Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Did you know that 3 Kind Acts each day improved Mental Health in prisoners more than Gratitude in a research study? The prisoners assigned to provide 3 Kind Deeds per day experienced BETTER mental well-being than those in the gratitude and control groups. With gratitude of course being beneficial over nothing.
Kindness is Queen!
During these frustrating times, I challenge everyone to commit 3 Kind Acts each day for their own mental health. It is good for you and it is good for the recipient! Many people need to be the recipients of these random acts of kindness right now. Many of my patients that are Seniors, Moms, and Public Servants are especially struggling with their mental health and need your Kind Acts!
When I stumbled upon this research study, I immediately thought of my Grandma Marie seen in the picture washing dishes. As someone that has always struggled with anxiety and depression, I would often stay the weekend with my Grandma and study her like a science project trying to figure out what her secret was. How was she always so happy? How was she a widow and not depressed?
Grandma was very busy committing MUCH MORE than 3 Kind Acts per day!
Mystery solved.
While everyone else socialized at a holiday party, my Grandma washed dishes and took care of everyone. Even if it wasn’t her house! After retiring from her career at Tacoma General Hospital as an RN, she still continued to take care of everyone. She took care of many people in her neighborhood and church. Nobody told her to do this she was just always very busy doing kind things for people. Grandma Marie was completely selfless, and one of the happiest people that I will ever have the privilege to know!
Even while depressed, oppressed, or inconvenienced, we still have choices. We can choose kindness and kind deeds over rage and anger. Instead of lashing out at difficult people, what if we choose instead to surprise them with some serious kindness that maybe they don’t even deserve?
If you need my help with your mental health or more information about how Naturopathy works for Mental Health check out my latest blog “Holistic Psychiatry: Vitamins, Hormones & Neurotransmitters” to learn more.
If you know that you need my help then it is time to gift yourself a kind act in the form of a Naturopathic Visit and pop on over to my SCHEDULE page. For those of us that are caregivers, we may need to put ourselves on the list of people that need and deserve Kind Acts... and invest in a Naturopathic program to support our mental health from a Mind-Body-Spirit perspective! We will use Old Fashioned Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy, and Modern Labs via your insurance to improve your mood and chronic disease. Naturopathy is truly amazing for mental health patients! Usually, after my patients discover what their weak spots are it is just a matter of continuing their herbs, hormones, and supplements.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
www.ScottsdaleNaturopathic.com
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones, she presents to women the best-integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Reference:
Yang Y, Zhao H, Aidi M, Kou Y. Three good deeds and three blessings: The kindness and gratitude interventions with Chinese prisoners. Crim Behav Ment Health. 2018 Oct;28(5):433-441. doi: 10.1002/cbm.2085. Epub 2018 Jul 27. PMID: 30051934.
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
Stomach Flu....There is really nothing wore than getting a bad stomach flu.
I have seen a very bad stomach flu has been going around lately with my patients. I had it a few months ago when school started back up and I know just how bad this stomach flu is so please be gentle with yourself and give yourself at least a week to recover.
I can think of many illnesses I would rather have than being cursed with miserable diarrhea and vomiting caused by the stomach flu. If you are my patient and have the stomach flu I have made this article FREE just for YOU so that I do not have to have anyone sick coming into my Women's Health and Hormone practice. Please stay home with your germs and enjoy the "Free Office Call" I have taken the time to put together for your own self help treatments at home for the stomach flu, acute diarrhea and vomiting below....
The stomach flu is typically gastroenteritis caused by a virus or bacteria spread from person to person, or infected water or food.
The unfortunate symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea should resolve within 72 hours of onset.
If symptoms persist, if they are accompanied by abdominal pain, bleeding, high fever, or extreme symptoms a doctor’s visit would be necessary. If you are not able to keep any fluids down for more than 48-72 hours then you are becoming dehydrated and need to go to the ER for an IV. Likewise, if your temperature goes above 104 F you also should go to the ER!
Otherwise, there is not much your doctor can do for you other than make sure that you are not dehydrated. It is best if you just stay home to prevent infecting the rest of the world with the stomach flu.
If you are experiencing diarrhea in this 72 hour period, you are best off not to suppress diarrhea with over the counter medicines (unless of course it is your wedding or there is some VERY special event going on). The body is simply trying to flush out the “bad guys" so you WANT the virus causing your sickness out. If your symptoms persist longer than 3 days or are extremely severe you may have a bacterial infection causing the stomach flu or food poisoning, these are much less common and less likely but then should go to the ER or Urgent Care to get antibiotics and a stool culture test so the doctor knows what you are sick with and can prescribe the correct antibiotic.
So as long as you are not getting dehydrated or experiencing any blood in your stools allowing the diarrhea to run (no pun intended) it’s course while supporting your body is the fastest way to recover from the stomach flu.
Remember the body is inherently wise and will give you a free detox if you have not taken the time to properly detox your body!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
By Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
"How Do You Make Elderberry Syrup?" ~Holly Scottsdale, Arizona
Elderberry Syrup is easy to make, delicious, and makes for great gift bags to pass out around the holidays!
