Kirsten Parkinson in Cockatoo, Victoria | Alternative & holistic health service

Kirsten Parkinson

Locality: Cockatoo, Victoria

Phone: +61 421 120 932

Address: 16 Fairbridge Lane 3781 Cockatoo, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.kirstenparkinson.com

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• Medical and health
• Alternative & holistic health service

25.01.2022 Working from home certainly has its perks, especially when the weather is this lovely and I can take my laptop and cup of tea outside. Chatting with clients about herbs in the sunshine is pretty much my dream job! Have you wondered what it would be like to have an appointment with me? ... When you come to see me for a consultation, we spend the whole time talking about YOU. Sure, there’ll be the usual questions about your digestion, sleep and diet, plus some important physical checks like blood pressure and pulse if you see me in the clinic. I need that information to build a picture of how your body is functioning and responding to its environment. But more importantly, I give you the time and space to tell your health story. Your past. What led you to this point. Where you want to go from here. Then together, we decide on the best way to get you there. Maybe you’re ready for an entire health overhaul, complete with a meal plan, herbal medicines and daily meditation. Maybe you’re ready for one or two small changes that you know you can totally nail. Perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle. Or maybe you’re not really sure what you need but just know that something needs to change. Wherever you’re at right now, there is always something we can do to get you feeling like the best version of yourself. I'm still doing online consultations for the time being, and have appointments available on Wednesday afternoons/evenings. Send me a pm if you'd like more info, or see available times here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17098932

25.01.2022 Happy belated new year everyone! I hope you've all had a chance to relax and spend time with your family. While everyone else is gearing up for the year ahead, it's time for me to start winding down, even though it has only been a few months since I started back in the clinic. Time really has flown by! I'll be going on maternity leave in mid-February, with my last day for new client bookings being Friday 22nd January. I still have a couple of spots left for that afternoon/eve...ning, so get in touch soon if you'd like to get in to see me before I go. For all my current clients, I have appointments available up until mid-Feb. If you need herb refills/supplement repeats or would like to get an updated treatment plan, let me know and I can pop you in the calendar. Thank you to everyone who has shown their support for my little business over the past year and to the Cockatoo community for such a warm welcome. I'll still be around while I'm on leave and you'll probably see me down at the community garden a lot with an extra little person to keep me company

24.01.2022 The toilet paper shortage crisis is upon us, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Are you concerned you may need to start using leaves if Woolies do...esn't re-stock their shelves with your favourite 3-ply soon? No need to worry - we've compiled a list of common plants with leaves that will do the job perfectly so you can wipe with confidence and ease. Most of these plants grow in the community medicinal herb garden in Cockatoo, so come down and grab a handful of greenery if you find yourself caught short! 1. Mullein (Verbascum thapsis) Mullein is the most obvious choice of bog roll replacement, given its large, thick fluffy leaves that are absorbent and dont tear easily. It's better than those fancy quadruple-ply aloe- infused toilet papers but grows easily as a weed in gardens and parks almost everywhere. Some people find the hairs on the leaves a bit irritating to their skin, so it's probably a good idea to do a patch test on a not-so-sensitive area first. 2. Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) For those who would like a slightly less heavy-duty option, lamb's ear may be a good choice. Lamb's ear has delightfully soft furry leaves that are gentle on your skin and will feel like you're wiping with, umm, well, the ear of a baby animal (without harming any furry creatures!). Its leaves are on the narrow side, so you may need to use a decent handful or two. 3. Mallow (Malva neglecta) Common mallow has soft leaves that are broad, durable and won't tear, but the larger ones tend to get a bit leathery and rough so opt for medium sized leaves. Mallow has the added bonus of demulcent qualities, so give the leaves a bit of a scrunch before using for some added skin soothing effects. Always remember these things when selecting your leaves: Steer clear of poisonous plants or you may end up with a nasty rash on your posterior. If you're not 100% sure what a particular plant is, don't put it anywhere near your sensitive bits. If you'd like to learn how to ID these plants and other medicinal and edible weeds, come along to one of our weed walks. Stay away from plants with thorns, prickles or spiky bits for obvious reasons. Stinging nettle, St Mary's Thistle, comfrey and aloe vera are all poor choices. Check for any critters before you wipe Please don't flush used leaves down the toilet (unless you have a composting toilet). Instead, pretend you're camping and dig a hole at the bottom of your garden and bury them well. Happy wiping!

