One of the ironies of the current situation is that as the pandemic tightens its grip, many people are finding it harder to get the health care they need. Most alternative health practitioners in Australia are no longer able to see patients in person due to new restrictions. Luckily there are a number of people in our region who are ready and willing to bridge this gap using digital communications technology.
Most people try and run away from loneliness. You’ve opened the fridge for the 197th time today and almost exhausted all the good shows on Netflix.
COVID-19 policies from governments and businesses are evolving quicker than I can type. NAB announced today (20/3/20) eligible customers will be able to freeze home loan repayments. China has reported no new local cases of the virus and has successfully managed to ‘flatten the curve’ in the viruses epicentre of Wuhan.
Having not enough iron in your system (anaemia) is a common problem, especially for women, but some people have the opposite problem. Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition that affects one in 200 Australians. It leads people to retain too much iron in the bloodstream.
There’s a theory that all human emotions boil down to fear and love. For every situation that we face in life, there are two basic response paths. Unlike computers though, we’re not binary – humans are more complicated.
Byron Healing spoke to Turquoise Coleman, an internationally acclaimed holistic beautician, Reiki Master, Temple dancer and Transformational practitioner about her life and work.
Perhaps the most misunderstood of all types of addiction, exercise addiction can have some deep-rooted mental and physical effects if ignored. It’s harder to diagnose but easier to treat than most other forms of addiction but the naturally the first question should be – what is exercise addiction?
So, with Easter just around the corner, I thought it would be very apt to talk about an ancient food that needs no introduction. Dark chocolate.
Famed for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this vibrantly coloured botanical has held its spot on the health podium for a long while. Turmeric is a spice I’m sure you’ve heard of and if not, maybe you’ve noticed lattes, gelato and smoothies with a sunset-orange hue. Well, that’s turmeric
We should all be familiar with the health star rating system (out of 5) that we see on some of our staple groceries each week. What you might not be a failure with is that it is outdated and can’t be relied upon; especially if this is the only measure you look at when deciding if a product is healthy or not.
The onset of rain after a long dry spell is always a welcome relief, and though no-one wants to complain about life-giving water, extended cloudy periods can cause health issues.
Over the last decade, general medication use has only slightly increased however, the use of antihistamines alongside allergy and cold-and-flu drugs has risen by 3 million (tablets per year).
We all know the dangers of smoking. It has been unequivocally proven that cigarettes and cigarette smoke are a direct path to lung cancer and many other diseases. The latest scientific review of vaping nicotine has concluded it is an effective quitting aid for smokers and could help to substantially reduce smoking rates in Australia. […]
Find the secret to wellbeing and you’ve surely found the modern-day Holy Grail of peace, happiness and health – but how often do our busy lives divert us in the wrong direction? Can making small changes really result in big outcomes and a stronger sense of what you really need? At Aura-Soma, we think so! […]
We all hope to see a future where the big ‘C’ word isn’t so scary and that cancers can be treated and cured with the same effort that it takes to clear up a throat infection. We are one step close to that according to a new study.
You would be forgiven not knowing Australia has an obesity problem, given the area we live in. But through all the açai bowls, soy lattes and vegan delicacies, there is a real problem. It is said that our obesity epidemic is so dire that is undermining expert attempt to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Most new years resolutions fail. Research has shown that although resolutions made at the start of a new year are ten times more likely to be followed through, most of them still fail. But why? And how do we avoid this?
Cortisol is the new catch cry in conversations about obesity and weight loss and the impact on overall weight management, and stress and weight gain may be bedfellows in that discussion.
All over the world people want to change the way they look by using cosmetic treatments and a recent study shows that both surgical and nonsurgical procedures are on the rise.
Bin? Flush? Bury? What do you do with those leftover drugs? The incorrect disposal of medicines can have a major impact on the environment, a fact that has been reinforced in a recent study by Monash University.
It happens every year. Despite our best efforts – and promises to ourselves – healthy eating habits seem to fall apart in December. In between the family lunches and work parties, it is almost expected that we will eat more than we should, or more than we want to.
