Balanced Health for Life

30/10/2025

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): Restoring Balance. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common causes of va**nal imbalance, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood.

BV is not about hygiene or promiscuity. It’s about balance — an ecological shift within the va**nal microbiome where protective Lactobacillus bacteria decline and anaerobic species such as Gardnerella begin to overgrow.

This change can be influenced by many factors including antibiotic use, semen/s&x (which raises va**nal pH), stress, hormonal fluctuations, diet, and gut dysbiosis. When we only treat symptoms, BV often returns.

True healing involves looking deeper — understanding why the imbalance occurred and how to restore harmony long-term. That means supporting pH and microbiome restoration, improving gut health, managing stress, addressing hormonal influences, and in many cases, treating sexual partners as well. Research shows that partner microbiome balance plays an important role in recurrence rates.

BV is not a reflection of poor self-care; it’s a biological signal that your internal environment needs support. With the right combination of clinical testing, probiotic therapy, nutritional and herbal support, and lifestyle adjustments, the cycle can be broken.

If BV keeps coming back, it’s time for a more holistic approach that considers both symptom relief and the root cause. If you'd like support reach out to book a consultation with me to create a personalised, evidence-based plan to restore balance gently and effectively.

27/10/2025

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) — the herb for anxious hearts. 💗 Wonderful herbal ally for my Nourishing your Nervous System series.
Traditionally used to calm stress, soothe palpitations, and support emotional balance through life transitions-> think menopause, postpartum.
It strengthens while it softens — helping you return to your centre when life feels overwhelming.
Always consult your naturopath or herbalist for personalised guidance and if pregnant or breastfeeding. Need support? www.balancedhealthforlife.co.nz

20/10/2025

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a bright, calming herb that soothes the nervous system while gently lifting mood. Next up in my Nervous System Nourishment - Herbal Allies Series.
Research shows it reduces anxiety, improves sleep, and even supports cognitive focus during stress — perfect for today’s busy, overstimulated minds.
It’s one of my go-to herbs for emotional balance as Lemon Balm enhances GABA and acetylcholine activity — and stress-related digestive discomfort.
Always check with your herbalist or naturopath before adding new herbs, especially if on medications and have chronic medical conditions.

15/10/2025

Sooo fascinating...

You may think of the va**nal and endometrial microbiomes as separate ecosystems, but their proximity and shared regulation make them more like roommates sharing a wall. Both belong to the female reproductive tract microbiome continuum, yet each has its own micro-identity and immune tone.

Both are shaped by hormonal cycling, mucosal immunity, and sexual or reproductive activity. In health, Lactobacillus species dominate particularly: L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri, maintaining low pH and producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins for protection.

The va**nal microbiome is the frontline defender, dense, acidic (pH 3.8–4.5), and highly responsive to hormones, systemic health, and lifestyle.

The endometrial microbiome, though connected via the cervix, is a quieter, low-biomass environment. It’s less acidic (pH 6–7) and detectable only with ultra-sensitive tools such as qPCR, 16S rRNA, or metagenomic sequencing. It’s typically Lactobacillus-dominant but can include Bifidobacterium, Gardnerella, Cutibacterium, and, in imbalance, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and anaerobes.

A Lactobacillus-rich endometrium supports implantation and pregnancy. Dysbiosis, however, can trigger inflammation, chronic endometritis, or fertility challenges.
Because of its low biomass, endometrial microbiome sampling demands care, contamination from the va**na is a known confounder. Some clinics use sterile catheter-based sampling; others assess menstrual blood, ideally paired with va**nal testing for context.
Supporting both microbiomes means considering their shared influences, the gut, hormones, immune tone, and mucosal resilience.

Naturopathic and holistic care can individualise this support, complementing or standing alongside standard interventions.

Ultimately, we’re not just “balancing bugs”, we’re restoring harmony across interconnected eco-niches.
Have you heard of the endometrial microbiome before?

15/10/2025

Hot off the press: For the first time, researchers have systematically assessed the impact of long-term medication use on the gut microbiome.

