Earth Sourced Naturopath & Medical Herbalist

02/09/2026

Really looking forward to being part of this event with Micah Lindsay-Brown!
If you’ve come out of winter feeling tired, sluggish, unmotivated or simply like your health needs a bit of a reset, this afternoon is for you.
We’ll be sharing practical, achievable ways to improve your energy, support your body and get you feeling healthier and more motivated heading into spring.
Give yourself an afternoon to focus on you and your health - we’d love to see you there!

21/08/2026

This ties in beautifully with my last article. Preach sister! 💜🥰

20/08/2026

LETS TALK ABOUT FEMALE AROUSAL & LIBIDO & RELATIONSHIP TRAUMA
Does anyone else see a woman dancing? 💃 I couldn’t scroll past this image.

It’s actually a remarkable new 3D map of the nerves of the cl****is - and to me it looks rather beautifully like a woman dancing.

Researchers at Amsterdam UMC used extremely high-resolution synchrotron X-ray imaging to trace the nerve pathways of a post-mortem cl****is in unprecedented detail. While we’ve understood aspects of the nerve anatomy of the p***s in considerable detail for decades, female s*xual anatomy has historically received far less research attention.

That matters. Not simply because surgeons need to know where these nerves are - although they absolutely do. Better anatomical knowledge could help reduce nerve injury during pelvic and vulval surgery and may be particularly important for reconstructive surgery following female ge***al mutilation.

It also matters because women have a right to understand their own bodies, including the anatomy of pleasure.

Female pleasure matters

In my work with women, I sometimes hear s*x described as another job on the list - particularly in long-term relationships.

Something to do for a partner.
Something expected.
Something to maintain closeness.
Perhaps to stop them straying.
Or sometimes, simply something done to keep the peace.

I’ve experienced some of that myself in a past relationship. But s*x shouldn’t simply be something we provide. It’s an interactive physical, emotional & energetic experience for the benefit of both parties.

Female s*xuality is far more complex than in*******se or whether s*x happened often enough or if you are able to or**sm.

Pleasure and or**sm involve an extraordinary interaction between our nervous system, brain, hormones, emotions, blood flow, SENSE OF SAFETY, relationship and circumstances.

Dopamine plays an important role in s*xual motivation and reward, while oxytocin is involved in touch, bonding and intimacy and typically rises around or**sm.

That doesn’t mean s*x without or**sm has no benefit or connection - and or**sm certainly isn’t the only measure of satisfying s*x.

But if s*x repeatedly feels like something we give rather than something we genuinely desire, enjoy or receive pleasure from, then it’s understandable that our relationship with s*x can change. And then our bodies start to hold the trauma of that feeling of being used. We start to disassociate & disappear. Or start thinking about the next chore on the list.

This kind of s*xual interaction isn’t nourishing, s*xy fun. It hurts ultimately. Because our pleasure matters too.

Knowing our anatomy can be empowering.

It can help us understand what feels good.
It can help us communicate what we want - and what we don’t.
It can help us recognise that pe*******on isn’t synonymous with female s*xual pleasure.
And it can remind us that our bodies aren’t something we should reach adulthood still feeling embarrassed or uninformed about.

Perhaps the fact that we’re only now able to see the cl****al nerve network in this extraordinary level of three-dimensional detail tells its own story.

Women’s bodies deserve to be understood. And women deserve to understand - and enjoy - their own bodies.

This is also something I work with in consultations. Low libido, loss of confidence and changes in how we feel about our bodies can have physical, hormonal, trauma & emotional and relationship components. Helping women understand what may be influencing their desire - and supporting libido, self-esteem and connection with their bodies - is an important part of women’s health. Herbs can be incredibly useful! New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists has a great database of their practitioners. I offer in person & online consultations. Bookings: https://www.earthsourced.co.nz/services-page

Final thoughts
I’d have to say for myself and many other women lack of desire is commonly linked to these experiences.
1. Exhaustion & feeling under supported. Not enough self care.
2. Not feeling safe emotionally or physically in a relationship. I lived with an angry man for many years in my 40s & it wrecked my nervous system & libido.

