Functional / Integrative / Natural medicine is the greatest thing since (gluten free) sliced bread! Functional medicine doctors are often able to help people that the conventional system can't. Unfortunately the cost makes it un-affordable for many people who are suffering and need help.

In this short in-between-asode Dr. Gerstmar discusses two ways practitioners and patients cane make functional medicine more affordable.

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at helping people with gut problems and autoimmune diseases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution: http://bit.ly/2sadcJp

Can simple natural therapies help serious diseases?

“If you provide the nutrition, and take away the waste products, cells will be healthy” --Dr. Nancy Welliver, ND

In this episode DrG talks with Dr. Nancy Welliver about the use of simple natural therapies and going back to the roots of natural medicine.

They discuss:

-Nancy’s journey into mastering hydrotherapy (water therapies)

-How spa culture in the USA is completely different from the historic traditions in the rest of the world

-The 5 pillars of natural medicine - movement, nutrition, life balance, herbs (teas, foot baths, gardening), and hydrotherapy

-Nancy’s story - how she came to natural medicine

-Nancy’s personal health journey with lupus, and how she treated it without using pharmaceutical drugs

-Will simple natural therapies work for “real” “hard” diseases and problems?

-The importance of discomfort

-The “purpose” of illness

-The value of insomnia

-Two ways of looking at illness - pathology (“what’s wrong with the body”) versus responsive physiology (“what is the body trying to do”)

-Hydrotherapy for Lyme disease

-The importance of “discharge” in healing

…and more…

Resources:

-Community School of Natural Therapeutics - communityschoolofnaturaltherapeutics.com - where Nancy has her Suburban Herbalist Apprenticeship, her classes, and her trips to Germany for traditional spa education and training

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at helping people with digestive problems and autoimmune diseases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution: Nancy Welliver

How to have a healthy baby & a healthy mom!

In this episode of the ANHP, DrG talks with natural fertility and childbirth expert Dr. Caitlin O'Connor about all things childbirth, including the critical year BEFORE getting pregnant, as well as Caitlin's work with women on the island of Vanuatu.

They discuss:

-How Caitlin came to work with pregnant women

-Why your baby wants you around all the time - the 4th trimester

-Why don’t men go to the doctor? An ancestral hypothesis

-Caitlin’s work with women in Vanuatu - totally different birth experiences

-How our society has disrupted the evolutionary flow of the mom-baby experience

-Preparing for childbirth

-What’s the difference between a midwife and a doula?

-Perfectionism in childbirth, raising kids, health, and life - support, acceptance

-Postpartum care - traditional cultures, support groups, Midwifes, Lactation consultants

-What does pre-conception care look like? What needs to be done in pre-conception care

Resources:

-Book - Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

-Documentary - Business of Being Born

-http://www.peps.org/ - Support groups for new moms

For more on Dr. Caitlin O'Connor

-www.allfamiliesnaturalhealth.com

-www.drcaitlin.com

-www.vitalityproject.co

-Twitter: @drcaitlin

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at helping people with gut problems and autoimmune diseases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution - http://bit.ly/2pskWAm

WARNING: Grace is funny and super knowledgeable, and has a bit of a potty mouth. So, WARNING THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST CONTAINS PROFANITY.

In this post-PaleoFX drink and dinner, I sat down with Dr BG (Grace Liu) and Lisa Ramos.

Topics we cover:

-Recapping PaleoFX and Grace’s ‘Rebuilding a Warrior Gut’ talk

-How exercise can hurt your gut and your health. The perils of over-exercising and under-eating

-The importance of testing & your ‘dash board’

-Athletes, gut health, performance

-Sympathetic (fight or flight) vs Parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system and it’s effects on your digestive system

-Is Paleo and PaleoFX only for people in great shape and how are healthy?

-Themes that came up at PaleoFX and PaleoFX recaps

-The importance of sleep

-The “Vegetarian Myth”

-Common vs. normal

-The importance of social connection - Blue Zones, PaleoFX, and more

-Ancestral Health Symposium

-Living a life of purpose / meaning

-Myths about digestive health Grace dispels

-Please choose marshmallow root over slippery elm

-We dive deep into gut therapies

-Grace’s upcoming gut seminar in December 2016

-Understanding your own body and health

-Thoughts on finding a health care provider

Links:

Gut Institute - www.thegutinstitute.com; Twitter: @gut_goddess

Lisa Ramos - www.lisaramoswellness.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lisaramoswellness

Grace's probiotic: http://thegutinstitute.myshopify.com/products/the-gut-institute-lactate-and-histamine-free-probiotic-blend-for-microbiome-management

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at helping people with gut problems and autoimmune diseases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo Attribution - http://bit.ly/2qoK3VJ

At PaleoFX 2016, DrG and Kinsey have a wide-ranging discussion that centers around the 'fight or flight' nervous system and its role in disease. We also talk about her health struggles with Lupus / Rheumatoid Arthritis, get serious about erectile dysfunction and laugh a lot. I hope you enjoy!

