Walk with a sense of deep
wellness in the world.
With botanical medicines, wholefood nutrition, iridology and awareness based skills, allow me to support and craft a wellness path with you.
About Jessika
Welcome! I grew up and live in Newcastle/Awabakal and Worimi land, and have been working in a clinical herbalist practice since 2003 at the Wholistic Health Group. Working as a herbalist means that I collaborate with you on your whole health; physical, mental, emotional and spirit-energetics. My herbalist practice roots are in traditional vitalistic herbalism balanced with current evidence based complementary medicine.
I grew up with herbal medicine being used as an important part of the home first-aid kit. It has been a way of life to learn about and use plants for medicine and health.
I have had the privilege of working in this field for over twenty years, meaning my practice, skill and special interests have been honed and well oiled! Understanding that each person is unique, I appreciate the diversity of approaches needed and this helps us find the right approach for each person. Embracing the changes and challenges of health and life, I will support you to put good routines in place - food as medicine and diet regimens if needed, sleep, movement, creativity and to nourish and specifically address your health issues with excellent quality botanical and natural medicines. Seeing the positive outcomes working wholistically over 2o years brings much joy to my clients and to me!
In the last few years I have up-skilled in up-to-date knowledge, understanding and treatment approaches to the areas of Microbiome health and functional digestive disorders (SIBO, IBS, UC, Chron’s, Chronic constipation to name a few), Women’s endocrine health (especially, endometriosis, PCOS, peri-menopause, vaginal microbiome balance) and conditions where there is immune and nervous system dys-regulation. I am really passionate about these areas and getting you into a better place and understanding of these conditions.
I am a SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) accredited practitioner and work with Microbiome analysis to be able to work on modifying and improving the microbiome ecosystem of the gut and therefore the rest of the body.
With over twenty years in clinical practice, I continue to enjoy working with a diversity of people of all ages, race and gender to share knowledge of what can be done to improve and work with your health in a positive way and how to walk with a sense of deep wellness in the world.
In my work/life balance, I practice yoga, aikido, meditation, swimming, visual arts, growing a garden, cooking and medicine making. I am a mother of two children and follow a path of sustainability for the health of my family and the health of our earth. I love being part of the nurturing, sustainable and creative community in Newcastle.
Practitioner Training
I am a highly qualified practitioner. I have trained in Australia through colleges and universities. I have been under mentorship for over a decade which has greatly benefited my practice. I have professional membership with the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.
Over the years I have continued training and keeping up to date with herbal medicine practice as well as pursuing other areas of interest in training workshops, seminars and conferences.
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I work closely with other health care practitioners in the fields of Acupuncture, Bowen, Kinesiology, Psychotherapy, Massage, Shiatsu, Osteopathy and your GP if required, working as part of a team.
I work with The Wholistic Health Group, a collective practice in Newcastle. We are a dynamic team of practitioners working together to provide excellence in natural health care. (see website).
* Advanced Diploma in Herbal Medicine, Iridology and Medical Science 2002 Newcastle College of Herbal Medicine
* Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary medicine) 2008 Charles Sturt University, Bathhurst
* Bachelor of Fine Arts 2003 University of Newcastle
* Certificate in Process Oriented Psychology 2014 Portland, Oregon