderness
– Hair loss
– Heavy and irregular bleeding during menstruation
– Migraines and headaches
– Some forms of breast cancer
HOW TO TREAT CANDIDA
1. Re-establish friendly bacteria in your gut by eat more fermented foods. Sauerkraut and other cultured veggies, #tempeh, #miso, #kefir,#kombucha, #KimChi, #yoghurt
2. Limit the amount of sugar you eat since Candida feeds on sugar.
3. Take a high-quality omega-3s supplement to relieve inflammation. I useLifestream‘s ‘V Omega’. It’s ethical, vegan and strong.http://www.lifestream.co.nz/p…/essential-nutrition/v-omega-3
6. Cleanse your liver cleanse to help flush the body of excess oestrogen.
Up Your Veggie Intake. Especially include cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kohlrabi broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts which help to clear out excess oestrogen via the liver.
Other ways to detox your liver is by regularly including these foods into your diet – Rosemary, Turmeric, Flaxseeds, Green leafy veggies like rocket, spinach and silver beet.
It’s important to stay away from process, refined and packaged food and eat more whole, natural foods.
Phyto-Estrogens: plant based oestrogen are important for us to include in our diets as they will take up the receptor sites for oestrogen, preventing some of the ‘xeno’ (foreign or stranger) oestrogen’s we’re exposed to taking up residence there. (Plastics, pesticides, sulphate and medications like the pill etc)
Chia, hemp and flax seed contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and phyto-estrogens. These seeds reduce inflammation which if prolonged can lead to hormonal balances. Linolenic acid which is a constituent of omega 3 fatty acids converts to GLA, which is essential for healthy progesterone production. (This can help to keep Estrogen in balance.) Note: use the whole linseed ground up or buy flax meal (already ground) as only the seeds contain the lignan’s that contain the phytoestrogens; not the oil.
Adding Lifestream spirulina contains high levels of GLA as well so adding a tbsp to these ‘Seed Crackers’ just makes these incredibly beneficial in the struggle to achieve balanced hormones.
My ‘Seed Crackers’.
The chia and the flaxseed meal hold these crackers together beautifully. If you’re using a dehydrator, they’ll remain raw, or keep your oven temperature below 50°C (120°F) and cook for three hours. If they’re not crunchy enough, flip them over then put them back in for another hour.
Ingredients (makes 16 crackers)
50g (1⁄3 cup) mixed chia and flaxseed meal
2⁄3 cup mixed hemp, sesame, sunflower, pepitas, nigella and poppy seeds
250ml (1 cup) water
1tsp unrefined salt, or to taste
Method – Preheat the oven to 50°C. Line a 30cm × 40cm (12” × 16”) baking tray with baking paper.
Place everything in a bowl, then mix well to form a wet dough. Let the dough sit for about 15 minutes to allow the chia and flax to swell up and go gooey.
Using wet hands or a spatula, spread the dough out until about 5 millimetre thick on the prepared tray, then score into 16 rectangles with a sharp knife. Bake for 6 hours then turn off the oven and leave to dry out in the oven for a further hour.
If using a dehydrator, press the dough onto three or four Teflex sheets, score, then put on 175°C for 12 hours. Remove the crackers from the Teflex sheet and cut all the way through to create individual crackers, then place upside down on the sheet and return to the dehydrator for three hours.
Allow the crackers to cool slightly before storing in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. They’ll stay fresher for longer in the fridge.
Optional –
– Add 1 tbsp Lifestream Spirulina or ‘Essential Greens+’ powder.
– Add 1 tbsp died rosemary, or 1/2 cup chia seeds
There’s no question that women have a harder time losing weight than men, and that’s got a lot to do with the hormone Estrogen and the havoc it can cause when it’s in excess.
Feeling sluggish? Anxious? Having trouble losing weight – especially around the middle? Over-emotional? Are your menstrual cycles a problem? Then you could be suffering from ‘Estrogen Dominance’.
Too much of the female hormone Oestrogen can lead to weight gain – especially around the tummy, butt and thighs, cellulite, thyroid issues, osteoporosis, eczema and candida, and it may increase your risk of cancer. And, it’s a common condition now.
What to do? Do an Estrogen Detox. Start by reducing as many man- made chemicals as you can from your life. Begin with what you can control easily.
Reduce your exposure to man-made oestrogen’s (XENO-estrogens) by using natural skin and hair care – and all other cosmetics (soap, toothpaste, body wash etc), use natural cleaning products, and eat as organically (or at least spray-free) as you can.
The colon, which is the lung’s partner in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is responsible for how well you can ‘let go’ or ‘hold on’ in certain situations.
In this way, you can see how interconnected your body, mind and spirit are—it is difficult to have or maintain good mental or spiritual health if your bodily organs aren’t performing as they should, and vice versa.