Good hearing is the key to enjoying all the wonderful sounds this Christmas – your favourite carols, the sound of delighted children opening their presents and contented chatter from loved ones around the dinner table
Even in the twenty-first century, there are still people who value how they and others look over the really valuable personal assets, but it’s good health that will see you live longer than any other asset in your life – not great boobs or a tight toosh.
The University of South Australia has developed a radically novel vaccination that’s poised to cure a potentially life-threatening condition – peanut allergies could become a thing of the past.
ot a lot of people read the warnings on the thin piece of folded paper with the teeny tiny writing inside their tablet box.
Just to be clear, generally speaking, small testicles are usually not a big health problem. Testicles come in all shapes and sizes. Whether lopsided or symmetrical, they’re all unique. But some men may worry about their size – are they too large or maybe too small?
A recent survey has shown that taking your kids camping can improve your relationship with your kids your partner and the entire family’s wellbeing.
Lachlan Cornell It is easy to forget that there are so many different lifestyles that people choose to live. And I don’t just mean cultural differences – although this may have a lot to do with it. I am talking about those who have little to no contact with the modern world and actively choose […]
Research into the safety and efficacy of cannabis for medical use has traditionally been very difficult. This difficulty has been exacerbated by the factors that made the drug illegal in the first place. Today, thousands of Australians are using medical cannabis to treat chronic pain and anorexia. Advocates of medical cannabis use say the drug […]
Lachlan Cornell Life can be exhausting. Most of us lead busy lives, trying to juggle 19 things at once – usually with little success. Even if you consider yourself a multi-tasking wizard, there are always ways to improve your productivity and efficiency. And LSD might just turn out to be one of the best ways. […]
Lachlan Cornell Rhonda is a gifted intuitive reader and medium practising from her home in the Tweed hinterland. I was trying to understand why someone would go and see someone like Rhonda, so I thought I’d ask someone who does go and see her. That happens to be my mum. Here is what she had […]
Lachlan Cornell Juice has been a staple household item for years, however when the truth about sugar revealed itself, juice dropped in popularity. With the health-focused lifestyle that followed, people wanted to find a way to incorporate juice back into their diets without the added sugar. Enter, freshly squeezed, cold-pressed or home blended juices. Now, […]
The Continence Foundation of Australia The Continence Foundation of Australia is the national peak body promoting bladder and bowel health. Their vision is to have a community free of the stigma of incontinence. The hygiene issues around incontinence can be severe, yet people endure it because of this stigma. Thankfully now there are more than government […]
Lachlan Cornell In the 1960s a war raged between saturated fat and sugar. Both industries were paying scientists exuberant amounts of money to downplay the effect of their substance on heart disease. Sugar won. fat was labelled the villain and marketing was quickly geared towards ‘FAT-FREE’ labels whilst sugar wore a smug grin on its […]
Lachlan Cornell Superfoods are an unofficial category of foods that are thought to be nutritionally dense and superior to other foods. Blueberries, salmon, kale and açai are four of the most popular foods to gain the honour of being considered a superfood. Due to the unofficial status, there are no specific criteria that a food […]
Aura-Soma Our top five steps Whether it’s that daily tension in your shoulders, the heart-pounding that just won’t stop, the work-life-kids juggle or just trying to find a parking space – stress can spike up and whittle us down so that before we know it, it’s become our new normal. But by incorporating Aura-Soma […]
Lachlan Cornell Originating from Sanskrit, it literally means “wheel” by association with its function as a vortex of spinning energy interacting with various physiological and neurological systems in the body. Chakras are energy centres within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to the immune system and emotions. There […]
Crystal identification can be challenging for those who acquire them for healing and spiritual purposes and will often need to seek expert advice. There are many ways to identify crystals, one of the most simple is by colour. Here is a simple guide for those interested in the different meanings of crystals based on their […]
Lachlan Cornell A sensory deprivation tank also called an isolation tank or flotation tank is used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). It is a dark, soundproof tank that is filled with a foot or less of saltwater. The water in a sensory deprivation tank is heated to skin temperature and nearly saturated with Epsom […]