Boy did I learn a lot from that soul contract!!
💜Listen to your instincts from the get go. You on some level already knew but you either gaslight yourself or allowed this from another. People let you know in various ways who they are & their issues so pay attention and take your time going into a relationship.
💜 Dont sacrifice your wellbeing on the alter of another. No matter how special they might seem.
💜 Accountability is key. If they aren’t willing to do or have already done self work then they’re probably going to expect you to carry the load for them or the relationship.
💜Instant attraction be warned. We women have been fed a Disney version of this. In my experience this may be a powerful soul connection but it can also indicate you’ve got complementary attachment styles. For example they’re a narcissist & you’re a good girl with a compassionate heart who wants to save them.
And more!!

Do any of these resonate with you?

Female s*xual pleasure isn’t frivolous. It’s part of our health, our relationships, our bodily autonomy and our understanding of ourselves. Own it queen!

💜Im curious to know what you learnt from previous soul contracts that might have depleted your wellbeing or libido reserves? 🙏🥰

Shine bright, Nic

Research note: the research behind this remarkable image is currently available as a 2026 bioRxiv preprint and has not yet completed peer review

15/08/2026

There’s something about dancing that has always made me feel completely alive. 💃✨

The freedom of movement. The sensual flow. That moment when you stop thinking about what your body looks like and simply let it move, feel and express.

After taking several months off alcohol this year - partly because perimenopause made me much more aware of its impact on my sleep - I’ve been thinking about how often we associate dancing, raving and letting loose with drinking.

But we really don’t need to.

This morning’s fluoro themed coffee rave at Pear was such a gorgeous reminder of that. Coffee, music, movement, people dancing together - in the morning! ☕️🎶

And there’s some fascinating biology behind why it feels so good.

Music and dancing engage our brain’s reward pathways, including dopamine, while physical movement can lift mood and help reduce stress. Dancing together adds another layer: synchronised movement and shared rhythm can increase feelings of social connection, bonding and belonging. There’s also research suggesting dance can influence feel-good neurochemistry including endorphins, serotonin pathways and oxytocin-associated social bonding.

But beyond the science, there’s something wonderfully primal about it.

Moving together. Catching someone’s eye. Feeling the bass. Letting your hips move. Being part of the collective energy of a room without needing to alter your state to get there.

Dance has always been one of my greatest delights — a release, a freedom, a reconnection with my body. And add a dress up theme? I’m all about it! 😂

I love seeing the rise of sober-curious dance events and morning raves creating spaces where we can experience that joy and connection without alcohol.

Maybe the high we’ve been looking for was on the dance floor all along. 💃☕️✨

Shine bright, Nic

earthsourcednaturopath

11/08/2026

The Hidden Difference Between a Good Supplement and a Waste of Money: Why I’m Fussy About the Supplements I Prescribe

Walk into a pharmacy, health shop or scroll online and you can now buy supplements for almost anything. Magnesium for sleep. Creatine for strength and healthy ageing. Fish oil for inflammation. Broccoli sprouts for detoxification. Herbs for hormones, stress and menopause.

But having the right ingredient written on the label doesn't necessarily mean you are getting the right product.

As a naturopath and medical herbalist with over 20 years of experience, an important part of my job isn't simply deciding which nutrient or herb might help. I also consider quality, source, form, dose, manufacturing, stability and bioavailability.

Sometimes the differences between products are enormous.

CREATINE: quality matters

Creatine has become incredibly popular with women, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Recent research into women (hurrah, finally!) its potential benefits for muscle, strength, exercise performance, cognition and healthy ageing has understandably generated considerable interest.

But popularity also creates a rapidly expanding market.

Something many consumers don't realise is that supplemental creatine is manufactured through chemical synthesis, commonly using raw materials such as sarcosine and cyanamide, and the quality of the raw materials, manufacturing process and purification matter.

Poor manufacturing can potentially leave unwanted by-products such as dicyandiamide, dihydrotriazines and creatinine. Trace contaminants such as heavy metals may also potentially enter through raw materials, water or processing equipment.

This doesn't mean creatine supplements are generally contaminated. It means I want to know that a manufacturer has good quality controls and appropriate purity and contaminant testing.

Dose matters too. More isn't necessarily better, and the appropriate amount should reflect why someone is taking it rather than the latest social-media recommendation.

FISH OILS: Fish oil taught us this lesson years ago

Fish oil is a great example of why I don't choose supplements from the front of the bottle, in fact I only buy from 3 companies.

A well-known New Zealand study tested 32 fish-oil supplements and found only three contained EPA and DHA at or above their labelled quantities. Oxidation was another concern, with many products failing the oxidation measures assessed. Oxidation = rancidity. YUCK and toxic!

