Journal

Advice on how to take herbal medicine

Medicine from the earth tastes like the earth. If you've been prescribed liquid herbal medicine from your naturopath as part of your treatment plan and you're struggling with the taste, here's some advice on how to take herbal medicine as it can take a bit of getting used.

What to eat after you've had your gallbladder removed

So now that you've had your gallbladder removed lets give you some general advice on things you can do that may help. Remember, this is only general advice and may not be suitable or practical for you, so please speak with your health professional for more personalised support. Lets help you understand what to eat […]

Nurturing Your Gut-Brain Connection: A Naturopathic Approach

As naturopaths, we're often asked about disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), which is how digestion health and mental health are linked. These conditions, which include irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, really impact the quality of life of our patients.

What helps you poop when you're pregnant?

What causes Constipation in Pregnancy? The slowing down of your daily bowel movements can start as early as Trimester One. You might be a little dehydrated, or finding harder to eat all those happy fibrous foods. We call it the ‘Eating Like A Child’ Trimester for a reason - hello vegemite on toast cravings! Constipation […]

New Leaf Sage Group for Perimenopause

Warming Autumn recipes to nourish

Ayurvedic Kitchadi Ayurveda, the traditional holistic medicine system of India, recommends a delicious medicinal veggie stew to gently fortify the body at this turn of the season. Called Kitchadi, it’s a moreish and nutrient-dense one-pot dish that can be served on its own or with steamed seasonal vegetables. If you love it, let it become […]

Join the New Leaf Endo Group

We will be running more Endo Groups over the next few months. A monthly Endo Group for existing patients (a monthly endo group), or people who have seen Hannah before. Also a new intake for Endo patients - this will be fortnightly for 6 sessions for those new to their endo journey or naturopathic treatment. […]

Unravelling the Mystery of Bloating – A Naturopathic Perspective

Hippocrates, the original ‘naturopath’ of ancient Greece said ‘all disease begins in the gut’. It may be a little more complex than that, but from a modern naturopathic perspective, it would certainly be safe to say that ‘all disease involves the gut’. That’s why we tend to ask so many questions about digestion in initial […]

Could it be SIBO?

Understanding Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Naturopathic Tips for Managing Endometriosis

What is Endometriosis: Endometriosis (endo) is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain and sometimes fertility problems. While naturopathic approaches may not replace conventional medical treatments, they can be complementary and may help manage symptoms. We work with patients one-on-one in clinic, but also […]

Gut Health & Hot Flushes - whats the link?

So, the results aren't super magical - but there WAS a reduction in the hot flushes by eating ½ cup of cooked soybeans every day (hello phytoestrogens), and there WAS some changes in the gut microbiome, which may or may not have contributed...more science needs to be done but we love that people are looking […]

Wholefood Plant-based Protein that rock

Adding protein to your diet IS NOT about weight loss. We need protein for all functions of life, energy, tissue repair, brain health, and immune health. All these a naturopath naturopath-approved.. but if you need more help, come and chat with us - we'll get your plate fueling your life in a way that will […]

Unraveling the Complex Web of Endometriosis

Understanding Endometriosis Complexity The study's primary objective was to identify clusters of women with endometriosis based on their comorbidities. To achieve this, the researchers analysed data extracted from the Spanish National Health System, including all visits of women aged 16-65. The result? Six distinct clusters of women with endometriosis emerged, each characterized by specific comorbidities: […]

Fertility tips when you’ve been trying to conceive for a while…

When having regular unprotected intercourse: 80% of women <35 years will conceive within 12 months and 90% within two years This timeline seems long, being patient is important BUT lets help you understand what you can do to get pregnant sooner If you've been trying for a hot while and nothing's happening, consider these 3 […]

Gut Health: Natural Solutions GORD & Reflux

One of the most common conditions we see impacting the upper digestive tract is Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD or GERD) – in other words, reflux, which can present in a variety of different ways. For many this is the feeling of their stomach acid coming back up into their chest and throat and burning all […]

New Leaf's Top 6 Herbal Medicines

To celebrate Herbal Medicine Week, we thought we'd share our Top Six Herbs. These are the herbs we use the most in our dispensary; the ones that all of us love and you'll discover that many of them have a varied range of action as well. It may also give you an insight into the types of conditions […]

Your Naturopathic Fertility Journey

We wanted to let you know a little about how we structure our fertility appointments at New Leaf. All our appointments are carried out via Telehealth, and with the utmost care and support for your Naturopathic Fertility Journey. We structure a long initial fertility appointment because we avoid one-size-fits-all ‘protocols’, and want to do more than simply […]

An Intuitive way to manage Insulin Resistance and Lower your HbA1c

What is Insulin Resistance? Think of your body as a house, and glucose (sugar) is the fuel that powers everything inside. Insulin is like a key that unlocks the doors of the cells in your body, allowing glucose to enter and provide energy. Understanding how to use Intuitive Eating to support Insulin Resistance and Lower […]

