The Holistic Health Detective

for Curious Cases & Medical Mysteries

Amy Sumner, BHSc Naturopathy

Home: Welcome

The Holistic Health Detective

I'm a naturopath with a focus on cracking complex

medical cases. I work a little differently than

other practitioners. Rather than scrawling down your

prescription off the top of my head during a consultation,

I prefer to focus our consultation time on gathering your story and hearing your thoughts, then spend a lot of time outside of the appointment investigating, researching and piecing together your unique case.

Health is holistic. Your body is an intricately complex organism with each organ and system intertwined with all others. Every symptom is relevant. We must begin your healing journey from a deep understanding of what has happened and how the myriad dots connect. From there, we can treat any imbalances from the root cause and support your body towards optimal functioning and true health.

With a curious mind, scientific training and empathetic soul, I'm here to guide you towards a healthier, happier life.

Home: About

The Hidden Health Benefits of Having a Good Boi

🐶 Will literally save your life if someone tries to hurt you - years ago someone came for me in the night and police conceded I might not be here without him
🐶 Gets you out of bed early every day to get that good sunshine and keep your routine
🐶 Makes sure you go for a walk to move your body and observe nature and connect with others
🐶 Snuggles are medicine - boosts mood, lowers blood pressure and inflammation, supports tissue repair, reduces pain perception, lowers cortisol and promotes feeling of calm and safety. Nervous system regulation should be the top priority for most people in this modern world, health wise.
🐶 Daily laughs and pure joy from the cuteness and silliness and beautifulness and wonderfulness. That melodic baby talk that we all do increases oxytocin in both you and your dog and feeds into a connection loop. When mirror neurons sync, you become in tune with each other's moods, energetic shifts and needs.
🐶 Staying present - seeing Jolly mesmerised by a butterfly or blissing out in the sunshine helps me notice these special moments too.
🐶 Purpose and meaning - for people lacking direction or plagued by loneliness, a dog can be completely transformative.

Sometimes the most powerful healing isn't about changing your diet or taking herbs.

Why Did You Become a Naturopath?
Part 2/2
High school aptitude tests declared I could become any manner of therapists - occupational, speech, physio and so forth. The theme was clear but so was the visceral lack of alignment. Clinical settings and hospital spaces had always made me feel drained and energetically ill. The careers counsellor at school was uninterested when I vaguely said I was interested in natural therapies. He didn’t know what I meant, and nor did I. He suggested that perhaps I should take up Chemistry.
I was fairly academic throughout my entire schooling, so I was quite the frustration to my teachers when in the end, I couldn’t find a university course that intrigued me in the least. The Nutrition degree offered by the government university sounded completely wrong to me. I was accepted into the courses I half-heartedly applied for and deferred the offers to take a gap year.
Somewhere in that following year, I stumbled upon the Bachelor of Health Science: Naturopathy degree. It had never yet come to my attention since it was only taught at a small, specialised college.
Something within me lit up as soon as I read the course outline and got my first glimpse into what a naturopath was. Herbal preparation, flower essences, botany, human biology, massage, food as medicine, history of medicine - I could spend my days learning and practicing all this? Every part of it was wonderful to me.
There was always a familiarity about herbs and healing. What others found weird or foreign, I found obvious and normal. It really wasn’t until I was in the degree that I truly began to understand what naturopaths do and how complex it is. (That careers guy was right about one thing - I should have got started on chemistry sooner.) My entire first year I had the sense that I was hearing truths I already deeply knew, yet it was my first time hearing them spoken aloud.

I know I've walked this path before. Herbs and healing have found me across lifetimes.

Why Did You Become A Naturopath?
Part 1/2
People often ask me this. And I know they’re expecting some dramatic rock-bottom story; a devastating childhood affliction or chaotic youth followed by a miraculous redemption arc.
But my real answer? I just always was one.
I knew who I was on some deep level, and found my way there.
I never met a naturopath until I had already decided to be one. There were nurses in my family, so perhaps some penchant for healing was inherited, but in the vibrant joy of the 90s and Y2K world, natural health was never a popular trend in general, or a memorable focus of anyone in my life.
As a teenager, I felt at home in my local library (back when it was cosy and dim - not the glary, soulless building that later replaced it). I was quite a dissociative daydreamer back then with a preference for invisibility. I could contentedly spend hours combing through the shelves or settled into bean bags hidden in a corner somewhere in the stuffy quiet, with only muffled footsteps overhead or hushed whispers permeating my peaceful bubble. Sometimes I’d be immersed in fictional worlds; many afternoons I’d just flip through the stacked archives of Dolly and Girlfriend magazines. But as I grew, it was most often the aisles of nutrition and natural remedy tomes that drew my curiosity.
I borrowed Brigitte Mars’ Beauty by Nature book so many times I almost knew it by heart. I devoured books on healing foods and took notes on herbal medicines and fitness routines and topical skin remedies. I would check out as many of these books as I could and lay on my tummy on my bedroom floor taking in as much of this fascinating wisdom as I could absorb. For years I read scientific books as my bedtime stories. I would get up early to do my exercises and I would pick lavender and nasturtiums from the garden to make secret potions with, and I spent my earliest little paychecks at the health food shop.
(See next post for Part 2.)

Some of the most powerful medicines in the world are herbs and nutrients, but sometimes there are things that are even more healing:

Adopting the dog
Diving into the clean, cool silence of the ocean
Setting yourself free
Travelling to a new shore, or coming home to the one you realised you needed
Laying on the grass in the sunshine
Gazing at the moon
Singing badly and loudly to the bubblegum pop or emo cringe that time travels you to a better world
Playing the piano until the mental chatter quiets
Crying because your favourite songwriter felt deep sadness the way you once did
Gasping for air laughing with the people who get you
Dressing in glitter and heels because every day here is special
Letting your creative energy flow until you understand things better
Getting your hands dirty in the garden
Noticing every butterfly and bird call like it's the first time
Just sitting in a quiet place with your breath

A daily ritual for wearied hearts ready to come home to their inner spark.
The past few years have been disorienting and exhausting. Potion No. 1 sets the foundation to protect and restore vitality to the mind, body and soul in the face of modern life.

It’s that time of year when the late nights, last minute tasks and demands of the world can really start to stack up and feel overwhelming.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
That’s why I created my new potion, Spark.
It’s a gentle restorative ritual to reignite your vital spark.

Potion No.1 is now available from the Apothecary at amysumner.com.

𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙿𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝙽𝚘.𝟷: 𝚂𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔

From the cupboards of my apothecary (and perhaps after burning the midnight oil a little too often myself), I bring you a potion crafted to guard against burnout.
For many moons now, I’ve observed with clarity a stark pattern in clients, friends and foes alike. Years of strain, fear, lack and labour are showing up as fatigue, anxiety, frazzled and foggy minds, hair fall, excessive or insufficient slumber, dull skin, tired eyes, weak immunity and a general depletion of vitality. Caffeine, phones and other vices too seem to have lost their power, weak in their attempts to fan the flames of life that once burned bright and strong. Many people move through their days in a dysfunctional fatigue, with barely embers remaining to truly experience life the way it is meant to be lived.
Despite seeing many varied conditions and symptoms in the clinic this year, all paths inevitably led back to adrenal stress and nervous system dysregulation. As we enter the festive season, for many, the overwhelm is about to become too much to bear.

So I crafted a potion to address the pattern. A preventative, restorative herbal tincture blend that gently rekindles your spark and nurtures the body systems back to balance.