A later NZ investigation produced much more reassuring results, with 91% of products meeting EPA/DHA label claims. The difference between these studies is important - quality isn't necessarily poor across the entire industry.

But it reinforces why I want to know how much EPA and DHA a product actually supplies, along with its source, processing, storage and oxidation protection.

"Fish oil 1,000 mg" on the front doesn't tell me enough.

BROCCOLI SPROUTS: what's actually in the bottle?

Broccoli sprout supplements provide an even better example.

One of their most researched compounds is sulforaphane, but simply putting "broccoli sprout" on a label doesn't tell us how much usable sulforaphane someone will actually receive.

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which needs to be converted into sulforaphane. The enzyme myrosinase plays an important role in this conversion - and processing can damage or inactivate it.

Human studies have demonstrated that formulations with inadequate myrosinase activity can result in substantially poorer sulforaphane bioavailability. In a recent clinical study, adding a source of active myrosinase approximately doubled average sulforaphane bioavailability.

So before recommending a broccoli sprout supplement, I might ask:

• Is it made from sprouts, seeds or an extract?
• How much glucoraphanin does it provide?
• Is active myrosinase present?
• Has its sulforaphane yield actually been measured?
• Is potency verified batch by batch?
• Will that potency remain throughout its shelf life?

Two bottles can therefore both say "broccoli" while potentially delivering very different biological effects.

MEDICINAL HERBS: The same applies to medicinal herbs

The species, plant part, growing conditions, harvesting, extraction method, strength and dose can all influence its therapeutic effects. Cross contamination of raw material is common too, and not all companies will test their products. Phytomed NZ (which produce the Kiwiherb range) are an example of a company that prioritises testing and quality.

This is also something that concerns me when reading herbal research.

We regularly see studies of medicinal plants using preparations, plant parts or doses that don't reflect how that herb is actually used therapeutically. If herbalists traditionally use a particular root extract at a therapeutic dose, testing a small quantity of a different preparation and finding little effect doesn't necessarily tell us whether the medicine works when appropriately prescribed.

It raises an important question: how often are experienced medical herbalists and naturopaths involved when clinical trials of herbal medicines are designed?

Who determines which plant part, preparation and dosage should be studied? And who funds that research?

Negative studies shouldn't simply be dismissed because we don't like their conclusions. Good research should challenge traditional assumptions too.

But equally, a study using an inappropriate preparation or sub-therapeutic dose shouldn't automatically be interpreted as proof that the medicinal plant itself is ineffective.

True gold-standard herbal research should combine rigorous scientific methodology with a genuine understanding of the medicine being tested.

This is part of what you're paying a practitioner for

You don't need to pay a practitioner to tell you that magnesium may help sleep, creatine is being researched in menopause or omega-3s can be beneficial. You can find that information online in seconds.

The expertise lies in determining whether it is appropriate for you – and then selecting the right substance, form, source, quality and therapeutic dose.

I spend considerable time researching the supplements and herbs I use clinically: looking at manufacturers, formulations, ingredient sourcing, research, testing and therapeutic dosing.

Sometimes practitioner products cost more, because you are paying for quality, or higher therapeutic dosages based on clinical research, and sometimes less excipients, binders and filler agents in them (which can be toxic).

The key is understanding what is actually in that bottle, whether it can deliver what the label promises - and whether it's the right thing for you.

Because the name on the front of a supplement bottle is only the beginning of the story.

Invest in your natural health experts to guide you along. We naturopaths and New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists are the unsung heroes, and we need your support to thrive.

Shine bright,
Nic

08/08/2026

Saffron: More Than a Culinary Spice - Could Nature Help Lift Our Mood? Why Are Humans Increasingly Anxious & Depressed?

When we think of saffron, most of us think of its beautiful golden colour, distinctive flavour and rather impressive price tag. But Crocus sativus has a long history as a medicinal plant - and modern research is increasingly interested in something quite different: its potential effects on mood and depression.

A recently published 12-week randomised controlled trial followed 202 adults experiencing depressive symptoms. Participants received either a saffron extract (28 mg daily) or placebo.

Both groups improved initially - an interesting reminder of just how powerful expectation, attention and participation in our own healing can be. But after the first few weeks, something interesting happened. Improvement in the placebo group largely levelled off, while those taking saffron continued to improve over the 12 weeks.