Lachlan Cornell In modern society, many people do not spend a lot of time outside. This reduces the potential influence of weather on their mental health. However, there’s no doubt that different people prefer different types of weather. And in turn, this can affect your mental health in the form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). […]
Lachlan Cornell Most us know we should live a healthy lifestyle – exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get enough rest, be social and so on. However, sometimes we don’t grasp just how important all these things are. This is especially true when talking about silent diseases such as chronic kidney disease. Known as a […]
Lachlan Cornell In English, Feng Shui literally translates into ‘wind water’ – Feng (wind) and Shui (water). Feng Shui originated in China over 6000 years ago and could be described as a practical philosophy. It’s an ancient method of designing and creating spaces that allow for the natural follow of Qi (natural energy) within a […]
Lachlan Cornell In 2013, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) published an article highlighting the potential benefits nanotechnology could have on people with diabetes. You can view that article here. The idea was that the nanoparticles inside the body would be able to detect glucose levels and respond by releasing the appropriate amount of insulin. This […]
Lachlan Cornell Anxiety is very common, especially among younger people. Often people who experience anxiety are reluctant to seek support because they brush it off as nothing serious or don’t believe there is an issue. A survey of 1449 people, conducted by Beyond Blue, found that two out of five people who checked their symptoms […]
Addiction is generally defined as a behavioural pattern that involves a person who compulsively engages in drug-taking, gambling, drinking or gaming (amongst other outlets). Even when destructive side effects kick in and people feel like they’re losing control, addicts usually can’t stop doing the thing they’re addicted to without help and support. These people often […]
Lachlan Cornell There’s now a growing body of research showing that group walks in nature have remarkable mental health benefits including easing depression, combating stress and boosting mental well-being. For some sufferers of depression, medication is still required to get them out of bed. But once up, a hike with friends can be the best medicine to […]
Lachlan Cornell Growing your own veggies has a multitude of benefits not only for yourself but for the environment as well. Despite Australia having one of the highest minimum wages, we constantly hear about the struggling ‘Aussie battler’. Growing your own fruit and vegetables as well as participating in community garden projects is a simple […]
Lachlan Cornell Sauna use and heat therapy have been around for hundreds of years. Yet modern science is only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential. A couple of years ago, Dr Rhonda Patrick published an article stating that sauna use could be linked to longevity. Not long after this was published the University […]
Lachlan Cornell The Australia Bureau of Statistics, released a report in December last year, stating that more than two-thirds of Australians are now overweight or obese. In light of this, NobleOak surveyed 1000 Australian adults to gauge eating habits and nutrition awareness. The research reveals that people spend 32% of their weekly food budget on […]
Lachlan Cornell If you’re new to working out, just getting back into the game, or have concerns with joints or injuries, low-impact cardio is a safe and effective method of exercise. Low-impact exercises focus on keeping one foot on the ground and alleviating stress or pressure on your joints. But be warned — just because […]
Lachlan Cornell There is a constant barrage of opposing studies and articles, duelling each other over whether coffee is good for us or not. It seems that the result is often the same. These articles are merely a point of reference for friendly arguments between coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers. A couple of words stand […]
Lachlan Cornell During a long day spent roaming the forest, searching for edible plants and crops, a weary farmer poisoned himself 72 times. But before the poisons could end his life, a leaf drifted into his mouth. He chewed on it and it revived him. And this how we discovered tea – or so the […]
Lachlan Cornell Often when we think of self-healing, we either seek professional help or drastically change our routine. Both are admirable and effective. However, there is a way to elevate your mental health and wellbeing that disguises itself as a leisurely activity. Camping. Camping is a great way to cut us off from some of […]
Lachlan Cornell There is one stroke every nine minutes in Australia and more than 475, 000 Australians are living with the impact of stroke. The number in the US is close to 800, 000. A common misconception is that strokes just happen to elderly people but strokes can happen to anyone at any age – […]