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts in helping people with digestive problems and autoimmune diseases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution - http://bit.ly/2oKeog1

IMPORTANT NOTE: Marijuana or Cannabis is currently federally illegal in the USA. Some states allow medical use, while others allow recreational use. CBD is NOT marijuana but an extract of marijauna that is non-intoxicating. It is currently legal in all 50 states as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC (the intoxicating part of marijuana)

This is part of a series of interviews Dr. Gerstmar did with experts to try and understand the real pros and cons of cannabis, and share it with you.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT ADVOCATE THE USE OF ANY DRUG, PHARMACEUTICAL, PROCEDURE, OR TREATMENT. THIS INFORMATION IS FOR YOUR EDUCATION ONLY.

Educate yourself, speak with your doctor or health professional, and decide whether any particular thing makes sense for your life and situation.

All things have their benefits and risks. While the research on cannabis is extremely safe, all substances have risks and can cause problems for some people.

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CBD (cannabinadiol) an extract of cannabis or marijuana. People are using it to help treat epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, and inflammation? What is it? Is it safe? Or a dangerous drug?

Like many people of the "this is your brain on drugs" generation, for most of my life I had the stereotype of cannabis as the "lazy stoner with the munchies" drug.

Thankfully over the last couple of years, intelligent patients, and reading the case reports and scientific data on marijuana has opened my eyes to this useful medicine.

I sat down with Jordan of Jambo Superfoods, which mainly produces high quality CBD-only products (in the form of breath sprays, coconut oil/butter oil mixes, and little candies), that are federally legal (NOTE: The feds have been suggesting they may make CBD federally illegal, meaning it could not be transported across state lines) and can be shipped anywhere in the US, to discuss CBD and cannabis

In this episode we cover:

-What is the difference between hemp and marijuana

-What is CBD?

-What does CBD do?

-The difference between a daily anti-inflammatory dose that can be used by virtually anyone, and the much higher doses used in things like chronic pain and epilepsy

-Is there anyone CBD is a bad choice for?

...and more

Check them out at http://www.jambosuperfoods.com/

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At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at treating gut problems, and autoimmune diseases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution - http://bit.ly/2q7RXGn

Ayahuasca is a traditional herbal medicine coming out of the shamanic traditions of South America. It is a psychedelic medicine such as LSD and psilocybin, and has demonstrated some profound healing properties. It has become increasingly popular in the past couple of years, with references in movies and TV series.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ayahuaca is currently illegal in the USA

This is part of a series of interviews Dr. Gerstmar did with experts to try and understand the real pros and cons of Ayahuasca, and share it with you.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT ADVOCATE THE USE OF ANY DRUG, PHARMACEUTICAL, PROCEDURE, OR TREATMENT. THIS INFORMATION IS FOR YOUR EDUCATION ONLY.

Educate yourself, speak with your doctor or health professional, and decide whether any particular thing makes sense for your life and situation.

All things have their benefits and risks. While centuries of use of Ayahuasca and preliminary research show it is generally safe, it is not harmless and can cause serious problems for some people.

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Ayahuasca, a brew made of Amazonian plants, is becoming increasingly popular. Is it a recreational drug or "10 years of psychotherapy" in one night? Many people are reporting that this psychedelic when done responsibly in a proper set and setting, helps them to unlock stuck areas in their life and health.

I caught up with Jess Gold, NTP at PaleoFX 2016. Some of you may remember that Jess worked for me for about 6 months as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner before moving to Bend, OR to be with her fiance.

In this podcast we catch up and talk about what she's been up to since that time -- working with the Amazonian medicinal herbal brew Ayahuasca.

We discuss what it is, what it's used for, who might benefit, who might not, and perhaps some next steps if you're considering looking into this medicine.

