The MediHerb Podcast

Dr Darren Morton - The Modern Wellbeing Crisis

Join us as we discuss the transformative power of lifestyle medicine with Dr. Darren Morton, a leading expert in the field. In this episode, Dr. Morton passionately discusses how many chronic diseases prevalent today are intricately linked to lifestyle choices. Through his extensive research, he reveals that common chronic conditions and mental health disorders can be prevented and even reversed through simple yet profound changes in our patient’s daily habits.

Dr. Morton emphasizes the pivotal role of diet, exercise, and reconnecting with nature in achieving optimal health. He explores how cultivating gratitude, discovering life purpose, and fostering meaningful connections with others contribute not only to physical well-being but also to mental and emotional resilience.

Tune in to discover how embracing lifestyle medicine can be a game-changer in our patient’s journey towards a healthier, more vibrant life.

Darren will be speaking at Integria Healthcare's upcoming Symposium: Systems Endocrinology: An Integrative Approach, in August. He will be discussing natural ways to enhance mental health and wellbeing, exploring developments from the fields of Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology for affective disorders.

For more information about the Integria Healthcare Symposium, follow the link: Integria Practitioner Symposium 2024: Systems Endocrinology (eventsair.com)

For more information about The Lift Project, visit: The Lift Project

Bio: Dr. Darren Morton, is the Director of the Lifestyle Medicine and Health Research Centre at Avondale University, a fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, and a distinguished author of four books, which have sold over 100 000 copies. With a keen focus on improving mental health and wellbeing through evidence-based research, using lifestyle medicine approaches and positive psychology, Darren has contributed greatly to the healthcare industry through publishing approximately 70 publications in Scientific and Medical Journals.

David Casteleijn – Herbal Myth-Busting

Today we welcome back David Casteleijn for an episode of herbal myth-busting. David clears up common misconceptions about antihypertensive herbs, Tribulus, Lemon Balm, Chaste Tree, Licorice, Korean Ginseng, Hemidesmus, and St. John’s Wort.  He stresses the importance of understanding our herbs as modulators and to not relate herbal actions to the actions of pharmaceutical medications. He also encourages all of us to advocate for our herbs and not allow those who are not trained in herbal medicine to speak for them.

David will be speaking at our upcoming Symposium in August: Systems Endocrinology: An Integrative Approach. For more information, please follow the link below:

practitioner.integria.com/events/systems-endocrinology-an-integrative-approach

David studied Behavioural Sciences at USQ then trained and worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. He is also a naturopath having been in clinical practice for over 30 years besides which he teaches and has served on the board of the NHAA for 5 years and been the Vice President of the WNF.

Having completed a Masters of Health Science (Herbal Medicine) at UNE in 2007 he is currently a Ph.D. candidate with UTS where he is studying the outcome for people with Anxiety or Depression consulting a Naturopath for an individualised herbal medicine prescription. 

Dr Marisa Marciano - A Fresh Look at Depurative and Lymphatic Herbs

Today we discuss depurative and lymphatic herbs with Naturopathic Physician Dr Marisa Marciano. Often put into a vague ‘detoxication’ category, or pigeon-holed into being used for skin conditions or inflamed lymph nodes, Marissa is going shed light on their myriad uses – including some you may not have considered.

Bio: Dr Marisa Marciano is a licenced Naturopathic Doctor, Registered Herbalist and Kinesiologist, with experience in Education and Clinical Applications of Therapeutic Phytotherapy, involved in the research, application and teaching of herbal therapeutics. Author of ‘Evidence-Informed Botanical Medicine’, Marisa is now Chair of the Botanical Medicine Department at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, as well as maintaining a private clinical practice providing customised herbal formulations, utilising primarily an evidence-based approach alongside diet, lifestyle and pharmaceutical interventions.