Lachlan Cornell Hay fever is one of the most underrated annoyances. And now spring is here, hay fever is right around the corner. And around 3 million of us Aussies are about to get hit by it. However, there is no need to jump straight for the nasal sprays and anti-hay fever tablets. There are […]
Lachlan Cornell Fire was first controlled by humans somewhere between 250, 000 and 1.5 million years ago (depending on what evidence you find definitive). Since then its uses have included everything from cooking to fighting, warmth to relaxation. It has always been an integral part of human life however its calming properties are becoming increasingly […]
Lachlan Cornell Mushrooms are powerful and diverse and remain an enigma to many in the medical field. The deep cultural significance of their use along with their ability to heal is quickly changing this ignorance into further exploration of their use within modern science. Perhaps the time lag for modern science to start exploring mushrooms […]
Lachlan Cornell Two-thirds of the adult Australian population are overweight or obese. Weight loss is a topic that covers two areas of health that are equally important. Firstly the obvious, physical health. “Obesity is a major contributor to many chronic diseases and symptoms – around four out of five people who reported conditions such as […]
Lachlan Cornell Do movies and video games affect your child’s mental health? It’s been a common question raised since children have had access to movies and video games from such a young age. The simple answer is, yes they do. With Netflix having 139 million subscribers and reaching the eyes of much more than that, […]
The remarkable ability of a small Australian sea snail to produce a colourful purple compound to protect its eggs is proving even more remarkable for its potential in a new anti-cancer pharmaceutical. Researchers at Flinders University, Southern Cross University and Monash University in Australia have isolated one compound in the gland secretions from the Australian […]
With so much info out there surrounding the topic of health, it is important not to feel overwhelmed by it all. Explore what feels good for you and what you’re morally aligned with. Everybody is different, so what works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for the other. As a simple rule of thumb, health can […]
Lachlan Cornell For thousands of years, human beings have been trying to rid their bodies of perceived toxins. Native Americans have long used various forms of ritual cleansing and purification, such as the sauna-like sweat lodge. Harvard Harvard Health says ‘Today’s renewed interest in self-administered detoxification reflects concern about a variety of things, such as […]
Lachlan Cornell I asked Shamanic Energy Healer, Sarah McLeod, a few questions regarding her practice. She is also the founder of an experience known as ‘Vision Weaving’ and has clients spanning across five continents. What makes Shamanic Healing different from other forms of energy healing? ‘I call my work Shamanic energy healing because that is […]
Around 10% of Australians* have household or family members that have trouble getting information about their medicines because English is not their first language. To tackle this information gap, community pharmacists working in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities around Australia are helping their customers this Be Medicinewise Week (19-25 August) to get to know […]
Lachlan Cornell The gut microbiome has been gaining attention in both the medical and food industries over the past fifteen years. Due to this increased awareness around the importance of gut health, you may indeed already have an idea of which foods are settling your tummy. And that’s great. But what really is gut health […]
Lachlan Cornell Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sometimes known as Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), is a stem of holistic medicine that originated in China over 3500 years ago. TCM encapsulates the modalities of herbal medicine, acupuncture, gua sha, cupping therapy and massage. In more recent times, TCM has started to include selected parts of Western medicine […]
Lachlan Cornell Attunement Therapy is a modern healing modality founded on some of the most ancient biological principles relevant to human physical and emotional health. It’s been developed over 14 years by Tristan Bray right here in the Byron Shire! ‘Evolution has wired us to be physically connected with other people on a regular basis […]
The bond between people and animals is one that spans millennia. Dogs are known as the friend that’s always there, offering a relationship of non-judgment, unconditional love and loyalty. For founder of Australian charity Animal Therapies Ltd Wendy Coombe, it was Jack, her Border Collie, that helped build her life again, literally from scratch. Ms […]