Let's Talk - Naturopathic Digestive Health

New Leaf Practitioner Hannah Boyd has finished an epic 10-week, very intensive educational course all about Naturopathic & integrative approaches to digestive health. It was hosted by Jason Hawrelak from the Microbiome Restoration Centre - who is an incredible practitioner and a pretty excellent teacher. Here Hannah talks about all things Naturopathic Digestive Health with […]

No, you can’t blame all your health issues on ‘high cortisol’. Here’s how the hormone works

Cortisol also does more than this and regulates many other biological functions. It affects nearly all the cells of our body and is essential for survival. Why is cortisol portrayed as bad? Some of what is being blamed on cortisol are symptoms of chronic stress or depression – which makes sense, since these are linked. […]

Green tea for you heart, brain and vagina?

Here are some of the health benefits of green tea: Contains antioxidants: Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. May improve brain function: Green tea contains caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, which can […]

How often should you poop?

We talk a lot about bowel movements in clinic. Yes, it is a bit of a giggle topic, but once you get over the ick factor and understand how important healthy toilet habits you’ll be talking about it as well. Or at least pay more attention to your daily toilet time. Let's explore out how […]

Let's Talk: Hannah Boyd & Lara Briden talk

Hannah Boyd and Lara Briden emphasise that women's health is not just a matter of physical well-being but is intimately tied to social and cultural factors as well. They discuss that addressing issues related to menstrual health requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account factors such as education, access to healthcare, and cultural attitudes towards menstruation. Overall, […]

New Research: Gut Microbiome & Chronic Fatigue

Gut Microbiome & Chronic Fatigue This finding is particularly interesting because gut bacteria play a crucial role in our immune system, metabolism, and overall health. It also suggests that CFS may be linked to an imbalance in the gut microbiota. The researchers hope that this discovery could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating […]

Join us for International Women's Day 2023!

Together they'll be answering everything you want to know about health and hormones - so let us know your questions over 👉 here, and the wonderful Bronwyn will be hosting the event. All you need to do is register your interest in the event here to access the free, live Zoom conversation on International Women's Day 2023 - […]

Post-Natal Depletion – it’s a thing

Post-Natal Depletion – what is it? Postnatal depletion is a collection of symptoms that encompass not only the physical but the psychological and emotional. Set in motion by the huge amounts of nutrients required to carry, birth and then potentially breastfeed a baby; then compounded by chronic sleep deprivation and the stress of motherhood, postnatal […]

What is the best Menstrual Cup?

The first version of the Menstrual cup popped up as early as 1937 and has been evolving ever since. Its invention has supported thousands of people, reduced waste and contributed to the reduction of period poverty around the world due to its reusable nature and decreased financial commitment. Information surrounding the proper use, selection, shape and size […]

Welcome to our Group Naturopathic Consults for Endometriosis 2022

As you may know, I have recently just completed a clinical trial for Group Naturopathic Consults for people with Endometriosis. It was such a fantastic experience to take this beautiful group of humans on a journey through 12 weeks of education, sharing and support. If you are already a patient of mine, you'll understand the benefits of […]

The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

Have you heard of The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15? Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a guide for pesticides in produce collated from the Department of Agriculture & Food and the Drug Administration in the United States. Unfortunately, Australia has yet to collect this data for our own industries but overlaps in agricultural […]

Perimenopause – a time of hormonal change

Finally, you reach the age where you feel like you’re getting things together, well some of the time at least…Usually, sometime in your 40’s, the kids (if you have them) are becoming more independent, and you’re feeling more confident in your career and relationships, and more confident in your body. Then BAM! You start to feel irritable all the […]

Plant-Based Immune Busting Soup

This soup recipe is my go-to when a cold or flu hits – and one I suggest all my clients make and keep in the freezer for immune emergencies – A Plant-Based Immune Busting Soup. Ward off the sickness with this delicious and easy plant-based immune busting soup You can use this recipe as a base to […]

Group Consults for people with Endometriosis

We are so excited to be taking part in this Clinical Trial, offering Group Consults for people with Endometriosis and are looking for participants! Participants in this trial will receive naturopathic care within a small group of 5-10 people with endometriosis and will be run by Hannah Boyd and facilitated by PhD candidate Sophia Gerontakos. Registration is now open […]

A bit of bitter

Let’s talk about BITTER FOOD. Do you know why bitter foods are good for you? This week saw the return of our Vege Box after a long summer break. It means we’ll be getting amazing fresh and tasty seasonal veg on our doorstep every fortnight. I love my vege box guys, as many of you know (shout […]

Considering the move to Plant-Based eating?