I have been passing out my pre-mixed Elderberry Gift Bags to all my patients to keep on hand for the second they feel that tickle of sickness in their throats and been hearing amazing feedback as to how well it works and even more important…how much better this works than a premade store bought elderberry syrup! Hooray, of course homemade is better.
Please keep your pretty elderberry bags in a dark cupboard and out of the window or they will lose potency in bright sunlight. These are great if you are fighting "The Virus" or any virus really!
The best part is you can invest $20-$50 in the bulk ingredients and then keep these Naturopathic bags on hand in your cupboard and they will be waiting for you when you need them. I would estimate one bag per 1-2 days per adult in your household. You can also check out my blog about more Immune Boosting Foods and Herbs in your Spice Rack in case you are stuck at home sick and need to rely on herbs and spices!
Elderberry Syrup Gift Bags:
1 Cup Elderberries
¼ Cup Licorice Root
½ Cup Ginger
6 Cinnamon Sticks
6 Star Anise
12 Cloves
Add 4 cups of water to the contents of the Elderberry Syrup bag. Then bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer for 45 minutes. Let cool. Add 1/2 cup Manuka Honey (Optional) or 8-10 packets of Stevia before straining. Remove the cinnamon sticks and Star Anise so you can press the elderberries through your strainer the best you can as the medicine is in the dark pigments from the elderberries or the “Proanthocyanidins,” so make sure you are getting as much of that benefit as possible.
If you are making these bags for someone on cardiac medications, high blood pressure, or a blood thinner, you cannot use the ginger, or licorice, and should substitute those out with Echinacea Root or Thyme. Thyme is an amazing antiviral, as I discuss on my Naturopathic Favorite Things Blog, and has shown the best evidence thus far via research against “The Virus.” Patients with heart conditions or on medications should always work with their own Naturopathic Doctor before starting any new herbal medicines!
Adults: Drink ¼ cup of Elderberry Syrup every 2-3 hours diluted in hot water or tea at the immediate onset of illness.
Studies show that herbal medicine works the best at the IMMEDIATE ONSET of your illness so make sure you are making this and starting the rest of the immune support regime I use the second you feel that funny tickle in your throat. “Treat the Tickle!”
Children: Check with your Naturopathic Doctor on dosing Elderberry Syrup based on weight and age. This is generally safe for children though, and my own daughter says it is "Delicious!"
Always buy organic bulk herbs from a trusted herbal medicine company such as MountainRoseHerbs.com and Starwest Botanicals are what I personally trust as a Naturopathic Doctor and Herbalist for my patients and myself! I do not buy bulk herbs on Amazon as a Naturopathic Doctor this scares me because they may be stored in hot warehouses and therefore lose their medicinal properties. Also, there is no quality control in the US so you must be working with a trusted supplier!
These Elderberry Syrup Bags are great presents to make up for those you care about and drop off with my instructions. My Immune Boosting Blog linked above also has the preventive plan that I am following myself right now, based on the best scientific evidence I have been able to find, which I will share very soon in my next blog! Make sure you are following me on Instagram.com/dr.nicolesundene to get my latest Naturopathic updates and Herbal Medicine Recipes!
Stay healthy my friends!
With Love,
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Naturopathic Medical Doctor
(480) 837-0900
By Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
Naturopathic Medicine is superior to prescription medicine when it comes to treating viruses. Whether we are treating HIV, Herpes, Epstein Bar Virus, Shingles, West Nile Virus, Influenza, C-19 or Rhinovirus also known as the Common Cold there was really not much the MD's I used to work for in Urgent Care could do for our patients when they were sick with something viral except to tell them to "Drink fluids, rest, take vitamin C, and tell people to be nice to you."
Patients would often leave angry demanding an antibiotic, "I need an antibiotic NOW because I am SO SICK and I have to get back to work or do X,Y,Z..." the patient would plead in frustration while my doctors would just shake their heads and explain for the 9999th time of their career as a frustrated broken doctor soul that, "When you have something viral an antibiotic will do more harm than good. First of all an antibiotic is completely useless to take when you have a virus as its mechanism of action works only on a bacteria. Second and most important the antibiotic is actually helping the virus proliferate by killing the "Good Bacteria" or probiotics in your microbiome which is an essential piece of your immune system. Finally, giving unnecessary antibiotics is causing antibiotic resistance so when you actually truly need an antibiotic we may not have one that will work."
Still so many patients would be angry the doctor would write them a Z-pak or 10 day course of amoxicillin out of sheer frustration full well knowing it was the very worst thing they could be doing for them, along with a Medrol Dose pack of steroids that can also do more harm than good by spiking blood sugar, raising blood pressure and causing weight gain. After one especially frustrating influenza season I made them a handout to pass out explaining all of this because they were simply too exhausted to continue to tell patients why they did not want to harm them by giving them the wrong medicine.
The reason I love being a Naturopathic Doctor is that I have so many more tools in my toolbox to help my patients when they are fighting a virus. Many of the medicines already sit right in your spice rack because plants have to naturally protect themselves from viruses in order to survive in the wild and are constantly upgrading their antiviral mechanisms so as not to become susceptible to the virus. The aromatic part of the plants that you know as the essential oils in our herbs, trees and spices are therefore potent antivirals that are necessary to repel viruses in nature!