For more info on psychedelics and their use in healing, check out http://www.maps.org/

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts in treating gut problems, and autoimmune diseases If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution - http://bit.ly/2p4fwPj

Kombucha or fermented tea. Is this fermented drink a probiotic wonder drink, or just a "healthy" soda? Should you be drinking it?

DrG talks with Hannah Crum, expert on all things kombucha, at PaleoFx16.

Come listen and learn about kombucha!

You can find out more about Hannah at:

Kombuchakamp.com

Kombucha Brewer’s International (kombuchabrewers.org)

Big Book of Kombucha

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at treating gut problems, autoimmune diseases, and hard to treat cases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution - http://bit.ly/2oIreLW

Can You Treat Anxiety and Depression with Vitamins & Minerals? Are there options besides drugs or pharmaceuticals such as SSRI's? Dr. Richard Wyckoff Talks about the Walsch Protocol

NOTE: Please do not go off any psychiatric drugs without the guidance and help of a skilled health practitioner

DrG & Dr. Wyckoff cover:

-Dr. Wyckoff’s 40 year journey through psychology - From psychotherapy to the biochemical underpinnings of mental health

-How the Walsch protocol differs from conventional psychiatry

-There are different types of depression - what helps one kind of depression can hurt another kind

-Strengths and weaknesses of genetic testing

-The role of methylation in mental health

-Functional vs genetic methylation testing

-Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, Orthomolecular medicine, and the further work of Dr. William Walsch

-Kryptopyrrole disorder

-Zinc - copper imbalances and the typical symptoms of a zinc - copper imbalance

-Could metallothionien deficiency be a cause of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?

-Discussion of different potential causes of dementia

-How these insights have changed Dr. Wyckoff’s practice? Getting results in months he used to get in years

Links:

http://www.drwyckoff.org/

http://www.walshinstitute.org/

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at treating gut problems, autoimmune diseases, and hard to treat cases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]

Photo attribution - http://bit.ly/2qd71PB

Iboga is a traditional herbal medicine coming out of the shamanic traditions of Africa. It is a psychedelic medicine such as LSD and psilocybin, and has demonstrated some profound healing properties -- especially in helping people recover from opiate addiction.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Iboga is currently illegal in the USA


This is part of a series of interviews Dr. Gerstmar did with experts to try and understand the real pros and cons of psychedelic substances, and share it with you. 


DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT ADVOCATE THE USE OF ANY DRUG, PHARMACEUTICAL, PROCEDURE, OR TREATMENT. THIS INFORMATION IS FOR YOUR EDUCATION ONLY. 


Educate yourself, speak with your doctor or health professional, and decide whether any particular thing makes sense for your life and situation. 


All things have their benefits and risks. While Iboga has been used for centuries and if used properly it is generally safe, it is not harmless and can cause serious problems for some people. 


For more on the history and research into psychedelics as medicine, please check out Michael Pollan's book -- https://amzn.to/2vDYCtr

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Could a plant from Africa, a psychedelic, be a key to freeing people from addiction?

This one is an important one folks! It’s been estimated that 58,000 people die every year just from opiate overdose (heroin, oxycodone, morphine, etc) and that doesn’t include the devastation that brings to their families and loved ones. Current treatment options are poor, but there are other choices that most people haven’t heard about!

In this episode DrG talks with Elizabeth Bast and her husband Chor Boogie.

They discuss:

-The power of vulnerability & truth

-Chor’s addiction to heroin and Elizabeth’s journey to find him help

-Iboga - what is it? what does it do?

-Chor & Elizabeth’s experiences with iboga and how it changed them

-The use of iboga and other plant medicines for addiction

-The importance of aftercare and integration

-Their continuing work with Iboga

-Resources

NOTE: Insanely, Iboga and ibogaine are currently illegal in the United States

Resources:

Heart Medicine - check out the book of Elizabeth and Chor's journey with Iboga. Available at Amazon and other online retailers. Highly recommended.

www.ebast.net - resources on Iboga, Elizabeth’s art, and activities

www.chorboogie.com - see Chor’s amazing spray paint art and more

Elizabeth & Chor on social media:

www.facebook.com/ebast

www.instagram.com/enectarbast

www.facebook.com/chorboogie

www.instragram.com/chorbogie

www.maps.org - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

At Aspire Natural Health we are experts at treating gut problems, autoimmune diseases, and hard to treat cases. If you'd like help, reach out to us at 425-202-7849 or [email protected]