Spark is an adaptogenic elixir imparting sacred roots and herbs long used to restore function to the adrenal glands and nervous system, reinvigorate the mind, improve physical and mental performance, restore immune function and reignite your vital spark.
Herbalism offers abundant possibilities for healing approaches, so settling on this particular formula came about through a combination of clinical research, energetic understanding, and years of observing the profound effects of each of these herbs in practice.

𝙿𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝙽𝚘. 𝟷 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚟𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚞𝚛𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚠𝚠.𝚊𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚗𝚎𝚛.𝚌𝚘𝚖.

Burnout is back for December.
Feeling exhausted, foggy and flat during the festive season is so common. You’ve been burning that midnight oil or pushing yourself to get everything done, while also knowing in the back of your mind that parties, presents and performative joy are rapidly approaching and you’re not quite in the spirit yet. When you notice your flame beginning to sputter, it can bring on a feeling of panic and self-reproach as the days become more challenging while your capacity rapidly diminishes.
For many, this is the time when healthy habits are pushed to the side, when really, it’s the time to build in extra self care so you can actually feel well and enjoy the season.

Signs and symptoms when the fire is fading:
Waking unrefreshed
Feeling flat, numb or disconnected from your inner spark
The skin losing its glow and becoming more puffy, red or flaky
Hair loss, greying or textural changes
Increased emotional reactivity to stress, daily demands, sound, light
Brain fog
Craving caffeine but feeling the same or worse after
Craving salt
Difficulty concentrating
Lowered immunity
A sense of dragging yourself through the day

Adrenal burnout is not a flaw of your discipline or mindset. It is a physiological state where your endocrine system, nervous system, and nutritional resources have been pushed beyond their intended limits. There comes a point where pushing your body harder is no longer an available option. Whatever force of Nature designed your body never meant for your world to be so relentless in its cruelty. Stress was only ever meant to be experienced as short, dramatic bursts of life preserving action. This perpetual drag of fear, isolation and lack coupled with the relentless physical burden from poison-laced everything - is a complete mismatch for your biology. Your body, as ever, is doing the best it can under unreasonable conditions.
I’ve been working quietly on something for those who feel the spark dwindling. A potion formulated to rekindle the flame before it burns out. But before its arrival, first comes recognition. The moment you acknowledge, this isn't just fatigue. It's not laziness. This is physical depletion.

Stress: The Silent Saboteur of Skin Health

Often, clients will tell me that their skin issues started completely randomly - because they hadn’t made any topical changes. Once we dig a little deeper, it often becomes apparent that there was something VERY significant that changed.

- Stress elevates cortisol
- Cortisol reduces progesterone production, which elevates oestrogen and testosterone, while also increasing blood sugar and insulin resistance - all of which worsen acne
- Prolonged adrenal stress can reduce DHEA levels, leading to reduced skin hydration, thickness, and elasticity
- Cortisol reduces ceramides and free fatty acids, weakening the skin barrier’s ability to hold water
- Paradoxically, it also increases sebum production so the skin may feel oily on the surface even though the skin cells themselves are dehydrated
- Dehydration leads to tightness, dryness, and rough texture as water evaporates through the damaged epidermal barrier
- Stress can impact gut motility, either reducing detoxification (in constipation) or reducing nutrient absorption (in diarrhoea) and alters the microbiome balance both in the gut and on the skin. The immune system is suppressed and harmful pathogens can overgrow.
- Stress elevates inflammation, mast cell activation and histamine responses, worsening redness, itching, and rashes
- Collagen synthesis slows, reducing firmness of the skin and underlying fascia
- Healing time for blemishes, irritation, and wounds increases
- Chronic stress can shorten telomeres, accelerating cellular ageing
- Stress reduces melatonin and disrupts circadian rhythms, impairing overnight cellular repair
- Heightened sympathetic nervous system activity increases vasoconstriction, reducing nutrient delivery to skin tissues
During stress, the body burns through vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium and zinc rapidly. Each of these nutrients has powerful skin regenerative properties and their depletion compromises skin health. Amino acids like glycine, lysine and proline are redirected towards cortisol production during stress, which reduces the skin’s ability to repair in the absence of these important building blocks for connective tissue.

‘Twas the month before Christmas
And all through the land
Not an Aussie felt hopeful
World crumbles as planned
No homes to be found in this country so vast
Soon middle class will be a thing of the past
We pay rent first then make ends meet with the scraps
The young watch as elders cheer on the collapse
We try to zone out as we binge, vape and scroll
Small talk and ignore that the vax took a toll
The lockdowns, the losses, things we can’t unsee
The knowing this country has never been free
The doctors are proud of the part that they played
The leaders say “I can’t recall, I’m afraid”

But Christmas is coming! And in creeps the fear
Have I done enough to be proud of this year?
I swear I’ll be festive, a grin on my face
I'll carry more pressure and hold it with grace
And I must create magic joy for my child
Yet send them to schools that resemble the wild
And the tax man drained much of my money from me
So I’ll deepen my debt to place gifts by the tree

But darling, you are much too hard on yourself
No one could come through this with good mental health
Your nerves and adrenals weren’t meant to endure
Years clinging to ground that feels so insecure
And what can you do as you watch the world burn
More deep in despair with the more that you learn

In truth you can only heal it from you
The systems that broke you won’t ever come through
So plant the herb garden, take care of your soul
Teach children to be kind, keep families whole
Trade food with your neighbours, use cash when you can
Sew gifts and write letters, diverge from the plan
Remember that this world holds beauty outside
Small meaningful ripples soon grow to a tide
And if you feel you’ve lost the last of your flame
Know you’re not alone and most hearts feel the same
So yes, Christmas and New Year loom like a threat
You feel like a failure, you’re not ready yet
You did plenty this year just to survive
Allow yourself grace if you failed to thrive
And while joy would be nice, don’t feel shame to say
"Happy Christmas to all, and I'm doing ok"

✨️ Party Princess Survival Guide ✨️

End of year events can sometimes feel like the last straw of pressure to finish out a hard year, rather than a sparkling, fun occasion. It’s so important to take extra care of you over the coming weeks to prevent your festive candle burning out entirely. *As always, seek professional herbalist/naturopath advice before taking herbs, especially if you take pharmaceuticals or have medical conditions.

Hydration - top priority for hangover prevention and skin health. Coconut water (from whole coconuts, or Cocobella), watermelon and cucumber have natural electrolytes to hydrate from within.

Less stimulants - reduce the coffee and energy drinks in favour of matcha, green tea, cacao, high quality chocolates (Loco Love are the best) or green juices for your daily ritual.
As the heat rises in Australia, I’ve been loving Cocobella coffee or chocolate on ice for my morning ‘coffee’.

Dreamlover - Valerian and hops can support sleep onset and depth for those nights you get home late or feel wired. A white noise machine quickly puts your brainwaves into a dreamy state, while sleep stories (Get Sleepy on YouTube is my fav) can help if you need somewhere to focus your thoughts.

Liver Love - St. Mary’s thistle is an incredible herb for increasing liver detoxification so this is a great one to take pre or post drinking. B vitamins and zinc are also essential for liver detox, and in the morning, a sunrise juice with beetroot, lemon, ginger and orange helps liver clearance. Ideally, avoid alcohol and go for Non No. 1 (non alcoholic sparkling wine), Heaps Normal non alcoholic beers or mocktails.

Adaptogenic herbs - Adaptogens help the body adapt to and metabolise stress as you experience it so you can traverse challenging times without all the negative physical effects of stress. Withania, Siberian ginseng, rhodiola, holy basil, schisandra and astragalus are just a few.

Adrenal nutrients - magnesium gets depleted rapidly during stress so add a magnesium glycinate or bicarb to your days, and vitamin C from wholefoods is also super important for the adrenals so keep it simple and eat as much fresh fruit as you can.