Keep in mind I don't expect you to take ALL of the herbs and supplements listed below but many of you already have quite a few herbs and vitamins tucked away in your medicine cabinets. You can purchase your supplements on Fullscript. I recommend getting them ahead of time although many times when I have been sick I paid the extra $5 to have my herbs over-nighted to me and it saved me money in the long run as the sooner you can start your natural regime the better your immune system can kick the virus out. Studies show that the early implementation of Naturopathic Medicines can decrease disease severity and longevity by 50% so if you are self employed like I am that is extremely important!
The basic prevention list is what I take every day and when I fall ill I continue that list but stop the astragalus and swap it out for more potent herbs that are antiviral and designed to treat active infections. Astragalus is our best #1 herb for viral prevention. Some autoimmune patients do not do well on astragalus and it is technically a contraindication for us to take it but I believe rules were made to be broken and it works the best for me. Simply be warey if you have Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sjogren's, MCTD, etc that you may flare your condition with astragalus and certain immune boosting herbs.
Many foods and herbs we use for cooking are also potent Naturopathic immune boosting antivirals and can be added to chicken noodle soup, bone broth, butternut squash soup or bone broth like garlic, onions, thyme, rosemary, basil and oregano. Many times my friends will call me super sick and since they are too sick to go to the store I have them add a bunch of kitchen herbs to chicken soup and have them drink it every few hours. Their response is always "That was the nastiest thing I have ever drank, Doc, but I am feeling so much better!" So if you are a culinary artist that can help improve my herbal recipes I am always open to your feedback and help!
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, star anise, turmeric, curry blends and aromatic spices can be added to warm apple juice or almond milk. Or saute up some garlic, onions, broccoli with coconut milk and add a ton of curry blend as the herbs in curry are all potent antivirals. Check out my Carrot Coconut Cough Syrup Recipe to get an idea of what you can do with the healing foods and herbs you already have on hand. You can check out my video on Facebook: "Elderberry Syrup Recipe" to learn how to make your own Elderberry syrup which is much more potent than any store bought syrup. Don't forget to like my page for my latest Naturopathic recipes!
If you don't have Elderberries on hand you can substitute with blackberries or blueberries. Raspberries are weak on proanthocyanidins and strawberries are basically useless. If you are too sick to leave your house you can doctor yourself with my antiviral kitchen herbs by using 1/2 tsp to a 1 full tsp of most cooking herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil and such every 2-3 hours. Personally I use a tablespoon because I am not messing around and can drink just about any nasty Naturopathic concoction, definitely decrease the dose if you are getting diarrhea. For children you will divide the weight of the child by 150 pounds and give them 1/2 , 1/3 or 1/4 of the adult dose. So if your child weighs 50 pounds they would get 1/3 of the adult dose but I hope you take them to a Naturopathic pediatrician or schedule a telemed visit for them with me so we are not harming them by not dosing them right.
Regardless of which antiviral herbs you use to work with none of them will work unless you are giving them to yourself three times a day at minimum or every 2-3 hours. "Consistency is Queen" when it comes to supporting our immune systems. If you are sick with C-19 I recommend treating your immune system for a full month past symptom resolution even if you have a mild case to prevent any chronic symptoms such as ongoing chronic fatigue, body pain, fevers, brain fog, hair loss, memory loss, chronic cough and shortness of breath.
Adult Doses For Daily Immune Boosting & Viral Prevention:
Lysine 2000mg 2-3 times daily
Vitamin C 500mg-1000mg 2-3 times daily: Decrease if diarrhea
Quercetin 500mg twice daily
Vitamin D 2000-5000 daily
Zinc 30mg for women daily with food, Men 50mg with food (You will puke if you take this on an empty stomach!)
Probiotic 1 cap daily with food (take with fruit as your "prebiotic" which is the food that helps the probiotic proliferate)
Fish oil 3000mg daily to prevent blood clots, decrease inflammation, and make your mucous membranes moist and more slippery so pathogens are less able to adhere. Or eat Walnuts, Chia Seeds and Flaxseeds for Omega-3's. Fish oil is the most potent blood thinner though so if you are worried about blood clots don't bother with the vegetarian sources of Omega 3's and go straight to fish oil as some people lack the enzymes that convert vegetarian sources of Omega-3's to the active forms found in fish especially if you are Scandinavian like I am and your ancestors relied on a high fish diet. I am not a normal Norwegian and hate fish so I will just pop a fish oil capsule. Otherwise salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring are the best high omega-3 low mercury fish to provide your omega-3's.
Astragalus Tea 2-3 cups daily or 2 caps twice daily is the “Shield” that prevents viruses from getting into the body. Once you are sick you will use the antiviral herbs listed below to kill the virus.
General Viral Treatment Plan When Sick:
If you have C-19 just have your doctor give you a Medrol Dose Pack (C-19 is an inflammatory condition and keeping inflammation down means preventing blood clots and a worse outcome. I believe a low dose steroid has the best evidence at this point when considering medications for C-19. You may not need to even take it if you have mild symptoms but I would get it and keep it on hand in the event you quickly deteriorate as some patients that are highly susceptible can go down hill quickly while the majority of my health patients have mild to moderate symptoms.)
