The MediHerb Podcast

Rebecca Tanner – Herbal Prescribing in Perinatal Care: Considerations for Clinicians

In this episode, we’re joined by a naturopath and midwife to unpack the often misunderstood role of the naturopath and herbalist in pregnancy care. With misinformation and caution frequently clouding the conversation, she shares how naturopaths can play a valuable, supportive role throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum period. From promoting wellbeing to addressing common pregnancy concerns, she outlines the safe and appropriate use of herbal medicine during each stage—highlighting both her go-to herbs and those best avoided. Whether you’re a practitioner or simply curious, this episode brings clarity to a complex topic with evidence-informed insights.

 

Bio: Rebecca Tanner has over 30 years experience as a Naturopath, she is also a registered Acupuncturist & more recently, Rebecca qualified as a Midwife and completed a Masters in Reproductive Medicine.

In addition to her practice career, Rebecca has also been a trainer and educator for Blackmores and has lectured at Nature Care College, the Australasian College of Natural Therapies & at Endeavour College.

She is an experienced public speaker and regularly runs seminars on pregnancy support, pre- conception care & fertility. She has guest lectured for five consecutive years at Curtin University on wholistic support for labour. Rebecca has recently featured on the Health Masters Live pregnancy Series.

B.Sc Pharm/Physiol; Dip Naturopathy; Dip Acupuncture; Adv.Cert.N.F.M; BSc Midwifery; M. Repro Med. M.A.T.M.S; AHPRA registered Acupuncturist

 

Brooke Klower - Behind the Symptoms: A Root Cause Lens on Childhood Allergies

In this episode, paediatric naturopath Brooke Klower shares her approach to uncovering the root causes of allergies in children. She explores key considerations in case-taking and assessment, reminding practitioners not to overlook simple —but impactful interventions such as correcting common nutritional deficiencies. Brooke also discusses her go-to herbs and nutrients for supporting paediatric allergy presentations, offering practical insights into personalised, evidence-informed care.

 

For more information about Balanced Beings please visit their website: www.balanced-beings.com.au 

 

Bio: Brooke Klower is the owner of Balanced Beings and supplement line BB Kids. Brooke started Balanced Beings when a large gap was seen amongst the lack of natural treatments and practitioners treating paediatrics and mothers. Brooke Klower is a naturopath, but first and foremost, a mother. She has now conducted over 6000 consultations and has had over 1000 children pass through the Balanced Beings doors, which consists of 7 practitioners and 11 staff members. As the principal naturopath at Balanced Beings she oversees all treatment protocols to ensure every family receives the highest standard of care, making her an expert in treating children's health concerns. Alongside clinical practice, Brooke mentors practitioners and students, helping them deliver transformative results and build thriving natural health businesses. 

Rose Cornelissen - Paediatric Herbal Safety, Dosing and Metabolism Explained

Treating children requires more than scaled-down dosing—it's a specialised area demanding careful consideration of developmental stages, disease presentation, and metabolic differences. In this episode, we explore key clinical principles for safe and effective paediatric prescribing.

Topics include:
• Age-related physiological changes and their impact on treatment
• Solubility, absorption, and elimination of herbal compounds across the paediatric lifespan
• Safety considerations for neonates and breastfeeding
• Practical strategies to improve compliance and clinical outcomes

Essential listening for practitioners working with paediatric patients.

 

Bio: Rose Cornelissen is a skilled herbalist and naturopath with over 3 decades of practice and peer education experience. She has a special interest in the self-adjusting demands of practice and staying current without losing the connection and passion for herbal medicine and healthy nutrition. Anything from ethnobotanicals to hard core science is included in this blend which makes up contemporary naturopathic clinical practice. 

Rose has a Master of Health Science in Herbal Medicine and is a University of New England Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar, School of Health  Academic awardee and a former NHAA director and chair of the Professions Committee. She currently heads the Clinical Support and Medicines Safety Data teams at Integria Healthcare.   

Professor Kerry Bone - Targeted Herbal Support for Inflammation

In this episode, renowned herbalist Professor Kerry Bone explores the many faces of inflammation and how to prescribe herbal medicine with clinical precision. From acute to chronic presentations and system-specific patterns—including neuroinflammation—Kerry outlines how different herbal strategies can be applied based on the underlying drivers of inflammation.

He also challenges common misconceptions about well-known herbs. Highlighting willow bark as a prime example, Kerry explains its nuanced mechanism of action and why it shouldn't be confined to musculoskeletal prescriptions alone. Practitioners will come away with a deeper understanding of how to approach inflammation across body systems—and how to choose the right herbs for the right context.

Dr Libby Weaver - Iron Deficiency: Beyond Fatigue

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Libby Weaver to shine a spotlight on an often overlooked yet vital mineral for human health—iron. Often associated with energy and fatigue, iron plays a far more extensive role in the body, impacting everything from thyroid function to neurotransmitter production and immune health. Dr Libby dives deep into the broad-reaching effects of iron deficiency, highlighting some of the more surprising and lesser-known symptoms that may signal a need for attention. This eye-opening conversation highlights the role of this humble mineral in whole-body health.