#adaptogen #adrenals

STRESS

Stress on the body doesn't always rage with intensity. Certainly it can be that way; should you experience a terrible fright or shock, you might run on adrenaline for weeks in dysfunctional cognitive sharpness and an ever present awareness of your racing heart.

But the kind of stress most people experience most of the time is not like that at all. It's the nothingness, the silent apathy, the lack of emotions, the frozen motivation once you arrive home despite working all day under pressure. It's the doomscrolling or screen stacking at the end of the day, the vaping or drinking or bingeing in hopes of finding a little hit of dopamine to get through the next moment. It's the hopelessness that has been accepted while remaining unacceptable, it's the world crumbling as we play along. It's the silly season looming along with credit card debt and the sad internal question of where all your festive joy went. It's the long hours of working away from your loved ones only to find your bank account reduced to embers regardless. It's the remembering of all that you've seen in recent years and the knowing it is repeatable. And, it's all the while asking yourself why you didn't achieve more this year.

The most common pattern I've seen in almost every client this year (and last) is a combination of nervous system dysregulation and adrenal burnout. It is absolutely predictable that this should happen given the relentless strain on minds, bodies and souls that were never meant to experience life in this way.

Some ways we can support the physical body when stress is unavoidable:
- Adaptogenic & nervine tonic herbs like Withania, ginsengs, rhodiola, tulsi and passionflower
- Staying present in nature, ocean swims, feet on the earth
- Morning sunlight and evening darkness to reset cortisol
- Reducing coffee and increasing calming teas like lavender, mint and chamomile
- Increasing vitamin C foods and magnesium intake
- Reducing running and HIIT in favour of walking and weights
- Reducing screen time and increasing flow activities.
💖

Your skin is your protector - don’t take it for granted.

When you develop a chronic skin condition like acne, eczema or psoriasis, it can be tempting to scrub it all away - as though with enough sanding and scraping you can find a smooth, polished surface underneath the rough. So often, I’ve had clients come to me in a bewildered state after finding that all the exfoliating and dermablading and peeling and prodding only made their skin worse. The antibacterial washes and antibiotic medications led to a greater flare and a deeper desperation to heal.

The truth is, that outer layer of your skin that you regard as your enemy is actually your defence force and needs bolstering and nurturing, not treasonous attacks. The skin barrier is a complex fortress composed of skin cells, oils and protective bacteria that defend not only your skin, but your entire inner empire. Faced with threats from pathogens, fire, swords and stone, your skin is tireless in its fight to defend and repair. Even when the inflammatory insults keep coming, the necessary nutrients aren’t delivered and the probiotic soldiers continue to fall, your skin finds a way to patch the crater, contain the infectious threat and send more fire towards the areas of concern. Imperfect though it may be, these processes keep you alive. Once you start to recognise that blemishes and scars and rashes and pustules are evidence of your skin’s healing efforts, you can start to work with the skin instead of fighting against it.

Signs & Symptoms of a Damaged Barrier:
Rough, dehydrated texture, flaking
Prickling, tightness, stinging, redness in response to products or water ("sensitive skin")
Redness, pain, heat, swelling (inflammation)
Chronic breakouts, infections, fine lines, cracks, rashes, slow healing

Repairing the Skin Barrier:
First do no harm: Stop any exfoliants, acids, peels, shaving, antibacterial treatments that damage the skin barrier
Very mild products at first, eg. oil cleansing, oats baths, vitamin E
Healthy fats - avocado, fish, seafood, raw nuts & seeds, olives
Vitamins A, C, E, zinc, copper, collagen, aloe, calendula, licorice, probiotics (internal & topical, with professional guidance) ✨️

🌿 NATUROPATH FOR COMPLEX CONDITIONS 🌿
🔎 The Holistic Health Detective 🔍

If you're new here, hi, I'm Amy - an experienced naturopath with a passion for diving deep into each case and unravelling medical mysteries that haven’t yet been given the attention they deserve.
I work with most chronic conditions and help my clients reach their wellness goals using functional testing, herbal medicines, nutrition and lifestyle changes. I run long consults, write detailed reports and tend to work with complex medical cases to connect dots that may have been overlooked.
I also regularly treat skin maladies, gut concerns, hormone imbalances, chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal stress and immune dysregulation. Come see me in Montville or online and let's get started.
You can book or get in touch with any questions at www.amysumner.com or hello@amysumner.com ✨️

🌿 HERBAL MEDICINES 🌿

Plant medicines are incredibly powerful for restoring health to the body and preventing the development of chronic illness. There are herbs for all manner of ailments, including those poorly tended by pharmaceutical medicines (eg. chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive decline, liver damage, viral illnesses, autoimmune conditions). Most herbs also impart general health benefits on a cellular level, with many having antioxidant, anticarcinogenic or antiinflammatory properties that help to prevent future pathologies occurring.

My favourite way to use herbs is in tincture form, a potent alcohol extract that is well absorbed and can be tailor formulated to the individual client. I take a herbal tincture myself most of the time, though the herbs used vary with the ebbs and flows of life. I also like to 'let medicine be my food' (many people skip over that second part of Hippocrates' immortal quote) so I'll pluck leaves and flowers from my garden to make teas, add ginger and turmeric root into my dinner and weave herbal teas throughout my daily rituals.

Some herbs are too delicate to work well as a tincture and are more effective as powders. Slippery elm and marshmallow are both gut- healing herbs that work best in a powder added to liquid just before taking. Others work best in a topical cream or ointment form.
I take into account client preferences when formulating herbal recommendations, since taking your herbal formula consistently is key to getting results. Tablets and capsules sometimes are better if you are adverse to the bitter liquid tonics, but in general, liquids and fresh herbs hold nature's vital force more strongly than tablet or capsule forms, and tasting the herbs has additional pharmacological effects that can be missed when using only capsules or tablets.
For each formula, I mix together about 5 different herbs that are specific to the unique case. Each blend often covers a myriad of other unspoken health goals due to each herb's complexity and multiple actions.
If you need a tailored herbal tonic or tea, get in touch at hello@amysumner.com to order your very own personalised potion. 🌿

#naturopath #tincture #herbalmedicine

🌙 MOON CYCLE 🌙

Did you know that your period is naturally connected to the moons cycles and a regulated menstrual cycle will have a bleed on either the full moon or the new moon?

#harvestmoon #fullmoon #mooncycle #redmooncycle #whitemooncycle #hormonenaturopath #hormonehealth #witch #womenaremagic

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝙺𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝙸𝚛𝚘𝚗

In my last post, I spoke of iron’s sometimes stubbornness in the way it can sit in the body yet refuse to lift the effects of anaemia.
When such a quandary presents itself, it's important not to abandon the problem as fixed or non-existent but to explore other causes for what ails you.
Today, we follow the anaemia trail to a secretive figure rarely paid notice in medicine: ceruloplasmin.
Ceruloplasmin is a copper-bearing protein that transforms iron into a form your body can actually move and use. Without enough copper, ceruloplasmin levels fall, and iron becomes stranded, rusting away in the wrong places while your cells cry out for more.
Copper deficiency is a major reason why you can have plenty of stored iron, yet be functionally deficient - because the iron isn’t mobilised.
The plot thickens.
Other requirements for healthy ceruloplasmin include stress management and liver health - so you see, your iron deficiency anaemia can be caused by many factors other than a simple lack of iron intake.

