Alexandra Quirk Herbalist in Newcastle, New South Wales | Medical and health

Alexandra Quirk Herbalist

Locality: Newcastle, New South Wales

Phone: +61 431 190 309

Address: Newcastle Health Collective 2300 Newcastle, NSW, Australia

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25.01.2022 Avocado and honey for the skin The beta carotene, protein, lecithin, essential fatty acids along with vitamins A, D, + E found in avocado protect your skin from ultra violet radiation the sun as well as increase the collagen metabolism of skin cells. Raw honey is packed full of anti microbial and antibacterial properties, and it is very hydrating for the skin. Raw honey will not only protect your skin it will reduce symptoms of acne, eczema and other painful inflammatory responses we experience on the surface level of our bodies. Honey will also help reduce the chance of scar formation and the risk of infection from wounding.

25.01.2022 Sulforaphane a compound within the isothiocyanate group of organosulfur compounds (OC for short) in the phytonutrient (or phytochemical) family. Phytonutrients provide plants with colour, flavour, smell and texture and include compounds that have evolved to attract pollinators as well as providing protection against exposure to UV radiation, toxins, pests and pathogens. There are thousands of phytochemicals in plant foods and only a small handful have been researched thus f...ar. It is important to note that phytochemicals do not exist in isolation. The health effects of these phytonutrient-rich foods are directly related to their complex and diverse combinations. Which is why we see so many side effects of common main stream medications, one that are seldom seen in the natural medicine world. Plants in their organic or least manufactured state provide healing benefits for just that reason - their wisdom throughout the evolution of life on earth allows the plant chemistry to work symbiotically to achieve the medicinal benefits we reap as the people that consume them. Organosulfur compounds have been studied to show the following functions: high antioxidant activity (DNA protection), anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity, regulation of cholesterol synthesis and detoxification by boosting glutathione; a potent antioxidant that prevents damage from reactive oxygen species and js used in the phase two liver detox pathway. Sulforaphane js found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and cabbage. See more

24.01.2022 Do you spice up your morning bev in any sort of way? Drinking hot water upon rising stimulates and activates the cells in your body as to prepare for the day that is about to commence, it does this by waking up your digestive tract, an important aspect of honouring the circadian rhythms that lay foundation for our health. that A herbal tea I adore is dandelion as it is a great caffeine free alternative to coffee that aids the phase two liver detox pathway, and it has a simil...ar appearance to the rich colour of coffee in my mug. I add lions mane - a medicinal mushroom used for its potent anti-inflammatory properties that help with nerve signalling, cognition and immune cell function. I also add a small amount of cinnamon, too, for cinnamon is used medicinally as another powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in the herbal realm. Cinnamon regulates insulin sensitivity which will support my blood sugar metabolism and reduce the risk of heart disease and type two diabetes. Also it tastes really YUM! The last and equally important aspect of my morning cuppa is intention. This liquid is a powerful fluid force of life - an aspect of creation. I honour myself and Gaia by setting intention and gratitude into this as It enters my being. The efficacious act of ritual and intention is what connects us more strongly to ourselves and the greater world around us. Do you participate in the habitual act of ritual? And have you noticed your chord that connects you too all of life strengthen from doing so? See more

23.01.2022 Things that simultaneously look disgusting and insanely delicious at the same time this mix is gonna be sensually rubbed all over a cauliflower then baked slow n low for like an hour. Can you tell I’m hungry? While I wait I thought I would tell you why this meal is good for me! OLIVE OIL monounsaturated fats (the good kind) + polyunsaturated fats such as omega 3 + 6 and oleic acid which is a fantastic anti-inflammatory! Olive oil is a good source of antioxidants, too. Oli...ve oil is good for heart health and may reduce type 2 diabetes as well as Alzheimer’s disease. GARLIC is just like the best ever and had a huge list of benefits such as anti bacterial/viral/fungal/parasitic. It’s also well known for its immune enhancing properties and high amounts of antioxidants! WE GARLIC. Rosemary really similar properties to garlic it it’s anti-bug properties, also an amazing cognition enhancing herb and blood circulatory. Also used for female reproductive health. Black pepper for absorption enhancing properties, CUMIN for anti-inflammation, blood sugar control, anti-bacteria and antioxidant profile and finally, CAULIFLOWER is high in bioavailable calcium (more than cows milk which some may remember me speaking on once before), fibre, potassium, filter, manganese, magnesium, niacin and vitamin C, K + B6. Okay now that’s all over let’s eat . See more

20.01.2022 Everything you know about depression could be wrong

19.01.2022 A gift from a client who had their last session with me today, to say thank you for my aiding them on their healing journey. Now they are self-sufficient, knowledgeable and confident to walk with courage on their path of ultimate health

