Herbal Wellbeing

Hello! My name is Yvette Lavender, founder of the Lavender Practice, which is proud to offer a system of herbal, holistic, health care as an alternative to or implemented alongside conventional medicine.

I passionately believe that true health starts in the gut and that many symptoms of our physical, mental, and emotional health occur as a result of a disturbance in the intricate balance of our gut bacteria. I believe the body has an astonishing intelligence and a natural and innate ability to heal itself given essential nutrients and vitamins, water, fresh air, and sunlight. A healthy mind, body, and spirit are powerful weapons against a lifetime of chronic disease and prescription medication. Why I believe true health starts in the gut

Delivery through the birth canal is a crucial time for 100 trillion bacteria and 1000 different species (collectively known as the microbiome) to start the process of populating the gut of a newborn infant. Breast milk also contains bacteria and nutrients to feed the microbiome and jump start the neural development of the brain, the immune system, and the digestive system. Factors such as severe stress, antibiotic treatment, and lack of nutrition in early life have the potential to profoundly alter critical signalling between the gut and the brain which can result in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD (attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder), learning difficulties, allergies, asthma, and other long-term chronic conditions. Studies show that wherever possible, breast fed, vaginally delivered, non-antibiotic treated infants have the best chance of developing a healthy gut flora. How can the Lavender Practice help? The Lavender Practice is a passionate advocate of natural plant medicine and diet and lifestyle intervention and can offer wrap around care from a first consultation to support gut health and pre-natal fertility right through to the physical and development milestones of the growing toddler, child, and teenager! Herbal medicine is a personalised system of healthcare and prescriptions will be unique to you and your requirements. Weaning

Weaning can be an exciting time as your child begins to discover new foods, smells, and tastes. However, in general, a baby’s digestive system continues to develop and mature through the first two years of life and is directly linked with the development

of the immune system. Enzymes that digest carbohydrates develop around 6-7 months and fat digesting enzymes develop between 6-9 months. Complex foods introduced too early and too often amidst the excitement of the weaning process can quickly overwhelm a tiny digestive system. Any food, in excess of what your baby’s body can process, can become toxic and may result in eczema, skin rashes, bowel disturbance and respiratory conditions as the body tries to eliminate a build-up of toxic waste products. Baby’s diet and optimum nutrition to promote and sustain healthy gut bacteria during the early years of life is absolutely crucial for long-term health and wellbeing. The Lavender Practice can advise on the importance of weaning with plant power to encourage optimum gut bacteria and how foods, herbs and plant medicines can be used to support gut health and immunity and help prevent distressing childhood ailments such as colic, constipation, allergies, and poor sleep conditions. Lavender Practice support for the mother-to-be

The Lavender Practice is passionate in supporting the holistic health of the mother-to-be and dedicated to ensuring she is supported, empowered, and fully informed at each trimester of pregnancy. Herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle advice will seek to prepare her mentally and physically for labour and boost nutritional status and immunity to ensure your baby is offered the very best start in life.

The Lavender Practice can prescribe: • Fertility boosting herbal medicine for parents-to-be to encourage the process of detoxification and to nourish and balance reproductive hormones. • Clinical grade essential oils to help soothe, comfort, and encourage the healing power of sleep throughout pregnancy and manage anxiety and stress during labour. • First trimester herbs for nourishment, immune boosting, and relief from nausea/morning sickness. • Second trimester herbs to support the health of the skin, general well-being, and immunity. • Third trimester herbal support to help tone the uterus, build endurance, and encourage relaxation during the process of labour. • Post-natal herbs to help support the physical and emotional impact of the birth process, stimulate breast milk and boost recovery and convalescence. • Herbal support for the new father