Tech Talk with OptimalRx

This episode is taken from a presentation recorded for OptimalRx in 2016 by renowned naturopathic physician and botanical medicine educator, Prof. Eric Yarnell. We’ve divided the original presentation into two parts, with Part One focusing on the liver and Part Two covering gallbladder and pancreatic disorders.

In this thought-provoking episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Professor Eric Yarnell challenges the tendency to group all “liver herbs” together and explains why this approach may lead to ineffective or poorly targeted prescribing.

Eric explores the two main classes of liver herbs: those with protective and regenerative actions, and liver stimulants that promote bile production and movement. He also examines glutathione pathways, potential herb–drug interactions and why metabolic liver disease requires a broader approach that addresses insulin resistance, diet and lifestyle.

Throughout the episode, Eric discusses many important liver herbs, highlighting familiar botanicals such as St. Mary’s Thistle, Licorice, St. John’s Wort, Schisandra, Dandelion and Burdock, and explaining why they should not all be used in the same way.

Dr Eric Yarnell is an internationally recognised botanical medicine educator and author with particular expertise in men’s health, urinary tract disorders and kidney conditions.

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NOTE: While you can enjoy the full conversation wherever you listen to podcasts, this episode includes visual explainers, demonstrations and supporting content that are shown on screen throughout the discussion.  For the complete experience we recommend watching the episode on our YouTube Channel here via this link 

Compliance is about more than avoiding penalties; it protects your professional reputation, your business relationships and the trust you have worked hard to build. 

In this practical episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Vicky Tsoleridis is joined by CompliGUARD founder Chris Sarandis to reveal the compliance risks that may be hiding in plain sight across practitioner websites, social media, Google reviews, emails and marketing materials.  

Together, they unpack some of the most common compliance traps facing health practitioners - from sharing patient outcomes and Google reviews to discussing products, health conditions and personal health journeys. They also examine why an About Me page can unintentionally become a self-testimonial and why the overall impression of your content matters just as much as the individual words you use.  

Chris demonstrates how CompliGUARD helps practitioners review websites, social media posts, emails and other marketing material, identify potential risks and receive suggested rewrites – taking away some of the uncertainty surrounding what can and cannot be published.  

Listeners can create a free CompliGUARD account and receive two complimentary reviews. Use the code OPTIMAL to receive 50% off your first three months of any paid plan.  

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In this episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Miroslav Ivanovic is joined by experienced naturopath and herbalist John Miller-Crisp, who shares over 30 years of clinical insights into herbal medicine and integrative oncology.

John discusses his journey into naturopathy, the experiences that led him to specialise in supporting people living with cancer, and the evolving relationship between herbal medicine and conventional oncology. Drawing from decades of clinical practice, including his own experience with cancer, he explores the principles of patient-centred care, supporting the body's innate healing capacity, and the role of herbal medicine alongside conventional treatment.

The conversation also highlights underutilised herbs such as Thuja, Rabdosia, Reishi and Hawthorn, offering practical clinical insights into their applications for immune function, cardiovascular health, inflammation and oncology support. John shares memorable case studies, discusses the importance of understanding herbal actions rather than relying on trends, and encourages practitioners to combine traditional herbal wisdom with modern evidence and sound clinical judgement.

Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to herbal medicine, this episode offers practical, thought-provoking insights into integrative care, clinical decision-making and the enduring value of herbal medicine in modern practice.

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In this episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Miroslav Ivanovic is joined by respected medical herbalist, pharmacist and Phytomed founder Phil Rasmussen to discuss one of herbal medicine's most widely prescribed adaptogens, Withania (Withania somnifera).

Recent media coverage and regulatory discussions have raised questions around the safety of Withania, and the use of root versus leaf extracts. Phil examines the current evidence, explores the quality of the available research, and shares his perspective on why practitioners should interpret recent reports with caution.

The discussion also explores Withania's expanding clinical applications, including stress resilience, anxiety, cardiovascular health, endocrine support and its emerging role as an adjunct in integrative oncology. Phil highlights the importance of product quality, good manufacturing practices (GMP), and clinical judgement when prescribing herbal medicines.

Whether you're an experienced practitioner or newer to herbal medicine, this episode provides a practical, evidence-informed update on one of the profession's most valuable botanical medicines.