Angela Hywood - The Crucial Role of Adrenal Health in Menopause

Angela shares invaluable insights and recommendations to address menopausal symptoms, focusing on adrenal depletion. Her expert strategies incorporate specific herbs to be utilised both day and night, offering comprehensive relief. Explore the crucial role of nutritional support in optimizing the HPO/HPA Axis, empowering health professionals with effective tools to guide their patients through this transformative phase.

Angela will be speaking at Integria Healthcare's upcoming Symposium: Systems Endocrinology: An Integrative Approach, in August. She will be unravelling complex women's health cases through the lifespan. For more information, follow the link: Integria Practitioner Symposium 2024: Systems Endocrinology (eventsair.com)

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.

 

Kerry Bone - The Science and Stories of Herbal Heroes: Echinacea

Today, Kerry delves into his wealth of clinical experience and speaks with us about the traditional use, current research, and clinical applications of his favourite herb – Echinacea.

Bio: Professor Kerry Bone, as the Director of Research & Development at MediHerb drives innovation in Phytomedicinal Research, with prestigious recognition in the industry of Herbal Medicine.

From co-finding MediHerb in 1986, Kerry’s inspiration for high-quality herbal medicine has paved the way for Naturopathic practitioners in Australia and overseas, reflecting traditional practices, effective extraction techniques, phytochemical analyses, and scientific understanding utilising contemporary research.

KP Khalsa - Ayurvedic Principles in Modern Western Herbal Medicine Practice

In this episode, we embark on a journey into the wisdom of Ayurveda, illuminating its foundational principles. As we delve deeper, we explore how Ayurvedic perspectives enrich our understanding of herbs used in Western herbal medicine, offering a holistic approach to harnessing their therapeutic potential for optimal well-being.

KP has generously offered a gift to our listeners; free access to his online course: Ten Essential Ayurvedic Herbs. Use the code FREEGIFT to get access.

https://internationalintegrative.com/product/ten-essential-ayurvedic-herbs/?

Bio: Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, A.D., D.N.-C., R.H., is a herbalist, nutritionist, yoga teacher, and educator who has been making holistic health approaches palatable to the modern mind for over 50 years. He was the first person to be professionally certified in both herbalism and Ayurveda in the U.S. He is president emeritus of the American Herbalists Guild, and director emeritus of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association.

Dr Elizabeth Steels - Nourishing Adolescent Health Through Nutritional and Herbal Interventions

In this episode, Elizabeth (Beth) Steels delves into the intricate world of adolescent health, emphasising the importance of collaborative goal-setting with teenagers while nurturing an understanding of their developmental journey and its influence on behavior. Exploring the role of herbs and nutrients, Beth uncovers holistic approaches to support their well-being during this pivotal stage of life.

Bio: Elizabeth is a clinical biochemist and nutritionist with over 30 years experience in clinical practice, research, clinical trials, formulation and regulatory affairs. She runs a consulting and research clinic in New Farm, Brisbane. She is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, and has a growing team of clinical naturopaths enrolled in MPHIL and PHD students, also becoming researchers to further support natural health research. The projects vary from metabolic disease and diabetes, pain and peripheral neuropathy, GIT health, candida overgrowth, to probiotics for bone health in menopause. She is well published and often speaks at academic and industry events.

Simon Mills - Complex Systems, Holism, and the Qualities of Herbs

Simon Mills emphasises the importance of deepening our understanding of herbal medicine through direct organoleptic experience. He also discusses the complexity of systems and how this applies to holistic healthcare. He then dives into the ‘qualities of herbs’ attributes such as hot and cold and how to apply these qualities when prescribing herbs in clinic.

Bio: Author, teacher and herbal practitioner at Exeter in England, Simon Mills co-founded the worlds’ first University Complementary Health Study Unit, was a Special Advisor to the UK House Of Lords, coordinator of a Department of Health project pioneering elements of social prescription, and founded the first herbal masters program in the US. Simon is now the Herbal Strategist at Pukka Herbs, Self-Care Lead at the College of Medicine, Lead Writer at herbalreality.com and co-founded the Mills & Bone Academy with Professor Kerry Bone.