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The Doctrine of Signatures: Healing Foods

Published by Gina Jaaskelainen

In ancient Greece, physician-philosophers were struck by how many plants looked like a body part. They wondered if nature was trying to tell them something. From this observation, they developed the ‘doctrine of signatures’—a claim that certain plants could heal the organ that they resembled of an illness. It may seem like nonsense, however, says nutritionist Jane Hutchens of Lemongrove Road Holistic Health in Penrith, it’s not so far-fetched. Two thousand years ago there was no division between the sciences as we understand them today and other areas of enquiry such as medicine, philosophy and astrology. Early physicians like Dioscorides (40–90AD) and Galen (129–200AD) knew that plants had medicinal and health properties. They understood that prescribing the right plant for the right ailment was a task made easier by the appearance of the plant—the ‘signature’ (distinctive mark) of the illness or organ could be matched to the ‘signature’ of the plant. “For example,” says Jane, “plants with yellow flowers, like gentian and dandelion, would be used to treat conditions that caused jaundice (yellowing of the …

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Office of Your Dreams

Published by Gina Jaaskelainen

It’s the place we spend all our working lives, which, for many of us, is more hours of the day and more days of the week than we spend at home. And yet, while we take care that our homes are comfortable, practical and attractive, few of us think of making our offices equally ‘liveable’. Rachel Morse, principal consultant and interior stylist at Colour on Location in Leura has some great tips for creating the workspace of your dreams—whatever your budget. American interior designer Albert Hadley said, “Make your home as comfortable and attractive as possible and then get on with living.” “Hadley’s advice could just as easily apply to a work space,” Rachel says. “Make your office as comfortable and attractive as possible and then do what you are there to do.” Having an office that makes us feel like we are ‘in our element’ is an easily overlooked part of the workplace environment. We might have thought about desk ergonomics to make sure we don’t injure ourselves just sitting at our desks, we …

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Life Time: A Better Burger

Published by Gina Jaaskelainen

We all have the intention to eat healthy, right? The knowledge is there, the healthy options are available, the consequences of failure writ large in the obesity statistics… but what do we do when we’re short on time and inspiration —and just in need of something comforting and quick? Penrith-based nutritionist Jane Hutchens at Lemongrove Road Holistic Health asked her typical Aussie male partner that question. “Tell them to buy better burgers,” he said. Be thankful—there is such a thing as a healthy burger! Burger purists will tell you that a hamburger is a single 100% beef patty sandwiched in a soft bread bun, typically with lettuce and onion, and with optional (and much argued over) condiments, like tomato or barbecue sauce or mayonnaise, pickles, cheese, bacon or tomato. Australian purists might also insist on a slice of beetroot—a thing that would horrify most other nations’ purists. Non-purists will happily add almost anything else to the basic recipe—and experiment with all kinds of non-beef patties like chicken or fish, and veggie options like falafel, lentil …

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People Matter: The Formula for Business Growth

Published by Gina Jaaskelainen

There is a hackneyed old phrase we all have heard—it is trotted out often enough by business owners, advisors and managers. “Your people are your biggest asset”, they chant in unison. And who has not rolled their eyes at the sound of yet another hollow platitude that makes not one iota of difference to the lives of staff and business owners? Greg Mitchell, Principal Consultant at HR Success in Penrith, says it is not the cliché we should listen to, but the sentiment underpinning it. An asset—as any trusty dictionary will tell you—is a positive quality, a benefit, a thing or a skill that gives an advantage. In business, we tend to use it to talk about objects—the equipment or premises that belong to the business. And that is perhaps where the problem lies: we think of assets as sunk costs. “I actively encourage many of the business owners and managers I work with to see their staff as one of their most critical investments,” Greg says. It is an important shift in terminology—an ‘investment’ …

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Melissa: Sovereign for the Brain

Published by Gina Jaaskelainen

In 1699, English herbalist John Evelyn described Melissa—or lemon balm—as “sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory, and powerfully chasing away melancholy.” Robyn Simon, of Pure Oils International in Katoomba, says this three hundred year old quote is still the most accurate description she has ever read of Melissa Officinalis—but what is it, and what has it got to do with our busy modern lifestyles? Melissa oil—the essential oil distilled from the Melissa Officinalis plant—is one of the most expensive oils, but one that offers a powerful and natural way to manage a problem all of us suffer at one time or another—stress. Running a small business or being a sole trader can be as stressful as it is rewarding, and stress can reduce our ability to concentrate, stymie our creativity and make us sick—and that’s not good when business relies on your performance. In fact, 2008 research by Medicare Private found that stress costs Australian businesses over $10 billion a year. The research also noted that individuals are best placed to notice the ‘early …