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January 14th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Discover how ATMS Biz Club empowers natural medicine practitioners with business skills, ensuring better care and client outcomes.
Health and wellness are constantly evolving, and with that comes a growing need for more personal, holistic care. Accredited natural medicine practitioners play a pivotal role in guiding their clients towards long-term health and vitality by offering tailored, holistic therapies. Their ability to understand the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit forms the foundation of a thriving practice. But being an exceptional therapist alone isn’t enough. To truly succeed, these practitioners need to pair their therapeutic expertise with strong business acumen and entrepreneurial savvy.
Why does this matter to you, as a consumer of natural health services? Simply put, a competent business owner delivers better care. When practitioners understand how to build and sustain successful practices, they create stable environments that foster high-value, reputable services. These businesses are less likely to close abruptly, leaving patients without critical care options. They can reinvest in advanced training, high-quality equipment and improved client experiences when their operations are robust.
Yet, running a business presents challenges beyond the consultation room. Practitioners must navigate marketing, client retention, regulatory compliance, service delivery and financial stability. The balance between delivering care and managing a business can be complex. Many practitioners enter their fields with a deep passion and commitment to healing, but without sufficient business knowledge, their ability to serve clients and, indeed, to thrive themselves may be compromised.
Recognising this gap, the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) has introduced the ATMS Biz Club, designed to transform our members into exceptional business owners. For natural medicine practitioners, the ATMS Biz Club offers a unique pathway to mastery in both practice and business.
What is the ATMS Biz Club?
This structured program is built around a year-long journey, guiding practitioners through 24 topics divided into four quarters: Practice Building, Marketing Success, Client Growth and Operational Excellence. The program’s holistic approach mirrors the natural medicine philosophy — addressing the whole practitioner to cultivate resilience, adaptability and sustainable growth.
Through a blend of educational webinars, interactive discussions and practical exercises, participants can explore essential topics such as creating efficient systems, increasing visibility and attracting loyal clients. Each quarter builds on the last, providing actionable insights that practitioners can implement immediately, regardless of whether they’re new to business ownership or seasoned professionals seeking growth.
Why competence matters to you as a consumer
What does this mean for you, as someone seeking natural medicine services? Imagine walking into a clinic where the accredited practitioner not only understands the intricacies of herbal medicine or acupuncture but also knows how to communicate effectively, set appropriate pricing and maintain
a positive, supportive environment. When practitioners are empowered with business skills, they can operate with greater confidence and clarity, making your health journey smoother and more enriching.
A practitioner with a thriving practice has more time and resources to devote to patient care. This can mean better appointment availability, access to high-quality facilities and greater innovation in treatment offerings. Competent business owners are more likely to collaborate with other professionals, offering you integrative approaches tailored to your needs.
The path to greater wellness and growth
By strengthening business capabilities, practitioners can offer more stable, reliable and innovative services to the communities they serve. This creates ripple effects that benefit consumers, as they gain access to a broader range of options and consistent care. Well-run practices foster environments where practitioners can deepen their expertise, adopt cutting-edge therapies and enhance client relationships.
A commitment to excellence
ATMS is committed to supporting practitioners as they elevate their businesses and, by extension, the entire natural medicine community. Membership to the ATMS Biz Club signals a dedication to continuous improvement, as members stay informed about evolving industry trends and consumer needs. For consumers, this translates into assurance that you are working with professionals who are deeply invested in your health and wellbeing — and in their own professional growth.
Whether you’re a practitioner looking to expand your business acumen or a consumer seeking the highest standard of care, the ATMS Biz Club underscores our collective goal: to create a thriving and resilient natural medicine community.
To learn more about how ATMS supports practitioners and helps them build successful, consumer-focused businesses, visit atms.com.au/biz-club
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Building a thriving practice
by | | Curated Content
January 14th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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2025 is the Dreamtime year of the Platypus and is cosmically influenced by the constellation of Ursa Minor. The Stars, Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid, will all display an equal share of energy and spiritual guidance as they influence the importance of transforming major changes this year by clearing away everything that is not relevant or necessary in the Platypus life cycle.
