Blackmores Institute

🌿 HERBAL MEDICINE WEEK || Tracey Goldsmith In celebration of NHAA Herbal Medicine Week, we asked Tracey, Naturopath and Pharmacy Education Management for Blackmores Group, to share her love of herbal medicine with us. 🟢 What herb is essential to you as a practitioner, and why? "My most essential herb in practice is ashwagandha, this is a herb I find myself reaching for time and time again for my patients. As an adaptogen, this herb has often helped me reach and uncover underlying emotional and physical causes once the nervous system has settled down. Being needed even more over the past few years, I love the immune system benefits of ashwagandha." 🟢 What herb do you wish more people knew about, and why? "I like to tell everyone who will listen what an awesome herb pelargonium is as this is another of my favourite herbs. I love this herb for sinus congestion, I have often added this in to a new patients current sinus protocol and have seen amazing things!" 🟢 What is one use for herbs that is often forgotten? "I love that herbs can be so accessible in our gardens or purchased as teas. I often suggest patients make use of the herbal teas they have on hand at home for regular use or for an acute need. I also love gardening and have many herbs growing in my garden that I use as greens in a salad or for a tea made from fresh leaves. The bonus is that gardening is also my happy place and I often share plants with others and encourage starting a little garden which can bring much joy." 🟢 Why are herbs an awesome part of a treatment protocol? "For me I see the benefits of herbs from their phytochemical properties, their energetic value and also often having great nutritive value. They are an important part of my treatment protocols." 👉 Discover our ongoing commitment and innovative approaches to herbal and natural medicine at Blackmores Institute: https://brnw.ch/21wObtY 👉 Explore and support NHAA’s Herbal Medicine Week: https://brnw.ch/21wObtX #HerbalMedicineWeek #NHAA #ComplementaryMedicine

HERBAL MEDICINE WEEK || 27 October - 3 November 🌿 It's time to celebrate all things herbal with NHAA National Herbal Medicine Week. With the buds and flowers of our incredible medicinal plants coming alive, it is the perfect time of year to highlight the vital role herbal medicine plays in the health and wellbeing of our communities. Join us this week as we celebrate by featuring a selection of our talented Naturopaths and their love for herbs. 👉 Read more about Herbal Medicine Week and how to get involved via the NHAA website: https://brnw.ch/21wO9t7 #HerbalMedicineWeek #NHAA #ComplementaryMedicine

LAVENDER || Nervous system support Clinical evidence indicates that lavender oil, either taken orally or used as aromatherapy, is effective for a range of symptoms associated with anxiety. A 2019 meta-analysis of 22 clinical trials found that lavender aromatherapy: 🟣 Relieves anxiety symptoms 🟣 Decreases systolic blood pressure 🟣 Decreases heart rate 🟣 Decreases salivary cortisol levels Lavender therapy produces a calming effect without sedation, and is safe and well-tolerated when taken orally, inhaled, or as part of massage therapy. It can be used in the treatment of a range of anxiety disorders, and for enhancing relaxation before bedtime to improve sleep. Recommended dose: 🌿 Oral: 80 mg (standardised for linalool and linalyl acetate) once daily for at least 6 weeks 🌿 Massage: 5% essential oil (diluted in carrier oil) for 10 minutes or 1% essential oil (diluted in carrier oil) for 30 minutes 👉 For a full evidence-based list of key nutrients and herbs to support nervous system health and mental wellbeing, check out Dr Lesley Braun's Mental Wellbeing book here: https://brnw.ch/21wO30b #NervousSystem #MentalHealth #Lavender #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased

SKIN CANCER || The role of vitamin B3 Despite public health measures highlighting the importance of sun protection, skin cancer prevalence continues to rise around the globe. Ultra-violet (UV) radiation increases the risk of skin cancer by damaging DNA, suppressing cutaneous antitumor immunity, and inhibiting DNA repair by depleting cellular energy. In addition to improving sun protection behaviour, a growing body of evidence indicates that supplementation with nicotinamide (vitamin B3) may play a role as a supplementary preventive measure for non-melanoma skin cancer in high-risk individuals through: ☀️ Reducing UV radiation-induced suppression of skin immune responses ☀️ Enhancing DNA repair ☀️ Modulating inflammatory cytokine production ☀️ Modulating skin barrier function ☀️ Restoring cellular energy levels following UV exposure. In a randomised controlled trial involving 386 participants who had two or more non-melanoma skin cancers in the previous five years, supplementation with 500 mg of nicotinamide (vitamin B3) twice daily: ✅ Reduced the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer by 23% at 12 months compared with placebo. ✅ Reduced the number of actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions) by 11% at three months, 14% at six months, 20% at nine months, and 13% at 12 months compared with placebo. 👉 Read the full article to learn more about the role of vitamin B3 in skin health and skin cancer prevention: https://brnw.ch/21wO0za #VitaminB3 #SkinCancer #SkinHealth #EvidenceBased #ComplementaryMedicine #PreventativeHealth #Nutrition

🔬 VITAMIN D3 || Safe and confident prescribing Complementary medicines can often be used alongside conventional drug treatments, creating a holistic approach to health. Our Complementary Medicine Interactions Guide (CMIG) equips pharmacists with the evidence-based insights needed to prescribe these medicines with confidence, knowing they can safely navigate potential interactions. Our comprehensive resource provides clear information on interaction mechanisms, evidence strength, and clinical recommendations, helping healthcare professionals make informed decisions to optimise patient care. Today we are highlighting vitamin D3, which is known for its wide range of health benefits including growth and development of bones and teeth, healthy brain function, and immune system modulation. Understanding its interaction with thiazide diuretics, where vitamin D3 can enhance drug efficacy, allows pharmacists to optimise care while ensuring patients are closely monitored for the best results. With Blackmores Institute's Complementary Medicines Interactions Guide, you have the insights to make prescribing decisions that support both safety and enhanced outcomes. 👉 Head to our CMIG online to view interactions to be aware of for vitamin D3 and access clinical recommendations to optimise safe and confident prescribing: https://brnw.ch/21wNWK8 #CMIG #ComplementaryMedicineInteractionsGuide #BlackmoresInstitute #Education #Research #EvidenceBased #ComplementaryMedicine #VitaminD #VitaminD3 #SafePrescribing #SafeCoprescribing #Coprescribing

With the continued demand for quality complementary medicine information, we're here to ensure you are well-equipped to confidently and safely work with your patients to support good health. Tailored for busy healthcare professionals, Blackmores Institute translates complex research into practical, easy-to-understand and apply, resources, and tools. Your FREE Blackmores Institute membership offers access you to our: 🔬 Complementary Medicine Interactions Guide 🔬 Natural medicines ingredient fact sheets 🔬 Conditions fact sheets 🔬 Latest research on natural, complementary, and integrative medicines 🔬 Pharmacist CPD accredited online education Join Blackmores Institute today to integrate quality, safety, and efficacy into the heart of your natural medicine recommendations. 👉 Sign up: https://brnw.ch/21wNQ8r #Research #Education #Innovation #NaturalHealth #ScienceCommunications #IntegrativeHealthcare #ComplementaryMedicine #ClinicalPractice #HealthcareInnovation #ContinuingEducation #CPDAccredited #CPD #CMIG

💪 ACTIVE INDIVIDUALS || Consider magnesium for energy, performance, recovery, and pain. We all know that regular physical activity is fundamental for health, however, experiencing fatigue, general aches and pains, or chronic pain, can significantly interfere with an individual’s ability to engage in exercise. Magnesium plays an essential role in supporting energy levels and musculoskeletal health - making it a key nutrient to support those who are active, or trying to increase their activity. Supplementation with magnesium has been found to support muscle cramps, reduce muscle soreness and improve bone mineral density. A recent study also found that the chance of experiencing chronic pain decreased by 7% for every additional milligram of magnesium consumed per kilogram of body weight. It is important to note that athletes, or people engaging in intense exercise, may have a higher demand for magnesium due to: ➡️ An increased elimination of magnesium through the sweat and urine ➡️ Increases in energy production demands with activity 👉 Learn more about the role of magnesium in supporting active individuals here: https://brnw.ch/21wNNCR #Magnesium #Musculoskeletal #Energy #Fatigue #Performance #Recovery #Pain #ChronicPain #Exercise #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased #ExerciseRecovery #MuscleCramps