Copper is found in foods like oysters, beef liver, dark chocolate, and spirulina. Copper also can be ingested from water that has spent time in copper pipes, copper kettles, copper water bottles etc. This is a trace mineral so excess is likely as deficiency, and supplementation should be addressed with professional support.
Hair mineral analysis is recommended before supplementing copper, to gain clarity on where your copper levels are at, along with extra context on how iron is being used and stored.

Vitamin C supports copper absorption and iron utilisation. It is found in raw fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits and berries, as well as raw cacao. (Ascorbic acid in vitamin C supplements is NOT the same.)

So perhaps, in the case of chronic iron deficiency, the real solution is not to add more iron… but to produce the missing keys to unlock the iron you already have.

#naturopath #montville #montvillenaturopath #onlinenaturopath #holistichealthdetective #ceruloplasmin #irondeficiency #irondeficiencyanaemia #anaemia #fatigue #cfs #chronicfatigue #wholefoodvitaminc #greyhair #whitehair #copperdeficiency #copper

𝙸𝚛𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚊𝚢 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎 𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚝.

Chronic iron deficiency might appear at first glance to be a straightforward case - but can in truth be an incredibly frustrating and complex problem. You experience all the obvious signs and symptoms of anaemia, your test results show a clear iron or ferritin deficiency, and yet when you eat iron-rich foods, take supplements or even get an infusion - the symptoms remain, you feel worse, your levels don’t rise - or they do improve on paper but yet, your vitality eludes you.

The thing is, iron is just iron.

That dark grey, shiny metal.

On its own - it’s not actually what your body needs. Your body needs a whole combination of different elements to be able to work its alchemical magic.
In many cases, absorption is a problem since a number of digestive processes must occur to allow the iron to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Gut issues can cause poor absorption, or even iron loss through bleeding. Iron infusions bypass any gut issues, but they also bypass appropriate detox filters and timing and do not address any underlying causes. Iron is incredibly oxidative and damaging when it is not able to be utilised.
In many of these cases, while you may have tunnel vision towards the iron; copper, zinc and vitamin C escape your notice. Iron can only operate effectively with their abundant presence, and yet you continue beating down the same path even when your attempts at fixing the problem show that the prime theory isn’t actually lining up.
After many attempts at correcting your iron deficiency, you likely have sufficient or even high levels of iron trapped in your tissues while your blood tests consistently show low levels. This usually happens in inflammatory conditions. The iron is there - and yet you starve for its effects.
Iron deficiency signs and symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, poor cognition, weakness, dizziness, blueness of the eyes or lips, pallor, brittle or spoon shaped nails, strange non-food cravings, low immunity, poor wound healing, low appetite. These are all clues. And while they seemingly point to one obvious suspect, that’s only part of the picture.

#anaemia #irondeficiency

Unpacking my Seasonal Vegie Box from @thefallsfarm in Mapleton. ✨️ Buying direct from your local farmer is one of the best ways to nourish your body, while also helping to rebuild food and health systems from the ground up. 🌱

#sunshinecoast #sunshinecoasthinterland #fallsfarm #realfood #naturopath #biodynamicfarming #sustainablefarming

I truly don't understand why it's been so challenging for this client to get a proper contrast MRI ordered in Australia.
She has had dramatic improvements since we started working together, a lot of which happened as she came off all medications, but recently has hit a decline. Her symptoms can be very up and down but her progress through the medical system in all this time is negligible.

#Seizures #Migraines #Melatonin #LowCortisol #Paralysis #Speechissues #Visionloss #Emotionaloutbursts
#Excruciatingpain #Soundsensitivity #Lightsensitivity #PinealTumour #PinealCyst #PinealGland #ThirdEye #Optometrist #GP #MRI #ContrastMRI #Neurologist #Neurosurgeon #Naturopath #HemiplegicMigraine #HeadacheSpecialist #FND #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder

🦇 NATUROPATHIC CONSULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN MONTVILLE 🦇

When the moment for transformation stirs, I shall be waiting at the threshold, ready to welcome you in.

Bookings and further details can be discovered at www.amysumner.com or write to me directly at hello@amysumner.com 🕵‍♀️

And yes - you can also book online consults should you wish to work with me from afar.🌙)

#montville #naturopath #montvillenaturopath #sunshinecoast #sunshinecoastnaturopath

🦇 A new era in healing awaits just past the dawn 🦇

#montville #naturopath #sunshinecoast #sunshinecoasthinterland

#naturopath #montville #sunshinecoast #sunshinecoasthinterland

I understand where people get the idea that herbal medicines don't work. What I don't understand is how an intelligent person could even begin to think this is true - other than via persistent brainwashing.

#herbalmedicine #herbalism #hippocrates #pharmacology #ginger #coffee #botany #naturopath #nutrition

🌿✨ 𝙵𝙾𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝙰𝙲𝙸𝙳 ≠ 𝙵𝙾𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴 ✨🌿

Folate is an incredibly important nutrient for life, and many who seek motherhood draw their attention to this nutrient as pregnancy blooms. But in your quest for glowing health you mustn't be fooled by cheap imitations and salesy tricks.
Folate derives its name from 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦, the lush green leaves that are rich in this life-giving molecule. You can get true folate from an abundance of dark green leafy vegies and herbs like spinach, rocket, cos, bok choy, watercress, parsley, coriander, basil and dill.
True folate is alchemised by your body for:
💫 Crafting new life (DNA synthesis and foetal development)
💫 Detoxification
💫 Vital energy production
💫 Hormonal balance
💫 Cellular repair
and so much more.

Folic acid is synthetic. It is a different molecular structure (that never occurs in nature) and requires more chemical reactions to be useful in the body. Folic acid is used in many cheap supplements and added indiscriminately by law to most processed wheat products in Australia. In theory, this was supposed to prevent neural tube defects that can occur due to folate deficiency, but in some cases, folic acid is incredibly harmful to foetal development and is not suitable for everyone.

If you are born with a fairly common genetic polymorphism for MTHFR, you may not be able to utilise folic acid at all. MTHFR is the enzyme that is needed to transmute inactive forms of folate (some which do occur naturally) to its active and useful form. If you don't have enough of this enzyme, consuming folic acid can disrupt the folate cycle and lead to signs and symptoms of folate deficiency, like fatigue, brain fog, chemical sensitivity, and in some cases infertility, miscarriage or birth defects.

🕯️ MTHFR is easily tested for as a buccal (cheek) swab
🍃 Fill your plate with living greens over lifeless powders
🛑 Avoid "fortified" breads and grain products if you have an MTHFR mutation
💊 If a potion be needed, let it be methylfolate, never folic acid.
🍃 Oh and, always seek your nutritional advice from an expert - not a GP.

May your plate be ever brimming with nature's green magic. 🌿

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚛𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚎
Let us revisit the curious case of the 23-year-old woman beset by debilitating exhaustion, mental foggery, post-exertional malaise and aching limbs. Recovery was not easily granted by conventional means. Rather, it was attained through her unyielding resolve to uncover the truth of her affliction - despite many physicians declaring either her malady imaginary, or her cure, impossible.

The path to recovery was long, deliberate and measured. It was not one singular step but a journey that involved:
- Adaptogenic, cognitive enhancing and restorative herbal tonics, tailored just for her particular condition
- A return to nutritional wisdom with a focus on deeply nourishing wholefoods, plenty of protein and an abundance of antioxidants
- Targeted nutritional supplements to provide the mitochondria with all the ingredients to create ATP for energy
- A commitment to true self care, with the establishment of fierce boundaries and attention to healthy behaviours to ensure the cycle of depletion would never be repeated.
- Acceptance of reality, with a graceful release of her past identity and dedication to work within her present limitations in order to move towards a limitless future.
- A steadfast adherence to a tailored, clear baseline from which she gently and gradually rebuilt. She learnt how to exercise without forcing progress, but rather by attuning to her body and trusting its signals.
- Liver and lymph detoxification and gut repair was integral to creating an internal terrain supportive of deep cellular healing. Herbal medicines, body brushing, saunas, massage and nutritional work all gently helped with this reset.
- And finally, a quiet reconnection with the unseen. Counselling, reiki, energy healing, flower essences and spiritual practices each played a role in her journey back to herself. After all, chronic fatigue syndrome is an affliction marked by a loss of vital energy. Drawing energetic boundaries and summoning one's energy back to the self can be powerful practices in healing.
Her recovery was complete - her mind curious and busy again, her body energised and her life full of possibility.