Vitamin C 1000mg three times daily or every 2 hours unless causing diarrhea then decrease the dose to bowel tolerance.
Elderberry Syrup 2 oz every 2 hours (My Homemade "Elderberry Syrup Recipe" is way more potent than pre-made from my own experience and my patients have said they instantly feel better with this homemade recipe (Otherwise I personally buy the Gaia Brand in Fullscript account, as it is the best tasting brand in my opinion, no affiliation.)
Make an antiviral tea with whichever of these herbs you have in your kitchen: ginger, oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, lavender, ginger or cinnamon. You can mix them all together or use individually. Add 1 tsp to 1 Tbl of herb per 8 oz boiling H2O and let steep covered for 15 minutes. Do not boil these herbs! You can also take chicken noodle soup, chicken broth or bone broth and add thyme, oregano, etc.
When I first heard about C-19 I bought five pounds of Organic Thyme because as an Herbalist it is my #1 Allstar Power Player when it comes to killing viruses and microbes. It also is very soothing to add to boiling water and do a steam inhalation if your lungs are irritated and you are coughing. Fast forward to February 2021 Carvacrol the medicinal monoterpene in oregano and thyme are now both under investigation by C-19 research scientists for in vitro and in vivo use against C-19, "The in vitro and in vivo studies have shown multiple pharmacological properties such as anticancer, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, hepatoprotective, and spasmolytic." Thyme essential oil is very soothing to irritated lungs as an antiviral and an antispasmodic so can help calm a bad pneumonia cough when inhaled in a steam or essential oil diffuser.
Because many C-19 patients get secondary fungal infections using herbal medicines that are good all around antimicrobials can be somewhat protective to preventing the formation of secondary infections. So I now feel validated and justified about my purchase of the five pounds of Organic Thyme and the great thing about this herb is almost every patient has it in their kitchen cupboard! Recently in July 2021 Thymus oil is being researched as a treatment for Feline Coronavirus. While this is not the same virus as C-19 I am always happy to read about herbal research science. Anyone that thinks herbs do not work should not gargle with LIsterine as Thyme was the original antiseptic used in this famous mouth wash!
Garlic is one of my favorite antiviral foods! If you care how you smell then it is not a good choice for you! My Norwegian Great Grandma Minnie always advised us to eat a raw garlic sandwich weekly to boost our immune systems. Growing up I was never really sure if garlic killed germs or if it just made you smell so bad that nobody would come close enough to get you sick. But in Naturopathic school at Bastyr University I learned about all the amazing research on garlic science. While I was in school I worked many urgent care shifts and would often get sick and began to rely on "Minnie's Magic Sandwich"As someone that has worked twenty three flu seasons interacting with 20-50 sick people a day.... I will admit that this is the #1 thing I do to kill whatever has infected me. I chop up several cloves of garlic and spread a lot of butter on white bread to get it down. If you have a weak stomach do NOT do this. You will also smell VERY VERY BAD or as my daughter said "Mom you smell like a Man Bun!" So only do this if you do not care how bad you will smell.
Hyperthermia, Sauna's, Sweating or a hot bath are also the best thing to help your body make a fever. Unless the fever is greater than 104F you do not want to suppress the fever with Tylenol. That is actually impeding your white blood cells from working harder. The fever is helping your immune system kill the virus. If you do not have access to a Sauna you can do my "Poor Man's Sauna" I always do after many years working in nasty germ filled urgent care setting....which is to take a very hot bath, as hot as you can stand, for as long as you can stand (an hour ideally) while sipping on water with electrolytes (be sure to have someone monitor you while you are in the bath so you don't get overheated, dizzy or pass out trying to get out of the bath...) Then you will put on your flannel pajamas, wrap yourself in a fleece bathrobe and pile several blankets on top of yourself until you are sweating. This is when I pop a Lifetime Movie on and sip my Emergen-C or Herbal Tea so I can sweat for at least 1-2 hours.
When you can no longer stand sweating or you start to become cold, it is then time to take a COLD shower and rinse all the sweat off. It is imperative that you end all sauna's and sweats on cold to properly boost your immune system! I do this several times a day at the initial onset of sickness and believe this works better than any herb, supplement or vitamin I can take to boost my immune system. Plus it is free so if you are broke and cannot even afford vitamins you can at least afford a hot bath...I hope! If you have high blood pressure or any heart issues you should NOT do this.
Alternatively if you are well enough to run that is also a great way to boost your immune system and get your temperature up. I have ran off many viruses from my days of working in urgent care and I believe exercise is one of the BEST things to boost your immune system and put it in to a killing state. Inactivity is bad for your immune system in general. Obviously if you are super sick do not do this it is best for when you first feel that tickle in your throat that you are getting sick with something. A fast run for 30-45 minutes is how I always stayed well even while I worked in urgent care for 8 years, never missing a day of work even while I worked in a constant petri dish of germs with sick people coughing on me while I tested them for strep throat, influenza and took their vitals. You can also ask my former Nursing Supervisor who cashed me out with four months of PTO sick leave that I never even used! So if anyone knows how to prevent getting super sick from whatever nasty virus is going around and keep their immune system boosted it is me, your #1 Favorite Naturopathic Doctor!
