Herbal Medicine Week - Suzette's Story
Co-founder Suzette is a qualified naturopath, nutritionist and cosmetic chemist with a love of all things to do with healing and wellbeing. She is passionate about helping people adopt healthy...
Co-founder Suzette is a qualified naturopath, nutritionist and cosmetic chemist with a love of all things to do with healing and wellbeing. She is passionate about helping people adopt healthy practices to maintain and fulfill a healthy, happy life. She has a special interest in allergies, skin health and adrenal support. After completing a Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Naturopathy in 2018, she has completed further study in cosmetic chemistry to learn how to formulate natural, non-toxic skincare to share with practitioners, and consumers with a focus for people with sensitive skin and common allergies.
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health and wellness and emphasises on a variety of healing methods, including herbal and nutritional interventions, diet and lifestyle adjustments, to promote overall wellness and address the root causes of health issues.
What does a naturopath do?
Naturopathic practitioners view the person as a whole, and consider physical, mental and emotional aspects of an individual’s wellbeing. Naturopaths advocate for prevention and education as essential components of healthcare, guiding patients to make informed choices for a healthier life.
What influenced you to become a naturopath?
In our early years, Hannah and I were always playing in the garden underneath our wattle tree. We would play in the dirt and be surrounded by herbs and flowers. Our grandma was a garden enthusiast, so when we visited her, we would spend hours in her bush house learning about the native botanicals and herbs that she was growing. With her interest in botany and plant medicine, she was taught by late Dorothy Hall, who was a renowned herbalist in Australia and was one of the founding presidents of Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS), whom I now registered with as a qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist. My grandma was also a nurse, it seems herbal medicine and being in the health industry was always going to be a huge part of my life, whether I knew it at the time or not.
What was your first experience like seeing a naturopath?
As a teen I struggled with my gut health, was anxious and felt self conscious of my body. I was shy, always felt bloated and had low self esteem. Not knowing at the time, there is a link between the gut and the brain, the naturopath I saw helped me recognise that a healthy gut is essential for optional mental and emotional wellbeing. I adopted a lifestyle that included self-care, eating a whole-food diet, daily exercise, and positive self-talk. I started to become grounded within myself and began to realise after many years, beauty starts from within and it’s only when you accept your inherent beauty is when you truly shine. After I worked with my naturopath, I was intrigued with what natural medicines could offer. Soon enough I was enrolled to study naturopathy at university and I never looked back!
What's your favourite herb and why?
My favourite herb is Glycyrrhiza glabra commonly known as Licorice Root. Licorice’s primary active compound, glycyrrhizin, gives licorice root its distinct flavour and health benefits and yes it is very different to the licorice candy! It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe digestive comfort, calm irritated or red skin, but also may help support the adrenal glands, helping to manage stress and improve energy levels.
Licorice root also contains another compound called glabridin that can inhibit tyrosinase, which is an enzyme responsible for the production of melanin (skin pigment). This can help in reducing the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone, leading to a brighter complexion.
Due to it's amazing properties, I had to feature Licorice root in our products. You’ll find this versatile herbal medicine in our Golden Gem Face Cream and Misty Mushroom Face Spritz to prevent dryness, skin irritation and provide brightening, hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.