19.01.2022 How are you going with your anxiety at the moment? Has your physical health deteriorated since being isolated during COVID restrictions? This study I reviewed today felt so relevant considering the rise of #blacklivesmatter movement occurring across the globe right now. It is imperative to understand our social + emotional health is directly correlated with our physical health. The sense of community that is being witnessed globally warms my heart so much to the point where I... almost think I need to get a new one to fit all the love in it! At the same time, I cannot deny the sadness and discomfort that is also held within my heart space by holding empathy for our black and brown brothers and sisters of this earth. My eating+sleep patterns have changed, my anxiety levels have risen and I’ve got an outbreak of hormonal pimples. With the knowledge I have learnt to be a herbalist, I can understand what these physical manifestations are showing me what is going on the inside, and what I can do to bring myself back home to my true self. Mindfulness during these times is a key element to not letting overwhelm get the best of us. Mindfulness has many facets, some you may know. If you need help in figuring out what can help you if you are experiencing anxiety and it’s related manifestations, please shoot me a message. With the huge shift occurring on the earth right now we have to honour ourselves and the balance that is necessary for us to exist. We are a generation of warriors and we need to take care of ourselves and each other! How else we gonna create the new earth if we ain’t eating or sleeping right? Love yourself properly and it will transcend into the hearts of those around you @ Newcastle Health Collective See more

18.01.2022 What does a healthy gut look like? There is an overwhelming supply of information on how to treat your body right. There is always going to be fad diets and the new best way to eat for the best you yet. We can thank marketing experts and also clinical studies that provide updates on research of the gut microbiota - an area of study that we are still learning more about each day. It’s a fascinating topic to understand and the more we do, the more we realise that the gut is t...he gatekeeper of our health. But, how DO we treat it right? Understand the basics of nutrition that create space for general health and wellbeing of the bowel. Getting enough fibre in your diet is a good start. Fibre is the indigestible parts of plant foods like vegetables, fruit, grains, beans and legumes. It’s a carbohydrate that helps keep our digestive system healthy. There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre includes pectins, gums and mucilages. They help you feel full after eating and aid cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Insoluble fibre includes cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin which make up the structural part of plant cells. This type of fibre adds bulk to your stool and is what prevents constipation and haemorrhoids. Then there is also resistant starch, which acts in a very similar way to fibre (call it the cousin of fibre). The bacteria in the large intestine ferment and change the resistant starch into short chain fatty acids which constitute actions such as providing an energy source for colonocytes, reducing inflammation and enhancing mineral absorption, to name a few. Do some research on food sources of these specific fibres, and next time you’re at the grocery store have a think about what foods are going to be providing you with these types of gut micro biome loving foods. And remember to drink ample water! All cells in the human body rely on water to function, when we are dehydrated that is when adverse reactions begin, so always carry some filtered water with you! Have a good day everyone See more

15.01.2022 Head to our website to listen to Lucy and I have a chat about strengthening your NO muscle

12.01.2022 Go to Newcastle Health Collective and check my latest post about inflammation!

12.01.2022 ATTN: to those who bleed or don’t, because you’re using hormonal birth control. There are many avenues to cover on the topic of female reproductive health. A lot of female bodied people are beginning to understand that hormonal birth control products like the pill or Mirena IUD aren’t really as straight forward or healthy as they are marketed to be. Many female bodied people have been on the pill since their first several menses to regulate their cycle (when reality the b...ody does that for you, like it did for the Millenia of ancestors before you), and have starved their body the opportunity for proper growth and in turn hinder their relationship with their regular bodily cycles. Female hormones aren’t specific to reproductive purposes. They are used for a plethora of mechanisms to occur like maintaining thyroid health, which effects our mood, weight, hair health and immunity for example. With exception of severe case of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoria disorder), I believe it’s extremely important to understand that if your body experiences menses, you SHOULD allow it to. It’s not inconvenient, gross, or pointless. It’s actually extremely important for your wholistic well-being and functionally of your human body. If you experience extreme PMS, pain, skin flare ups or similar around menses it’s your body trying to communicate with you! Covering up pain w analgesics or using harsh products to combat acne is just a bandaid for something much much deeper that’s happening inside, and with the right tools you can regulate, clear and change negative manifestations of a disorder occurring within. You just need to start paying attention to the signs your body is giving you and give it some well deserved loving See more

10.01.2022 Do you regularly create vision boards? Do you believe in the idea of manifestation, the law of attraction and alchemy?

10.01.2022 Digestive enzymes are a group of naturally occurring enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules into their smaller building blocks in order to facilitate absorption by the body. In layman’s terms this means the part of your tum that breaks down whatever enters your mouth! Symptoms of poor digestive function looks like: vomiting, reflux, diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating and evening mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. Basically all indications ...of inflammation in the body. How do we combat this? Firstly recognise these signs and symptoms are not normal! Living with issues like bloating and constipation on a daily basis shouldn’t be considered apart of your day to day. Secondly, understanding there are a million reasons why you may have poor digestive functionality.. and thirdly getting to the root cause of that reason and working from there. If reading this has had you thinking hey that sounds like me shoot me a msg and let’s talk. Let’s cultivate a positive change and find liberation in your unique health picture . #herbalifenutrition #herbalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #foodasmedicine #plantmedicine #guthealth #guthealthmatters #guthealing #guthealthy #healingjourney #dysbiosis . See more