Expect this year to be a time of significant endings, transitions and completions of the way you and other people think, work and live. The Platypus year will influence major modifications in immigration policies, the clean-up of displaced people in struggling war-torn countries, modernistic geopolitical trade regulations, and tariff changes with new global economic, banking and investment strategies. Freshly elected governments and politicians will influence the end of the present downward economic trends of businesses, finances, jobs, directions, and overall security obstructed by negative unions and corruption.
Expect major legislation changes within the political and legal system, tougher bail laws for offenders of crime, particularly those acts intended to cause injury, drug and or public order offences.
Global security will be a major issue throughout 2025, with an escalation against international espionage, banking and computer fraud, investment scams, child molestation, illegal transportation of migrants, organised crime, drug trafficking and government corruption.
With the year of the Platypus, care should be taken with all types of health matters. The pressure on hospitals and the medical system will increase twofold. One should not let lingering health issues continue — contact your medical practitioner and have your yearly thorough check-up. This is a year to pay fitting attention to your body due to much emotion and exhaustion accompanying your daily routine. Join a health and beauty class, participate in swimming, exercise programs, meditation, yoga, or spiritual enhancement activity. Exercise and keeping your body in good shape is recommended in the year of the Platypus to help alleviate the daily pressures of stress, depression and fatigue. Gymnasium subscriptions usually increase during the year of the Platypus as people endeavour to beat the stress created by daily routine and added personal and family responsibility.
Due to continuous high costs of living, many will experience increased mental hardship through employment responsibilities, handling personal relationships, finances, real estate and family security. Unfortunately, during the year of the Platypus, many permanent relationships or marriages tend to undergo a major change of direction through unexpected situations, and in many cases unsatisfactory relationships dissolve, creating difficulties with family settlements.
The pressure periods in the year of the Platypus usually appear during the months of January, February, May, August, September and December. During these months expect intense political issues, weather disruptions globally, with heavy snow falls, thunderstorms, extensive flooding, wildfires, seismic activity, travel hazards, cancellations, demonstrations, strikes, transport service difficulties, emergency accidents, hospital and health delays, problems with age care and community services, mental health issues and employment.
During January-April, many will consider a change in business or career, either selling up and moving on, or entertaining the idea of resigning this year from a long-standing career and retiring. Real estate will show an upsurge in sales as people decide to downsize, relocate, or sell investment properties and recoup profits. Property sales and finances will show signs of an upsurge and bank interest rates should also show an easing in interest rates during the months of June and November.
The year of the Platypus is a year of warning; be extra careful with excessive spending, gambling, or purchasing anything big and expensive. This is a year you may purchase a “lemon” as faults are common during this year, especially with the purchase of motor vehicles. Better to consider the fixing of the old and leaving the new for next year.
Careers and professions that do well in the year of the Platypus include: government, trade delegations, legal profession, trades, builders and painting contractors, hotels, resorts, travel industry, transport drivers, cafes, restaurants, cooks, bakers, butchers, mechanics, hospital and medical, teaching, librarian, linguist, columnist, hairdresser, buyers, couriers, secretaries, railroad workers, taxi driver, childcare, advertising, sales assistant, musicians, actors, playwriters, professional sports people, agriculturist, wine makers, farmers, fishing industry, veterinarians.
The year of the Platypus is excellent for those who are commencing or finishing higher or specialised education. Success is guaranteed for most. If you are considering writing a manuscript or book of your choice, you could not pick a better year to begin as you will find your mind is extremely creative. Hobbies may also interest you this year, and you may surprise yourself how talented you can be. Remember, the year of the Platypus, is a year to be yourself and let go of everything you do not need in your life. As the year progresses, you will find each month builds a stronger determination within yourself to handle any issue you may have to face. Success is yours for the taking, providing you keep up a positive attitude.
Article featured in WellBeing Predictions Almanac #10 2025
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The Year of the Platypus
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January 13th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Pomegranates have a long, varied, mythological and multicultural history. They are fruit-bearing deciduous shrubs in the Lythraceae family, grow in semiarid climates, are drought tolerant and can tolerate moderate frosts. Pomegranates are thought to have originated in Northern India, Afghanistan and Iran before spreading to Asia, Africa and Europe. They have been cultivated throughout the Middle East, India and Mediterranean for millennia, being domesticated since the fifth millennium BC. There has been long debate by historians whether the pomegranate or the date palm are the original “tree of life”.