THE PATH TO CFS RECOVERY

To heal the mitochondrial damage that drives chronic fatigue syndrome, we have to carefully guard against any increase in inflammation and oxidative stress, while also providing enough of a challenge to the cells to provoke their strengthening.

1. Figure out what you can do every day, in precise detail, WITHOUT feeling any worse. This is your baseline and starting point. When writing this down, remove any judgement or emotion around this and get very clear on where you are at.
2. Stabilise your baseline by managing your activity levels a little below this baseline for several weeks.
3. Increase your activity level in ONE specific area, in a TINY way. (eg. go from a baseline of sitting up for 5 minutes, to sitting up for 5 minutes and 10 seconds.)
4. Stabilise your new baseline for at least a week before making another tiny change. Repeat.
The biggest pitfall in CFS recovery is the Push and Crash. You feel a bit better (because the inflammation has subsided some) and then you get excited and do a little more activity than you've been able to in a while. And then comes the cost - a flare in symptoms, a drop in vitality, and weeks lost to setback.
Over time, your capacity to function rises and then falls again, up and down, catching you in a cycle of perpetual illness.
If you can take tiny baby steps forward and avoid any major back steps - you walk the path to recovery slowly, but surely. Recovery is not only possible, but inevitable when you do it this way.
You prevent worsening the inflammation that so damages your cells, and your body gets some relief and a chance to repair. At the same time, you use your muscles and brain just enough that they do not decondition, but can gently start to repair through providing a TINY challenge they can certainly recover from.
+ we can use an incredible array of tonic herbs, healing foods, mitochondrial support nutrients and antiinflammatory, antioxidant remedies to further support your body in its healing process.
This is all, of course, rather simplified. The journey is nuanced and complex and made all the easier when you have an experienced guide who has walked the path before you.

𝙸𝚗𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙸𝚗𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎: 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚌 𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚎 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚃𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐

To investigate the deep underlying drivers of fatigue and brain fog in our case, the following functional tests may prove illuminating:

Organic Acids: a urinary test to reveal mitochondrial dysfunction and specific disruptions in the Kreb's cycle of energy production, oxidative stress levels, detoxification capacity and problems with nutrient assimilation.

Gut Microbiome Mapping: the greatest likely source of systemic inflammation is the gut so it is important to assess for dysbiosis, leaky gut, parasites and fungal overgrowths. Most people with CFS have immense gut microbiome imbalances.

Epstein-Barr Virus: often contracted in youth and sometimes evading detection for many years, this virus can reactivate during times of severe stress.

Cortisol: the body's main stress hormone and body clock regulator is often severely depleted or out of rhythm in CFS. Sufferers of CFS have often lived a busy life of high achievement and busyness prior to their illness.

Mould: a common driver of mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and immune dysregulation.

Heavy Metals: hair mineral analysis can unveil the hidden accumulation of toxic mercury, lead, arsenic and other metals that burden the detoxification systems of the body and impair mitochondrial and neurological function.

#chronicfatiguesyndrome #cfs #myalgicencephalomyelitis #naturopath #cfsnaturopath #montville #montvillenaturopath #functionaltesting #testingforcfs #gutmicrobiome #guthealth #heavymetals #hairmineralanalysis #brainfog #fatigue #alwaystired #naturalmedicine

𝙼𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚖𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚌 𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚎 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚎

CFS is driven by 4 key underlying patterns:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Inflammation
- Oxidative Stress
- Ischaemia

Throwing it back to highschool science class, the mitochondria are the parts of the cells that make ATP for energy. In CFS, these organelles are physically damaged and do not work properly. You cannot make enough ATP to function, hence the symptoms of unrelenting fatigue and bewildering brain fog.
When viewed under a microscope, the mitochondria of people with CFS has been found to be physically damaged and ragged. This is why they cannot produce enough ATP, or energy, to function appropriately. A person with CFS has a broken body just as much as one with a broken leg - the difference is you cannot see it. It can be easy for others to dismiss your debility as laziness, or for you to judge yourself when you do not understand the severity of your condition.
A person with a broken leg would be encouraged to rest, to take measures to support the fracture towards healing, and certainly not to take any actions that might cause further damage.
Similarly, one with broken mitochondria should avoid exacerbating their cellular damage, and take supportive measures towards healing.
You can't force yourself to run or think clearly any more than you can force a car with a dead battery to drive.
Inflammation, oxidative stress and ischaemia are major underlying patterns that pervade the entire body and cause further cellular distress. Often, CFS begins with a viral illness like glandular fever and the inflammation and oxidative stress caused during the acute illness lead to ongoing residual effects because of the damage to the cells.
Ischaemia is a lack of oxygenation to the cells, which becomes a part of a cycle of damage and dysfunction.

To heal CFS, we must address the underlying causes by supporting mitochondrial repair, using antiinflammatory and antioxidant remedies and using lifestyle practices and nutrition to boost circulation and oxygenation.

CFS is a sensitive condition that only improves when you do the exact right things at precisely the right pace.

#cfs #chronicfatigue

🕰️ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptoms & Diagnosis 🕰️

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is oft misjudged as melancholia or laziness, when in truth, it is neither such thing.

To establish a true diagnosis, three conditions must be met:

1. Persistent Fatigue — Of a nature most unrelenting, lasting no less than six calendar months. This fatigue is severe enough to disrupt normal activities, unexplained, not the result of exertion, and not relieved by rest.

2. Exclusion of Other Maladies — All other probable causes must be duly investigated and excluded: iron deficiency anaemia, thyroid imbalance, insulin resistance, depression, chronic infections, and the like should be ruled out.

3. Presence of Additional Symptoms — Diagnosis is confirmed when three or more of the following symptoms are also present:
• Cognitive impairment (brain fog)
• Post-exertional malaise (a worsening or flare in symptoms after activity)
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Muscle or joint aches
• Dizziness upon standing
• Headaches of a new or peculiar kind
• Immune irregularities (eg. sore throat, tender lymph nodes)
• Changes in bowel motions

Though fruitless pathology test results are part of the diagnostic process, that is not to say there are no answers to be found. Rather, most physicians know not where to look.

On the morrow, we shall delve into the underlying mechanisms, to understand where these distressing symptoms arise from.

