Herbal medicine has a long traditional history alongside its evidence-based scientific format.
I have always believed that the name of an illness or condition is not always the most important feature. I believe the important feature is the interconnectedness of our mind and thoughts, our physical body, our emotions and feelings and our spirit and the powerful influence they have on our health and wellbeing.
I was an intensive care registered nurse for 10 years, and I bring my combination of medical system training and complementary therapies training to every consultation, bridging the divide between orthodox medicine and naturopathic medicine.
I focus on the body–mind–emotional connection and the way our body reflects everything that we think and feel. I understand that our bodies want to be as well as possible and can be incredible in their ability to regulate and repair themselves.
I have a particular interest in autoimmune conditions and cardiovascular disease.
What initially sparked your interest in plant medicine/herbal medicine?
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in health. I always knew I wanted to be in a profession that cared for people’s health and wellbeing. My initial career choice to follow that desire was nursing. I did not have a family history of herbalists. My family history was based in medicine, pharmacy and business.
While studying nursing, I went to see naturopaths and used herbal medicine along with other modalities to support my health and always had results.
It was after I qualified as a registered nurse and was working in intensive care that I decided to study naturopathy and bring the two worlds together. I supported myself during my studies at Nature Care College by continuing to work in intensive care.
I absolutely believe that there is a place for both worlds to exist and work together to support health, and I feel so blessed and grateful that I have studied both. The knowledge and skills that I learned through nursing continue to support me in my naturopathic clinic and teaching today.
What do you teach at Nature Care College?
I teach herbal therapeutics to second-year students.
Through the year, we cover the different systems of the body, the many conditions and illnesses that may be experienced in the particular system and how we may support them using herbal medicine.
What are some of the things the students learn in your classes?
Through more than 20 years of personal experience, clinical practice and observation and understanding, I have learned that no two clients are ever the same.
It is essential that students understand the anatomy and physiology of the body and the symptomatology and pathology that can occur in the body. It is also essential to know that no client is a “textbook” case and to look at each client as an individual.
While two clients may present with the same “condition”, for example premenstrual syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome or heart disease, their experience of their symptoms and their condition can be vastly different. Each one of us is unique with our own thoughts and feelings and conditionings through which we filter all our experiences. What may feel like a three out of 10 pain threshold to one person may feel like a 10 out of 10 to another with the same condition. What may feel like a two out of 10 stressful event may feel like a nine out of 10 stressful event to another experiencing the same event.
A goal is that my students understand that each person’s experience is important and unique to them and therefore needs to be supported and treated individually.
Another goal is that no matter who sits in front of them in a consultation, they are able to hear the story that is being told and confidently know how to gather all the information regarding the symptoms being experienced, they are able to confidently decipher and understand what is driving the symptoms that are being experienced by their client, they are able to explain to their client why they are experiencing the symptoms they are and the aims of the treatment for that consultation, and they are able to confidently choose the classes of herbal medicines needed to support the treatment step and confidently choose each of the herbal medicines that will go into the final prescription for the client.
Herbal medicine has a long traditional history alongside its evidence-based scientific format. Honouring the traditions is important and I believe has a valuable place in our learning.
Our herbs are medicines. They have an action on the body, the mind, the emotions and the spirit of our clients. A final goal of mine for my students is that they respect their power, their ability to create a marked change for their client and that often less is more.
It is an incredible privilege to guide my students and share the wonder, wisdom and world of herbal medicine.
Connect with Nature Care College today.
T: 02 8423 8333
W: naturecare.com.au
E: info@naturecare.com.au