Please schedule an appointment to discuss individualized recommendations for treatment as I have zero free time to help patients outside of scheduled appointment right now. For prevention I recommend patients get the things they need ahead of time. If you are sick you can go to your Fullscript account under catalog to search for the herbs you need and have them overnight your supplements for a few extra dollars. Fullscript has been awesome during the Pandemic, your supplements are sent from Scottsdale with free shipping for all orders over $50. I paid $5 extra dollars and had my immune support arrive the next morning!
This worked very well for me when I was sick and didn't have enough of the antiviral support I needed on hand it was a lifesaver for me as the last thing you want to do is head down to your local health food store and infect everyone with your nasty virus! Please stick with high quality brands or the herbs may not work. My favorites are: Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, Integrative Therapeutics and Vital Nutrients. Do not buy the NOW brand in Fullscript as it is 100% GARBAGE in my opinion having worked in a health food store since 1994 and 27 years in the health industry....I do not believe you will get any benefit and may even be harmed by that garbage and recommend sticking with prescription grade products for effective natural solutions to colds, flus, viruses or whatever ails you. In America our supplements are poorly regulated by the government so you can pretty much put anything in a bottle and label it and sell it and nobody can stop you. That is why it is important to stick with organic products and trusted brands of vitamins, herbs and supplements especially when it is something as important as boosting your immune system!
Thank you to my readers for sending their questions in. Please put them on a post card and send them to my clinic address in Scottsdale below so I get to enjoy receiving something in the mail other than a bill. I love receiving your Naturopathic questions please keep in mind if they don't fit on a post card that you most likely need to pop on over to my SCHEDULE page and treat yourself to a Naturopathic consultation with me!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
By Dr. Nicole Sundene
Holistic Psychiatry, Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD Specialist
"Should I take Fish Oil or Flax Oil?" Sandra Mesa, AZ
One of the greatest flaws in the Standard American Diet (SAD) is a lack of omega-3 fatty acids.
Repleting this deficiency typically improves memory and mental functioning as well as corrects a gamut of other annoying health problems. As a naughty Norwegian that hates fish I realized in Naturopathic school that many of my health problems: Dry skin, depression, chapped lips, ADHD, and tendency to build up ear wax were all from my aversion to anything fishy flavored and therefore I was deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. I also learned that some people lack the genes needed to convert omega-3's from plant sources to the active form found in fish and those people are.... Scandinavians and similar cultures that grew up on a high fish dependent diet.
The reason for this is that these essential oils are necessary for proper brain functioning, immune function, hormonal balance and skin integrity as they are the necessary building blocks for the cellular membrane of every single cell in our body. Wow just ONE thing for all SIXTY TRILLION cells in your body!
This must be pretty important then…
Signs of omega-3 deficiency are memory loss, ADHD behavior, depression, dry skin, calluses on the heels, tendency to produce excess ear wax, rashes, arthritis and inflammation. Omega-3′s also appear to decrease the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease as well as reduce the severity of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic complications. Substantial evidence also supports the use of fish oil for reduction of blood pressure, clotting, arrhythmias as well as hardening of the arteries. These oils are especially fundamental to the nervous system as they “insulate” each nerve fiber and speed it’s conductive ability. Electrical signals cannot travel rapidly in our bodies without the myelin sheath formed from these good fats.
A nervous system deficient in omega-3′s is as about as effective as a lamp with a frayed cord.
For most patients I just typically go straight for the fish oil. Ultimately I prefer to use plant foods over animal foods whenever possible for environmental purposes, however, fish oil is the rare exception to this rule. People of Northern European descent especially seem to have a problem converting the omega-3 fats found in plants like flax and walnut as the diet of their ancestors was heavily reliant on cold water fish. Many people are also deficient in magnesium and B vitamins that along with zinc play a key role in the biochemical process of converting plant oils like flax to the form the body can use. Fish oil conveniently comes already converted to DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) the key players in brain function, inflammation, and disease prevention.
Adding a couple of teaspoons of fish oil in to your daily routine is as fundamental as a multi-vitamin in my opinion. Please note that if you are pregnant you should NOT use cod liver oil because the high vitamin A content can lead to birth defects. Flax oil or a non fish liver oil without any vitamin A would be the better option in this case, especially because omega-3′s have been shown to reduce the risk of pre-term labor, so including them safely in the diet is important for a healthy pregnancy. Always check with your OB/GYN before taking any supplements. Because of the anti-coagulant properties, fish oil should also not be used by those with bleeding disorders or taking blood thinning medications. But with what is going on right now with "The virus" causing blood clots I want all my patients on 3000mg of fish oil every single day. Preventing blood clots is critical right now.
Please check with me or your own Naturopathic Doctor before making any changes to your health care routine.
One of the cheapest ways to add omega-3 oils in to your diet is to simply purchase a big bag of flaxseeds and a cheap coffee grinder used solely for grinding them.