#HolisticHealthDetective #CFS #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MontvilleWellness #Montville #Naturopath #SunshineCoast #SunshineCoastNaturopath #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #FunctionalDiagnosis

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚛𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚎

She was 23 and suddenly sleeping 16 hours a day, with no relief for her weariness no matter how long she slumbered. She needed a rest after brushing her teeth. She collapsed in her bed fully clothed and didn’t eat dinner because it was too much effort to walk to the kitchen.
She could no longer pick up the momentum in her legs to run, even in moments she truly needed to. Her blood pressure was alarmingly low, but the doctor said ‘that’s normal in young women’. Her thyroid test came back normal.
She went from a straight A, type A high achiever to finding herself in a body and mind that didn’t work anymore. Her hard-earned knowledge evaded her behind all the cotton wool in her head. A different doctor offered antidepressants when she cried in his office after the exhaustion of waiting an hour for her appointment and then begging for help with her fatigue.
She showered several times a day in attempts to warm her body, but she sat on the floor because she couldn’t stand for that long. Lights and sounds were so bothersome that she couldn’t read, write or watch TV for more than a few minutes to pass the time. She became exhausted from conversations and any exertion led to days of muscle pain and exacerbated weakness.
Her friends noticed she was thin and pale, but otherwise didn’t understand when she tried to explain how unwell she was and why she couldn’t work or play like she used to. After all - she looked for the most part, like a normal 23 year old and was expected to behave as such.
As the months passed, she slipped into despair and began to wonder what would become of her life that once held so much potential. She felt as though others believed her lazy or crazy, when the truth was that every tiny task required enormous effort and she was doing all she could to move forward, while having no guidance or support to direct her down the right path.

𝚂𝚘, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗? 𝙻𝚎𝚝’𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜.

🌿 Healing Wisdom is Etched Into My Soul 🌿

People often ask me how I came to be a naturopath.
The honest answer is, I believe I always was one.
I didn't have anyone in my life who introduced me to natural medicine or herbs. I never saw any natural therapists when I was young. I had never even heard the word naturopath.
I never quite fit in anywhere, and quietly questioned so many things that were considered normal in society but made no sense to me.
As a teenager, I found a book about herbs and became fascinated with herbal medicines and the idea of healing foods. I would go to the library and pore over books about natural healing, and secretly make plant potions from the lavender and nasturtiums in our garden.
My career counsellor was unhelpful when I told him I wanted to be a natural healer - he didn't know what I meant and I didn't really either.
When I was 18, I finally stumbled upon the outline for Endeavour's Bachelor of a Health Science degree in Naturopathy and recognised myself in it. As I began studying, I had this peculiar sense that even though I was hearing all this information for the first time, I already completely knew it to be true - like a remembering. I graduated in 2013 and have now been practicing and learning and writing and teaching as a naturopath in so many different forms for 11 years.
In recent years I learned that I have the kind of integrity and courage of conviction that would have got me burned at the stake. 💯 🔥
I will be living and practicing natural medicine until the day I die, and I'm so grateful to be able to do this work over many lifetimes.

When No One's Listening

Your body asked you to rest,
and you worked another double shift anyway.

It begged for nourishment,
and you skipped lunch - again.

It flared up around certain people,
and you told yourself to “be nice.”

It slowed you down,
and you called yourself lazy.

It bloated, it broke out, it sent you gut feelings...
and still, no one asked why.

Not the doctor.
Not the specialist.
Not even you - because you were taught to push through.

You weren’t just unheard.
You were misread.

I work with the women who feel like their body has become a stranger.

The ones who’ve been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and left with more questions than answers.

Together, we stop guessing.
We start decoding.

Your body is still speaking.
You just need someone who knows how to listen.

🌿 DM me or follow the link in bio to begin your case review.

You’ve been handballed from doctor to specialist. Waited months for your turn, taken the meds, asked the questions, googled the symptoms. Tried natural remedies. Gone back to the doctor.
Told it’s all in your head and your test results are normal. And yet - your body is still screaming for help and you know something is wrong. No one seems to be connecting the dots or taking the time to hear you out on all the things that have happened.

That’s where I come in.

I’m Amy Sumner, a Holistic Health Detective (aka a BHSc qualified Naturopath with 11 years clinical experience) trained to read the body’s clues, uncover hidden imbalances, and put together actionable, safe treatment plans for the complex cases most practitioners give up on.

I decode chronic, complex, multisystem mysterious cases using a root-cause, detective-style approach.

As naturopaths we are taught to look at your body and your health history as the complex, intricate web of interplaying factors that it is - where every symptom is relevant and every piece of information is a clue. Even with this understanding though, many naturopaths don't have the time to really dive into your case and look at it in all it's beautiful messy detail. In the past I would get frustrated with these cases because I couldn't put them down until I followed them through, but I also wasn't able to fit the amount of work into the structure I was working in. Many late nights and hundreds of clients later, I decided to create a better way to practice - for these specific clients who just need a deeper dive approach. I want to solve these cases, and you need someone who will put it all together at last.

I'm now opening new casefiles for in-person consults in the Sunshine Coast area — as well as continuing to support online clients.

If your case is still unsolved… I’m ready to investigate.

🗂️ DM me or follow the link in bio to learn more and book your Case Review.

hello@amysumner.com
www.amysumner.com

#naturopath #sunshinecoast #montville #mapleton #cfs #chronicfatigue #posted #migraine #seizure #infertility #mthfr #pcos #endometriosis #onlinenaturopath #maroochydore #guttesting #hormonetesting #ceruloplasmin

✨ The Hidden Reason Your Iron Supplements Aren’t Working ✨

You’re taking iron supplements, eating iron-rich foods… yet you still feel drained, weak, and foggy. Your blood tests improve temporarily, but then before long, your iron is reading low again.
HEAR ME OUT -
You probably don't have an iron problem.
(Or at least, not the iron problem you think.)
Pure iron is just a silvery, brittle metal. On its own - is it really going to do anything magical for your health? Everything is the body works in a synergistic dance of harmonious interactions, and for iron to become useful in the body, it requires copper.

Your body can’t use iron properly without ceruloplasmin, a copper-dependent protein. It's like a little taxi cab for your iron. When copper is low, ceruloplasmin is out of action, and all that iron your putting into your body gets trapped in the tissues instead of circulating in your blood where it’s needed. Iron is incredibly oxidative and can cause inflammatory damage to tissues when it builds up to excess.

This can lead to:
Low energy & persistent fatigue
Weak immunity & slow healing
Hair loss & brittle nails
Symptoms of anaemia—even if blood tests show “normal” iron levels
Iron overload can feel like iron deficiency and can even look the same in blood tests because the iron is hiding out of sight.

Some extra indicators that copper is likely the problem:
- You don't have heavy periods or any other blood loss to explain where the iron is going
- You have white or grey hairs
- You have tiny white depigmented spots on your skin

Copper-boosting foods:

Grass-fed liver & beef heart (can be in capsule form)
Dark chocolate & cacao
Mushrooms & nuts
Whole food vitamin C (like camu camu or acerola cherry)
True iron balance isn’t just about iron - it’s about copper, ceruloplasmin, and synergy.

Have you experienced this pattern before?

#MineralMagic #CopperWisdom #IronImbalance #TheHealingFiles #NutrientAlchemy #HolisticHealing

Copper : A Secret Key to Vitality

Oft overlooked in nutritional healing, copper is an absolutely essential mineral for health. In the past, this was widely known and the metal was revered for its vitalising power. In modern life it has more often been vilified, as copper toxicity has become more commonplace (due to factors like copper water pipes and copper IUDs). Copper can be magic, but balance is everything. Too much can cause chaos, while too little can leave you dull and weary. I've seen both ends of the scale in my practice and can attest to the importance of getting the level just right.
Aligning copper, zinc, and iron can be incredibly powerful in unlocking the true potential of your cells.

Some of Copper's Essential Roles:
Awakens energy production & metabolism
Essential for glowing skin, strong hair, and healthy pigmentation of both skin and hair
Fortifies immunity and longevity
Unlocks brain clarity and nervous system harmony
Regulates the balance of iron, zinc, and hormonal balance

Signs & Symptoms of Low Copper:
Feeling drained and fatigued
Cold hands and feet
Persistent anaemia / low iron, despite attempts to boost your iron input
Brittle hair, grey or white hair, tiny white spots on your skin
Aches, pains, and slow healing wounds

Feeling called to restore your inner radiance? Let’s explore the magic of minerals together.