We are all familiar with those Anti-DVT flight socks but for those with high risk of DVT, more drastic measures have to be taken. Often these measures have been unaccessible to those at moderate risk, however, the emergence of new blood thinners has made this treatment more assessable, not to mention considerably safer. Deep Vein […]
Using touch as a healing method is a tradition of antiquity. Both eastern and western civilisations found that massage could heal injuries, relieve pain and cure illness. And of course, as a way to reduce stress and induce deep relaxation. For over 5000 years, massage therapy has developed and transformed into what we know today. […]
What was I thinking? Eve Jeffery I hadn’t even heard of ‘Dry July’ until a friend of mine suggested that we meet for a date. She said she wasn’t going to be able to drink though because she was having a month off. I thought that sounded like a good idea and that I’d go […]
If you take multiple medicines you likely understand the feeling of ‘what is the red pill for again?’, ‘how many of the blue pill do I take?’. It can be overwhelming and straight-up dangerous. The same goes for supplements. There are more people now than ever taking multiple medicines as well as dietary and health […]
Burnout is a common term thrown around in the business world. To some, it seems unavoidable, as if it were just accepted that this happens if you work a full-time job. This, however, is far from the case and there are some blindingly simple solutions that can help you snuff burnout from your vocabulary. Scary […]
Eve Jeffery A dietitian’s job description is far and beyond helping people lose weight. In the course of a career a dietitian might work with patients who have burns, cancer, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, people who are injured in accidents, those with gastrointestinal disorders, cystic fibrosis, allergies, intolerances, people in aged care, […]
With so many wellness trends constantly emerging, sleep often gets overlooked as an integral part of our heath. We all sleep and yet there are a plethora of us that aren’t getting quality sleep. So much so that the major political parties have now agreed, after years of lobbying from the Sleep Health Foundation and […]
When it comes to dentistry, choosing a traditional approach or a holistic one can be confusing. Sometimes called biocompatible dentistry, holistic practises offer an alternative to traditional dentistry methods. Although both traditional and holistic methods focus on the link between oral health and our overall wellbeing, holistic dental takes a more overall approach. What should […]
Meditation is as individual as you are How often do you spend time getting to know yourself? In the modern world, we’re more ‘connected’ than ever; to the internet; to our phones; to networks of people across the world. But what about connection to ourselves? Meditation is an increasingly popular way to gain focus, de-stress […]
Eve Jeffery It’s hard for people without chronic pain to be able to understand it. Imagine the last time you sprained your ankle or stubbed your toe. Bad maybe, but with a sprained ankle or a stubbed toe, there’s a part of your brain that knows in a day or two, or a week, you’re […]
Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years. -Japanese proverb To gain an insight into the secrets behind a long life, we need to look inside the lives of those who have lived the longest and continue to remain youthful in their health and active in their contribution to their community. […]
Cold showers have been a hot topic since Wim Hof hit the scene; running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle in bare feet and climbing mount Kilimanjaro in his shorts. Training your mind can be a powerful thing to overcome many obstacles in life and cold showers are a small thing you can do […]
Winter gets a bad rap, it’s the season where people tend to pick up bad habits and fall victim to the common cold or flu. Whether you’re into flu vaccinations or not, there are plenty of other ways to gain immunity this winter. There are four major immunity herbs that work in varying ways to […]
When diet and fitness are taken to the extremes you will often find they achieve the opposite effect from what they were intended. If your ‘wellness routine’ – AKA the habits you have adopted to make your life better, start to cause you stress and anxiety, they need to stop. This is called the performative […]
True health is a balance of mind, body and spirit. Ancient wisdom and modern science offer us a wealth of ways to support our holistic well being. It’s this balance that keeps us mentally, emotionally and physically healthy, allowing us to be the best version of ourselves. Try a few or all of these ideas […]
Everything we do as human beings has a purpose. So what is the purpose of meditation? On the surface people may meditate for many different reasons but, excluding those who are meditating due to social pressure, if you go to the source of everyone’s reason you will find that they have a similar motivation … […]