This is a good time of the year to get rid of any unwanted clothes, unpack boxes or just get rid of things (on any level) you don’t need. You will feel better for ‘letting go’. (Excerpt from my first book ‘Elixir’)
Fried Banana with Coconut cream (Recipe) – use coconut oil instead of the omega spread and coconut or almond milk instead of soy milk.
VITAMIN C (Just to finish of from last week) Many lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress, contributes to several aspects of endometriosis (Carvalho 2012; Augoulea 2012; Augoulea 2009; Gupta 2006; Sekhon 2013).
Therefore, it is not surprising that vitamins E and C, both of which possess considerable antioxidant properties, have been studied in the context of endometriosis.
In a study of 91 infertile women, those with endometriosis were shown to have lower levels of vitamin C in their follicular fluid (ie, fluid surrounding the eggs in the ovaries) compared to women who did not have endometriosis; women with endometriosis also had lower levels of the endogenous antioxidant superoxide dismutase in their plasma (Prieto 2012).
Other evidence suggests that lower intake of antioxidants, including vitamins E and C, selenium, and zinc, in women with endometriosis correlate with more severe disease (Hernandez Guerrero 2006).
These findings suggest that increasing consumption of antioxidants may benefit women with endometriosis. Accordingly, in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 59 women between 19 and 41 years of age were allocated to receive a combination of 1200 IU of vitamin E along with 1000 mg of vitamin C or a placebo each day for 8 weeks.
Following the 8-week treatment period, 43% of women who received the vitamin E and C combination experienced reduction in chronic pain, 37% experienced reduction in pain associated with menstruation, and 24% experienced reduction in pain during intercourse compared to the placebo group.
Take 1000mg (1g) of Lifestream Vitamin C powder twice a day. And Selennium as directed. You’ll find @Lifestream on line or at your heath food store, and some pharmacies.
AVOCADOS are considered an anti-estrogenic food, which means they contain plant sterols that block estrogen receptors on cells and reduce estrogen absorption in your body.
High levels of estrogen have been linked to weight gain, Endo’ and some cancers.
Avocados can promote weight loss by balancing hormone levels despite the fact they are high in fats.
Conventional Medical Advice says ‘Have A Laparoscopy’. Think very carefully
Talk to your healthcare practitioner about supplementing with natural progesterone from a compounding chemist.
Adenomyosis is a condition of the uterus (womb) where the cells that normally form a lining on the inside of the uterus, also grow in the muscle wall of the uterus. Treatment similar to Endometriosis.
Basically, it helps balance an oestrogen dominance; to mop up excess oestrogen, (to regulate the ratio of e2) – which is what we have with Endometriosis.
The majority of ingested I3C is absorbed in the small intestine as diindolylmethane (DIM), which is thought to be the primary contributor to I3C’s beneficial properties.
DIM is a compound found in high concentrations in vegetables of the Brassica family, including broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
DIM has been shown to selectively bind to estrogen receptors and may act as an estrogen antagonist at physiological concentration.
To Support Oestrogen Metabolism –
– It maintains Optimal 2-Hydroxy/16-Hydroxy Estrogen Ratios
– It’s a Source of DIM
– Nutritional Support for Liver Detoxification
– As a dietary supplement, I3C provides key nutritional support for liver detoxification.
– It also plays an important role in supporting female reproductive health.
I use this one – http://au.iherb.com/Thorne-Research-Indole-3-Carbinol-60-Veggie-Caps/18273
Endo’ is an oestrogen dominant condition. So we need more natural progesterone – and less oestrogen in all its forms.
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus castus) is a shrub native to Greece and Italy whose berries have been used in herbal medicine for centuries. It is considered one of the most popular herbs in Europe and other Western nations for the support of female reproductive imbalances.
Recent clinical research and traditional use of Vitex have shown its amazing ability to help balance fertility hormones. Chaste Tree does not contain hormones, but it has a supportive and gentle action on the body. This is one of the most useful fertility herbs available to us.
Chaste Tree has a supporting and regulating effect upon the pituitary gland, known as the “master gland”. It controls many bodily functions like sending chemical signals to the ovaries, telling them how much hormones to make. This communication is known as the ‘hormonal feedback loop’.
– Vitex is one of the best fertility herbs available to us when it comes to balancing hormones and regulating the menstrual cycle.
– It helps the body to increase its own production of luteinizing hormone (LH) – promoting ovulation to occur – which in turns boosts progesterone levels during the luteal phase.
– Endometriosis: Used to treat mild endometriosis and prevent it from advancing.
– Miscarriage: If miscarriages are due to low progesterone, ChasteTree may help.
– Lack of menstruation (amenorrhea) or a heavy period: Chaste Tree will help regulate your cycle regulate, usually before 6 months.