Pomegranates were cultivated in Egypt before the time of Moses and possibly the fi rst fruit ever cultivated by humans in Asia Minor. Pomegranate’s name is derived from the medieval Latin pomum or “apple” and granatum “seeded”. Granatum also means “of a dark red colour” – describing the pulp. The modern French term for pomegranate – grenade – has given its name to the military grenade.
Pomegranate’s name is derived from the medieval Latin pomum or “apple” and granatum “seeded”. Granatum also means “of a dark red colour” – describing the pulp. The modern French term for pomegranate – grenade – has given its name to the military grenade.
Throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, the pomegranate was highly revered. In Egypt, being the symbol of prosperity and ambition and in Ancient Greece, it is believed to have sprung from the blood of Adonis and was the food of Persephone in the underworld.
Today the symbolism of the pomegranate is incorporated in all major religions with its ancient and modern meanings encompassing symbols of life, health, prosperity, longevity, femininity, fertility, knowledge, morality and immortality, spirituality, death and resurrection, science and medicine and paradise.
Parts Used
Seeds, peel/rind, juice. Ayurvedic medicine also uses flowers and the root bark. The roots are rich sources of alkaloids. Pomegranate skins are used to dye wool and silk in textile and carpet industries.
Active Ingredients
Pomegranate seeds contain 78 per cent water, 19 per cent carbohydrates, two per cent protein and one per cent fat. A serving of 100g provides 12 per cent of the RDA for vitamin C, 16 per cent vitamin K and 10 per cent folate, with a range of vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper and zinc. They are a source of dietary fi bre (20 per cent RDA).
The phytochemicals in pomegranate seeds and rind include polyphenols, anthocyanidins and catechins, with a higher phenolic content in the peel. The seed oils contain punicic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids.
Therapeutic Uses
Traditionally, pomegranate was used to treat tapeworms and infections (Ebers Papyrus 1500 BC) and in ancient Ayurvedic medicine was considered “a pharmacy unto itself” being used as an antiparasitic, a blood tonic, and to heal aphthous ulcers, diarrhoea and stomach ulcers.
Gastrointestinal: Pomegranate has shown positive effects in the prevention and treatment of gut disorders, enhancing gut barrier function, repairing gut lining and reducing infl ammation.
Cardiovascular: Research into the cardioprotective effects of pomegranate have shown promise in improving various parameters. In a study, 100 patients with ischaemic heart disease were given pomegranate juice daily for five days of hospitalisation. During this time, those taking the pomegranate juice experienced a reduction in the intensity, occurrence and duration of angina accompanied by lowered serum troponin levels.
Diabetes and obesity: Research has shown that fresh pomegranate juice (daily), can significantly improve type 2 diabetes. In a study, where 85 participants with type 2 diabetes were given pomegranate juice, after just one dose, within three hours, insulin resistance improved, cell function was enhanced, serum fasting glucose decreased and intestinal glucose uptake was inhibited. Pomegranate juice also has a beneficial effect on body weight and BMI in adults.
Inflammation and infection: Research has shown pomegranate to have significant anti-inflammatory activity – largely through the COX- 2 pathways and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as well as reducing CRP (C-Reactive protein) levels in both men and women. Pomegranate has potent antimicrobial and parasitical activity – in the juice and particularly in the rind. Antimicrobial assays have shown the effect to be concentration dependent, with a high potency against gram-positive more than gram-negative bacteria and can reduce biofilm formation.
Antioxidant: Studies have shown that pomegranate juice has anti-ageing activity, with higher levels of antioxidants than apple juice, and confers greater benefi t in the elderly in improving their antioxidant levels. The antioxidant levels of pomegranate juice have been shown to be greater than red wine or green tea with the peel having even higher levels.
Musculoskeletal: Pomegranate has shown to be beneficial for treating bone loss in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Neurological: With pomegranate’s ability to suppress the PGE2 and COX-2 pathways of inflammation in neuronal cells, research has shown its potential for preventing the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and reducing the risk of neurodegeneration.
Cautions
Drinking pomegranate juice regularly can erode tooth enamel (equivalent to cola) so rinse your mouth after drinking. Pomegranate can also potentially interact with blood-intestinal glucose uptake was inhibited thinning medications particularly warfarin.
Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 213
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Pomegranates
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January 13th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Discover holistic strategies for overcoming addiction, including diet, supplements, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes.
