The MediHerb Podcast

• Natalie Pickering - Optimising Conception Outcomes: The Importance of Engaging Male Patients

  In this episode, we’re joined by naturopath Natalie Pickering, who sheds light on the often-overlooked role of men in the fertility journey. Natalie highlights the lack of attention paid to men’s health and sperm quality, particularly in cases where women are undergoing intensive fertility treatment without a full picture of their partner’s contribution. Natalie emphasises that men are 50% of the fertility equation, yet are frequently under-assessed and under-supported in clinical settings. She discusses why it’s essential to engage men early, conduct proper screening, and consider the significant impact of sperm health on conception, pregnancy outcomes, and the health of future generations. Listeners will also hear practical insights into how sperm health can be rapidly improved with targeted herbal, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions, and why this presents a powerful opportunity for practitioners.   Bio: Natalie has been a naturopath since 1996 and specialises in women’s health, natural fertility, and pregnancy care with qualifications in natural fertility management. She has spent over 2 decades helping women with fertility. Her expertise includes IVF support, miscarriage prevention, postpartum care and child health. She founded the Fertility Focus School and created the highly successful Create Conception fertility programme to support couples struggling to conceive. While her practice is centred on women, she also has a deep passion for working with babies and children.

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• Dr Lucy Caratti - Understanding Modern HRT in Integrative Practice

  Integrative GP Dr Lucy Caratti explores the evolution of HRT from older synthetic hormones that sparked safety concerns, to today’s bio-identical options that more closely mimic the body’s natural hormones. She addresses historical safety concerns and discusses the benefits of appropriate use to support patients experiencing significant menopausal symptoms.   She highlights the widespread, systemic impacts of menopause across cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, and urogenital systems and discusses how HRT, when prescribed thoughtfully, can play a powerful role in mitigating these effects. Concomitant use of herbs, nutrients, and lifestyle interventions for a holistic prescription are also discussed. Instagram: @drlucycaratti Check out Lucy's podcast: Goddess Era on Spotify/Apple podcasts etc.   Bio: Dr Lucy Caratti is an integrative doctor with 15 years of clinical experience specialising in women’s health, including menopause, gut health, metabolic diseases, and hormonal imbalances.   She takes a root cause approach, combining medical expertise with evidence-based integrative medicine to empower women at every life stage. Holding a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Western Australia. She’s a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, and has additional training in child health, psychology, nutrition, and mental health biochemistry.   Dr Lucy co-founded the Western Australia charity Be Giving and Expand Wellbeing, a school program for girls health, education and actively participates in initiatives supporting women’s wellness.

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• Angela Hywood - Nourishing the Nervous System: Overlooked Herbs & Tailored Blends

  In this episode, we welcome back naturopath and herbalist Angela Hywood to explore the powerful role of herbal medicine in supporting the nervous system. Angela highlights some often-overlooked herbs for nervous system health and explains how to differentiate between various types of nervous system herbs, including adaptogens, nervines, and more. She also shares expert insights on blending different herbs effectively to create complementary formulations tailored to individual needs. Whether you're looking to refine your herbal prescribing or deepen your understanding of nervous system botanicals, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. Bio: Angela Hywood is an experienced naturopathic clinician with over 26 years of clinical experience, specialising in integrative endocrinology, women’s health, fertility and pregnancy care. Angela is a well-known speaker at complementary and integrative medicine conferences in both Australia and internationally and has published articles in complementary medicine journals in Australia and USA.

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• Professor Kerry Bone - The Bowel Flora Protocol: A Deep Dive

  In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Bowel Flora Protocol with Professor Kerry Bone. From its origins to its clinical application, Professor Kerry Bone unpacks the science and strategy behind this powerful approach to restoring gut health. He explores each phase of the protocol, sharing some of his top herbal choices for optimising microbial balance and addressing dysbiosis. He provides key clinical insights on when and how to apply the protocol and touches upon biofilms. Whether you're new to the Bowel Flora Protocol or looking to refine your approach, this episode delivers expert guidance to enhance your practice.   Bio: Professor Kerry Bone. Kerry is the co-founder and innovation driver at MediHerb as the Director of Research & Development; practicing Herbalist and Naturopath with 38 years of experience; a lecturer in Australia and overseas; a prolific author with 7 published Herbal Medicine texts and over 40 scientific papers on herbal research including original research and Systematic Reviews.

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• Dr Elizabeth Steels - Pathology & Screening: Best Practices for Clinicians

  In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Steels explores the essentials of pathology testing and regular health screenings, providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge to guide their patients toward optimal testing accuracy and meaningful results. Elizabeth discusses the core set of pathology tests recommended for different age groups, key companion tests for deeper clinical insights, and the importance of regular screenings such as DEXA scans. We also dive into the practical considerations that can significantly impact test accuracy, including fasting requirements, hydration, time of collection, and other factors that practitioners should educate their patients about. Additionally, we touch on the evolving field of epigenetic testing and its potential role in preventative healthcare. Integria also has a 4 part webinar series on pathology coming up in April, for more information visit the Integria Practitioner Education Center website: https://practitioner.integria.com/upcoming-events   Bio: Elizabeth is a clinical biochemist and nutritionist with over 30 years experience in clinical practice, research, clinical trials, formulation and regulatory affairs. She runs a consulting and research clinic in New Farm, Brisbane. She is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, and has a growing team of clinical naturopaths enrolled in MPHIL and PHD students, also becoming researchers to further support natural health research. The projects vary from metabolic disease and diabetes, pain and peripheral neuropathy, GIT health, candida overgrowth, to probiotics for bone health in menopause. She is well published and often speaks at academic and industry events.

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