– Uterine cysts: Chaste Tree (Vitex) has been found to be helpful at reducing cysts that are growing within the smooth muscle layer of the uterus.
– Contraceptive pill: It regulates your period after being on the contraceptive pill. After discontinuing estrogen-containing birth control pills, Chaste Tree taken for several months has been shown to help stabilize the cycle and induce ovulation more quickly.
How To Use Chase Tree – It may start working within 10 days, but full benefits may not be experienced until 6 months or longer.
I suggest it to be taken once a day in the morning on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast if possible. (Not essential though.) Vitex should be used all month long without a break.
Ask for it in your health food store – and as always a practioner-only brand is going to best
Diet for Endo’ is so important, as is exercise and stress management.
FOODS TO AVOID:
With red meat it’s not just ham – bacon need to be avoided also, and for the same reasons. (I was surprised and happy to see nitrate, colour and preservative free bacon in Woollies last night. It was 400g reduced from $8 to $5. Not organic though – but still…it’s better than conventional bacon.)
FOODS TO INCLUDE:
Foods to Include. Remember that your salmon needs to be ‘Wild Alaskan Salmon’ – which usually means canned, as it’s difficult to find anything but farmed salmon in Oz. And any animal products need to be organic so as to avoid the hormones, antibiotics and GMO ingredients (all bad estrogens/hormone disruptors) in the feed.
– It is really important to eat a diet free of processed oils and carbohydrates. Include some whole grains, fresh fruit and lots of vegetables, nuts and seeds. Eat mostly a plant-based diet including legumes and lentils.
– Alfalfa and kale containing Vitamin K promotes normal blood clotting
– Sea vegies contain iodine, which will aid in proper thyroid function. They also help you detox from heavy metals
– Lots of green leafy vegetables
– Omega 3 oils from hemp, chia, flax, walnuts and seaweeds; and sustainably -caught seafood
NAC: N-Acetyl Cysteine is a potent liver protector, mood enhancer & fertility booster. Use it to treat Endometriosis. It also protects the liver, kidneys and other organs from toxins.
See a natural healthcare practitioner or an Integrative GP for a wholistic plan to treat Endometriosis – not just a band aid for symptom relief. (Although your going to want this also when you have Endo’)
To balance hormones naturally include in your diet – coconut oil, avocados, hemp seeds, tulsi tea (Holy Basil), and supplementing with the herb Withania (Ashwaghanda), and by reducing man-made oestrogens in toxic cleaning products, cookware and cosmetics, plastics, tinned food, tap water in the city, and by keeping you liver working efficiently to help it rid your body of this oestrogen dominance.
Organic, raw dark choc is a must though! 😉
Reduce your exposure to man-made oestrogen’s as much as you can. Many of us are regularly detoxing from chemicals in our food, but what about the man-made chemicals in our cosmetics?
It’s estimated the average woman applies 515 chemicals to her body a day. That’s a lot right? Taking these unnecessary and toxic chemicals out of your life will free up your organs of elimination allowing them to detox’ more efficiently, instead of the heavy burden they’re under before these chemicals are removed.
When dealing with Endo’, we really don’t need any more oestrogen in our bodies, especially the highly toxic, synthetic type.
Buy ORGANIC or at least sulphate and paraben-free, in BPA free plastic bottles. Or better still – make you own using essential oils, coconut/hemp/almond/avocado/macadamia oil and bi-carb.
Check out my website for info’ on DIY cosmetics and cleaning products. (use search engine)
Endo’ is a debiltating, complex and very painful condition that greatly affects your fertility (and weight, finances, relationships and mental state).
You may need a (invasive and expensive) laparoscopy to be correctly diagnosed, but that’s not always necessary or advisable.
See an experienced Naturopath to treat Endo’ using herbs, supplements, diet and lifestyle changes. An Osteopath or Chiropractor will be of great help also.
Herbs:
• dang gui is often taken alone in the East for menstrual difficulties (in the West we use Angelica archangelica as a substitute)
• Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree) is important here, as it will regulate your cycle and balance your hormones and has a positive affection your ovaries.
– Ladies Mantle and Raspberry Leaf for uterine health
• Ginkgo biloba increases and stimulates circulation to the reproductive organs; it will also help with scar tissue
• turmeric is a good anti-inflammatory, liver tonic and oestrogenic
• calendula helps to keep lymphatics in good order, which seems to be a problem with endo’
• golden seal (in short supply these days however) is good for reducing inflammation in mucous membranes, as is Barberry.
• chen pi (mandarin peel) is great for improving digestion and reducing ‘damp’ conditions
• St John’s wort is a good antidepressant and anti-inflammatory; it also helps with related sciatica’
– Dandelion Root, Schisandra and St. Mary’s Thistle to help improve poor liver health associated with Endo’.
