Wellness and Vitality Patch

24/11/2024

It is amazing how we can access happiness in so many different ways. Herbs are very powerful for doing this but so are the activities that we do. I challenge to try to incorporate some of these simple actions in your day to help stay happy through the festive season!!!

Send a message to learn more

04/11/2024

Have you wondered whether you are absorbing the nutrients and minerals that you eat?

We need a variety of minerals in the correct proportions to be able to function, grow, heal and maintain a sense of wellbeing. We don’t just need them for our bones and teeth but for our nerves, muscles, energy and all body processes. We should be able to get adequate minerals from our diet but unfortunately this often doesn’t happen. You might think you have a healthy diet but the impact of deplete soils, pollutants, food additives and our busy stressful lives can mean our bodies don’t always have the correct mineral balance not to mention toxic metals as well.

One of the hair tests we do in clinic is the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis which provides a snapshot of the mineral balance of your hair and in turn whats happening in your body. This is all shown through the hair shaft.

If you are concerned about your health, and either have underlying health conditions or want to make sure you don’t develop any underlying conditions then contact me to find out more about your nutritional status.

17/10/2024

Blueberries are such a great source of nutrition. What better way to get them than to also support local charities as well as being local suppliers. A win-win as also less food miles. If you are interested please contact Tessalia Park!

07/06/2023

It never ceases to amaze me how powerful herbs can be. Sunday morning Jackson woke to find Astro's face all torn up from rubbing. He is a very itchy horse. I decided to use my human herbs and make a herbal formula for Astro and a cream as well. I am so surprised by Wednesday the difference. The photo on the left is Astro Sunday morning - although the photos don't really show how red raw and weepy it was. The others photo are Wednesday morning. After these years of using herbs you would think they would no longer surprise but nature is amazing!!

01/04/2023

We all spend so much time ‘doing’ food. Whether it is eating food, preparing food or growing food and at times we just are not sure what foods work for us. We have a lot of different diet options when people go gluten free or dairy free or variations of both. The biocompatibility test is a great way to work out what foods work specifically for you as an individual. If you have health problems or just sometimes feel yuck seeing a naturopath or doing a hair test can be a good place to start.

27/07/2022

Balancing our nervous system

Dysautonomia is a condition characterized by imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system function. It may adversely affect organ/gland function (heart, bladder, pupils, blood vessels, sweat glands, and intestines) and cause mental and physical discomfort. A preclinical model of dysautonomia found that inhaling geranium essential oil balanced sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system function (enhancing parasympathetic activity, which is associated with recovery and recharging from stress).
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X221109419

22/06/2022

The Sambucus nigra is a commonly known as the elderberry tree. It is well known for both it’s flowers and it’s berries and it’s anti-inflammatory action. My favourite thing to do with elderberries is to make elderberry syrup. This has so many health benefits and is especially useful at this time of the year as it is high in antioxidants and vitamin A. It also is good for boosting the immune system which is helpful in winter.

Here’s the recipe I use for my elderberry syrup.
Elderberry Syrup

 3 ½ cup water
 2/3 cup elderberries
 2 tbsp ginger
 1 tsp cinnamon
 ½ tsp ground cloves
 1 cup raw honey

1. Pour water into the pan.
2. Add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
3. Boil and cover. Decrease to a simmer for ~ 45 minutes – 1hour (until liquid has decreased by half).
4. Remove from heat and let cool.
5. Mash berries and pour through strainer.
6. Let cool to lukewarm and add honey and stir.
7. Pour into a jar.

Have you ever used elderberry syrup?

11/06/2022

The newest addition to the Wellness and Vitality Patch’s garden, Symphytum officinale more commonly known as comfrey. The word Symphytum is derived from the Greek “to unite” and it’s other name knitbone speaks for itself. Although it is no longer approved for internal use it is used externally for sprains, bruises and sports injuries. It is an anti-inflammatory that promotes the repair of tissue and has been used for this traditionally.

Comfrey is a mucilaginous herb that can be used as a poultice. The mucilage and tannins also work to draw the edges of wounds together and with it’s regeneration ability it helps to reduce the amount of scar tissue. These amazing actions mean it can be used not only for humans but also for our four legged friends.

One of the most amazing features of comfrey is that it is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, having more potassium than fully composted manure. When we are trying to grow an organic vegetable garden it is hard to keep up with it’s nutritional requirements without spending an exorbitant amount of money. It is also can works with assisting to combat powdery mildew.

Comfrey tea is fabulous as it is so easy to make. Half-fill a bucket with chopped leaves and fill it with water. Make sure to use a brick to weigh the leaves down. Cover it and allow it to sit for 3-6 weeks. Then dilute it with one part tea to 10 parts water and use that to water your plants. When you remove the leaves you can add them to your compost pile or place around crops such as tomatoes or potatoes. If you don’t have time to let the leaves break down then consider putting them straight from the plant into your compost heap. That will give your compost a nitrogen boost but don’t add too much, you don’t want to over do it and remember to keep the green to brown ratios.

I have grown it before but never truly used it to it’s full potential. Do you have comfrey growing in your garden and if you do how do you use it?