In 2015 OptimalRx had the privilege of recording some lectures presented by wonderful American Naturopathic doctor, herbalist, and midwife, Mary Bove, who we sadly lost this year.  Mary was such an inspiring and passionate advocate for botanical medicine and in remembrance and in honour of her amazing legacy, here are some excerpts from her 2015 lecture, “Botanical Management of Metabolic Syndrome”, where she particularly highlighted the importance of adaptogens for these patients, discussing the practical nuances of many different herbs.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Janella Purcell, a pioneer in Australia’s Health and Wellness industry with over 25 years of clinical experience as a Naturopath, Herbalist and Nutritionist.  Janella rose to prominence as a whole-food TV chef on shows like Good Chef Bad Chef, The Biggest Loser, and What’s Good For You, and has since become a sought-after public speaker, retreat facilitator, and healer in private practice. Janella is also the award-winning author of five best-selling books, widely used in Natural Health Colleges and wellness communities. In this podcast, Janella shares her knowledge of the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept, the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). She discusses each element and their corresponding season, taste and attributes, and provides examples of herbal medicines that may be supportive for each element and season. Janella’s podcast beautifully rounds out our Traditional Herbalism podcast series which have provided insights into this month’s (July 2025) webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series – Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing”.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Rebecca Holly, a Naturopath, Astrologer, and Green Witch practicing Folk Herbalism in an earth-centred and heart-led way.  In this podcast, Rebecca explores some of the language and concepts in Astrological energetics, differentiates Western and Vedic Astrology, and discusses herbal medicine prescribing using Astrology, particularly focusing on the properties of solar herbs and their capacity to act as antidepressants.  Rebecca generously shares patient case examples which incorporate Astrological energetic concepts and offers her wisdom to practitioners who would like to incorporate Astrology into their clinical practices.  Through this podcast, Rebecca provides our practitioners with an insight into her upcoming webinar “Astrology - The Missing Energetic Map of Western Herbalism” as part of our July 2025 webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series – Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing”.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Dr. Jimi Wollumbin, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor and a registered medical practitioner with AHPRA, regarding the depth and richness of traditional medicine systems, including TCM, Ayurveda and Western Herbalism. Since completing his TCM internship in Beijing in 2002, Dr. Jimi has pursued extensive research across India, Tibet, Mongolia, Persia, and Siberia, exploring diverse healing traditions and integrating the wisdom of these traditions into his practice clinically and soulfully. In this podcast, Dr. Jimi discusses the meaning behind the term “Energetics”, compares and contrasts different traditional healing systems, and generously shares his case taking fundamentals and patient case examples which incorporate energetic concepts from traditional paradigms. Through this podcast, Dr. Jimi provides our practitioners with an insight into his upcoming webinar “Traditional Herbal Prescribing – Incorporating TCM, Ayurveda, and Western Energetics” as part of our July 2025 webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series – Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing”.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Amanda Trieger, an experienced Naturopath, Doula and Women’s Health Educator.  Amanda has a deep connection to Earth Medicine and cyclical living and in this podcast Kristin and Julianne discuss with Amanda how practitioners, and their patients, can thrive by aligning their lives and businesses with the natural rhythms of the seasons, the moon, and the menstrual cycle.  Amanda discusses the use of herbal medicine in promoting both physical and emotional balance across the seasons, and how herbal medicine can support women in different lunar phases and through different hormonal transitions.  Amanda is a passionate advocate for women’s health and wellbeing, and this podcast gives us a brief insight into her upcoming webinar “Harnessing the Rhythms Around Us: Herbal Wisdom Through Seasonal, Lunar, and Menstrual Phases” as part of our  upcoming webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series - Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing” to be held in July 2025.

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In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne follow on from last month's Part 1 of Prescribing Medicinal Mushrooms by further discussing how they individually prescribe medicinal mushrooms based on the mushroom's clinical affinities and therapeutic actions.  Kristin and Julianne differentiate the use of specific medicinal mushrooms in both cardiometabolic and nervous system/mood patient presentation, as well as provide the key clinical pictures for each of OptimalRx's eleven medicinal mushroom extracts. 

To learn more about our medicinal mushrooms and to obtain your free copy of the medicinal mushroom educational resource pack, please log into your OptimalRx account online. 

-- Available to registered practitioners only.

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In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne discuss the clinical use of medicinal mushrooms with a focus on how the individual mushrooms can be a part of a wider herbal medicine dispensary, the impact of mushroom polysaccharides on the immune system, and how their individual immune nuances lead to efficacious prescribing.

To learn more about our medicinal mushrooms and to obtain your free copy of the medicinal mushroom educational resource pack, please log into your OptimalRx account online. 

-- Available to registered practitioners only.

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 In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne delve into four unique phytomedicines, Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata), Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum), Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis), and Red Root (Ceanothus americanus). They discuss the characteristic ways in which they dispense these herbs, while also noting research insights to their clinical application.

• Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) - 00:25
• Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) - 10:50
• Red Root (Ceanothus americanus) - 21:32
• Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata) - 36:00

For more information about these phytomedicines, and to access the free educational resources, please log into your account on our website. 

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In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne delve into four unique phytomedicines, Burr Marigold (Bidens species), Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), and Kudzu (Pueraria lobata). They discuss the characteristic ways in which they dispense these herbs, while also noting research insights to their clinical application.

Timestamps:

• Burr Marigold (Bidens species) - 1:40
• Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) - 15:08
• Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) - 32:17
• Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) - 45:50

For more information about these phytomedicines, and to access the free educational resources, please log into your account on our website. 

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Kristin and Julianne speak with James Hancock, an experienced clinical Naturopath and passionate Herbalist, about the diverse mental health challenges that can occur through key life stages in the male patient.  James delves into the concept of seven-year vitality cycles and draws upon many traditional and Naturopathic concepts of vitality, resilience and adaptation.  Tapping into his extensive clinical experience as a Herbalist and Naturopath, James shares his most valued phytomedicines in support of male mental health and discusses integrative strategies to provide holistic support for this patient cohort.

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This podcast is part of a Webinar Series - Mental Health Through the Ages with OptimalRx.  To learn more click here.
 

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