Robyn Carruthers - Starting a Career in Herbal Medicine In New Zealand

Robert McGowan - Traditional Maori Medicine and The Tiwaiwaka Principles

In this fascinating episode, I sit down with Robert McGowan, one of New Zealand's leading authorities on traditional Māori medicine (Rongoā Māori), to explore the ancient healing wisdom that has sustained Māori communities for generations. Robert shares his personal journey into the world of Rongoā Māori and explains the deeper philosophy that underpins traditional healing practices. We discuss the concept of the Tīwaiwaka, the intricate relationships that exist within the natural world, and how human health is inseparable from the health of the forests, waterways, and ecosystems that surround us. This conversation goes far beyond herbal medicine. It explores a way of viewing health that recognises our connection to the land, the plants, our ancestors, and the wider web of life. In this episode, we explore: • Robert McGowan's journey into traditional Māori medicine and healing • The principles of the Tīwaiwaka and how they relate to human health • Why the health of the bush reflects the health of the people • The importance of seeing ourselves as part of an ecosystem rather than separate from nature • The holistic Māori view of physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental wellbeing • Several important native medicinal plants and their traditional uses • What modern society can learn from indigenous approaches to healing and wellness • How reconnecting with nature may be one of the most powerful medicines available today Whether you're interested in herbal medicine, indigenous knowledge, holistic health, ecology, or New Zealand's unique healing traditions, this conversation offers valuable insights into a worldview that is as relevant today as ever. As we face growing challenges to both human and environmental health, perhaps the wisdom of the Tīwaiwaka reminds us that healing begins when we remember that we are not separate from nature—we are part of it. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470853/support]

Obesogens – What Are They, And Do How These Hidden Chemicals Drive Weight Gain & Metabolic Disease

In this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked drivers of obesity, obesogens, environmental chemicals that quietly interfere with your metabolism, hormones, and fat storage. For decades, we’ve been told weight gain is simply about calories in vs calories out… but what if there’s another layer to the story? Emerging research now shows that certain chemicals found in food, plastics, and everyday products can reprogram the body’s metabolism, making it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it, regardless of diet or exercise. This episode connects the dots between modern chemical exposure, ultra-processed living, and the growing epidemic of metabolic disease, and most importantly, what you can do about it. Read the full article https://www.brettelliott.com/obesogens-toxins-linked-to-obesity/ Toxin Calculator Here  https://www.brettelliott.com/toxin-calculator/ Liver Health Quiz here https://www.brettelliott.com/liver-health-assessment-quiz/ In this episode, you’ll discover: • What obesogens are and how they act as endocrine disruptors • Why weight gain is not just about willpower, but biochemical interference • How these chemicals increase fat storage, alter metabolism, and disrupt appetite signals • The connection between obesogens and the brain, liver, pancreas, and gut • Why exposure in early life (even in the womb) can shape lifelong weight patterns • Common sources of obesogens in everyday life—plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, and more • Key examples including BPA, phthalates, and industrial chemicals linked to metabolic disruption • Why reducing toxic load through clean food, lifestyle changes, and herbal detoxification matters • This episode is for you if you: • Feel like you’re doing “everything right” but still struggle with weight • Want to understand the deeper causes of metabolic dysfunction • Are looking for natural strategies to support detoxification and balance • Believe true healing comes from addressing root causes, not just symptoms The body is not broken… It is responding intelligently to the environment it’s placed in. And when we begin to remove the interference,  the body often remembers how to heal. #Obesogens #WeightLossScience #MetabolicHealth #EndocrineDisruptors #DetoxYourBody #HerbalMedicine #CleanLiving #ToxicLoad #GutHealth #HormoneBalance #NaturalHealth #ChronicDisease #HolisticHealing #BrettElliott #SecretsOfHerbalHealing Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470853/support]

Robyn Carruthers - Starting a Career in Herbal Medicine In New Zealand

In this episode, I sit down with Robyn Carruthers, Chief Executive of the South Pacific College of Natural Medicine, a pioneering institution shaping the next generation of naturopaths and medical herbalists here in New Zealand. Robyn’s journey into natural medicine began with a deep curiosity about holistic health, eventually leading her into clinical practice, teaching, and now leadership in education. Today, she plays a vital role in guiding students into meaningful careers rooted in the healing power of nature. In this episode, we explore: • What makes the South Pacific College of Natural Medicine unique in New Zealand • The structure and depth of the degree qualification in naturopathy and herbal medicine • What students actually learn, from herbal medicine and nutrition to anatomy and clinical practice • The wide range of career pathways available after graduation, from private practice to product creation • The challenges facing herbal medicine in NZ, including recognition and integration into the healthcare system • Why there is a growing need for qualified practitioners to educate and guide the public • How studying natural medicine can transform not just your career, but your entire perspective on health This episode is for you if you: • Feel drawn toward a career in herbal medicine or naturopathy • Want to turn your passion for health into something meaningful • Are exploring study options in natural medicine in New Zealand • Believe in empowering others through education and holistic healing There’s a quiet shift happening in healthcare… A return to nature, to wisdom, to understanding the body as an interconnected system. And perhaps the question is… Are you being called to be part of that movement? Learn more about Robyn Carruthers → https://www.spcnm.ac.nz/robyn-carruthers/ Explore courses at the College → https://www.spcnm.ac.nz/ Learn more about Herbal Medicine  → https://www.brettelliott.com/what-is-herbal-medicine-and-how-does-it-work/ Subscribe for more conversations on herbal medicine, detoxification, and natural healing. #HerbalMedicine #Naturopathy #NaturalHealth #HolisticHealing #CareerInHealth #MedicalHerbalist #SPCNM #NewZealandHealth #WellnessEducation #PlantMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #HealingJourney #Detox #BrettElliott #SecretsOfHerbalHealing Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470853/support]