By the end of the study, 72% of those taking saffron had achieved a clinically meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms, compared with 54% receiving placebo.

Saffron was also very well tolerated in relation to side effects.

And this isn’t an isolated finding. Research into saffron and mood has been accumulating for some time. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis incorporating 34 randomised controlled trials and 1,769 people concluded that saffron may be a useful complementary intervention for reducing self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms.

🌿 Why might saffron affect mood?

Saffron contains fascinating plant compounds including crocin, crocetin and safranal. Research is exploring several possible actions, including effects on neurotransmitter signalling, oxidative stress, inflammation and the body’s stress-response systems.

🌿 Dosaging

Most of the clinical research has used standardised saffron extracts providing around 28–30 mg of saffron daily. If using saffron as a traditional infusion, around 30 mg (a small pinch of threads) infused in hot water once daily is a reasonable equivalent starting point.

💜 Why are increasing numbers of humans becoming anxious & depressed?

Have we become too disconnected from nature?This is something I find increasingly interesting.

We now spend more time indoors, under artificial light, looking at screens, eating increasingly processed foods (completely lacking life force or photons) and living lives that can be remarkably removed from the natural world.

Physician Zach Bush is one of a number of voices encouraging us to think more deeply about what this separation from nature may mean for human health. One of his key questions is worth asking:
Can we separate human emotional health from the environment in which humans evolved?

Increasingly, research suggests we shouldn’t.

Studies of green-space exposure, nature-based interventions and even exercising outdoors are finding associations with improved mood, reduced depressive symptoms and lower anxiety.

Perhaps that’s not surprising. We are biological creatures. And now we are now starting to be accepted as beings of light in emerging reaearch. More on this see a FREE great movie link in comments below.

Our nervous systems respond to daylight and darkness. Our circadian rhythms respond to the sun. Our gut microbes communicate with our brain. We respond physiologically to movement, social connection, food, plants and the environments surrounding us.

And medicinal herbs such as saffron sit beautifully within that bigger picture.

🌸 Depression deserves more than a single-answer approach

What does this particular person’s brain and nervous system need in order to function well?

Are they in connection with nature & other humans? Do they have purpose? Do they have tools to calm their nervous system?

Is their system toxic from substances such as glyphosate?

Or are they deficient in nutrients such as iron, B12, folate, or vitamin D?

How is their thyroid function, blood-sugar regulation, stress levels, inflammation, sleep, hormones, and gut health?

And sometimes medicinal plants may have a role too. Even if it’s only for a period of time.

Saffron is a lovely example of why herbal medicine continues to fascinate me after many years in practice.

A delicate purple flower produces just three tiny crimson stigmas. Those threads become one of the world’s most precious spices. And within them are compounds that may influence something as profoundly human as how we feel.

I believe our plant & fungi allies still have rather a lot to teach us.

Shine bright, Nic

07/08/2026

A little favour... 💚 If my work has ever helped you—or someone you love—I wonder if you'd help me now.

Every person who walks through my clinic door first had to discover that I existed.

One poster on a noticeboard might be the thing that helps another woman finally find the answers she's been looking for.

Over the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of supporting hundreds of women and families on their health journeys. Whether you've visited me for a consultation, massage, workshop, followed my page, shared one of my posts, or simply enjoyed learning about natural health here—thank you. It truly means the world.

I've just created some new posters for Earth Sourced, and I'd love to spread the word a little further.

If you own a business, work somewhere with a noticeboard, or know of a café, gym, yoga studio, health shop, community centre or workplace that might be happy to display one, I'd be incredibly grateful.

Small businesses thrive because of community support, and every recommendation, every share, and every poster helps another woman or family discover the support they may have been searching for.

If you'd like a poster, simply comment below or send me a message and I'll drop one off. Or you can print any of the landscape or portrait versions attached here.

Thank you for being part of my Earth Sourced community. Thank you for supporting local, supporting natural healthcare, and supporting my little business. 💚

Nic x

🌿 Naturopathy
🌿 Medical Herbal Medicine
🌿 Massage Therapy
🌿 Women's Health • Family Health • Children's Health

05/08/2026

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PODCAST
Every now and then you come across a podcast that doesn’t just teach you something… it completely rearranges how you see the world.