Flax seeds are dirt cheap, full of omega-3′s, protein and fiber (1 Tbl=2 grams of fiber). They are also great for treating menopausal symptoms as the lignans have a phytoestrogenic effects that are beneficial for patients with menopause that work synergistically with the omega-3 oils to balance hormones. Which is why as a Holistic Female Hormone Doctor I am constantly nagging my patients to eat their flaxseeds!
You can mix three tablespoons of ground flax seeds with applesauce and enjoy them an hour before bed to also stabilize your blood sugar for a good night’s sleep. Now flax oil is extremely delicate so please grind the seeds right before you add them to smoothies, salads, yogurt, applesauce, soups and the like. Flax should never be cooked above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also use flax seed oil as a salad dressing by adding equal parts of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, along with your favorite seasonings.
So enough blah blah blah…the take home message is that you can easily add ground flax seeds to your diet as a cheap healthy preventative measure as well as eat more Alaskan wild salmon (not farm raised salmon as it is high in PCB’s aka toxins. Current lists of safe fish for consumption are available at EWG.org. For those with chronic disease or neurological disorders, fish oil is most likely the better choice.
Whatever you do, don’t waste your time with supplements that claim they have the perfect balance of “Omega-6 and Omega-9″ blended with the Omega-3′s, as those oils are already widely available in most of the vegetable oils, raw nuts and seeds that we consume… so you are just wasting your money by taking those in a supplement. They are cheaper oils that just make the products more affordable but defeat the purpose in my opinion if you are already eating fat in your diet. I am a big fan of Pure Encapsulations EPA/DHA concentrate you can buy via Fullscript or Carlson Lemon Flavored Cod Liver Oil (No affiliation but they should certainly send me a check 😉 Be sure to use a high quality fish oil that has passed independent laboratory testing for mercury content, PCB’s, dioxins and spoilage.
To avoid burping up fish oil all day take it immediately before eating, never on an empty stomach. If that doesn’t work, you can also keep the capsules in the freezer so that they will stay intact through the stomach until they reach their absorption destination in the small bowel.
Fish oil should be stored in the fridge after opening, or at least a dark cupboard.
Nobody shall have dry skin or poor memory under my watch as your Naturopathic Doctor!
Thank you for sending this question in please mail your questions about Naturopathic Medicine to me on a post card to my clinic address in Scottsdale below as I DO LOVE to hear from my readers and I LOVE to get something in the mail that is not a bill! Thank you for your Naturopathic Questions, if it is too big to fit on a post card then you need to pop on over to my SCHEDULE page and simply give yourself the gift of an appointment!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
By Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
Naturopathic Medicine is amazing because we actually have medicine that builds you up and helps you be healthier, stronger and more protected from viruses. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I especially love do prescribe the herb Astragalus membranceus to my immunodeficient patients because it is a wonderful immune system “shield” for the winter months.
Avoiding sick people at home, the work place, and social functions is nearly impossible so protecting yourself with proper hand washing, and ensuring that your immune system is properly boosted at all times against whatever the latest virus is going around is an easy enough thing to do.
Many years ago one of my first patients came to see me for constant sickness working as a teacher. Every year it was the same thing.... the kids would get sick then she would get sick and end up with a horrible case of pneumonia. I didn't give her a fancy 12 point Naturopathic treatment plan I simply advised she take 2 capsules of astragalus root twice daily during the school year.
Guess what? She still has not had pneumonia for over 12 years now! Isn't that amazing? Just one little herb has kept my patient out of the hospital for twelve years in a row! When before she met this herb she was in the hospital with pneumonia at least once a year if not twice a year requiring IV antibiotics and missing a month of work at a time.
Now she goes on a vacation to Hawaii every year because she can afford to use her PTO for something fun and not an annual month in the hospital!
Just another reason to love the magic of herbal medicine and Naturopathy!
Astragalus also may be beneficial to the cardiovascular system and lungs. It is an adrenal adaptogen herb that helps the overly stressed and exhausted patient and is indicated for patients that are feeling weak and worn down. So it is perfect for our public servants that have had to deal with a lot of stress and be forced to adapt to a lot of changes.
Be sure to use the root of this plant. Always work with a licensed Naturopathic Doctor or Herbalist that knows what they are doing as not every herb is the right choice for each patient! Some patients with autoimmune disease do not react well to astragalus.
To boost the immune system astragalus can be taken in capsule or tincture form, or a simple tea can be made by simmering 1 heaping tablespoon or ½ stick of the dry root per 8 oz cup of water for about 15 minutes. Astragalus tea can be added to soups, or cooked in to brown rice for an edible immune system treat. I drink this regularly in my "Invincible Mommy Tea" recipe since it is anti-inflammatory and can be helpful for those with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, asthma and poor kidney function.
According to Chinese medicine theory, herbs that engage the shield should not be used once one is actually ill. The analogy is that when “your house is infested with robbers you want to open up all the windows and doors to drive them out”.
Astragalus is a great way to lock down your doors and windows to prevent the winter “robbers” from getting in. Once ill however it is best to use a different kind of herb than this general immune system tonic. Stay tuned for my next blog on how to use the common spices in your kitchen as potent antiviral medications should actually fall ill to a virus and your preventive plan is not enough!