24.01.2022 What a great initiative! Plants really are great listeners and have a calming presence. I would say they are easier to look after than pets too, but my poor droopy pot plants may say otherwise. https://www.independent.co.uk//plants-prescribed-depressio

23.01.2022 Did you know that the eyes are the second most complex organ after the brain and have more than two million working parts?! In naturopathy we consider the eyes to be windows to the brain and body, and the unique markings in a person's iris can give us valuable clues as to how different parts of the body are functioning and what systems might need more support. Here is a picture of my own right iris. can you see those broken rings surrounding the pupil like the age rings of a... tree trunk? they are called nerve or stress rings, and show that my nervous system is in need of extra support. I often see them in the irises of people who are prone to stress and tend to hold tension in their bodies. What are your eyes telling you? Iridology is just one assessment tool I use in clinic to put together nurturing treatment plans for my clients. When the new clinic opens in Cockatoo in a few weeks I'll also be offering iridology assessment appointments that include a detailed report about the different patterns and markings in your iris, what they mean, and suggestions for how to best support your body. Keep your eyes peeled for more info coming soon!

22.01.2022 Did you know we have a medicinal plant garden...? Well we do! It’s the large horseshoe shaped bed up on the top level (photo) It was lovingly created b...y Brodie Hearnden and Kirsten Serwylo of Hills Herbal Collective (both a wealth of information when it comes to natural plant healing) who use it for many workshops down at the gardens! Growing in it is: gotu kola chamomile chickweed purslane lambs ear rue yarrow dandelion marshmallow evening primrose valerian lavender astragulus calendula californian poppy plantain comfrey ruby saltbush sage oregano wormwood wood betony And soon to be growing is: meadowsweet horseradish native lemongrass siberian motherwort anise hyssop As you can see in the photo, it is in the process of an overhaul at the moment to rejuvenate its powers So... MARCH 6 Hills Herbal Collective are running a herb harvest and dig in HHC Harvest and Dig In Please join Brodie, Kirsten, and a few of us from the Hills Community Gardens group to help it along with: Harvesting of the herbs that will be divided up between everyone Digging in of the new soil Friendly and informative chats about medicinal plants So bring your gloves, a fabric bag (for your herbs to take home) and your little ones ...and big ones and be a part of the magic of the gardens We’ll see you there at 10:00 Register your interest here: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSd3NvtejqTKGEqPa-/viewform

22.01.2022 Regrettably, I didn't stock up on enough art supplies to keep my 3-year-old entertained for longer than about 2.5 minutes, so today we combined fresh air and foraging with arts and crafts. Most of the flowers and leaves in this rainbow are medicinal or edible (or both). How many different herbs can you spot here? . . . .... . #plantmagic #rainbow #foraging #herbs #herbalmedicine #melbournenaturopath #onlinenaturopath #sendwine @ Emerald, Victoria, Australia See more

21.01.2022 My little forager helped us gather some flowers from the community garden that @brodiebotanical will be making into a healing bruise salve. If you're ever down at the Cockatoo playground and spot us pottering around the garden, come and say hello and we'd be happy to give you a little tour to meet the plants

20.01.2022 The little clinic's transformation is coming along nicely. Follow The Good Life Cockatoo for updates! https://www.facebook.com/thegoodlifecockatoo/