There are many stories from ancient China that carry a lot of wisdom into the busy lives we live today. The following stories originate from ancient Chinese philosophy, offering a unique and beautiful message for your contemplation. 2 Monks and a Woman A senior monk and a junior monk were travelling together. At one point, […]
Paul Bibby Have you ever arrived home and realised that you have virtually no memory of the journey? It’s not just that you don’t remember specific turns or landmarks, the whole thing is basically a blank – both what was going on inside your head and in the world around you. Some call it being […]
Q&A with Vicki Veranese at Retreats Byron Bay Can you tell us a little about what people can expect from Retreats Byron Bay? At our property CasaVeras, nestled in the hinterland between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, we have created a space where you can enjoy platters of amazing food and delicious drinks, while you indulge […]
New research has identified a link between stressful life experiences for the mother during the first 18 weeks of pregnancy and a lower sperm count in male offspring. The new study led by The University of Western Australia reveals the first few months of pregnancy is when male reproductive organs are at their most vulnerable […]
A new study reveals that the humble egg is not associated with stroke risk. The University of Eastern Finland recently released a study that debunks the myth that eggs can cause strokes and further clarifies that eggs are not linked to high blood pressure. In fact, there is some evidence that they could be beneficial. […]
Q&A with Barry Donnelly: Naturopath and principal practitioner at the Good Skin Clinic Could you describe what you do? I specialise in skin diseases and as a naturopath our treatment program is significantly unique. I developed this program over the past 13 years. It is designed with the intention of clearing the most serious of […]
Aslan Shand One in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime. A stroke is caused by a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain and impacts on your ability to move, feel, and think. According to Associate Professor Seana Gall from the University of Tasmania and Stroke Foundation Clinical Council member […]
Rachel Jeffery, Accredited Practising Dietitian When we are active, we are very conscious to eat well, but we do not often think about the things we drink. All of us are made up of around 50-80 per cent water, so it is very important that we replace fluid lost from our body everyday. Water is […]
Creating neighbourhoods, cities and towns that promote the opportunity to walk to the shops, the doctors, the library or the many other spots you may need to go is one of the keys to helping people keep healthy. That’s the finding of recent research from Deakin University who were looking at the the impact of […]
Becky Thompson Warm weather and humidity – just what we’re known for in the Northern Rivers – is a perfect recipe for mould. The long-awaited rains have finally arrived so locals should be on the lookout for this unwelcome visitor in their homes. As the floodwaters subside in Queensland, mould is already rearing its ugly […]
Aslan Shand Do you ever wonder what the point of sleeping is? For some people it takes up half their lives. So much time that could be used to learn another language, a musical instrument or secretly binge on you most favourite TV series from Game of Thrones to – well whatever takes […]
Rachel Jeffery, Accredited Practising Dietitian It’s been a long day and you still have several hours performing at your peak before you can take a break. So how do you keep your energy levels up throughout the day and night. The key is to eat well, snack regularly if you do not have time for […]
Can what you eat enhance your performance as an athlete? This is the question that is being put under the microscope at the University of South Australia’s Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA). More specifically they are examining the impact of almonds and some dried fruits. ‘The bioactive components in almonds and […]
Desmond Bellamy Winston Churchill was one of the first public figures to believe that we would one day grow animal parts without the animal. In 1931, he predicted that by the 1980s people would grow chicken breasts and wings rather than raising the entire bird. Although his timeline was a little off, Churchill’s vision for […]
While there have been rumours of dogs and bees being able to detect cancers from the smell of peoples breath and urine for many years, a clinical trial using a breath test for cancer is being launched, but it doesn’t involve any animals. The trail will analyse molecules that could indicate the presence of cancer […]
Graeme James Is your relationship one of trust, mutual respect and a source of deep satisfaction? Do you share goals and hopes for your future together? Do you allow yourself to be influenced by your partner? Or instead is your relationship one of conflict, perhaps characterised by bitterness, or physical and emotional distance? How can […]