March 4, 2021 By Sarah White No Comments

Life as a Naturopathic doctor is not all foraging, yoga classes, sourdough-baking and meditation. Running a business in a pandemic comes with a significant amount of stress so lately I've been consuming delicious maca root based exilirs every afternoon between appointments as a way to improve mid-day energy & reduce stress levels (full disclosure I am also on a sh*t-ton of adaptogenic supplements; doctor / care-giver burnout is real, guys). Maca is a root vegetable native to Peru and has been used there for centuries to increase stamina and energy, and reduce stress. Known by many as the 'Peruvian ginseng',…

May 15, 2020 By Sarah White No Comments

I have been thinking a lot about self sufficiency lately ... I've always been an funny mix of city girl / country girl - I love being near restaurants, galleries and my friends but at the same time I'm drawn to quiet moments in nature and constantly dream about a simpler life on a farm with my family and dog. We'd host dinner clubs, run a small clinic / apothecary where I could help people heal surrounded by nature, and live entirely off our own land (plus Kyle would have to finally say yes to my bee-keeping dreams if we…

November 15, 2019 By Sarah White No Comments

It's literally my job to hang out with sick people, so you'd better believe that I've spent a ton of time experimenting with foods, herbs and supplements to help keep my immune system at it's best. Truthfully, I first became interested in medicine because I've never been a "naturally healthy" person. You know those people that eat whatever they want and never sleep, yet still manage to have great skin, vibrant energy and an incredible immune system? Well ... that's not me. I spent my teens and 20's constantly exhausted, battling chronic viruses and it's taken me a long time…

October 26, 2019 By Sarah White No Comments

Foraging is one of my favourite ways to connect with nature; not only is it a great excuse for a long meditative walk in the woods, it also has added culinary & medicinal benefits. In Ontario, fall is the best season to forage for wild mushrooms. Delicious varieties like my favourite chanterelles are plentiful, and the best way to get them is to search for them yourself. It’s a wonderful excuse for a mindful (mushroom hunting takes concentration) walk in the forest before winter settles in. If you’re new to foraging for wild mushrooms going out with an expert is…

October 20, 2019 By Sarah White No Comments

Not only are elderberries delicious, they also happen to be one of the most well-studied herbal medicines, and a staple in this doctor's natural medicine cabinet. Elderberry syrup created from dried elderberries has powerful immune-boosting properties which makes it my go-to prescription for both kids and adults at this time of year. Studies show that elderberry supplementation can reduce cold duration and symptoms because it's high flavonoid content actually binds to the H1N1 human influenza virus as well as the H5N1 avian influenza virus in order to eliminate them from your system more quickly. The best time to supplement with elderberry extract is within the first…

September 14, 2019 By Sarah White No Comments

Fall is by far my favourite season; give me cozy knits and a glass of fancy scotch in my backyard on a cool fall evening and I'm one happy little doctor. While I personally love this time of year, the change of season can bring some unwanted immune issues. The lungs, in particular, are especially vulnerable to colds and flu at this time of year. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory the lungs are responsible for both temperature regulation and immune function. This means that during change of season your lungs are preoccupied with adjusting your body to changing external temperatures leaving less resources…