This conversation with Dr Zach Bush on The Joe Rogan Experience has easily made it into my top 3 podcasts of the year.

I found myself stopping, rewinding and listening again because my mind just kept being blown wide open.

What I loved most wasn’t that it gave me all the answers—it was how much it confirmed many of the instinctive “antenna” feelings and beliefs I’ve had for years, while also challenging me to think even more deeply.

Some of the topics they explore include:
• The extraordinary connection between soil health, human health and our microbiome.
• Why regenerative agriculture may be one of the biggest health interventions of our time.
• The relationship between nature, biodiversity and chronic disease.
• How our modern environment is changing human biology.
• The interconnectedness of people, plants, microbes and the planet.
• Why healing may require us to reconnect with the natural world rather than simply treating symptoms.
• Hope for the future through restoring ecosystems and changing the way we think about health.
• And they also discuss pyramid construction, meaning imbedded in ancient written or hieroglyphs language, cancer causes, autistic kids & their intuitive powers & so much more!!

Whether you agree with everything discussed or not, I think the best conversations are the ones that make us curious enough to ask better questions.

If you’re interested in health, nutrition, the microbiome, regenerative farming, or simply enjoy having your perspective challenged, I’d highly recommend giving this one a listen.

Zach Bush, MD, is a physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care. He is the founder of Seraphic Group and Farmer's Footprint, a nonprofit dedicated to regenerative agriculture.

Podcast Episode · The Joe Rogan Experience · 22 July · 2h 57m

05/08/2026

What if your weight gain, hormone symptoms, gut issues, fatigue and brain fog weren’t separate problems…

…but pieces of the same puzzle?

After 20 years in clinic, I’ve learnt that when we understand why the body has become dysregulated, incredible changes can happen.

I’d love to help you discover what’s driving your symptoms.

📍New Plymouth & Online
🌿 Earth Sourced Naturopath & Medical Herbalist

04/08/2026

POWERFUL CASE STUDY SHARE
Watching women get their lives back never gets old.

The case I shared in today's video isn't unusual in my clinic.

Sometimes the changes happen in four weeks. Sometimes they take a few months. Every person is different. But every week I see people of all ages make meaningful improvements in conditions that have often affected them for long periods of time.

After 20 years in clinical practice, I still love the challenge of complex cases. Not because they're difficult, but because they remind me that the body isn't a collection of isolated symptoms. Hormones affect the nervous system. Stress changes digestion. Blood sugar influences mood. Sleep impacts inflammation. Everything is connected.

One thing that still frustrates me is how divided healthcare can be.

Natural medicine is often dismissed as though it lacks evidence. The reality is far more nuanced.

Modern naturopathy draws on three pillars: scientific evidence, traditional knowledge, and clinical experience.

Modern naturopathic practice draws on published scientific research into nutrition, herbal medicine and lifestyle interventions, alongside thousands of years of traditional knowledge and clinical observation.

Medicinal plants have been recorded in human cultures for millennia, with written herbal texts dating back around 5,000 years, and archaeological evidence suggests humans were using medicinal plants tens of thousands of years before that. Modern Homo sapiens have existed for around 300,000 years and have been undoubtedly using herbs for medicinal & shamanic purposes.

Imagine what could happen if we stopped asking whether medicine or natural health is "better" and instead asked: How can we work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients?

Medicine is exceptional at emergency care, surgery, trauma, infectious disease and lifesaving interventions.

Naturopathy excels at taking the time to understand why someone has become unwell, identifying the interactions between body systems, and supporting long-term health through nutrition, lifestyle and evidence-informed herbal medicine.

I genuinely believe patients deserve both if they choose it. Patients usually don't care who gets the credit. They care about getting their lives back.

Unfortunately, New Zealand has seen reduced support for parts of the naturopathic education sector over recent years, including the closure of two of the country's three naturopathic and medical herbal medicine training providers. Regardless of the reasons behind those decisions, I hope we continue investing in well-trained complementary health professionals who can work alongside conventional care for the benefit of New Zealanders.

For me, it's never about proving one profession is right and another is wrong.

It's about helping the person sitting in front of me feel like themselves again.

And that's why I still love what I do.

🌱 If you’d like to book an in person or online appointment with me you can do this through my website https://www.earthsourced.co.nz/services-page

Im also accepting placements for mentoring naturopaths & herbalists at the moment. Simply pm me. 💜

Shine bright, Nic