Please do not take Astragalus or other cytokine inducing herbs if you have an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto's, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Scerlosis, Psoriasis, or Scleroderma. This may worsen your immune system. Please check with your Naturopathic Doctor before starting any new herbs. If you need my help simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic Doctor visit. I would be happy to help!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Seasonal Allergies are on the rise again in Arizona! The Naturopathic joy of living in Scottsdale includes having two allergy seasons rather than just one. Recently I was reading research about flavonoids and found that our very own Prickly Pear Fruit from the Prickly Pear Cactus are a rich source of Quercetin. Which is an important flavonoid that helps stabilize mast cells to prevent the release of histamine from the white blood cells, thus preventing seasonal allergy symptoms and treating them naturally. In "Nature Cure Naturopathy" we believe the cure for the patient's disease is right in their backyard, and Prickly Pear fruit is a classic example of this!
Many of my Dermatology patients complain their Eczema, Psoriasis and itchy skin problems become worse during allergy season, most likely because of the excess histamine and inflammation caused by more pollen in the air. As a Women's Health Hormone Doctor I can also attest that many of my female patients begin to develop allergies when their hormones become imbalanced such as with Hypothyroidism, Hashimtoto's, PMS, Perimenopause and Menopause.
I have been treating patients naturally for their seasonal allergies with great success for over fourteen years, and I can tell you from first hand experience, that no matter what natural treatment you choose you will need to give it a few weeks to start working in your system. It is also generally fine to combine most over the counter medications with the following herbal medicines. We will discuss allergies, however you should check with your a Naturopathic Doctor or schedule a visit with me, to be certain you are combining herbs and medications correctly.
Already the impending doom of scratchy throats, runny itchy noses, water eyes and chronic congestion are slowly setting in with my patients, and the best way to treat your seasonal allergies naturally is to start the following protocol at least two weeks before allergy season is about to start. For people living in the Phoenix area, that means mid September, and mid February, as we tend to start becoming symptomatic with allergies in October and March or whenever the weather is in the 70-80's. Once it is above 100 degrees most plants stop blooming and we ironically don't want to be outside much anyways. This is important to note when using any naturopathic medicine for seasonal allergies because popping a pill or drinking a tea just one time will fail even the best natural allergy remedy. We need to be consistent and focused on the long term goal.
Have no fear if you are bothered by seasonal allergies, I have put together a basic plan to help avoid if not reduce the use of allergy medicines that tend to leave us feeling drowsy and groggy. Having an alternative medicine plan in store before allergy season sets in full force will save you time, medication, and misery in the long run.
First I will be discussing how to get your body in optimal conditioning to cope with allergy season, and then I will discuss specific natural medicines that will help support your immune system to reduce the overall severity of seasonal allergies. If you always tend to be “sick” living in Arizona the months of March, April, May, October and November then you more likely have seasonal allergies, than a bad cold.
Now is a great time to do a light cleanse of detox before the holidays. Having a healthy liver aids the detoxification of histamine, that nasty molecule that gives us the irritating symptoms of allergies.
Seventy percent of our immune system smartly surrounds our gut and is formally known as GALT “Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue”. If the immune system is already stressed from reacting improperly to foods, it will affect the body’s ability to cope with the added burden of seasonal allergies.
The take home message is to just cut back on wheat and dairy during allergy season as they are the typical “worst offenders” for most. Citrus, peanuts, corn, soy, tomatoes, red meat, sugar, and processed foods seem to also cause trouble for those with seasonal allergies. Before allergy season starts is a great time to reduce your Food Sensitivities or simply reduce those foods that you already are aware make you more congested or symptomatic during this time. While we cannot control the pollen levels driving up our histamine we can control what we put in our mouths that we know we are allergic or sensitive to. This helps decrease the "Total Load" of histamine in our systems.
Foods as medicine: Increase onions and garlic for quercetin and sulfur levels. Eat Alaskan Wild salmon as often as possible for the anti-inflammatory benefits of the Omega 3’s, and increase green leafy vegetables as much as possible to aid the livers role in the detoxification of histamine. Switch to a Whole Foods Diet.
According to Chinese Medicine Theory people have allergies because they are “living too far away from the earth”. Now I doubt they mean that you are living on Jupiter, I am most certain they are referring to a diet high in preservatives and white flours, over-processed refined foods and artificial sweeteners and other chemicals.
Quercetin: Stabilizes the “Mast Cells” of our immune system and prevents their cell membranes from degranulating and releasing histamine in to the system. Histamine is what makes us cough, sneeze, itch and have watery eyes. Typically two 500mg capsules twice daily is a sufficient dose.
Severe allergy sufferers also run quercetin in their Neti Pot to reduce the inflammation of the nasal membranes. Quercetin is a relatively benign substance that can be used in higher doses if need be, just check with your Naturopathic Doctor before doing so.
Vitamin C: Supports the immune system and the functioning of quercetin. Typical dose is 500mg three times daily. You can also take it to bowel tolerance when sick or excessively symptomatic.
Omega-3: From fish oil, flax oil, walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds help create cellular membranes that are less inflammatory in general and are an important underlying deficiency for many of my seasonal allergy patients.