– Ginger and Cinnamon to help ‘warm’ the ‘coldness’ often associated.
It’s National Endometriosis Month, so let’s look at this chronic and debilitating disease. Endo’, as it is commonly referred to, is a condition that results when the cells of the endometrium, (lining of the uterus) grows in parts of the body where it shouldn’t. And it’s not rare!
These tissues may be found in or around the ovaries, bowel, bladder, pelvic floor, fallopian tubes, Pouch of Douglas or even in the nasal cavity’s – and in some are cases – the brain and lungs.
These misplaced tissues also respond to hormonal changes that are responsible for menstruation. Because they aren’t where they should be, that is in the uterus, there is no way they can be shed from the body, instead they are absorbed in the surrounding tissues – a painful and slow process. As each month passes, these implants grow, causing scar tissue and adhesions. This causes the organs to stick together. (Ouccccchhhhhhhhh, even writing about it!)
The cause of Endo’ is still unknown, but one thing is for sure, the pain is debilitating and so are the associated mental symptoms.
DIAGNOSIS is made through a laparoscope usually under a general anaesthetic. Orthodox treatment involves halting menstruation by use of the contraceptive pill, after burning off the lesions. This seems to be effective in some cases, for about 2-5 years at most, but does come with many problems of their own form the survey and the side effects of the medication. Laparoscopies can and do leave scar tissue, that can be almost as painful as the lesions themselves.
Diet is so important, as is exercise and stress management.
Physical Symptoms –
– Pain in the uterus, lower back and pelvis. Pain before and during menstruation
– Painful intercourse
– Breakthrough bleeding
– Bleeding with intercourse
– Pain intermittently throughout cycle
– Large clots during menstruation
– Nausea, vomiting and/or constipation during menstruation
– Infertility
– Mood swings and/or depression
– Iron deficiency due to a heavy flow
– Ovualtion pain
It’s National Endometriosis Month, so let’s look at this chronic and debilitating disease this week. Endo’ is when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places, including on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the pelvic side-wall, bowel, bladder, utero-sacral ligaments and in the Pouch of Douglas.
Once thought to affect only women above 30, and those who hadn’t had children – not anymore. It is now thought to affect 10-20% of women, but it likely to be higher. Some women with Endometriosis may be symptom free.
Endometriosis, we now know can affect women of any age after onset of menstruation. The recommendation was ‘have a baby’ or a ‘hysterectomy’. Both suggestions to a 14 year old seem ludicrous to me.
I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis via laparoscopic surgery at age 18. (As was my younger sister.) Endo’ has shaped my life. I’m pretty certain I had it from the time of my first menses at 13.5 years old, and also pretty sure my mother and paternal aunty had it also – but in those days they didn’t have a name for it.
I have been mostly symptom free for over 10 years now and subsequent procedures have confirmed no evidence of endometriosis – apart from the intense pain the scar tissue from the ‘too many’ laparoscopies I’ve had. Scar tissue is also caused as each month passes, and the Endo’ lesions grow, causing more scar tissue and adhesions.
I have to add though, that over the years when I go off my herbs and supplements for 6 months or so the symptoms start to return. Once back on my ‘Endo’-free regime’ for a month, the symptoms disappeared. These days I don’t even need ‘the regime’.
As a young girl I was told that there is no cure for Endo (and to ‘hurry up and have a baby’). That’s just not true. Plus, the stress that kind of advice creates is no doubt just making the Endo’ worse.
It is important to feed your body the right nutrients, especially when it’s tired and run down, with no reserve.
1. Cut out white sugar and flour: They both need more insulin for the body to break them down, making extra work for the adrenal glands.
2. Cut out caffeine, alcohol and energy drinks: Any drinks that contain caffeine drain the adrenal glands of energy, as does alcohol.
3. Cut out PROCESSED foods: These foods are particularly bad if you suffer from adrenal fatigue.
4. Eat a high PROTEIN diet: Nuts, legumes and lentils, sustainable fish, quinoa, spirulina, goats products, hemp, organic chicken and eggs are all great sources of protein, which is an indispensable part of a diet for those with adrenal fatigue.
5. Keep ‘good’ SALT in your diet: Celtic, Himalayan, Murray River. No table salt!
6. Eat VEGETABLES: Vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet. We’re meant to be eating around .5kg a day of veggies.
*Remember when consuming broccoli, cauliflower or other crucifierous veggies, it is necessary to cook them as the goitrogenic compounds in these vegetables act as thyroid suppressants (thyroid and adrenal conditions are linked. Other kinds of vegetables may be eaten raw or cooked slightly.
7. Limit FRUIT: Because fruits contain both fructose and potassium – which should be avoided if you suffer from adrenal fatigue – it is best to limit your intake of fruit. Some fruits are better to eat than others though. Check out my fructose chart on my website.