19.01.2022 Or in my case... silverbeet for everyone!!!

19.01.2022 I know a lot of people are feeling stressed and anxious at the moment, so I thought I'd make a few short videos to share with you some of my favourite breathing and relaxation exercises. These are some of the techniques I teach my clients to help them manage their stress, anxiety and worry, and ones that I use myself when I feel tension rising up. This first one is called 4-7-8 breathing and is a simple controlled breathing exercise that helps your nervous system switch from ...fight or flight into rest and digest, so perfect for anyone who is having trouble falling asleep due to anxious thoughts running around in their head. It also forces you to focus on your breath which helps to bring you back to your centre and into the present moment. It's easy and only takes a few minutes, and I find that it reduces feelings of anxiety quite quickly if you practice it a couple of times a day. I'll share some more with you tomorrow

19.01.2022 My friend Brodie and I are hosting an afternoon of tea blending and herbal knowledge sharing

18.01.2022 Brodie Botanical and I are planning our next weed foraging walk and mini workshop for early December after a loooong break. Follow Hills Herbal Collective to stay in the loop for dates and ticket sales. We're looking forward to getting our gumboots on and exploring with you again soon!

18.01.2022 I'm back in the office today after an extended Christmas break! I have appointments available next week for new and current clients at the Scoresby office. I also offer online/phone consults if you're not based in Melbourne. This cute little baical skullcap plant was waiting on the desk for me today. I need to think of a name for him. Any suggestions?

18.01.2022 I was greeted this morning by this cheerful echinacea flower in my garden. Wishing everyone a happy, safe and peaceful new year xx

17.01.2022 It's taken me a few weeks to get myself organised, but from next week onwards I'm opening up my appointment book for a few extra days per week! I'll be available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for online appointments, as well as my usual Wednesdays. Online naturopathy appointments are just like seeing me in person but you don't need to wear pants. To kick things off, I'm running a new client package deal and adding a couple of new appointment types:... New client package - 1 hour initial consultation plus 2 x 30-min follow-up appointments for $210 (usually $264)* Flower essence consultations (30 min) for $70 (includes remedy and postage within Aus) Acute consultations (20 mins) for $40* I use herbs, nutrition, flower essences and relaxation techniques to support my clients with: Sleep issues Immune health Stress, anxiety and depression Fatigue Headaches and migraines Gut and digestion issues including food intolerances Hormonal health Pregnancy and breastfeeding Thyroid conditions Weight gain and difficulty losing weight Skin conditions including acne and eczema Click the book now button to see available times, or send me a message if you have any questions! *Herbal and nutritional medicines are not included in appointment price unless specified

17.01.2022 Another tasty way to #eatyourweeds and get some greens into your diet, featuring some of my favourite weedy friends - dandelion, chickweed and Warrigal greens.

16.01.2022 Come and check our medicinal herb garden and take home some seeds or cuttings. Although I won't be doing much gardening myself (thanks giant belly) I'll be there to chat to you about growing, harvesting and using the herbs we have growing in the garden. You can register your interest here: https://forms.gle/9voaoFiWc9wEbBaf8

16.01.2022 If you haven't noticed yet, I'm quite fond of weeds and herbs and love to talk about them to anyone who will listen. Hills Herbal Collective is my little side project and creative outlet that I started with fellow herbalist and crazy plant lady @brodiebotanical. We run herbal medicine workshops, make lovely herbal skincare things and host regular medicinal weed walks and talks. If you're around the hills this summer, pop down to the Hills Community Garden in Cockatoo and check out our community medicinal herb garden

16.01.2022 One of my favourite things about being a herbalist is making lovely things from the plants we grow in the garden. These herbal bath salts, lotion bars and body butters were made by @brodiebotanical_herbalist and myself to fundraise for our community herb garden project @cockatooherbalcollective. . . . .... . #chc #herbalapothecary #herbalmedicine #melbournewellness #melbounenaturopath #botanicals #plantmagic #plantmedicine #emeraldvictoria #dandenongranges @ Emerald, Victoria, Australia See more

