Garlic: A Powerful Traditional Superfood Garlic has been valued for thousands of years as both a medicinal herb and culinary ingredient and garlic odour can be an issue for some people. In traditional healing systems around the world, garlic has been used to support immunity, fight infections, and promote cardiovascular health. In naturopathic nutrition, garlic […]

Bitterness is the most sensitive of all taste sensations. While some people enjoy the sharp complexity of bitter foods, many find them unpleasant or overpowering. Common bitter foods include coffee, Swedish bitters, citrus fruits, lemon juice, and bitter greens such as rocket (arugula), kale, radicchio, endive, and chicory. In traditional naturopathic philosophy, bitterness is not […]

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) was extensively researched and outlined by Mark Pimentel, Director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. SIBO occurs when excessive bacteria—whether beneficial or pathogenic—accumulate in the small intestine. While the large intestine is designed to house billions of bacteria that help eliminate waste and support overall health, the […]

Diarrhoea is not a disease in itself — it is a message from the body. When digestion becomes disrupted, irritated or overwhelmed, the body may respond by rapidly eliminating contents of the bowel. In this way, diarrhoea can be viewed as an “alarm bell,” signalling internal imbalance. While occasional loose stools may resolve quickly, ongoing […]

A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes (herniates) upward through the diaphragm at the opening of the oesophagus. This opening, called the hiatus, normally allows food to pass into the stomach — but when weakened or strained, the upper portion of the stomach can protrude through it.For some people, a hiatus hernia […]

Finding blood in the stool (also called rectal bleeding) can be alarming. In many cases the cause is minor, such as irritation from constipation or haemorrhoids. However, rectal bleeding should always be taken seriously and investigated, especially if it persists. Bleeding usually indicates that tissue somewhere in the digestive tract has become irritated, inflamed, or […]

A white coating on the tongue is a common sign that your digestive system may not be functioning optimally. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is often seen as a reflection of dampness in the stomach and spleen or liver congestion. From a naturopathic perspective, it can also indicate Candida overgrowth, bacterial imbalance, or poor […]

Fructose intolerance, also known as fructose malabsorption, is a digestive disorder in which the small intestine has a reduced ability to absorb fructose, the natural sugar found in fruits, honey, and many processed foods. When fructose is not properly absorbed, it passes into the large intestine where it is fermented by gut bacteria. This fermentation […]

Digestive enzymes play a vital role in breaking down food into nutrients the body can absorb. When enzyme levels are low, even a perfect diet can cause bloating, reflux, fatigue, skin issues, and nutrient deficiencies. From a naturopathic perspective, supporting digestive enzymes is one of the most effective ways to improve gut function, reduce inflammation, […]

Salicylate sensitivity is an increasingly recognised driver of digestive issues, skin conditions, behavioural symptoms, and chronic inflammation. While salicylates are natural plant chemicals with many benefits, some people struggle to break them down, leading to a wide range of symptoms that often go unexplained. From a naturopathic perspective, salicylate intolerance is not just a food […]