8. Eat BREAKFAST: It is best to eat within an hour of waking up, and this should be before 10 am. This will help to restore your body’s blood sugar levels after the hours of sleeping.
Lunch – at around 11:30 am, as the body is quick to use up the energy gained from breakfast.
Snack: between 2 pm and 3 pm, as there is a dip in cortisol levels at 3 or 4 pm – hummus and sed crackers; 4 brazil nuts; green smoothie.
Dinner – between 5 pm and 6 pm, and it should be the lightest meal of the day. You can eat another healthy snack before bed if you need to.
9. Don’t go for instant energy: Often when we feel fatigued or stressed, we look for foods that will give us a fast burst of energy and make us feel good, short term. Usually the culprits are biscuits, white carbohydrates, cakes, caffeine and carbonated drinks. Instead, have a green smoothie using coconut water, or clean water, Lifestream ‘Essential Greens’, and perhaps #maca powder.
10. Don’t cut out FATS: They’re needed to create hormones. The right kinds of fat that is. Good fats can be found in grapeseed, olive, chia, hemp. flax and coconut oil, as well as in nuts and avocado, and their oil. Only grape seed, avocado, olive and coconut oil are suitable for frying at high temperatures.
Thyroid health and Adrenal function go and in hand. The way you handle stress has a direct effect on both these two glands.
In order to have a healthy thyroid we usually need to also treat the adrenal glands – where the problem started.
Chronic stress – the norm’ it seems in the 21 century – results in increased adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) being produced by your adrenal glands. Elevated cortisol has a negative impact on thyroid function, and so much more in fact.
When stress becomes long lasting, the flood of stress chemicals produced by your adrenal glands interfere with your thyroid hormones, contributing to many health issues like obesity, high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, dry skin, extreme fatigue, insomnia, and crazy blood sugar levels.
Adrenal exhaustion can result if stress is prolonged – a condition also known as ‘Adrenal Fatigue’. This condition is oftenfound holding hands with thyroid disease. It’s very important we learn to manage our stress by learning a mediation technique, do a gentle and kind exercise and practice Mindfulness.
DIAGNOSIS:
Getting Tested and Re-Tested, if necessary. And even if all your lab’ tests still come ‘normal’, you’re still likely have sub-clinical hypothyroidism – if you have multiple symptoms.
The levels that are considered ‘normal’ have changed recently, so having a TSH of say 4 or 5 is now considered HyPO thyroid.
Your practitioner may say this level is fine.
If you’re GP won’t order these tests, even after you insist, then perhaps it’s time to find a good ‘Integrative’ or ‘Functional’ GP and/or a Naturopath.
WHAT TO TEST – these 5 hormones
1. TSH: The ideal level for TSH is between 1 and 1.5 milli-international units per litre. The higher your level of TSH, the higher the likelihood that you have hypothyroidism.
2, 3. Free T4 And Free T3 – The normal level of free T4 is between 0.9 and 1.8 nanograms per deciliter.
4. T3 should be between 240 and 450 picograms per deciliter.
5. Thyroid Antibody Testing – includes antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. This measure helps determine if your body is attacking your thyroid, overreacting to its own tissues – i.e. autoimmune reactions. This is almost never automatically tested.
You can also check at home –
Basal Body Temperature – A measure of your basal body temperature at rest. Use a thermometer first thing in tthe morning. Your temp shouldn’t be below or above 36oC. (It changes slightly at certain time of the month so avoid taking ur temp’ when ur menstruating or ovulating.)
More –
TRH Stimulation Test – For more difficult cases, TRH can be measured using the TRH stimulation test. TRH helps identify hypothyroidism that’s caused by inadequacy of the pituitary gland.
When your body is working well, it will make what you need and have the right amounts of T3 and T4 – properly controlling the metabolism of every cell in your body. Happy days!
If your T3 is inadequate, your whole body suffers. T3 is critically important because it sends messages to your metabolism to burn fat. In this way T3 lowers cholesterol levels, regrows hair, and helps keep your weight even.
T3 levels can get out of whack from:
– a poor diet
– toxic overload
– allergens
– infections
– stress
Exercise for Adrenal fatigue health
It’s really important not to exert yourself too much when your adrenal glands (your petrol tank) is already empty. Doing wheelies everyday, whilst accelerating will only lead to complete burnout/adrenal collapse/chronic fatigue.
Gente exercise is recommended now, and sometimes in the beginning not even that. Things like the Chinese martial art Qi Gong is perfect, as is Tai Qi. Gently and mindful walking is an elixir in itself and when it comes to yoga – go for Yin, Hatha or restorative yoga not Bikram, Asthanga or even Iyengar at this point. Pilates will also be very helpful, as will be swimming.