15.01.2022 If you go outside and look closely at your lawn, you're likely to find this plant popping her cheerful little face up at the moment. A few people have recently asked me what this little weed is and can they eat it. Everyone, meet self-heal, or Prunella vulgaris. If you look closely at her flowers, you'll see they look like little purple mouths. This gives us an indication of what she can assist us with - healing of the mouth and throat, especially mouth and throat ulcers. S...elf-heal's genus name, Prunella, comes from the German word for quinsy which is nasty ulceration of the throat and tonsils. Externally, self-heal can be used on cuts and scrapes and burns and to draw out infection. And yes, you can eat it or make it into a soothing tea that can help with a scratchy throat. Self-heal is in the mint family and tastes a bit like rosemary due to its rosmarinic acid content. If you'd like to learn more about using plants and weeds as medicine, join us over at @cockatooherbalcollective. I'm also available for one on one naturopathy consultations at Knox Integrative Health in Scoresby. . . . . . #herbalapothecary #herbalist #herbalmedicine #herbalistmelbourne #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathmelbourne #womenswellness #eatyourweeds #cockatooherbalcollective #emeraldvictoria

15.01.2022 Although I'm not taking bookings for new naturopathy clients before I go on leave, I am still taking bookings for reiki and flower essences. I have appointments available for this package on Wednesdays and Fridays for the next three weeks. As well as being a naturopath, I have been a qualified reiki practitioner for almost 10 years and I love incorporating this gentle healing energy into treatment plans. ... Negative emotions and experiences can hold us back from enjoying life and contribute to stress, physical pain and fatigue. Flower essences and reiki work really well together to help shift underlying energetic blockages and help to bring calm, clarity and direction. These one-hour sessions include: A discussion/ intuitive card reading to help pinpoint the flower essences perfect for you (I use both Bach Flower Essences and Australian Bush Flower Essences) A 30-min reiki healing and guided meditation A custom-blended flower essence remedy for you to take home One hour sessions are $80 (including remedy) Available in-person at The Good Life Cockatoo until 12th February for new and current clients. Bookings can be made here: https://www.kirstenparkinson.com/custom-flower-essence-blen

15.01.2022 Do you gaze out at your back garden and think to yourself Hooray! Look at all these magnificent weeds growing amongst the flowers!. No? Just me then? Well, most people don’t. We’ve been conditioned into thinking all weeds are bad and must be sprayed, slashed and ripped up until there’s no trace remaining. While some weeds do need to be controlled to protect native flora and fauna, many people don’t realise that a lot of the plants we call weeds are edible, nutritious and ha...ve medicinal properties. Common weeds like dandelion, chickweed and plantain are staples in herbalists’ medicine cabinets and can be easily prepared as nutritious, free plant foods. If you join us for our spring weed walk, you’ll leave with a newfound appreciation of the weedy friends you find popping up in your garden and some new ideas for how to eat and use them, plus some herbal incense and elderflower cordial that we'll show you how to make. Our July walk has already sold out, so bookings are essential. https://events.humanitix.com/explore-forage-create-spring-w

15.01.2022 She's here! Little miss Flora Eleanor made her grand entrance on 11th March and we've been enjoying the squishy newborn cuddles

13.01.2022 Our herbal tea blending workshop is just over a week away! Bookings close at midnight this Sunday. https://www.facebook.com/events/477364629774219/?ti=cl

13.01.2022 Anyone else dealing with a bit of diet carnage at the moment? Even though I ramble on about herbs an awful lot, as a naturopath I'm also trained in nutrition and using food as medicine. Most, if not all of the treatment plans I put together for clients involve dietary stuff, and I can also design tailored meal plans for those who want a bit of extra structure or have special dietary needs.... Don't forget, only two weeks left to grab one of my new client packages for only $220. They include a one hour initial consultation, plus two follow-up appointments. In-person at The Good Life Cockatoo or online