A 45-year-old man came to see me as he felt his life had been getting out of control. He had a long history of various addictions — in his teens and 20s to smoking (which he stopped after great effort), then found he was drinking excess alcohol too frequently, which he was trying to manage. In the last few months, he had started using cocaine and was now craving this drug to a point where he felt it was controlling his life.
Addiction is defined as a chronic illness that affects the brain’s reward, motivation and memory functions, whereby the person craves a substance (or a behavioural habit) so intensely that they will ignore other areas of their life. They experience decreased socialisation, ignoring commitments, relationships and risk factors despite potential consequences. They experience physical effects such as withdrawal symptoms, needing increasing doses for the same effect. General signs are lack of control or the inability to stay away from a substance While a healthy person can usually identify the problem and stop doing it, someone with an addiction loses this insight, and instead fi nds ways to justify and, therefore, continue the behaviour.
This man recognised he had a problem — the first major step – and was desperate to manage it. But was finding this too difficult without help. Recognising the problem indicates that, with time and effort, there is a good chance of overcoming it (research says up to 90 per cent). There are two major areas to consider – the internal recognition of a problem and seeking counselling support for behavioural change.
The dietary recommendations centered around an organic wholefood diet (to reduce further chemical intake), with regular amounts of adequate proteins such as fish, lamb, grass-fed beef, organic chicken and biodynamic eggs. As neurotransmitters are largely made from the amino acids (protein – plus various specific nutrients as cofactors), these are important components of the diet. He wasn’t interested in vegan diets (and he was type O blood), so this wasn’t a problem for him. Along with these foods, focus was on the components that support the specific neurotransmitters involved in addiction (dopamine, glutamine, GABA and serotonin). These are foods containing tyrosine (support dopamine) including bananas, almonds, sunfl ower seeds and soybeans (along with the animal proteins).
Foods rich in L-glutamine (help reduce sugar cravings) such as dark green leafy vegetables — kale, spinach, parsley, red cabbage, brassicas (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage), beets and papaya were recommended in substantial servings (with the proteins), as well as prebiotic foods such as onions, garlic and asparagus to improve gut microbiome balance.
Foods that boost levels of GABA (calmness and relaxation) include kefi r, fi sh, prawns, cocoa, citrus fruit, berries, broccoli, spinach and tomatoes. Foods that contain tryptophan (raising levels of the happy hormone serotonin) include cheese, peanuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds, animal and fi sh proteins, beans and lentils.
A main issue was obtaining healthier (organic) sources of food, so it was recommended he shop at farmer’s markets when he could.
Sugar was to be avoided (often a problem when recovering from addiction particularly), although three servings of low GI fruit (berries) was allowed per day.
To encourage the detoxification process, blueberries, strawberries, leeks, onions and artichokes all have excellent antioxidants and help with the detox process.
Supplements were a crucial component of detoxification. A critical nutrient to manage addiction, improve brain function and detox the liver is N-acetyl cysteine — 1200 mg per day. This needed to be taken with vitamin C to maximise effectiveness.
Cofactors for the neurotransmitters were essential, these being – L-theanine, magnesium and B6 (dopamine and GABA); vitamins D, B3, B6, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, magnesium (dopamine and serotonin); dopamine also requires B5; for GABA also glutamine and taurine; and for serotonin — tryptophan, zinc and B12.
Drinking organic green tea was recommended and ensuring water was filtered before consuming – necessary to maintain zinc levels. Green tea has multiple beneficial effects on brain neurotransmitters (the theanine component gently boosting GABA, serotonin and dopamine) and its high antioxidants supports liver and body health.
Herbally, St John’s wort was recommended (he was not taking pharmaceuticals so there was no risk of interactions), as this raises both serotonin and dopamine in the brain and improves mood. A herb mix of St Mary’s thistle (to improve liver function), lemon balm, magnolia bark and ashwagandha for calming and to help with sleep, as well as ginkgo was also recommended.
A daily exercise program was instigated. Regular exercise has multiple health impacts, improves blood sugar and brain function and reduces cravings.
Over the next few months, he steadily improved (despite one small setback when he was very stressed). However, he resumed the program, recovered from the setback, was fi nding the changes to be increasingly manageable and was greatly enjoying his newfound sense of wellness and control over his life.
Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 213
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Supporting Addiction
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January 13th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Explore the benefits of western herbs like chamomile, marshmallow, milk thistle, bilberry, and withania for humans and pets.
At work, we keep our herbs in a dispensary. It’s a passageway with timber shelves along both sides. There are rows of bottles of herbal tinctures, pots of herbal tablets and supplements and containers of single Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs. The TCM formulae are arranged on the opposite wall.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile comes from the dried flower heads of the daisy plant. Traditional uses include a soothing tea for diarrhoea, as an eyewash, to treat urinary infections and as an antimicrobial. Research shows that a polysaccharide derived from chamomile has sedative and anxiolytic-like effects.
I use chamomile for dogs with anxiety, poor sleep and for IBD, especially if symptoms include gut spasms. Chamomile tea is a handy eyewash for allergic conjunctivitis. Chamomile porridge was introduced to me by a colleague. It consists of chamomile tea-soaked oats, flavoured with bone broth, to help dogs relax at night. For myself, I find chamomile tea relaxing, especially at night, and it helps me sleep. It also relieves cramps associated with IBS.
Marshmallow (Althaea Off Incinalis)
The fleshy part of the root is picked in early spring or summer for its mucilage. Traditionally, this is used for diseases of the mucous tissues, including cystitis, bronchitis, gastroenteritis and sore throats. The leaf may also be used for respiratory and urinary conditions. I use marshmallow to treat cough and dry throats. The glycetract form is sweet, so most dogs and cats tolerate this given by mouth with a little warm water and honey. I myself take it mixed with warm water to relieve the discomfort of gastroesophageal reflux. Marshmallow may reduce the absorption of medications, which is important for drugs with a narrow therapeutic range, eg phenobarbitone for seizures. Numerous studies have verifi ed its effectiveness in treating dry cough. When combined with ginger, fennel and liquorice, it helps alleviate many types of cough.
Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum)
Milk thistle is probably the most commonly prescribed herb in our practice. The name “milk thistle” refers to the white “milk-stained” appearance of its leaf. Milk thistle seed has traditional use for liver melancholy, splenic, hepatic and renal congestion, sallow face, poor appetite and nervous irritability.
Milk thistle provides protective benefits for the liver and kidneys. Additionally, it offers general antioxidant and anti-infl ammatory effects and may aid in healing kidney tissue after injury.
We use it for both acute and chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease and as part of a cancer support regimen. I also recommend milk thistle for five days after any strong tick or flea preventer, and for five days before and after surgery as antioxidant support. We use it in various forms, including an alcohol tincture (often combined with other herbs), a glycerite, whole seed powder or extract tablets.
Bilberry (Vaccinum Myrtillus)
The genus Vaccinum also includes cranberries and blueberries. The fruit is used and sometimes the leaves. In the Middle Ages, bilberry was used to treat coughs, scurvy, bladder stones and tuberculosis. During World War II, pilots used it to enhance their night vision In veterinary medicine, it is used as antioxidant support for dogs with glaucoma, periodontitis and gingivitis. lt’s used as an antioxidant for cardiovascular disease, diarrhoea, urinary tract infections and diabetes, and as general support for geriatric patients. Bilberry treats have been used in equine medicine for brood mares, to reduce cervical varicose veins and their potential bleeding during foaling.
Evidence indicates that it slows the progression of haemangioma and haemangiosarcoma in humans. Since these cancers are also found in dogs, we incorporate it into our cancer treatment regimen for them. I use the alcohol tincture, often combined with other herbs. Many dogs don’t like the taste, so we add some just-boiled water and allow it to cool before mixing in food. Bilberry can also be given as a standardised tablet extract, and fresh bilberries can be added to the diet.
Withania (Withania somnifera/ashwagandha)
Traditionally, ashwagandha is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac and rejuvenating tonic. The root, leaf and whole plant is used. It promotes physical and mental health, improves immunity, reduces stress and treats chronic debilitation.
Research demonstrates its multiple benefits, including neuroprotective, sedative, adaptogenic, benefits for sleep, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and
anti-diabetic properties. Withania has traditional veterinary uses to promote milk flow in cattle, treat cough, dropsy (an old word that means swelling of soft tissue due to accumulation of water-oedema) and snakebite.
Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 213
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Five essential western herbs
