Rooted In The Wild

03/12/2026

The Functional Forum of Grand Rapids. A room full of medical doctors, pharmacists, naturopathic doctors, nurses, and estheticians sharing ideas and case studies around the power of healing rather than medicating.

My dinner table included a pharmacist who specializes in de-prescribing, a surgeon turned gut-brain specialist, and a nurse transformed into acupuncturist.

We all shared a common story thread - working in the hospital for too long and witnessing no change OR rapid decline.

So throughout the year, we gather. This wily group of rebellious medical practitioners. We remember why we do what we do. We share ideas, case studies, and dreams of a new paradigm in healthcare.

www.rootedinthewild.org

Pictured below: KPS organic skin care deep detoxification protocols demonstrated live. The models lost INCHES off their midsections in a very short period of time!

03/10/2026

My favorite brand of colloidal silver is on sale for a few days!

Silver is a staple in my home first-aid kit. When I worked in the hospital, we used silver-laced bandages (honey too!) because it prevents infection.

As an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal agent, here are a few of the ways I'm using colloidal silver:

*A few drops nebulized with distilled water for respiratory illness

*Rinsing out wounds as an antimicrobial wash

*In a small spritz bottle with water as a natural hand sanitizer (most hand sanitizers contain hormone disrupting Triclosan)

*Adding to home-made cleaning products

*Topically for acne, breakouts, or skin inflammation

*Added to a salt-water gargle for sore throats or dental infections

*Drops added to my chickens' or dog's water if I suspect something off (I'm not a vet so please check with yours first!)

I have a feral barn cat that recently had a likely fight with a raccoon, judging by the deep gash on her neck. We caught the cat long enough to douse it in colloidal silver, and off it ran. (She's doing quite well!).

A well-stocked natural first aid kit is essential in my family full of adventurous kids and farm animals. What are your favorite ways to use colloidal silver as a home remedy?

If we don’t preserve the power of our living nutrients throughout the manufacturing process, then what’s the point? Verifying the uncompromised potency of our products, from the farm to your family, makes all the difference.

03/04/2026

Sending out my Oxidative Stress panel today. Stay tuned for results!

03/04/2026

I’m sending out my Vibrant Wellness Oxidative Stress Profile sample today.

What exactly is oxidative stress? Basically, it’s like rust in your mitochondria, DNA, proteins, and lipids that contribute to aging, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.

Specifically, it measures:

*Genetics that influence detoxification and susceptibility.

*DNA and RNA oxidation

*Glutathione and Alpha-Lipoic Acid levels to determine the body’s detoxification processes

*Damage to cell membranes

*Glycation End Products which accelerate aging and increase the risk of metabolic disorders

Testing myself on a regular basis helps me see where I’m at, where I’m falling short, and how I can continue to improve my health.

I’ll be sharing my results live in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

If you’re interested in testing for yourself, email me at mel@rootedinthewild or book an appointment to determine which functional tests are right for you.

02/26/2026

Testing hormones is complex. This is where genetics come into play.

As a woman with a slow COMT and MTHFR genetic variant, I metabolize estrogen slower, making me prone to estrogen dominance and at a higher risk for estrogenic cancers.

For me this means being aware of synthetic estrogens (plastics), avoiding foods with added folic acid, taking magnesium and methylated B vitamins, exercise, and restorative practices like parasympathetic-inducing acupuncture are important.

Blood tests for hormones are not enough.

Our power lies in our knowledge of prevention.

www.rootedinthewild.org

Pictured: my ears with acupuncture treatment by the talented reiki master and acupuncturist Jen Chulski

02/24/2026

Only in New Orleans can you drop-in to a CrossFit gym and walk straight into a parade handing out syringes full of Jell-O shots for medical professionals.

I’ll be back in office on Thursday, but until then, I’ll be dancing to jazz with my daughter in the French Quarter.

And yes, the mysterious blue-dye in the syringes went to the trash. Injections by mouth from a stranger on the street is never a good idea 🤣

02/19/2026

Women’s hormonal testing requires more than estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels.

It needs to encompass DHEA, the building block of s*x hormones.

We need to understand the estrogen metabolism pathway to know if the liver, glutathione levels, or gut microbiome need support to process estrogen.

How are the adrenal glands and stress impacting s*x hormones? Is your body stealing all of your DHEA to make cortisol instead of s*x hormones?

DUTCH testing offers answers. We can learn about s*x hormone production, metabolism, and methylation all in one test.

Are you making enough?

Do you have the building blocks to make enough?

Are you experiencing Adrenal stealing of s*x hormone building blocks?