SYDNEY NUTRITIONIST & NATUROPATH HANNAH BOYD TELLS YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE ADOPTING A VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN DIET. I work with a lot of clients who are vegan or vegetarian. It has never been more popular to go vegan. It also seems it’s never been easier to eat out with many vegan restaurants popping up […]

5 Ways to Better Skin

HOW TO IMPROVE SKIN WITH NATUROPATHY A common complaint we see in the clinic is acne, which is a condition that lends itself to treatment with naturopathy incredibly well. When treating acne or poor skin tone the most important thing is to uncover the underlying cause of it – which is a different approach to what […]

Balancing Nutrition for Your Mental Health

Balance is key in Naturopathy, and by now we are no strangers to this idea. We are told to have a work life balance, live holistically, everything in moderation. So what about the idea of balancing your neurotransmitters? Do you know how to balance your nutrition for your mental health? NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN A NUTSHELL What […]

So, you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, now what?

This is a picture I often see in my clinic: A young women who has stopped getting her period comes in with a diagnosis of PCOS. But does she really have PCOS? Or is it something else? WHAT IS PCOS? PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome is a collection of hormonal symptoms that present in a […]

Can Herbal Medicine Help You?

Today on the blog we’re discussing one of my most powerful tools as a naturopath –Herbal Medicine. At New Leaf Naturopathic Health we practice Western Herbal Medicine, which has roots in Europe and North America but also draws on herbs from all over the world. It is an evidenced-based model of herbal medicine and works […]

How To Eat More Vegetables

A Naturopath’s Guide… I do spend a fair amount of my day encouraging people to eat more vegetables. Even many of my clients who follow plant-based diets aren’t eating enough. We need all that veg for so many reasons, here are just a few: To lower the risk of developing cancers (loads of research on this!) To help […]

Enter The Chill Out Zone

YOU ARE TRAVELLING THROUGH ANOTHER DIMENSION, A DIMENSION NOT ONLY OF SIGHT AND SOUND BUT OF MIND. A JOURNEY INTO A WONDROUS LAND WHOSE BOUNDARIES ARE THAT OF IMAGINATION. YOUR NEXT STOP, THE CHILL OUT ZONE! Ok, so cheesy pop references to Sci-Fi series aside, let’s talk about giving yourself a Chill Out Pass sometimes. This week […]

Naturopathic Philosophy: Turning down the boiling pot

There’s a phrase I use commonly in my naturopathic clinic when discussing my clients’ health with them – turning down the boiling pot. I guess this sounds a bit strange out of context unless you’re looking at the conditions and symptoms my clients present to the clinic with, but it’s meaning is something that is at the heart […]

Eating to improve depression – lessons from the scientists

I love it when research comes out that once again confirms the role that diet plays in good health. Seriously, it makes me do a bit of a happy dance. Us naturopaths are always speaking about how what you eat can change your life, especially when looking at mental health and way of eating to improve […]

Nutrition for Vegetarian & Vegan Skin Care

Are nutritional deficiencies the reason your vegetarian & vegan skin care is failing? Skin conditions are a common complaint I see in my Marrickville naturopathic clinic. Unfortunately, my plant-based clients are one of the groups I see a lot of skin issues with. Today I’m discussing why this is the case. Getting your skin healthy, glowing, pimple-free can […]

Could Maca powder be harming your fertility?

Maca Powder is the fashionable new health product on the market that claims to have a heap of benefits. While it’s true Maca does have some medicinal properties, if you’re not careful this superfood could do you more harm than good. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) comes from Peru and belongs to the same family as broccoli (the […]

The Stress of Healthy Eating

Do you wonder what healthy eating actually is? I’ve been reflecting this week on how hard it can be to find the right balance between recommending healthy eating dietary changes and avoiding creating stress around food. Many of the people I work with in clinic have foods in their daily diet that could be obstacles to […]

5 Ways To Reduce Period Pain

Periods can be a real pain for many women, but they needn’t be. There is so much you can to reduce the impact they have on your life. Naturopath & Nutritionist Hannah Boyd shows you 5 easy ways to reduce period pain For many women period pain can be easily managed with some lifestyle and dietary […]

What is normal period pain?

Five days of agony is not normal period pain. You may have caught the news last week that a British company has decided to introduce “period leave” for it’s female clients. This new policy means that women are given time off to deal with the pain or discomfort they experience during their monthly menses. To be honest, this […]

Iron Deficiency In Women: Have you lost your bounce?

I see a lot of iron deficiency in women in clinic. This post discusses what iron deficiency looks like and what causes it. In Part II of this post (coming soon) you’ll discover the naturopathic secrets to improving your Iron stores. Remember, not every woman is low in iron or suffering from anaemia, even if some of the […]

Not all Fish Oils are equal

A client asked a few questions about taking fish oils – here’s a little bit of helpful information you should read when choosing your supplement. Fish oils are great for keeping joints healthy, as well as other connective tissues, brain function, skin and the cardiovascular system – where there is any inflammation in the body […]

What is intuitive eating?

Teaching our clients about intuitive eating is always at the top of our clinical to-do list at New Leaf. We explain what it is and why we all need to be doing it. Understanding and knowing your body is a powerful tool. Too often these days we don’t listen to what our body wants, or what our […]