#MineralAlchemy #HealingMetals #HolisticMagic #TheHealingFiles #CopperEnergy #NourishYourBody #FunctionalHealth

✨️ 35 🎂

#sunshinecoast #treetopchallenge #cyclonealfred #thebigpineapple

Herbal Medicines are genuinely very safe. Mostly because humans have already tested the effects of plants over and over again throughout millennia.
Does that mean everything natural is safe? Well, no - if it's a poisonous plant we just call it a poison 💀 not a medicine.
Primum non nocere (first do no harm) is a foundational principle of herbalism, and we still abide by it.
Herbs are complex, intelligently designed medicines that have synergistic and balancing effects that provide multiple benefits while also causing minimal negative effects. Dosage is important, and there are more limitations with very old or very young people, but again, this information is very well established.
It is, of course, always possible to have an allergic reaction to anything, or to experience outlying negative effects relating to your unique body. (The worst herbal side effect I've had in a client was mild nausea.) If this happens, I'll always try to figure out why you responded this way so we can change direction and choose a more suitable herb. For the most part though, the beneficial or harmful effects of plants are very well established and predictable.
🚨 The biggest safety issue facing modern herbalists is navigating interactions with pharmaceutical drugs. 🚨 While a herb may be completely safe on its own, it could contribute to an overdose or negative outcome when incorrectly combined with pharmaceutical drugs. As a naturopath with a Bachelor of Health Science degree, I have studied both pharmacology and integrated pharmacology to ensure I can prescribe herbs and nutrients safely around medications. Doctors don't learn herbal medicine and usually do not take responsibility for working appropriately around herbal medicines. In most cases, they will tell patients either that the herbs are irrelevant or to stop taking them although this is often not based on an understanding of the specific herb actions.
#herbalism #herbalist #stjohnswort #naturopath #essentialoils #lavender

Wondering whether it's time to try a natural approach to your health journey?
Here are 5 reasons naturopathic medicine may be the way to go if you are dealing with a chronic health issue or are working towards optimal health.

#naturopath #naturalmedicine #firstdonoharm #synergy #herbalist #herbalmedicine #chronicillness #holistichealth

⚡️ Struggling with CFS? Your fatigue isn’t “all in your head” – it’s in your cells!⚡

Studies show clearly that people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, aka myalgic encephalomyelitis) have damaged, swollen, and fragmented mitochondria – the parts of your cells that make ATP for energy.

When the mitochondria are physically damaged, they don't work properly! Don't let anyone tell you your CFS isn't 'real'. You're literally not making enough energy to do much more than survive. Just trying harder isn't going to get you anywhere.

💥 Instead of healthy, networked mitochondria, studies show disorganised cristae, fewer mitochondria, and structural changes, particularly in muscle and immune cells.

🔥 The good news? Supporting mitochondrial function through nutrition, appropriate movement, and a tailored lifestyle plan can help your cells recover over time.

✨ CFS is a condition very close to my heart as I've been there myself and I know how challenging it can be to find your way out. Recovery is possible, but you need a practitioner who gets it and understands the science and the subtle art to progressing through your recovery.

If you want to chat about working together on your health goals, head to the link in my bio or email me hello@amysumner.com to take the first step.

www.amysumner.com

#ChronicFatigueSyndrome #Mitochondria #CFSRecovery #MEcfs #chronicillness #EnergyHealing #HolisticHealth #myalgicencephalomyelitis #naturopath

I talk a lot about nutrition and herbs and biochemistry, but the most foundational factors in your health are the place you live, the way you spend your time and who you spend it with.

Some healing moments from my week. ✨️

#jollythepurpleheeler #montville #mapleton #acd #sunshinecoastnaturopath

🚨 Common ≠ Normal! 🚨
Clients will often say to me, 'well yeah I get *insert symptom* but I've always had that, so it's normal for me.'
The body is always working to come back to normal, optimal functioning. When there's been a big disruption or something has been imbalanced for a long time, the body may need help to reset and get back on track, but improvements are always possible when we lift the standard for what healthy and normal means. If your health is the same as the average Australian... there's room for improvement.
Your body is always communicating. Are you listening?

🔎 Common Symptoms (but NOT normal):
❌ Bloating, noticeable gas, reflux, bowel motions less than once a day
❌ Fatigue on waking or without exertion
❌ Brain fog & poor concentration
❌ Period pain, PMS, breast tenderness, feeling unwell with your moon cycle
❌ Acne, eczema, noticeable hair fall
❌ Anxiety & mood swings
❌ Chronic joint pain & body aches

✅ Normal & Healthy Goals:
🌿 Comfortable digestion; easy, formed bowel motions 1-3 times a day
🌿 Waking up feeling refreshed & energised
🌿 Clear, focused thinking
🌿 Regular periods with no symptoms except the bleed itself
🌿 Stable moods & emotional resilience relative to what you're experiencing
🌿 Clear skin that heals appropriately
🌿 Strong, pain-free joints and muscles that recover appropriately after exertion

If you’ve been told your symptoms are just genetic or 'part of life', it’s time to dig deeper to discover the root cause and restore balance to your body. 🕵‍♀️

Email or DM me to start your health investigation today.
hello@amysumner.com
www.amysumner.com

#HolisticHealth #RootCauseHealing #FunctionalMedicine #HealthDetective #ListenToYourBody #WellnessJourney #ChronicIllness #MedicalMystery

🌿 KALE 🌿
Today, I was buying some food when an older man noticed all the kale in my trolley and asked me about it. He said he's heard it's healthy but he's never tried it. ("I do eat spinach though!" he showed me.)
I could happily eat a whole bunch of kale every day because it's so delicious when you prepare it a little.
So this is what I told him -
✨️ I just tear all the leaves off and don't use the stalks. (Jolly will chew on one every now and then.)
✨️ You have to massage it!!!💆‍♀️ Kale is super tough so you need some type of oil (extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil), be generous with it and spend a few minutes massaging the leaves to make them softer.
✨️ Toss it with salt and nutritional yeast.
✨️ I usually then just wilt it in a pan on the stove, but you can also bake it on low heat in the oven (or dehydrate) for kale chippies, or just throw it all in a salad.
Kale is full of antioxidants and minerals, helps to clear toxic oestrogens and supports detoxification in general. It's so easy to get into your diet once you get the hang of it. 🌿

#kale #kalechips

🔍 Feeling Lost in the Medical System? Let's Take a New Path. 🌿

Are you tired of hitting dead ends, being dismissed, or feeling like no one is truly listening? You deserve a practitioner who takes the time to connect the dots, uncover root causes, and support you every step of the way.

✨ The Holistic Health Detective service is for you if you:
✅ Have a complex medical or multi-system condition that you need professional help with
✅ Want ongoing communication with your naturopath to address your ever-evolving health needs
✅ Want a practitioner who considers every symptom, not just isolated ones
✅ Are ready to understand your health holistically and do the work
✅ Want a partner in your health journey who pieces together your case like a detective
✅ Want testing and tailored herbal tonics included so you have clarity on your monthly investment

⚠️ This service is NOT for you if you:
❌ Are looking for a quick fix without addressing root causes
❌ Prefer a conventional, symptom-masking approach
❌ Aren’t ready to commit to real, lasting health changes
❌ Just need standard naturopathic consults for a more straightforward problem (If so I have great recommendations for naturopaths with special interests to match your needs 💚)

Your body is always speaking—let’s decode the message together. 🕵️‍♀️💡

If you're curious about getting started, go to www.amysumner.com and take the first step to healing by telling me your story.

