Naturopathic Uses of Common Garden Weeds

Most of us have heard that skin is the largest organ of our body. Our skin plays a crucial role in protecting us from pathogens and the elements, helping us eliminate waste material, regulating our body temperature, and conveying messages through the sensation of touch. It is a complex organ that is affected by our inner and outer environments, and we cannot talk about skin without talking about other organ systems.

Cold weather drives humans indoors, which means we endure each other’s bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens more frequently.

When we are ill, it is expected that we may feel sad or depressed because of our physical condition.

The physical pain caused by arthritis can render many patients sedentary for fear of injury and aggravation. It can especially be limiting with regards to exercise if joints like the knees, hips, or anywhere in the spine is affected.

Let’s start with the usual clinical definition: Depression is persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.

It is the opinion of the author that vegetarians are not doomed to become protein-deficient just because they have made the switch from an omnivorous diet to a fully plant-based one. Contrary to popular belief, flesh foods are not a necessary source of protein. This is traditionally held belief, and as is the case with many such beliefs, it falls in the realm of myth, not facts.

Imagine that you are or a loved one is recently diagnosed with a medical condition; let’s say hypertension. Since you are deeply concerned, a family physician is consulted, who prescribes an antihypertensive (e.g. lisinopril) and a statin to address elevated cholesterol levels that was found on bloodwork. Some time later, during a follow up-consult with a cardiologist, you are told that a bypass surgery is recommended due to a narrowed coronary artery (blood vessel nourishing the heart).

For the past few decades, the health and medical community has recommended “moderate drinking” to the general public. However, recent scientific reports make it challenging for any reasonable doctor to continue this practice. Perhaps the time has come for the medical community to do-away with this unhelpful and unhealthful recommendation and instead champion the cause of abstinence over moderation.

Hormonal imbalance is a common problem many women face. Women are now, more than ever before, taking on more and more responsibilities—they’re caregivers, nurturers, and employed in the workforce to make ends meet.

The incidence of cancer has never been higher. We are seeing a steady increase in cases each year. It is estimated that in 2016 we saw 1.6 million new cases, with breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers topping the list. Why are more people getting cancer? A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissues. Its hard to conceptualize the numerous and varied forms of carcinogens we are exposed to daily...

As summer is finally here, I always encourage my patients, friends, and family to spend time outdoors and enjoy the weather while it lasts. Spending time outdoors and in nature has so many positive impacts on our health…

BPD is described as a pattern of instability in multiple facets of life. People with this disorder often have emotional regulation issues and difficulty tolerating distress. They engage in self-harm activities, impulsivity, and attempted suicides. They typically feel empty inside, have mood swings, and may experience dissociations or paranoia. Abandonment, whether real or perceived, is a big trigger for someone with BPD. They may react with anger, and they have difficulty tolerating these experiences.

The easiest practice for a healthcare practitioner is to simply prescribe a treatment to their patient, sit back, and hope it resolves their health issue. Studies in behaviour therapy, however, suggest that we can really stand to make a long-lasting difference if we first take the time to delve a little deeper into understanding the patient’s everyday life.
Whether it’s a recommendation for a new supplement regimen, a lifestyle or a dietary change, there is more involved in creating lasting behaviour modification than simply ...

Do you find yourself tired in the early evening? This is certainly not uncommon if you have just had an intense workout, eaten a large meal or had an exceptionally exhausting day. However, if you find that you are very tired at an unusually early hour, around 6pm or 7pm, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder known as Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS). ASPS is one of a group of sleep disorders

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, as of 2010, the diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) applied to roughly 1.4% of the Canadian population aged 12 and over. Unfortunately, because it is often poorly understood by the medical system, it also likely goes undiagnosed in many patients.

The availability of contraceptive birth control has been incredibly supportive of women’s autonomy over reproductive health. As women, we’ve been given this amazing opportunity to be in control of our bodies; whether it be for preventing an accidental pregnancy, or for obtaining relief from hormonal dysfunction.

There’s little doubt that your family physician strongly believes in “preconception health care” – that’s the care and counseling designed to help you and your partner become as healthy as you can be prior to conceiving your children.

Seasonal eating is a concept that is gaining popularity due to new revelations of how our body changes with the seasons. It is a relatively new trend based on an old practice, or more accurately, an old way of life.

Since the naturopathic approach to health and healing is different from traditional western medicine, your doctor would like you to know these five things to maximize your treatment.

A fairly common but often underrecognized condition I encounter as a naturopathic doctor is “chronic yeast infection”; something you may have heard of. It is also sometimes called Candida overgrowth syndrome (COS). This condition can manifest through a variety of mild, systemic, nonspecific symptoms, which may go unexplained and untreated for months or even years at a time for many patients.