Absolutely no Cross Fit or Spin classes, and forget about your running for now, and Boot Camp – NO! This is a time to ‘restore’ not ‘drain’. We need to put energy IN not give it away.
I personally found not running the hardest thing to ‘do’. Not because I loved running so much (and I still do) but because it helped me keep my weight down and my body fit and toned. But, it contributed to my own AF, plus – if I was truly honest with myself, even the thought of going for a run exhausted me. Sound familiar?
Re-learning what our bodies truly need at different times of our lives (and seasons) is a huge challenge. It’s a fight between the heart and the head – the soul and the ego.
Listening, really listening to our bodies is an art and one that will always pay off. The decrease in intense exercise won’t be forever, just until you’re petrol tank is filled again. Surrender to ‘Less Is More’.
I’ve been pretty focused on writing my new book of late, so I haven’t posted allot recently . So, until I finish my book (by May) posts may not be as regular as they have been.
Many more of us are being diagnosed with either ‘under’ or ‘over’ active thyroid. Why? Well, I’m going to be posting what the thyroid gland is, where it is, what it does, what’s a goitre, and why many of our thyroid glands have recently become very unhappy.
Around one in 20 people will experience some form of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime. Women are more susceptible than men.
What does the thyroid gland do? (Or supposed to do.)
It ‘s a gland that secretes hormones to regulate many processes – including growth and energy expenditure. If it’s overactive (hypER) or ‘sluggish’ (hypO), your metabolism will be affected, leading to a variety of symptoms that can be mistaken for other health issues in the body – especially if you’re not tested properly.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE B/W AN OVER AND UNDER ACTIVE THYROID?
– HypO-thyroidism (not making enough thyroid hormone) can lead to feeling sluggish, thinning or coarse hair, weight gain, lacking concentration, have dry skin, muscle pains or cramping, fluid retention and sensitive to cold temperatures.
– HyPER-thyroidism (making too much) may lead to unexplained weight loss, sleeping difficulties, increased heart rate, sensitivity to heat, irritability, nervousness or anxiety, and diarrhoea
Bitter herbs like Gentian Root and those in Swedish Bitters have long been used to treat digestive disorders, and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases. They stimulate the liver, gall bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, they are taken to treat liver complaints, in-digestion, gastric ulcers, aneroxia.
You”l find t these herbs in your health food store.
GRAINS – most are pretty difficult to digest properly especially the refined kind. There are a few reasons for this but one reason is the LECTINS they contain, and they’re in wheat, rice, spelt and soy as well. In small amounts they seem to be ok for some of us but once they become a daily habit – then not so good.
But wait, there is a loop hole – sprouting and fermenting grains (and soy) reduces lectins, making these foods easier to digest. GMO and hybridized foods tend to be the highest in lectins, and on top of this, gluten–containing grains will damage your intestinal lining and cause leaky gut syndrome.
Lifestream ‘Advanced Digestive Enzymes’ is a great way to support your digestion and get the most nutrient absorption out of your food. I also prescribe lifestreams AloeVera and BowelBiotics for good gut health.
You’ll find these gorgeous, whole food, sustainable, ethical and vegan products at your health food store, or on line at www.planethealthcom.au
Coconut Products – all (organic, preferable or at least sulphur-free) coconut products are especially good for your gut. The MCFA’s (medium chain fatty acids) in coconut are easier to digest than other fats so they work well in helping to repair a leaky gut.
The MCT in coconut also helps to convert the food we eat in energy instead of storing it for fat. Coconut contains about 20% MCT or you can buy straight MCT in oil form from you health food store. You’ll find it in the fridge.
Coconut kefir (a fermented food) contains probiotics that will be very beneficial to gut health also. Make you own or you’ll find it in your health food store also.
LEAKY GUT: As Hippocrates said – All disease begins in the gut, and I think we’re starting to understand just how true this might be. Food allergies, fatigue, joint pain, thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, depression, bloating, skin issues, Endometriosis and weight gain have all been shown to be linked to LEAKY GUT.
What is it?
Your GIT is like a tube from our mouth to your anus. This tube is fussy about what it lets through, so it has tiny holes in it that allows only specific things through.
Causes
1. Poor diet – un-sprouted grains, sugar, GMO’s and conventional dairy.
2. Long Term Stress – you know who this means
3. Toxic overload from the chemicals in our food, cosmetics, soft furnishings etc etc
4. Bacterial imbalance: Candida, SIBO etc
Treatments
There are a few different ways to address this and I’ll cover them this week. First up –
L-Glutamine is an essential amino acid supplement that is anti-inflammatory and necessary for the growth and repair of your intestinal lining. It protects and coats your cell walls. Available from your health food store or health practitioner. Take as directed.