#HolisticHealth #RootCauseHealing #FunctionalMedicine #HealthDetective #Naturopathy #ChronicIllness #MedicalMystery

HIGH RED CELL COUNT, HAEMATOCRIT & HAEMOGLOBIN can be caused by underlying factors, from nutrient deficiencies through to blood cancer. Slight imbalances are often overlooked or misunderstood, but if these markers are consistently elevated, it's important to investigate holistically to find the cause. These markers are measured in a full blood count, which is one of the most common tests doctors will include in any blood panel.
✨️ Red cell count = number of red blood cells / volume
✨️ Haematocrit = the percentage of blood cells vs plasma (fluid portion of the blood)
✨️ Haemoglobin = oxygen- carrying protein in red blood cells.

White blood cells and platelets are likely to also be elevated if you are actually making too many red cells in the bone marrow. (Polycythaemia vera / Blood cancer)
Bilirubin may be elevated if you're making too many red cells, as it is a byproduct of their breakdown.
Dehydration can reduce plasma volume, making haematocrit seem high. Electrolyte testing and addressing mineral deficiencies and hydration can shift this.
High cortisol can alter red cell count production and cause fluid shifts that reduce plasma volume.
Anything that causes low oxygenation to the cells can cause the body to make more red blood cells in an attempt to restore oxygen levels. Iron deficiency, heavy metal toxicity, sleep apnoea, sinus or nasal problems, mould, respiratory or heart issues are some potential underlying causes.
Hair mineral analysis can assess both essential and toxic metals.
The JAK2 gene codes for an enzyme involved in blood cell production. A mutation on this gene is a high risk factor for blood cancer / Polycythaemia Vera.
Iron and copper play important roles in red cell formation and haemoglobin.
Erthropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that regulates red blood cell production. This can be altered for various reasons and is important to test when assessing possible polycythaemia.

#polycythemia #Polycythaemia #Polycythaemiavera #polycythemiavera #jak2 #highhaematocrit #irondeficiency #naturopathforcomplexconditions #naturopath

Polycythaemia is a condition where you have too many red blood cells.
(Poly = many Cyt = cell Aemia = of the blood)
It is usually detected in blood tests as a high red cell count, high haematocrit (the proportion of your blood made up of cells, vs plasma) and high haemoglobin.
Having too many red blood cells can put strain on the heart, liver and kidneys. It can occur due to a maladaptation to an indirect cause, or in rare cases, is an indicator of a serious underlying disease.

5 Possible Causes of Polycythaemia:

High Cortisol: Chronic stress or use of steroids can increase the production of red cells, alter fluid distribution and reduce oxygenation.
Low Oxygenation: Sinus or lung issues, heart problems, anaemia, living at high altitudes, smoking or sleep apnoea are some factors that can reduce systemic oxygenation. This can trigger the body to produce extra red blood cells in an attempt to carry more oxygen around the body.
Bone Marrow Disorder: In rare cases, increased red blood cells are caused by Polycythaemia Vera, a blood cancer where the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. If you have a mutation of the gene that codes for the JAK2 enzyme, you are more likely to develop this disease.
Dehydration: Haematocrit can appear elevated if you are dehydrated when taking your blood test, as the ratio of plasma will be reduced. Mineral deficiencies can play a role in chronic dehydration.
Heavy Metal Toxicity: Toxic metals like lead or arsenic, or excesses of iron or cobalt, can lead to hypoxia in the tissues. This can cause compensatory red blood cell production.

Some other possible factors to assess include high testosterone, kidney disease or tumours which can all increase erythropoietin production, stimulating the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

If you have consistently elevated blood markers and are experiencing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, blurry vision or a red complexion, it's important to look into possible underlying causes. In most cases, an imbalance like this occurs when the body is trying to compensate for another imbalance.

#Polycythaemia #HolisticHealth #Naturopath #ChronicConditions

When you hire me as your naturopath, you're paying for access to my mind + my support in navigating your journey. ✨️
I have a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Naturopathy, an intense 4 year education that covered biology, pathology, herbal medicine, nutritional biochemistry, pharmacology, integrated pharmacology (the interactions between pharmaceuticals, herbs and nutrients), iridology, flower essences, counselling + a lot of clinical practice.
I found my calling young and graduated at 23, and have now been in clinical practice for 11 years. In this time I've helped many people improve their health, and I've also learned a great deal from working each of these cases.
As I step into this new way of working, I'm drawing upon my observations of what my clients need as well as the consistent feedback I've received on what my strengths are as a naturopath:
✨️ I believe in your ability to improve your health, no matter the starting point. I will refer when needed, but I have never told someone there's nothing more to try.
✨️ My endless curiosity and lateral thinking. My mind sees your case like the web of a crime investigation board. Every piece of the puzzle needs to be considered, and the connections between your symptoms, body systems and lifestyle factors need to be understood in order to treat the deepest root causes of your health challenges. Nature is so incredibly intricate, and it has taken many years to develop my mind to be able to think in this way.
✨️ My knowledge. I am constantly researching, combing through clinical trials, poring through books, interpreting testing and working on my own health. I have so much knowledge. And, I know that I'll never know all the answers, so I must continue to question and research and learn.
✨️ My empathy, communication and genuine desire to help. I think it's important to be professional without ever losing the human aspect of healing. Sometimes this job can an emotional rollercoaster, but witnessing the joy and relief when you feel better is my biggest motivation.
✨️ My tendency to teach. I want you to understand your body and the reasons why we are taking a particular path, so I explain everything.

🕵️‍♀️ Introducing The Holistic Health Detective 🔎

I'm excited to share with you my new offering designed to holistically support people struggling with complex medical conditions.
I've been practicing naturopathy for 11 years now, and I've come to notice an alarming gap in the care available to people navigating serious, multi-system diseases. You may find a little help here, there and everywhere, but confusion and despair can set in when no one is looking at the bigger picture.
Sometimes, you just need someone to piece together all the clues, but most practitioners don't have the time to look closely at all the intricate details of your case. 📁
It comes naturally for me to dive deep, connect dots and curiously pursue the answers hidden behind your symptoms. You need someone invested in your case, with the ability to adapt to the ebbs and flows that come with a serious health condition.
And so, going forward, I am only taking on very limited new cases so I can do justice to the amount of time and thought your health deserves.

🕯What is the Holistic Health Detective Service?🐕

Rather than trying to fit your health condition to scheduled appointments, Detective clients pay a monthly retainer for all inclusive holistic health support:
🌿 Ongoing analysis and research of your unique case
🌿 Regular reports detailing my findings + an actionable plan that evolves with your case
🌿 Ongoing nutrition and lifestyle guidance
🌿 Detailed testing included each month
🌿 Monthly herbal tonic delivered to your door
🌿 Weekly video calls, + additional conversations as needed (like debriefs after medical appointments or hospital visits)
🌿 Email support during business hours so I'm always updated with new developments
🌿 Communications with your other health professionals if needed, to ensure your naturopathic plan is working synergistically with any other modalities.

This service is for you if you're struggling with a perplexing health challenge and just need someone focussed on working your case to move it forward.

Ready to begin? Head to www.amysumner.com to learn more and get started on your health journey. 🌟

🔍 A New Approach to Healing is about to be uncovered...

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Let's get you some answers.

Naturopathic Services are available online, Australia wide.

hello@amysumner.com

@amysumner_naturopath

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Home: Contact

The Holistic Health Detective

for Curious Cases & Medical Mysteries

Amy Sumner, BHSc Naturopathy

The Holistic Health Detective

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Let's get you some answers.