Fatty Liver Disease – The Hidden Epidemic & How to Reverse It Naturally with Healing Food and Medicinal Herbs

In this episode, we uncover one of the most overlooked health crises of our time, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A silent condition now affecting up to 1 in 3 people globally. See Full Article Post Here  https://www.brettelliott.com/fatty-liver-disease-and-metabolic-syndrome/ I walk you through the real causes, the science behind its progression, and most importantly, how you can begin to reverse it naturally through diet, lifestyle, and targeted herbal detoxification. This isn’t just about the liver… it’s about the entire metabolic system, the gut-liver axis, and how modern living is quietly pushing the body into dysfunction. In this episode, you’ll discover: • What fatty liver disease really is, and why it’s strongly linked to metabolic syndrome • The 4 stages of liver damage, from simple fat buildup to cirrhosis •  How the gut-liver axis and “leaky gut” drive inflammation and fat accumulation • The “multiple-hit” theory & why fatty liver is more complex than we once thought • The most effective dietary strategy (Mediterranean-style eating) to reduce liver fat • Key foods like beetroot, leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables for liver repair • The most powerful liver-supporting herbs, including:  • Milk Thistle (hepatoprotection & regeneration)  • Dandelion (detoxification & bile flow)  • Bupleurum (gut-liver axis support)  • Globe Artichoke (fat metabolism & liver function) • How structured detox programs like BodiClenz and LiverClenz support deep liver repair • Why fatty liver is reversible, and how to break the cycle naturally This episode is for you if you: • Feel constantly tired or foggy • Have high cholesterol or blood sugar issues • Struggle with weight gain or metabolic health • Want to understand how to truly detox and heal your liver #FattyLiver #NAFLD #LiverHealth #DetoxYourLiver #HerbalMedicine #MilkThistle #GutLiverAxis #MetabolicHealth #CleanEating #BodiClenz #LiverDetox #NaturalHealing #ChronicDisease #Inflammation #HolisticHealth #BrettElliott Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470853/support]

Cortisol Belly Fat: 7 Natural Ways to Reduce Stress Hormones & Slim Your Waist Using Herbs, Food and The Power Of Your Mind

Cortisol Belly Fat: 7 Natural Ways to Reduce Stress Hormones & Slim Your Waist! Discover how chronic stress is secretly packing on stubborn belly fat through elevated cortisol and HPA axis dysregulation. In this in-depth guide, Brett Elliott reveals 7 natural, science-backed ways to lower stress hormones, reset your metabolism, and slim your waist, using powerful herbal detox, adaptogens, plant-based nutrition, and simple body-mind techniques. Get started here: https://www.brettelliott.com/cortisol-belly-fat-7-natural-ways-to-reduce-stress-hormones-slim-your-waist/ Way 1: Kickstart with herbal detox to clear toxins and lighten liver load Way 2: Balance hormones with proven adaptogens (Maca, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Schisandra) Way 3: Boost brain health and mood with Lion's Mane Way 4: Soothe daily with calming herbal teas (chamomile, licorice root) Way 5: Nourish with leafy greens and cruciferous veggies for magnesium and detox support Way 6: Stabilize energy and fight oxidation with berries, fermented foods & complex carbs Way 7: Activate calm with body-mind techniques, healthy fats, and deep breathing My step-by-step 4-week cortisol reset protocol (intensive detox + maintenance phase) Daily meal examples, tracking tips, and realistic expectations for reduced bloating, better energy, and visible waist slimming Ready to reclaim your calm and lean body naturally? #CortisolBellyFat #ReduceCortisolNaturally #StressWeightLoss #AdrenalHealth #MenopauseWeightLoss #NaturalDetox #Adaptogens #Ashwagandha #Rhodiola #HerbalDetox #BrettElliott #HPAaxis #GutBrainAxis #MidlifeHealth #StressRelief #BellyFatSolutions #PlantBasedHealing #Adaptonz Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470853/support]