Are you metabolizing estrogen properly or is estrogen it headed toward a destructive path (estrogenic cancers, DNA damaging)?

Is your gut microbiome healthy enough to process the second stage of hormone breakdown?

Blood tests for hormone levels are not enough. These metrics let us know what the body has in the blood, not how it’s being used.

I would be honored to work with you on normalizing hormones. One test, many answers.

www.rootedinthewild.org

02/13/2026

My kids adore daredevil sports - like ski terrain parks, black diamonds, and jumping horses over rails. My inner former traumatic brain and spinal cord injury nurse self longs to look the other way.

Last week, one of my adventurous sweethearts hit his head on a mogul run, resulting in a concussion.

Here’s what we are doing:

Low stimulation environment, as much as possible for a teen (no screens, low lights, quiet sounds)

Hand-eye coordination projects (all the Legos!)

Omega-3 fatty acids for the brain structure

Vitamin B-complex for neurochemicals

Vitamin C and D to lower inflammation

Neuro-Pregnenlone for neuro plasticity

10g of Creatine for improved brain function

Asura Brain for resetting the glympatic system

Pineal Code homeopathic to establish circadian rhythm

Ginkgo to drive oxygen to the brain

CellCore IFC to lower inflammation

Electrolytes and minerals to rehydrate

Red light therapy, chiropractic care, and acupressure

We’ve got one brain. And this kid is absolutely headed back out to the ski hill and football field for another round of “scare his mama”.

01/27/2026

Genetic variant testing for methylation. An affordable cheek swab test with an information-packed punch.

What is MTHFR (also endearingly called the mother-f* gene)?

MTHFR is a necessary enzyme for utilizing B vitamins for detoxification, neurotransmitter production (think serotonin, dopamine, GABA otherwise known as our feel good, rest well, and mood stabilizing helpers), as well as gene activation.

When there is a genetic variant in MTHFR we can feel sluggish due to low levels of the master antioxidant glutathione. The body struggles to detoxify from everyday pollutants such as pesticides, herbicides, PFAS, heavy metals, mold, opportunistic infections, etc.

MTHFR testing is a lifelong answer. The result never changes like traditional labs that vary week-to-week. Simple changes to supplementation and diet offer a lifetime of protection and health.

Prevention over chasing.

MTHFR testing by cheek swab is $115 through Rooted in the Wild. The test is sent to your home with thorough instructions for collection. We’ll set up a virtual appointment to discuss results and create a plan together to suit your lifestyle and health goals.

To pursue testing, email Dr. Mel at mel@rootedinthewild.org

01/22/2026

Hey friends! The Rooted In The Wild Podcast is back with a new episode - Healthy Skepticism. So often, we take advice from medical professionals at face value. Skepticism often gets a bad wrap - but what if a healthy bu****it meter is a good thing?

Dr. Mel and Jase return to the pod with stories of their own skepticism in the world of alternative healing, as well as the patterns and experiences with naturopathy, homeopathy, herbs, energy work and more that have opened their minds. Perhaps the best medicine - for practitioners and patients alike - is the combination of healthy skepticism - and an open mind.

Listen Here:

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gsK2108qOy5DisnSuC9ID?si=QxnYFRkdQL6QeNoF38P7cw

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-in-the-wild/id1667142396?i=1000746207716

Podbean
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-95hiz-1a26c62

01/21/2026

Grip strength is an indicator of longevity. And not the kind of grip strength from silly little devices you squeeze with your palm, but the kind of grip strength that comes from lifting heavy weights or holding your own weight up on a pull-up bar.

Tonight I completely ripped calluses off my hand at CrossFit between a barbell and a pull-up bar.

We all have an opportunity to choose our hard. Not for the sake of living forever, but for the sake of living well into advanced years. It’s hard to go to the gym when it’s brutally cold and ripped up hands are of consequence.

And I have a pretty good feeling it’s worth it.

-Dr. Mel
www.rootedinthewild.org

01/18/2026

Mold and mycotoxicity impacts brain, kidneys, liver, immune function, nervous system, reproductive organs, and is considered a class 1 carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agent. Yikes.

And if you are a research nerd like me, you can read more PubMed mold studies here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38176924/, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11954124/, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8982061/

Testing your home is simple here: https://microbalancehealthproducts.com/?rfsn=8938866.a6ac31

Testing mycotoxin (mold) exposure levels can be done by a simple urine test. Email me at mel@rootedinthewild.org if you would like to pursue this testing.

Products to fight mold illness and mold exposure - proven, non-toxic products, homeopathic formulations, and professional-grade supplements designed to help you fight mold in your home and body.