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Dr. Tanya McEachern

Naturopathic Doctor

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Read More From Tanya

  • Rhodiola Rosea & Adaptogens for Stress
  • Iron Deficiency
  • Hypothyroidism: Symptoms, Testing, and How I Can Help
  • Herb Spotlight: Gynostemma
  • What is a Naturopathic Doctor exactly? What do we do?

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Tanya McEachern, Naturopathic Doctor

Tanya McEachern, Naturopathic Doctor

Dr.Tanya.ND on Instagram

Rhodiola Rosea, commonly known as Roseroot, is known as an “adaptogenic” herb, meaning it helps us process the negative health effects of stress (physical, emotional, spiritual). I would say that I use it most commonly in practice to help normalize adrenal and thyroid hormones. But, it’s so much more than that. It’s said that the Vikings would chew Roseroot for extra strength on their long, arduous journeys. Today, Roseroot is known to enhance athletic performance and stamina. So in addition to recommending it to my athletes, I recommend often to my new Moms - safe to use while breastfeeding, it’s a great supporter of that postpartum exhaustion. It’s also a booster of academic performance - in a study of mental fatigue, 128 students were given either Rhodiola or placebo. The Rhodiola group had a 56% decrease in errors after four hours, where the placebo group had an increase of 37%. This makes me think of all those kids who struggle in school, as well as university students, especially during exam periods. Roseroot has the ability to change the structure of the brain - influencing “neuroplasticity” - making it very useful in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. In 2008 a group of people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder were given Rhodiola for 10 weeks, and experienced a reduction in symptoms similar to people given benzodiazepines. A similar study in 2015 was done comparing Rhodiola and Sertraline (an SSRI antidepressant medication) in those with Major Depression. Similar benefits were seen, with the exception that rhodiola carries a far lower risk of side effects, dependance, and adverse events. The beneficial effects of rhodiola have also been studied, showing positive results as an herb to help fight cancer, treat erectile dysfunction, boost fertility, fight viruses, and as a treatment for opioid withdrawal & smoking cessation If fresh Rhodiola is hung on the walls of the home to dry, it’ll emit the smell of roses, and repel insects. As a flower essence, it is used for issues surrounding ego, forgiveness, and acceptance. It helps one heal from years of harsh criticism. Do you have any experiences of healing with Rhodiola?
I love this quote because it reminds us that positive change is always possible and very much within our reach. Just by paying attention to an issue or something that you would like to make better begins the process of improvement. This is true right down to the molecular and even the “quark” level (smallest particles in the universe known to man). Einstein first discovered this law many years ago and it still holds true today 🆒
Have you been told you have an iron deficiency? Or iron deficiency anemia? And this is despite supplementing with iron? Do you wonder why? Main causes of chronically low iron: heavy periods hypothyroidism - undiagnosed or poorly managed dysbiosis/gut infections - bad bugs use iron as fuel poorly formulated supplements (and/or not taking with Vitamin C) coffee, tea, aspirin and calcium will all block the body’s absorption of iron Iron is important because: A. It’s essential for proper brain function, so when it’s deficient, moods and cognitive function are altered. When someone lacks iron, our neurotransmitters can’t do what they need to do. I find this especially true in anxiety because of an NT known as GABA, which helps us feel calm, and those with anxiety often lack it in the first place. Iron also helps the thyroid do its thing, so your body’s major glands need it too. B. It helps carry oxygen all over your body from your lungs. If you don’t have enough, you can feel very tired and dizzy. You can also lose your hair. C. Your muscles need it in order to not feel restless (think Restless Leg Syndrome). D. Your body needs it to help maintain a healthy weight and appetite (via hepcidin, IL6 and leptin, for all my fellow biochem nerds). Signs and symptoms of deficiency: -extreme fatigue -weakness -pale skin -chest pain, fast heartbeat, or SOB -brittle hair and nails -dizziness or lightheadedness -cold hands and feet -Pica: an unusual craving for ice or other odd substances -low ferritin or serum iron on testing The most important takeaway here is that you must treat the cause of your iron efficiency in order to bring your levels up. Fixing the cause of your heavy periods, having a thorough thyroid assessment, ruling out infections like H Pylori in the gut, and ensuring proper iron intake would all be at the top of my list. Please don’t take iron unless you’ve tested and you know you need it! The body has no way of excreting excess iron, which becomes toxic at high levels. We can only get rid of it via bleeding/giving blood. Check out my Vitamins Story for what I use to help boost iron levels 🌿
What is a Naturopathic Doctor exactly? What do we do? We’re regulated, registered health care professionals in the province of Ontario. We go to medical college after university, very similar to GPs, but our training involves stuff like herbs, vitamins, healthy eating, acupuncture, and energetic ways of healing. We do a lot of basic health stuff (think breast exams, PAPs, blood work), but we’re less about prescribing drugs and more about treating the cause of disease naturally. We’re part of a private health care system, so we aren’t covered by OHIP. Many people have coverage for our services under their private insurance plans (got coverage? Use it!). We bill directly at PPHC in Cambridge. We spend a LOT of time with each patient, and we offer a ton of testing (hormones, food sensitivities, genetics, adrenal fatigue, vitamin levels, detoxification, & more). We see a lot of people who haven’t been given answers for the way that they feel, and who expect more from their health care providers than being prescribed a drug for life and not having anything explained to them. What do I treat the most? My Top 7: -Hormone imbalances (thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, etc.) -Weight loss -Heavy/irregular periods, fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, PCOS - all things women’s health -Chronic pain, whether you know what’s causing it or not -People who aren’t sleeping well -Digestive: constipation, diarrhea, loose stools, cramping, nausea, bloating -Skin: acne, psoriasis, eczema Headaches, low energy, and mental health concerns (like anxiety) are right up there too. And people love coming to see us for vitamin injections. In a nutshell, health is our passion. We’re wellness experts. I absolutely live and breathe current health information. But I also use ancient healing methods that have been around for centuries. It’s the best of both worlds. And we aren’t hard to find. I offer visits both in person and online. Message me if you need this or share this with someone who does.
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