Interested in incorporating ACV into your daily routine/diet? Below is a morning detox tea and a raw ACV+honey drink that I would recommend trying out>
1. Hair Mask – Use ACV to remove build on hair up from hair car or contaminants in water. The acetic acid, the main ingredient in ACV will balance your hair’s pH level, promote hair growth by stimulating the scalp, treat dandruff, and give your hair extra bounce, body, and shine. Mix 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 litre of clean water. Shampoo your hair as your normally would with a paraben and sulphate -free shampoo, (or use a mixture of 1 tsp bicarb and 1 litre of water) and rinse well. Apply the mixture (a spray bottle is handy here) and leave it on for one minute then rinse with cold water to lock in the shine. There’s no need to condition afterwards, and doing so may reduce the benefits of the rinse. You can use this rinse about once a week.
2. Face Mask fro Oily Skin: ACV can be used on the face to reduce inflammation (redness, eczema, acne) and prevent breakouts. Get some bentonite clay (powder) from your health food store. This will help clear your pores and detoxify your skin. Mix together equal parts of ACV and the clay powder. If this recipe is too strong for your skin, (test first) replace half of the ACV with warm water. Spread a thick, even layer over the your face (I use a small fan brush) and leave on for 10 minutes. You’ll feel your skin tingle as the mask is drying. Rinse off with warm water, then moisturise. (Coconut oil would be nice.) Don’t freak out if your skin looks red after. This is normal and will disappear within a half hour. Do this mask once a week. (Pictured below)
3. Deodorant. All you have to do is apply some to your underarms with a (organic or GMO free) cotton ball, or use it from a spray bottle. It will have a strong scent at first, but that will soon go away. Dilute 50/50 if you have sensitive skin and perhaps add an therapeutic essential oil like tea tree or cinnamon.
Let’s take a look at other ways we can cleanse. Cleansing means eliminating toxins from our body (de-tox) whilst ideally slowly down the re-tox, and this isn’t only about cleaner eating and drinking.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR –
What: The vinegar must be raw, non-pasteurized, apple cider vinegar. All other vinegars are acid forming.
Why: This Elixir helps to oxygenate the cells, improve circulation, balance your pH, normalize thyroid function and metabolism, rid the body of lactic acid and calcium deposits, increase circulation, absorption, and assimilation of vitamins and minerals.
How: Make a simple mixture of vinegar & (optional) raw honey. You can add some clean water if you like. Some people like to mix them together in the morning and drink it like this – a straight shot of vinegar and a shot of honey. Or try this ancient formula – Mix 1 cup of the apple cider vinegar with ½ cup of honey (can use less or more honey, depending on your taste) and have 3 tablespoons spread out throughout the day. Or dilute it in more water or in tea – this won’t weaken its potency – and drink it all in one day.
Or use this recipe pictured below –
Along with its many other virtues, ACV will help ease almost any gut complaint.
The ACV available in supermarkets is refined and distilled, over-processed, over-heating, and filtered. DIY vinegar is easy, and cheap.
By making your own ACV you’re boosting the natural fermentation qualities of the apples. When the vinegar is ready, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have.
How To Use It: Mix 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup warm, clean water and 1/4 cup of raw honey (can use less or more honey, depending on your taste). Have it spread out throughout the day, or drink it all at once.
Find my recipe for homemade ACV here –http://janellapurcell.com/recipe/apple-cider-vinegar/
SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth could be the problem. Gas produced in the small intestine means something entirely different to gas produced in the large intestine. Gas in the latter is normal and isn’t usually painful.
Gas in the small intestine however has nowhere to go, so it accumulates – thus putting pressure against the intestinal wall. When the pressure builds up – it hurts! This mostly occurs somewhere above the belly button, where much of the small intestine is found. Other symptoms –
Abdominal bloating and cramping
Intense pain
Belching and flatulence
Nausea
Mood swings
It’s the microbial communities that can create the gas, so pain in the small intestine could indicate something is not right, as microbes don’t typically live in the SI.
Treatment and more info on SIBO, see my article –http://janellapurcell.com/…/20…/12/Pages-from-Nourish-33.pdf
There are two places where intestinal gas can collect: in the large intestine and in the small intestine.
Some gas is always produced during the digestive process, although if your body is producing excessive gas, this is sign that large quantities of food are going through your gut undigested.
What happens to this gas?
It is absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually exhaled.
It is released. This is known as flatulence or just “gas.”
It is recycled by other microbes in the gut.
It accumulates and creates pressure against the intestinal wall.
Treatment
– Include fermented foods in the diet like coconut kefir, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut and kim chi.
I’m going to look at some of the reasons why many of us suffer with this uncomfortable symptom. Plus ways to reduce it by looking deeper at the causes, and ways to treat.