12.01.2022 Hooray we’ve made it to Friday afternoon! I know I promised another relaxation exercise video this week, but I woke up this morning without a voice. I think my body is trying to tell me something, so I’m going to put my feet up with a nice cup of tea instead. Has this week left you feeling a bit frazzled? Here are some herbal teas you might like to try to soothe your nerves and help you wind down for the weekend. TULSI reduces feelings of being wired but tired, brings a l...ightness of spirit and clarity of mind. As an adaptogen it helps us adapt to stress and build resilience. This is my go-to herb for when I feel like packing up and running away to live on a deserted island. Also, it tastes amazing. CHAMOMILE relaxing, calming, improves sleep and reduces irritability. Works really well for cranky, overtired kids (and their frazzled mums!). LAVENDER brings emotional balance, is calming and uplifting and promotes restful sleep. LEMON BALM calming and soothing, reduces anxious and panicky feelings, and has been used since ancient times to soothe the mind and heart. PASSIONFLOWER encourages sleep, especially when you’re having trouble switching off due to worry or circular thoughts. Is extremely relaxing and reduces physical and emotional tension. Passionflower is one of my go-to anxiety remedies. You might like to try drinking these herbs on their own as a simple tea, or try blending a few together to match how you’re feeling at the moment. Did you know I have an extensive herbal tea dispensary and can mix a personalised tea blend designed just for you? Send me a message if you’d like more info.

12.01.2022 From Wednesday 25th March all naturopathy appointments will be via phone or Skype.

12.01.2022 For anyone feeling a bit sad, overwhelmed or lost today, here's a fluffy Ginkgo goat kiss to brighten your day

10.01.2022 It was all hands on deck yesterday for our first working bee at the NEW HEALTH CLINIC opening in Cockatoo next month! I'm exhausted from wheelbarrowing mulch and covered in paint (how do you get paint out of your eyebrows? Asking for a friend), but beyond excited for what is to come. Watch this space!

08.01.2022 Another way plants can help us with healing is by burning them in incense or smudge sticks. Today, Brodie Botanical and I foraged around the Cockatoo Community Gardens with a lovely group of people, introducing them to the medicinal and edible weeds we found. Afterwards, everyone was able to collect a few sprigs of plants they resonated with to make into these beautiful smudge sticks. These will look and smell lovely hanging to dry over the next couple of months

07.01.2022 No filter needed on this bad boy. Meet glass corn! How aesthetically beautiful!! Seriously take a moment to take in all those vibrant colours, allow your eyes t...o wonder over each kernel... take it all in We had the pleasure of attending a workshop this morning at Forestedge Permaculture Nursery. The workshop was run by the vibrant and generous Tamara who shared her knowledge of companion planting, and introduced us to the 3 sisters method: grow corn, beans and squash all in one bed to create a balancing and supporting nutrient dense bed. We cant wait to try this method out. We highly recommend heading down to Forestedge nursery in kallista.

06.01.2022 Tickets for our next weed walk are now available!

06.01.2022 One week left to jump on my new client package special! For only $220 you get: - one 60min initial consultation (usually $120) - Two follow-up appointments (usually $70 each)... Bargain! These sessions can be online or face-to-face at the clinic in Cockatoo. I have one appointment left this Wednesday evening, and a few on Friday afternoon.

05.01.2022 I'm grateful to have had a bit of time today to forage in the garden and make medicines for my family. This lovely peppermint and yarrow I had growing in my herb garden is being prepped to go in the dehydrator then made into YEP tea (yarrow, elderflower, peppermint) which is traditionally used for easing cold and flu symptoms and gently supporting the fever process. Once it's dry and ready to mix I'll share a recipe

05.01.2022 It seems I've reached the point in lockdown where I've started digging through the back of the pantry looking for any miscellaneous dried foodstuffs that could potentially be a snack (PSA: raw cacao nibs do NOT taste just like chocolate chips when eaten by the handful). It turns out I've been mindlessly stockpiling sunflower seeds and pepitas for the last several years for some unknown reason so I dug them out and made a big batch of toasted tamari seeds. They are yummy on to...p of a salad or just eaten like popcorn during a Netflix binge (show suggestions welcome!). They're quick and easy to make too: 2 cups of seeds (I used sunflower and pumpkin seeds, but sesame seeds are nice mixed in too) 1-2 TBS tamari (similar to soy sauce but not as salty) Toast the seeds in a hot pan, stirring constantly and watching that they don't burn. When they're a nice golden brown, mix in the tamari and stir until the seeds are coated. Let them cool, then enjoy!