DIGITAL EYESTRAIN (DE) || The supportive role of nutrients DE describes both eye and vision concerns resulting from the use of personal computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as online gaming and virtual reality gaming headsets, known as visual digital terminals. While DE has been a known health issue for over 20 years and commonly impacts gamers and office workers, there is growing concern over its increased prevalence across all occupations and age groups, given the everyday reliance on digital devices in modern life. Recent statistics on internet use show that the typical global internet user spends close to seven hours a day online, across a variety of devices. Research has shown that a combination of several nutrients can have a protective and supportive role in vision and eye health, including: ✅ Lutein & zeaxanthin: Support macula and retina health, filter blue light, relieve eye strain, support mental concentration, provide antioxidant support. ✅ Vitamin B5: Supports energy levels. ✅ Vitamin C: Provides antioxidant support for eye health. Lifestyle factors such as improved diet, sleep hygiene, frequent rest periods when undertaking intense periods of screen time, blue light blocking glasses, and lubricating eye drops should also be considered to prevent or reduce DE. 👉 To read more about DE and discover key dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support eye health, read this article: https://brnw.ch/21wNJrb #WorldSightDay #DigitalEyestrain #Nutrients #ComplementaryMedicine #EvidenceBased #Eyestrain #EyeHealth #VisionHealth

🪫 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY || Understanding burnout World Mental Health Day is an important day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. This year, the focus is on prioritising mental health in the workplace. Burnout is a result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, and presents with emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. A recent national workplace health survey reported that almost half of Australian workers are feeling burnt out and fatigued. Research by Dr Christina Maslach reveals that the six key drivers to burnout include: 1️⃣ Workload: The balance between demands and resources you have to do the job, time, tools, etc 2️⃣ Control: The amount of choice and discretion that people have in carrying out their job 3️⃣ Reward: Positive feedback and recognition 4️⃣ Community: Work relationships, trust, support and belonging 5️⃣ Fairness: The presence of impartial and ethical practices and policies. 6️⃣ Values: Purpose, meaning in what you do, accomplishments. Attending to these are key to healthy mental wellbeing in the workplace. Additionally, it is important to: ✅ Prioritise your self-care through a healthy diet, mindset, movement, and downtime. ✅ Build a healthy work life balance ✅ Discover what motivates, energises and inspires you in the workplace. 👉 Find out more about World Mental Health Day here: https://brnw.ch/21wNCwv 👉 To further understand stress, mental fatigue and burnout, and learn more key approaches to healthy stress management, check out Dr Lesley Braun's Mental Wellbeing book here: https://brnw.ch/21wNCwu Reference: https://brnw.ch/21wNCww #WorldMentalHealthDay #Anxiety #Depression #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #WHO #WorldHealthOrganisation #Burnout #Stress #Anxiety #Depression #EvidenceBased #wmhd24

🔴 VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE || Non-prescription therapies may reduce symptoms Often occurring in post-menopausal women, vestibular migraine is a type of migraine where headaches may be replaced by episodic spontaneous vertigo, nausea and vomiting, bilateral tinnitus, and susceptibility to motion sickness. Prescription pharmaceutical therapy often fails to work and carries a burden of adverse effects for many patients. Therefore, finding natural alternatives is crucial. A recent 2024 study provided preliminary evidence that non-prescription therapies can effectively reduce the frequency and severity of vestibular migraine symptoms. Over a three-month period, patients were advised to optimise sleep, hydration, exercise, and nutrition, while taking a supplement containing: ➡️ CoQ10 ➡️ Feverfew ➡️ Magnesium ➡️ Riboflavin ➡️ Vitamin B6 ➡️ Folinic acid ➡️ Vitamin B12 Providing hope for those experiencing vestibular migraines, significant decreases in the frequency and severity of vestibular migraine were identified following intervention. Supplementation was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. 👉 Read the full article to learn more about vestibular migraine and natural approaches for management: https://brnw.ch/21wNAhP #Migraine #MigraineManagement #VestibularMigraine #ComplementaryMedicine #CoQ10 #Feverfew #Magnesium #VitaminB2 #Riboflavin #VitaminB6 #FolinicAcid #VitaminB12 #EvidenceBased #NaturalMedicine