The gut contains more nerve tissue than the brain. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which can be a cause of abdominal bloating – has been called a “mental illness” of the second brain.
Over the last 20 years, research has revealed that the brain and our emotions share a strong relationship with the gut and the immune system. We now know that the gut micro biome – where trillions of microbes reside in the human body – can communicate with the brain through molecules produced by gut bacteria that enter the bloodstream. These molecules can even impact behavior.
Researchers say that the complex “second brain” in the gut can also influence emotion—gastrointestinal issues can affect not only digestion but mood and emotional wellbeing.
Herbal medicine Australia
Healing naturally. The power of herbal medicine and food as support.
In today’s busy and often over-medicated world, many Australians are going back to wellness basics. They are embracing herbal medicine, natural foods, and traditional healing practices to support their physical and emotional balance. This shift towards natural living is not just a trend. It is a choice to care for the body in a sustainable, empowering, and nourishing way.
What is Herbal Medicine?
This involves using plants and plant extracts to support health and treat illness. It is one of the oldest ways to heal. It has roots in many traditional systems. These include Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, as well as Indigenous Australian bush remedies. In recent years, in Australia, it has grown in popularity. This is due to its gentle and effective approach. It focuses on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Herbs like ashwagandha, turmeric, sage, and chasteberry are often used for many health problems. They can help reduce stress, support hormone balance, and improve digestion and immunity. These natural remedies work well with the body. They have fewer side effects than synthetic options and support long-term health.
Food as Medicine
Alongside herbs, food plays a central role in natural healing. Using whole, organic, and seasonal ingredients helps lower the body’s toxic load. It also supports gut health and helps every system work well. Through natural cooking, we can fuel ourselves with life-giving nutrients that support energy, clarity, emotional stability, and physical resilience.
Author and naturopath Janella Purcell is a leading voice in this space. She provides recipes, advice, and tips on how food and herbs can help with many problems. These include everyday tiredness and more serious issues like hormonal imbalance and skin problems. Her philosophy is simple: eat real food, live consciously, and treat your body with kindness.
Janella’s approach combines Herbal medicine with naturopathy and wholefood nutrition, making it accessible and practical for everyday Australians. Her blog has educational posts about real-life issues. These include natural remedies for menopause, food intolerances, and emotional wellbeing. It offers a complete guide for living well.
Superfoods and Their Impact
Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that offer exceptional health benefits. These include everyday favourites like blueberries, kale, chia seeds, turmeric, and spirulina. No food is a magic cure, but adding superfoods to your meals can have a strong positive effect.
They are known to reduce inflammation and improve gut health. They can help balance hormones and support clearer skin. This makes them a great option for those seeking natural and gentle acne solutions.
For people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema, a clean, wholefood diet can help. This is where working with a naturopath eczema specialist, such as Janella, can be particularly beneficial. Using natural treatments, soothing herbs, and dietary changes, eczema sufferers often see dramatic improvements without relying on steroid creams or antibiotics.
Supporting Women Naturally
Hormonal health is another area where it shines—especially during menopause. Many women experience hot flashes, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. Many women are now looking for natural remedies for menopause instead of hormone replacement therapy. Some of these remedies include herbs like black cohosh and red clover, as well as adaptogens like maca.
These herbs, along with healthy superfoods and calming practices like meditation and yoga, help women feel safe and supported. They can move through this stage of life with confidence and ease.
Janella writes about these changes in this Resources page. She shares tools and tips to help manage menopause naturally, without fear or confusion. Her advice combines evidence-based Herbal medicine with lifestyle guidance that reflects decades of clinical practice.
Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
It’s not just the body that benefits from natural foods and Herbal medicine—the mind does too. Chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout are at an all-time high. Eating poorly, skipping meals, or relying on processed foods can spike cortisol, affect sleep, and contribute to emotional instability.
Natural foods, superfoods, and Herbal medicine can help regulate stress hormones and nourish the nervous system. Herbs such as lemon balm, passionflower, and rhodiola are known to calm the mind. They are often suggested for people who want to boost their mood and mental clarity without using drugs.
This is part of the holistic approach Janella champions so well—caring for the whole person, body and soul.
The journey to wellness doesn’t have to be complex. By embracing Herbal medicine, natural cooking, and incorporating superfoods, we begin to shift from managing symptoms to truly healing. Whether you’re looking for natural remedies for menopause, gentle acne solutions natural, or support for chronic conditions like eczema, there’s power in returning to nature.
Through her compassionate voice and rich resource of information Janella offers Australians a path to vibrant, holistic health. It reminds us that we can find what we need to feel better in simple places. We can feel stronger, calmer, and clearer. Often, this can be found in our gardens, kitchens, and the wisdom of our ancestors.
Let food be your medicine, and let your healing begin naturally.