Nourish, Then Flourish
Nourish, Then Flourish
Julia Brosnan
Fully Qualified Herbalist
Certified Metabolic Balance practitioner
I know all too well what it feels like to be in a body that suddenly stops working the way it used to.
Eighteen months after I had my son, I was diagnosed with severe hyperthyroidism.
I was exhausted, and snapping at him constantly – I still carry guilt from this even today. My thoughts were racing so fast I couldn’t hold onto any of them. I was anxious and constantly on edge. My hands trembled when I held them out, my cycles shortened, and I was losing weight, despite eating more due to an insatiable appetite.
I’d wake up at 2am with palpitations so strong it felt like my heart might burst out of my chest. During this time, my son was waking up diligently at about 4:30am, and I was running on coffee, adrenaline and cortisol for the rest of the day.
What I didn’t realise at the time was that I was dealing with two major hormonal shifts simultaneously: early perimenopause, and undiagnosed hyperthyroidism.
Declining oestrogen and progesterone, and too much thyroid hormone all at the same time. No wonder I couldn’t cope!
My body felt unfamiliar, and it was very frightening.
The doctor and endocrinologist monitored my bloods for 12 months from the time of the diagnosis and wanted me to take prescribed medications but I chose not to take them – not that I would advise this for anyone, as we all have different medical case histories.
Instead, I used my knowledge of specific thyroid herbs, personalised nutrition, and lifestyle changes. My health improved significantly, and within 6 months, my blood test results came back to the optimal reference ranges again.
From my own lived experiences, I completely understand how dramatic and far-reaching hormonal shifts are. And it’s one of the reasons for my “why”…
There’s something deeply meaningful about helping a woman through her health struggles. I love it when I hear from the women I work with how their health has changed for the better, especially when it’s after using my recommendations of herbs or natural remedies!
Things I’m usually told are that the brain fog has lifted, there’s more focus, better concentration. More energy because they’re sleeping better. Lighter in mind and spirit, and more hopeful. The one women like the most is weight loss – they’re always chuffed!
Watching a woman change as all aspects of her life are nourished, so that she not only starts to bloom, but truly flourishes throughout all of life’s seasons – this is not just what I love to do. It’s the work I was meant to do. And it’s the heart of Tree of Health.
True healing begins when we nourish our body, mind and soul.
I grew up in Durban, South Africa, where my mother kept a beautiful herb garden, with quite a variety of herbs.
As a child, I loved the many fragranced leaves, different textures, and different shapes of leaves that identified each herb. I’d pore over my mum’s book of herbal recipes and remedies, which I found absolutely fascinating. Who would have thought at the time how much those early years would shape the way I would one day see health and healing.
But the seed was planted.
For more than 15 years, I worked in administration and office environments. But the cold, corporate world felt disconnected from who I am. I wanted to help other people and truly make a difference to their lives using the natural God-given remedies that were used for thousands of years.
Retraining as a herbalist in Australia brought me back to everything I loved as a child – the soil, the scent of leaves, the quiet wisdom of plants. It felt like coming home.
A childhood garden. A seed planted early. A return to those roots.
Health has layers. Life has seasons. The physical body carries history.
The first step is to book up a 30-minute Complimentary Clarity Call, which is done via video call – it’s nice to put a face to a name and see if we would be a good fit to work together.
During that call, we assess which service would work best for you, taking into account your health aspirations and level of commitment to really wanting good health. At the end of the call, I’ll let you know if I can help, and refer you on if I can’t.
If you choose to try a Tree of Health service, at this stage payment is taken in full, or we can set up a payment plan, if required. Once we have set you upon on the system, blood work request forms are emailed to you to take to a pathology lab to get blood samples.
Once the blood test results come in, we have the first consult which lasts an hour. I take a full medical history that encompasses all aspects of your health (not just physical), also considering the blood test results into account, for a complete clinical picture of you and your health.
Within 72 hours of the first consult, you receive your ‘Nourish Then Flourish personalised holistic program, designed to support your body, your mind, and your soul. To do this, I use my extensive knowledge of herbal medicine, science-backed personalised nutrition plan, Buteyko breathing instruction and techniques, Bach flower remedies, movement guidance, and lifestyle tools.
I work with you as a clinician and personal health advocate, or contacting your GP or specialists, if deeper investigation is required.
I support your learning and growth with valuable insights, helped by my 10+ years of clinical experience.
Please allow 30 minutes for your video call.
What sets the Tree of Health approach apart is the combination of three disciplines that are rarely found in one practitioner:
In addition to these, flower essences (Bach flower remedies) are also used, as well as tailored lifestyle and exercise guidance, which when put together makes for a truly holistic, personalised care experience.
When all of you is nourished – body, mind and soul – true healing happens.
Nourish, Then Flourish.
Nourishment is so so important – critical actually – to the human body for it to be healthy.
I don’t believe there’s one disease that would not benefit from nutritious food and proper hydration. And I don’t just mean the physical body, either. The mind and soul also need nourishing with the things that nourish them.
Personalised nutrition and tailored herbal medicine help out the physical body, which has a knock-on effect on the mind. I have used both very successfully in clinic and for myself. But in order for us to truly flourish in all areas of our lives, we must nourish our whole bodies, mind and soul included.
Health is like a tree. It needs to be nourished, so that it flourishes.
A tree needs sun, water, nourishing soil, and a healthy environment to thrive. From nourished roots, a solid trunk forms the core strength, from which stems branch out for growth into branches, down to twigs, and then leaves. Movement through wind and weather strengthens the whole structure, giving resilience to the changing seasons and environments. Flowers and fruit are the natural signs of a tree full of life and vitality.
The human body is much the same.
Please allow 30 minutes for your video call.
Every tree drops leaves you can pick up and keep.
Start with one of my free eBooks:
Lose Weight Faster by Lowering Your Insulin, What Every Woman over 35 Needs to Know
I completed my formal qualification in Western herbal medicine at Nature Care College, Sydney. I’m also a certified Metabolic Balance® coach practitioner.
I am committed to ongoing professional education, and regularly complete continuing professional development in women’s health, hormones, metabolism, gut health and stress physiology.
My clinical work is grounded in evidence-based practice, modern physiology and holistic health principles.
You can also find me listed here: Australian Traditional Medicine Society – Find a Practitioner and Metabolic Balance Practitioner Directory.
Something I’ve said has made you read this far.
If you’re ready to stop trying to figure this out alone, I’d love to have a conversation with you.
Let’s see if what I have to offer is the right fit for where you are at.
Please allow 30 minutes for your video call.