Treatment options can include any or all of the following, depending on the complexity of the condition and the individual needs of the patient. Treatment plans can be tailored to suit all budgets.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal medicine is the ancient practice of using the naturally occurring properties of plants to treat illness and imbalance within the body. Medicinal plants are harvested, dried and added to a solvent to extract as many of the active constituents as possible. This differs from orthodox medicine, which focuses on using just one chemical component to force a change in the body's physico-chemical processes, usually resulting in huge imbalances in other areas of the body. Because herbal medicine has so many active constituents, and they remain in their natural form, there is a more synergistic and balanced effect within the body, making them safe and highly effective.
NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE
Nutritional medicine focuses on the use of functional foods (foods that have a beneficial effect on health beyond basic nutrition) and nutritional supplements to treat underlying deficiencies as well as nourishing and promoting healing within the body. Nutrients such as complex carbohydrates, amino acids, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (e.g. antioxidants) are the foundation of good health. Without the correct amount of these substances the body becomes unbalanced and under functioning. If left untreated chronic deficiencies can lead to conditions such as anaemia, hypothyroidism, osteopenia, deterioration in vision, dermatitis, mood disorder, muscle wasting, fatigue and more.
DIETARY & LIFESTYLE ADVICE
Healthy dietary and lifestyle practices are the key to maintaining health, especially after recovering from illness. A Naturopath will educate you on the best possible food choices, how to prepare these foods to maximise absorption of nutrients, and also how to apply medicinal foods to certain conditions such as a cold or flu, diarrhoea/constipation, arthritis, indigestion, leaky gut and lots more. Lifestyle advice can include anything from mindfulness and affirmations to a healthy balance of exercise and relaxation. So you are not overwhelmed with change, a Naturopath will help you to ease into your new healthy lifestyle by providing you with realistic goals and the steps toward achieving them.
FLOWER ESSENCES
Flower essences are energetic medicines that work on emotional healing. They do this by rebalancing the energetic fields of the body that have been disturbed by emotional blockages. Flower essences are gentle, yet highly effective at shifting negative thought patterns, suppressed emotions and self doubt. They can also be used to protect the aura from the negativity of others, harsh energies and electromagnetic radiation. Flower essences can be used to transform emotions such as fear, apathy, resentment and sadness into courage, vitality, acceptance and joy. At Brooke Lee Naturopathy we use both Australian Bush Flower Essences and Bach Flower Essences.
