Mother-Well Holistic Health

05/02/2026

Austin Appelbee is 13 years old.

He recently failed his swimming assessment because he couldn't swim 350 metres continuously.

Last week, he swam about 4 kilometres through choppy ocean waters - where sharks are known to frequent - to save his family's life.

When their inflatable paddleboards drifted out to sea off the WA coast, Austin's mum - with her heart in her mouth and as a last-hope desperate prayer - sent him back in a leaking kayak to get help. When that failed, he ditched the kayak and then the life jacket (it was slowing him down) and swam.

For four hours. Through waves and wind. Who knows what was in the water. In open ocean.

He told himself, "Not today. I have to keep going."

When his legs buckled on the sand, he ran another 2km to call emergency services. His family was rescued just as darkness fell.

Police called his efforts "superhuman." (His swimming instructor probably wishes they'd seen this side of him.)

This is a heroic story. I love it. But I'm sharing this because:

Austin didn't become a different kid in that moment. The same determination, grit, and love that got him through those waters was already there. The crisis just revealed it.

I'm constantly reminding parents - you don't know you're resilient until you have to be resilient. And being resilient doesn't usually feel resilient. It feels like "I can't" far more than it feels like "look at me being awesomely resilient".

We spend so much time worrying about whether our kids are ready for life's challenges. Whether they're tough enough. Capable enough. Whether we've done enough.

Austin's story reminds me that kids have reserves we can't always see in the everyday moments. And that when it really matters, they'll find what they need.

What an incredible young man.

17/01/2026

Nature is truly wonderful - crows using insects as medicine. ❤️

When a crow feels unwell, irritated, or burdened by parasites, it doesn’t panic. It doesn’t flee. And it doesn’t rely on chance.

Instead, it seeks out an ant colony.

This behavior, strange at first glance, is one of the most elegant examples of natural intelligence in the animal world. Rather than hunting the ants, the crow deliberately allows them to crawl across its body. What looks like surrender is actually strategy.

The crow spreads its wings, lowers itself to the ground, and positions its feathers carefully. It remains mostly still, shifting only slightly, as ants swarm over its body. This is not accidental. The crow knows exactly what it is doing.

As the ants move through the feathers, they release formic acid, a chemical they naturally produce as a defense mechanism. For the crow, this substance acts as a powerful, natural disinfectant. Formic acid helps kill bacteria, fungi, mites, lice, and other parasites that can weaken birds over time. It also reduces irritation and may soothe inflamed skin beneath the feathers.

Scientists call this behavior anting, and it has been observed in over 200 bird species, including crows, jays, starlings, and sparrows. There are two main forms. The first, known as passive anting, is when the bird simply lies down and allows ants to crawl freely through its feathers. The second, active anting, is even more remarkable.

In active anting, the crow picks up individual ants in its beak and deliberately rubs them onto specific areas of its body, especially under the wings and along hard-to-reach feather lines. Before doing so, the bird often squeezes the ant gently, triggering the release of formic acid before application. The motion closely resembles how humans apply topical medicine.

This is not instinctive chaos. It is targeted treatment.

Researchers believe anting serves multiple purposes. It helps control parasites, may inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, and could even help condition feathers by neutralizing substances that interfere with preening oils. Some studies also suggest it may provide relief during molting, when new feathers cause discomfort and itchiness.

What makes this behavior extraordinary is that the crow is not born knowing chemistry. Yet through observation, evolution, and learning, it has mastered a biological partnership that functions like a living pharmacy. The ants defend themselves. The crow heals itself. Neither species invents the system, yet both benefit from its existence.

This knowledge is not written anywhere. It is passed down silently, generation to generation, through behavior rather than language.

In a world that often underestimates animals, anting is a quiet reminder that intelligence does not always look like problem-solving puzzles or tool use. Sometimes it looks like knowing exactly where to go when your body is failing you.

The crow does not call it medicine.

But it works.

15/01/2026

Menopause is known in Japan as “kōnenki”, meaning “renewal years.” It’s understood as a time when women honor their strength, wisdom, and an expanded sense of self. And it’s a mindset worth adopting, one that frames menopause not as a loss, but as a meaningful, well-earned arrival.

What if we shifted our perspective to see that each phase of life is simply another evolution…one that shapes who we become, bit by bit? Take , for instance. Instead of viewing it as a season to dread or one of decline, it can be embraced as an entry into a deeper, more natural purpose. The Japanese call reaching your true purpose “ikigai.”

As for menopause itself, it’s known in Japan as “kōnenki”, meaning “renewal years.” It’s understood as a time when women honor their strength, wisdom, and an expanded sense of self. And it’s a mindset worth adopting, one that frames menopause not as a loss, but as a meaningful, well-earned arrival.

15/01/2026

Beautiful bone broth recipe

08/01/2026

This is fantastic news. The USA has reversed the food pyramid and whole foods over processed foods are recommended! Hopefully other countries will follow suit and change the very outdated food pyramids.
https://realfood.gov

23/12/2025

UN body to study the possibility of integrating centuries-old practices into mainstream healthcare.

From herbalists in Africa gathering plants to use as poultices to acupuncturists in China using needles to cure migraines, or Indian yogis practising meditation, traditional remedies have increasingly being shown to work, and deserve more attention and research, according to a World Health Organization official.

A historical lack of evidence, which has seen traditional practices dismissed by many, could change with more investment and the use of modern technology, according to Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, who leads the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.

Earlier this year, countries agreed the WHO should adopt a new global traditional medicines strategy for the next decade that “seeks to harness the potential contribution of TCIM [traditional, complementary and integrative medicine] to health and wellbeing based on evidence”.

It includes plans to establish a robust evidence base for traditional medicine practices, develop regulation of treatments and practitioners and, where appropriate, integrate the practices into mainstream biomedical healthcare.

UN body to study possibility of integrating centuries-old practices into mainstream healthcare

22/12/2025

Merry Christmas Mother-Well ers!
Wonderful wāhine who support so many in their fertility journey, birth and well beyond

https://www.mother-well.co.nz/our-team/

Love you all, and love being a little part of your team. Thanks for a fantastic night and thank you for supporting Calmbirth

17/12/2025

Looking for a last-minute Christmas Gift. This book was recommended by a client today as a great book, with practical solutions to help in sharing the mental load and bringing value to the unpaid work that often takes a big toll on women.

I wrote Fair Play to find a way for women to have more time and space to reclaim, discover, and nurture the natural gifts and interests that make you uniquely you.

16/12/2025

15/12/2025

We loved welcoming Sharon from Serenity ph into Mother-Well all the way from Australia.
What an incredible service and product you provide for women. Your passion, education, and advocacy around vaginal health is inspiring.

We learnt so much (and definitely enjoyed geeking out over vaginal health 😌).

For anyone experiencing BV or thrush, boric acid can be a really helpful first-line support when used appropriately. Sharon shares a wealth of information on her Serenity pH blog and Reddit feed which is well worth exploring if this is something you’re navigating.

BV and thrush are conditions we see often at the Mother-Well clinic. If this is something you’re struggling with, our Naturopaths are here to support you with personalised care and guidance.

Accessibility matters deeply to Sharon, and we’re so grateful she has provided samples for us to share with our Mother-Well clients 🤍

15/12/2025

Mother-Well will be closing 2pm on Wed 24th 2025 and re opening on Monday 5th January 2026.

Dispensary Hours:
Last orders for courier are Monday 22nd at midday

Last orders for collection Tuesday 23rd at Midday.

We wish you all a safe and restful holiday break.