05.01.2022 What a magical place we live in! We spent the afternoon looking for fairies (instead of edible weeds for a change!)

04.01.2022 Annnnd I'm back! My hair is a bit greyer and my belly is a lot rounder, but it's a great feeling finally being back in the clinic. If there's one thing that all naturopaths find completely satisfying, it's seeing all their herbs lined up neatly on a shelf. See you all soon!

03.01.2022 Another edible "weed" I'm a bit obsessed with at the moment is borage. It's hard not to fall in love with borage and all its hairy droopy bits. Also known as starflower, Borago officinalis is often grown as a companion plant in veggie gardens to attract pollinators. If you're feeling a bit flat and in need of a confidence boost, borage might be able to brighten things up a bit for you. Traditionally, it was said to bring courage and strengthen the heart.... Its refreshing cucumber-like flavour makes it a lovely herb to pop into a jug of cold water or iced tea. If you'd like to learn more about using weeds as food and medicine, pop over to @cockatooherbalcollective or come along to one of our community weed walks . . . . . #melbounenaturopath #herbalist #herbalistmelbourne #medicinewoman #eatyourweeds #emeraldvictoria #naturopathmelbourne #herbalmedicine #foodasmedicine

02.01.2022 Today this arrived in the mail. I am now a qualified breastfeeding counsellor! I'm looking forward to helping lots of mums and bubs

02.01.2022 Drinking a cup of motherwort tea is like having a big warm hug from your mum. Her botanical name, Leonurus cardiaca, means lionhearted one and she embodies ...the spirit of a mother. She reminds me of a mother who selflessly and fiercely protects her unwell child, gently stroking their hair with love and kindness even though she hasn’t managed to get any sleep or have a shower. She helps women to ease through any transition stage of life with strength and courage puberty, motherhood, menopause, changing jobs or moving to a new place, and starting or ending a relationship. On a physical level she assists with anxiety, PMS, irregular menstruation, thyroid problems, heart palpitations and high blood pressure, postpartum depression and depletion, night sweats and hot flashes, and perimenopausal symptoms. Motherwort is another one of the herbs we’ll be getting to know at our workshop Herbal tea blending workshop: Herbs for self-care in two weeks. Herbal Tea Blending Workshop: Herbs for Self Care Date: Sunday November 10 Time: 1pm to 3pm Cost: $55 per person Head to https://www.trybooking.com/BFVPN to secure your spot Workshop limited to 10 places for meaningful connection #CHC

02.01.2022 I'm one of those sensitive people who gets red and itchy just looking at new skincare products, so I've been learning to make my own herbal soap over the past few months. It means I know exactly what I'm putting on my body and there are no hidden nasties that will turn me into a human lobster. It also means I have a LOT of soap - more than one human could possibly use in a lifetime. Friends and family - sorry, but you know what you're getting for your birthday for the next 10 years! If anyone would like to swap for some eggs, veggies, fruit, plants (or anything really, just not more soap) hit me up! The soaps in this pic are (top to bottom) chamomile, calendula and turmeric, rosemary, calendula and lemongrass, and rose geranium. @ Emerald, Victoria, Australia

02.01.2022 Look at this awesome weird thingy my dog groomer gave me this morning! It's a type of juiceless lemon called a Buddha's hand. High in vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties, and also lends itself well to a gin and tonic I hear. I think I'll wait til I'm done marvelling at it (and sniffing it - it smells incredible!), then dry it in the dehydrator to use in tea.