For educational purposes only.

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In this episode of Tech Talk by OptimalRx, Andrew Whitfield-Cook sits down with herbalist and naturopath Michelle Cose to explore the power of collaboration within the natural medicine profession. Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical experience, Michelle shares why connection, mentorship and community are essential for both practitioner growth and the future of herbal medicine.

Together, they discuss the isolation many practitioners face, the importance of sharing knowledge across generations, and why collaboration, not competition, strengthens the entire industry. Michelle also highlights the value of creating supportive practitioner communities, nurturing students entering the profession, and preserving the wisdom of experienced clinicians before it is lost.

This is an inspiring and thought provoking conversation about leadership, legacy, professional connection and the future of natural healthcare.

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In this episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Andrew Whitfield-Cook chats with naturopath Raul Pastrana about the often-overlooked role of male fertility.

Raul Pastrana, a recognised expert in fertility and reproductive health with a strong focus on male fertility. Known for his practical, inclusive approach, Raul combines evidence-based nutrition, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies to help individuals and couples optimise their reproductive outcomes, while making complex health topics accessible and relevant in everyday practice.

Raul shares his journey into naturopathy and how he came to focus on supporting men with fertility concerns, an area that’s frequently under-represented in clinical conversations. He talks through some of the key factors he sees in practice impacting sperm health, including metabolic issues, stress, and lifestyle, and why these need to be addressed early.

The discussion covers Raul’s approach to testing, particularly the importance of blood work to uncover underlying drivers such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular health. He also touches on how he uses herbal medicine in clinic, including herbs like Fenugreek, Rhodiola, and Vitex, depending on the individual case.

A key theme throughout the episode is the need to look at both sides of the fertility equation, and to support men in taking a more active role in the process. Raul also introduces his book, The Male Factor, which is designed to help educate men around their contribution to fertility outcomes.

A practical and insightful conversation for practitioners wanting to better support male fertility in clinic.

To purchase Raul Pastrana's Book, The Male Factor - Fertility is a Shared Responsibility:  https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/bookstore

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In this episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Kristin and Julianne continue their Herbal Medicine Dispensary series with an inspiring discussion with medical herbalist, Deanne Apostolou.  Deanne’s journey to becoming a medical herbalist and iridologist began over 30 years ago, and her unique experiences and education in the field of herbal medicine has led her to be a fierce advocate for the continued sharing of knowledge and tradition in plant medicine.  As such, Deanne was a founding member of Estuary Learning and continues to teach the use, science, and tradition of herbal medicine.  In this podcast, Deanne discusses her own path to owning a herbal medicine dispensary, how she individualises her herbal prescriptions via dosing and the addition of flower essences, and touches on her favourite plant medicines that have deep traditional roots, as well as a few of her more modern additions. 

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In this episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Kristin and Julianne discuss the ins and outs of owning your own herbal medicine dispensary; from our Naturopathic and Herbalist roots, to the unique nuances of plant medicine offerings and their individualised prescription, herbal medicine dispensaries offer a manner of prescribing that is unique to our profession.  This discussion also covers the main obstacles practitioners may face when choosing to own a dispensary, including cost, how to choose the appropriate herbs for your practice, patient compliance, and storage.  If you have ever thought of developing and owning your own herbal medicine dispensary, this is an ideal podcast for you!

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As our Summer Series of podcasts moves into January 2026, we continue with providing our listeners with the second of Dr. Lise Alschuler’s cognition and mood webinars from 2016, Healthy Minds.  In this podcast recording, Dr. Alschuler discusses the use of several phytomedicines that can successfully be utilised to support declining cognition, with a particular focus upon cerebral circulatory stimulants, nootropics, neuroprotectives, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants.  Dr. Alschuler provides relevant research and clinical wisdom on Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Ginkgo, (Ginkgo biloba), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng), Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica).

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 In 2016, OptimalRx had the privilege of hosting Dr. Lise Alschuler for two remarkable webinars on the topic of cognition and mood, the first being Botanical Management of Anxiety.  In this podcast recording, we have highlighted the herbal medicine component of this first webinar where Dr. Alschuler shares with us her favourite phytomedicines for anxiety, namely Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Withania (Withania somnifera), Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa), Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), and Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), and as always, shares her years of clinical experience in the management of anxiety.

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