Nourish, Then Flourish

Meet Julia

Julia Brosnan Founder Tree of Health Herbalist Metabolic Balance Buteyko Breathing

Julia Brosnan 
Fully Qualified Herbalist
Certified Metabolic Balance practitioner
Accredited Buteyko Breathing Instructor

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”…

Julia Brosnan naturopathic herbalist Tree of Health laughing by creek Blue Mountains

Why I Do What I Do

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.

My Story

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.

How it works

1

Book a 30-minute Complimentary Clarity Call. 

It’s done via video call so we can put a face to a name, and see if we would be a good fit to work together.

During the call, we assess which service works best for you, taking into account your health aspirations, and level of commitment to really want good health. 

At the end of the call, I’ll let you know if I can help, or refer you on if I can’t.

2

You choose which Tree of Health service you’d like, we  book in a mutually convenient appointment, and at this stage take payment in full, or we can set up a payment plan. 

Once we have set you up on the system, blood work request forms are emailed to you to take to a pathology lab to get blood samples.

3

Once the blood test results come back, we have the first consult which lasts an hour. 

During this initial consult, 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.

4

Within 72 hours, 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, tailored Buteyko breathing techniques, Bach flower remedies, movement guidance, and lifestyle tools.

5

You get emailed a link where you can order your tailored herbal prescription, Bach flower remedies, and any nutritional supplements, as well as links to other useful resources that will help you make progress.

I guide you both as a clinician and personal health advocate, contacting your GP, other specialists or allied health practitioners, if deeper investigation is required. I also support your learning and growth with invaluable insights from my 10+ years of clinical experience as a herbalist.

Please allow 30 minutes for your video call.

Julia Brosnan herbalist Tree of Health, Australia

Why Tree of Health is 'one-of-a-kind'

What sets the Tree of Health approach apart is the combination of three disciplines that are rarely found in one practitioner:

  • Western herbal medicine
  • Metabolic Balance® coaching, and 
  • Buteyko breathing instruction.   

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.

If you’d like to know more, I’d love to share it with you over a half hour video call and a cuppa! 

Please allow 30 minutes for your video call.

Calm forest scene with soft sunlight through trees

The Tree of Health Philosophy ~ 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. This is why, as standard, I include therapies in my practice that help the mind and soul for a truly holistic care experience.

Health is like a tree. It needs to be nourished, so that all of its parts flourish.

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 are a sign that the environment and fruit are the natural signs of a tree full of life and vitality.

The human body is much the same. 

Roots ~ Nourished Foundations ~ The basic needs that anchor you

  • Essential nutrients: nourishing food and sufficient hydration
  • Sleep and rest: recovery and energy rebuilding
  • Fresh air: restorative breathing practices

Trunk ~ Strength & Resilience ~ The core structure

  • Movement: posture, appropriate exercise
  • Stress management: Buteyko breathing techniques, meditation, connect with nature 
  • Mental fortitude: building inner strength, nervous system regulation, and emotional regulation

Branches ~ Habits & Connections ~ Reaching out and growing

  • Maintaining consistent healthy habits: nutrition, hydration, breathing fresh air, exercise, hobbies, meditation, stress management
  • Social connections: family, friends, community, support networks
  • Emotional wellbeing: nurturing happiness and confidence from holistic nourishment from the roots up, feeling safe and supported 

Leaves ~ Visible Vitality ~ Seasons of Life & Health

  • Energy: feeling strong in body, mind and soul from holistic nourishment
  • Health and wellbeing: resting and turning inwards to conserve energy, shedding layers of former self, new shoots of a healthier life
  • Cyclical rhythms of life and health: adapting to changes in life on a daily basis, through seasons of life, and as a whole

Flowers ~ Mind, Soul & Emotional Expression ~ Blooming

  • Environment: no toxic relationships, no toxic burdens on physical health
  • Emotional landscape: joy and fulfilment from a holistically well-nurtured life
  • Blooming: regulated nervous system, emotional health, mood, mental clarity

Fruit ~ Legacy of Health ~ Flourishing

  • Metabolic health: abundant nutritional resources that support energy for body, mind and soul
  • Reproductive system: personalised and tailored holistic health care to support all stages of reproductive health 
  • Flourishing: the overall beauty of a healthy life and healthy being

Not ready for a call yet?

Julia Brosnan Founder Tree of Health Herbalist Metabolic Balance Buteyko Breathing

Qualifications & Professional Training

I completed my formal qualification in Western herbal medicine at Nature Care College, Sydney. I then went on to do the certification to be a Metabolic Balance® coach practitioner because this uses real food rather than supplements. I then became an accredited Buteyko Breathing Instructor to enhance a mental and emotional healing dynamic to make my practice even more holistic.

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 find me listed here: 

Green tree canopy viewed from below

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.