Freeze Dried Nettles Leaf: Has been shown to be extremely helpful during allergy season. Typical dose is two 500 mg capsules twice daily. Nettles are a nutritive “food” that will build the body up. Using foods as medicines is always optimal to prescribing antihistamines. If need be you can take up to 4 grams of nettles which is equivalent to eight 500 mg capsules! I am not recommending taking that many capsules; I am simply trying to demonstrate how safe nettles are as an herbal medicine.
Research has also shown nettles to be helpful for osteoarthritis, myalgia, detoxification and eczema. If you choose to make a tea from the fresh plant, be sure to wear gloves when harvesting so as not to get stung! The leaves are the medicine in this case; the root of this plant is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Nettle is not to be used by those on anti-coagulant “blood thinning” drugs.
Neti Pot: Doing a couple solid Neti Pot sessions a day is one of the best, cheapest remedies for seasonal allergy sufferers that tend to frequently develop sinus infections. The gentle saline flush of the nasal passages has a three fold benefit. First we are tonifying the mucous membranes that line the passages, second we are washing out residual phlegm (aka-snot- aka the breeding ground for bacteria and viruses that cause sinus infections).
As an added bonus during allergy season you are flushing out the pollens formally known as “antigens” that are causing our immune systems to over react and produce sneezing, itching and watery eyes. Plan to do two Neti pots a day so that you will at least remember to do one. Be sure to check with your doctor before treating yourself with home remedies especially if you are taking medications or suffer from a health condition.
Household: You may want to consider investing in a HEPA air filter to reduce the total level of allergens you are exposed to in your home. Also, when returning home for the day be sure to take off your shoes so you don’t track the pollen throughout your house. Shower and change your clothes after going outside, if that is not an option, at least try to rinse off your hands and face to remove as much pollen as possible.
So there you have the basics to treat treat your seasonal allergies naturally. If you need a Naturopathic Doctor to help you get tested for Food Sensitivities to dive deeper in to the ROOT CAUSE of your allergies I would be delighted to help you. Simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page to book your Naturopathic visit with me.
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
When you knock on the trunk of an Ironwood tree it will be VERY SOLID hence the name “Iron wood.” Ironwood contains anti-inflammatory compounds guaiaretic acid and guaiaconic acid. Which is why it was used historically by herbalists to treat gout, inflammation and arthritis.
Energetically Ironwood is known for promoting positive energy and strength which many of us need in these tough times.
Go knock on the trunk of an Ironwood whenever you need to remind yourself how tough you are!
You are always MUCH stronger than you think!
Join me for a FREE presentation on “Hormones, Inflammation & Metabolism” to learn more about how I treat my patients with Naturopathic Medicine!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
Not being from Phoneix, I was very confused by the Ocotillo when we first met. Ocotillo is one of the STRANGEST plants in the desert. Just when we think it is completely dead and beyond hope it suddenly SPRINGS back to life and makes these GORGEOUS bright orange flowers!
Native Americans traditionally used Ocotillo tea from the bark and flowers to treat coughs, bladder infections, pelvic congestion, varicose veins, swelling and sore muscles. The long spiny branches were also used to make fences.
The flowers can be eaten raw in salads and taste somewhat like chamomile when made into tea. The long tube-like flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds which is what helps them proliferate in the desert.
Ocotillo flower essence is indicated for “The Wounded Healer” as it is an energetic protector that is thought to help us respond and not react. It is energetically healing for those that feel victimized. As with any herbal remedy please check with your Naturopathic Doctor before using any new herbs!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
By Dr. Nicole Sundene
Scottsdale Naturopathic Doctor
Being a Naturopathic Doctor's kid means you grow up thinking about health and medicine quite differently. My daughter has a sore throat today, so she asked me to whip her up some “throat tea.” This made me laugh because I am sure not many kids out there think to ask their parents to make them an herbal tea for their symptoms.... although it SHOULD be how we all think and raise our kids.
Cloves are the first thing I know I have in the cupboard that come to mind as they are a natural analgesic and numbing agent for pain, the proanthocyanidins in blackberries are also powerful anti-inflammatories and immune supporting.
So the Naturopathic Doctor is out of elderberries today and is thus dumping a whole bag of frozen blackberries in as potent 2nd choice medicine. Blackberries have the most flavonoids, followed by blueberries and then raspberries. Strawberries are pretty worthless for flavonoids although high in Vitamin C.
Licorice is soothing to the throat, antiviral and gives a sweet flavor acting as an important “Synergist Herb” or the harmonizer which is the herb in Naturopathic Medicine that binds all the other herbs together. Honey is antiviral and antibacterial (Do not give honey to babies.) Cinnamon is antiviral and Star Anise is a powerful herbal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Basically the purpose of these oils in nature for ALL of these aromatic spices is to repel bugs and microbes naturally for the plant which is why they also work as amazing Naturopathic Medicine! I drink this straight but recommend giving about 1 Tbl to a child over 2 every 2 hours diluted in warm water. Work with your own Naturopathic Doctor.
Testimonial: “This tea is totally nasty, Mom. But my throat feels so much better!”
So there you have it! Naturopathic Medicine works!
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