This 2025 retrospective study, "A hidden confounder for microbiome studies: medications used years before sample collection," found that multiple medicines affected the gut microbiome for many years after use.

Typically, we think of antibiotics as the primary medication that alters the gut ecosystem in the long term. However, this study found that beta-blockers, benzodiazepine derivatives, glucocorticoids, PPIs, biguanides (metformin is the most widely prescribed drug in this class), and antidepressants affected the gut microbiome for several years after discontinuing use. And for many of them, the effects at the microbiome level are additive.

Overall, of the 186 drugs analyzed, 167 were found to be associated with the microbiome—affecting alpha diversity, beta diversity, or the abundance of at least one bacterial species—and 78 of those exhibited long-term effects on the gut.

Of note, benzodiazepines—nervous system depressants commonly prescribed for anxiety—impact the microbiome even more than several broad-spectrum antibiotics. The impacts of benzodiazepines and broad-spectrum antibiotics were detectable even when the drugs had not been used for over three years prior to microbiome sampling.

Read the full study at PMID: 40910778

14/10/2025

Brilliant swaps...less non food things

14/10/2025

Food not food

13/10/2025

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is more than a bedtime tea — she's a gentle nervine herb that soothes both the mind and digestion, supporting deeper rest and calm. Chamomile is one of my herbal allies for nourishing your nervous system.
Research shows chamomile can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality — without sedation or side effects.
It’s one of my favourite herbs for those who feel tense, tired, over-thinkers or wired at night - and she smells wonderful. The gentle soother and wise nurturer, Chamomile enhances subtle energy bodies.

10/10/2025

First up in my "Nourishing Your Nervous System - herbal allies series" : PASSIONFLOWER - > Natures calm, think of it as the herb that helps you exhale.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a gentle nervine that helps quiet the busy mind and ease tension in the body. Traditionally used for anxiety, restlessness, and sleeplessness, it supports the nervous system to unwind — without sedation or dependency.

Always check with your naturopath or herbalist to find out if this is the herb for you and the best form and dose for you.
www.balancedhealthforlife.co.nz

09/10/2025

“Nourishing your Nervous System”

Stress is everywhere in modern life — and chronic stress drives so many health issues. The first step in many of my holistic wellness plans is to nourish the nervous system. When your stress response is balanced, your whole body can heal and thrive.

Herbal medicine offers gentle, evidence-based ways to calm and restore resilience — herbs like kava, passionflower, lemon balm, motherwort, oats, and chamomile.

“Over the next few posts, I’ll be spotlighting these beautiful nervine herbs — sharing how they work, the research behind them, and how they can support your vitality.”

29/09/2025

Many women struggle with chronic or recurrent va**nal thrush (RVVC), bacterial vaginosis (BV), or perimenopause + menopause transitions. It can feel frustrating, isolating, and relentless. Vaginal health is more than just being “infection-free”, there are safe, evidence-informed natural options that can help soothe, restore and protect the mucosa, and support balance in the va**nal microbiome (as well as immune balance, gut health, hormonal and metabolic drivers).

I’ve been working on custom pessaries and oils in my clinic — blending research, clinical wisdom, and traditional herbal medicine. Thought I’d share a peek behind the scenes -> check it out! Wish there was "smell cam" or something :-)

25/09/2025

Thrush (no, no, not the birdie :-) – Understanding Recurrent Vulvova**nal Candidiasis (RVVC)

Did you know that recurrent thrush (3+ times a year) affects millions of women worldwide? It’s not just about “Candida” – the whole va**nal ecosystem, your hormones, immune system, stress levels, and even diet play a role.

Swipe through to learn what RVVC is, why a healthy va**nal microbiome is important, why it keeps coming back, and holistic steps (from herbs, probiotics, diet and lifestyle) that may support balance and your stage of life: from trying to conceive to menopause.

If you want personalised support with your hormonal and reproductive health I would love to work with you. www.balancedhealthforlife.co.nz to book your appointment now.
**nalmicrobiome