10.01.2022 PERIOD PAIN isn’t normal. Well, to some degree, yes. Some cramping in the lower belly and back for the first two days of your cycle is fine. Although if your pain is so debilitating that it stops you from going to work or being social then your body is trying to tell you something. The health of your menstrual cycle is a key indicator for the happenings of your internal world. If you suffer from PMS symptoms such as irritability, acne, low mood and fatigue you could well be... deficient in vitamin B6, Zinc or Magnesium, or maybe you need to get a blood test to see what your thyroid is up to, as thyroid hormones and female reproductive hormones go hand in hand. I want to ask how in touch are you with your cycle? A lot of young wom*n do not have a positive relationship with menses and do not understand the long term effects of hormonal birth control has on your entire being. I implore you reconsider how you view your menstrual cycle, it is an innate part of your physiology and should be celebrated, not shunned! With the correct tools manifestations such as PCOS, endometriosis and adenomyosis can be supported properly and symptoms reduced. If you are using hormonal birth control, please do some research on them! You might be as shocked as me when you realise they aren’t as fabulous as they are talked up to be.. . . . . . . #femalereproductivehealth #periodtalk #reproductivehealth #pms #menstrualcycle #menstrualhealth #hormonebalance #hormonalbirthcontrol See more

05.01.2022 Within the first few days of life, humans are colonised by intestinal microbiota - bacteria that lives in the gut. These crucial times lay the foundations for the rest of our life in many ways, perhaps less understood is the impact that our gut microbiome has on our mental health. Studies show that bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can activate neural (brain) pathways and our Central Nervous System; the gatekeeper for all functions to take place in our body. Somet...hing you may not know about me is the debilitating anxiety and depression I have faced on and off since childhood. Since becoming a herbalist and having a huge affinity for nutrition, I have had SO many ‘aha!’ moments and found the answers to the questions that I have been asking myself (and google) for years. Understanding the gut/brain axis and knowing I can take control of my anxiety and low moods I can say has given me so much reassurance and confidence, which in turn has allowed me to progress+find myself+blossom into the life I always thought too good for me. I am glad to be where I am now, for I can be the person that can help others in a boat similar to mine. It is my greatest passion, I feel it is what I was put on earth to do. I feel empathy is so important when dealing with mental health. I implore you to reach out to someone you trust if you are feeling low today. Alternatively shoot me a message and I can help you with what you’re going through. I understand, and I can say with confidence it’s so important to let others know how you feel. You really can feel better, even if you can’t see it in the moment #naturalmedicine #depressionawareness #anxietyawareness #anxietysupport #herbalism #herbalist #naturaltherapies #naturopathicmedicine #mood #anxiety #overwhelmed

04.01.2022 Hello are you a practitioner of holistic health? are you looking for a space to practice? I have availability in my room at the @newcastlehealthcollective for someone who is interested in a few days a week. We are located in the heart of the city, behind Newcastle city library- amazing for transit and foot traffic. The Health Collective offers an abundance of unique practitioners, we are constantly learning from and connecting with each other and are always looking to expand and evolve in our modalities. If this sparks an interest in you please shoot me a msg or alternatively call the Collective at 02 4023 3919

04.01.2022 This week we have celebrated natural medicine week. This week (and as always) I am proud to be a practitioner of natural health, as I am a channel for the traditional principles and practices of the Vis Medicatrix Naturae, the healing power of nature, and pay homage to those before me that laid the foundations of all facets of natural therapies that exist in Western societies, and those whom still practice their traditional cultural methods in medicine to this day. Naturopath...y, physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and hydro therapies all fall under the umbrella of natural medicine. I’m sure many of you have used one of these modalities or know someone who has. It’s so important to understand how necessary natural medicine is for our wellbeing, on a personal and global scale. Because if we are well and capable, we have the opportunity to help those around us #naturalmedicineweek #naturalmedicineweek2020 See more

03.01.2022 Healing lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how we approach healing as human beings. Considering ego + spirit and all in-between. Observing reactions in others + myself is the ultimate teacher for paving the way for my practice in my modality, and allowing that to intertwine and integrate into my personal experience, for the fluidity and transparency is imperative to my success for being a healer in this lifetime. Do you embrace healing? Whether it be physical or emotiona...l, and do you recognise the deep connection between both of these? Do you realise they are not seperate. Do you understand when an emotional arises from some strange unknown place that it is looking to be felt + seen, potentially to be transmuted out of your physical or perhaps just to be heard and understood. How do you approach this expression? Do you fear the concept of facing something only because it may feel uncomfortable, shocking and straight up gross. What would happen if you held space for this part of you that is yearning to know love, and that you may be liberated by this experience. To find something birthed stronger, more intuitive and connected to self, connected to source and pure love. It does require practice, patience and a hell of a lot of bravery. So please tell me, how do you be a witness to your healing? See more