To purchase Dr Libby's new book 'Fix Iron First', please follow the link https://drlibby.com/products/fix-iron-first 

Bio: Armed with abundant knowledge, scientific research and a true desire to help others live with more energy and vitality, Dr Libby empowers and inspires people to take charge of their wellness and wisdom through her live events, courses, supplements and books. While most nutritionists will focus predominantly on nutrition, Dr Libby draws on her PhD in biochemistry, 20+ years of clinical practice and a deep understanding of how thoughts and emotions influence the body, to take a distinct three pillared approach to health challenges. Examining symptoms through a nutritional, biochemical and emotional lens, she delivers transformational wisdom with gentleness and genuine care to anyone, no matter where they are on their health journey. Her unique ability to help people make lasting changes in their lives by providing them with new knowledge and fostering a shift in their emotional understanding, empowers them to take charge of their health.

Angela Hywood: Menopause and the Mind: Understanding Neuroendocrine Shifts

While hot flushes and night sweats are hallmark symptoms of menopause, the neurological effects of this hormonal transition are often overlooked. In this episode, Angela Hywood explores the profound impact of menopause on the brain. Estrogen plays a crucial role in neuroprotection, cognition, and mood regulation—so its decline during menopause presents significant changes in brain function. Join us as we go beyond the classic symptoms to examine how the brain adapts to new hormonal realities, the clinical implications of this shift, and how practitioners can better support cognitive and emotional wellbeing in midlife women.

 

Bio: Angela Hywood is an experienced naturopathic clinician with over 26 years of clinical experience, specialising in integrative endocrinology, women’s health, fertility and pregnancy care. Angela is a well-known speaker at complementary and integrative medicine conferences in both Australia and internationally and has published articles in complementary medicine journals in Australia and USA.

Professor Kerry Bone - Herbs and Sleep Architecture: Clinical Insights for Restorative Sleep

Join Professor Kerry Bone as he shares his clinical wisdom on using herbal medicine to support healthy sleep architecture. In this episode, Kerry explores herbs that influence sleep latency, duration, and quality, while addressing the limitations of commonly prescribed pharmaceutical sleep aids. He also highlights the essential role of diet and lifestyle in sleep health. Importantly, he champions the role of the practitioner as a detective— uncovering the root causes behind each patient’s sleep disturbance for more targeted and effective care.

 

Bio: Professor Kerry Bone. Kerry is the co-founder and innovation driver at MediHerb as the Director of Research & Development; practicing Herbalist and Naturopath with 40 years of experience; a lecturer in Australia and overseas; a prolific author with 7 published Herbal Medicine texts and over 40 scientific papers on herbal research including original research and Systematic Reviews.

Erin Lovell Verinder - Bridging Worlds: Where Evidence-Based Meets the Old Ways

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Lovell Verinder—qualified herbalist, author, and educator—who masterfully blends evidence-based herbal medicine with the rich traditions of old-world plant wisdom. With a grounding in modern clinical training, Erin shares how she integrates the vitalistic principles and energetics of plants into her practice, offering a nuanced and deeply connected approach to healing.

She discusses the importance of engaging with herbs not just as standardised extracts or supplements, but through an organoleptic experience—smelling, tasting, and touching the plants—to truly understand their nature and gifts. Erin also emphasises traditional preparation methods like infusions and decoctions, and how these simple yet potent rituals can become powerful tools for healing, regulation, and reconnection in our fast-paced lives.

Erin reminds us that it’s possible for practitioners to straddle both worlds: to be scientifically grounded while still honouring the ancient roots of herbalism. Through this approach, she invites both practitioners and patients to reclaim their relationship with nature, create moments of ritual, and anchor themselves in the present. This episode will leave you inspired to deepen your practice—both intellectually and soulfully.

Erin's mentoring program Blossom: https://www.erinlovellverinder.com/blossom

Erin's books/card deck: https://www.erinlovellverinder.com/plant-guides 

 

Bio: Erin Lovell Verinder is an Australian trained Herbalist, Nutritionist and Author of two best selling plant medicine titles, Plants for the People and The Plant Clinic. Erin's work is to reconnect the people with the plants, teaching the love language of the plants within her community and beyond. She holds a Bachelor of Western Herbal Medicine, an Advanced Diploma of Nutritional Medicine and a Diploma of Energetic Healing, all from Nature Care college. Walking the plant path, she is a woman in tune with the natural world. On a full hearted mission to educate and inspire others to heal with the rhythms of nature, through the bounty of plant medicine. Erin runs a thriving clinical practice, alongside mentoring students and emerging practitioners in her program Blossom and she is the founder of Community Herbal Care, a community herbal outreach program forged in the face of the 2022 floods in Northern NSW.