glowingskin.naturopathy

11/08/2026

Your body can’t absorb what it can’t access.
If you’ve been eating iron-rich foods or taking an iron supplement and your ferritin still isn’t improving, it may be time to ask WHY?

Some potential reasons include:
• H. pylori infection, which can contribute to chronic gastritis and reduce stomach acid.
• Low stomach acid, making it harder to release and absorb iron from food.
• Coeliac disease and other conditions that damage the small intestine and impair nutrient absorption.
• Inflammation, which increases hepcidin—a hormone that reduces iron absorption and limits the release of stored iron.
• Ongoing blood loss, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, which can outpace iron replacement.

This is why, when I’m in clinic, two people with the same ferritin level can have completely different reasons for being iron deficient and completely different treatment plans. I’m at SANA Skin Clinic | Holistic Skin Experts | Melbourne every Tues, Wed & Thursdays if you are looking for support!
Emily x

21/07/2026

DHT is a bit of a double-edged sword.

The same hormone that can contribute to hair thinning on your scalp can also encourage excess hair growth on the face.

How? It all comes down to how different hair follicles respond to DHT.
Scalp follicles tend to shrink over time when exposed to DHT, while facial hair follicles can become more active and produce thicker, darker hairs.

One way I support clients with elevated DHT is by using herbs to help reduce 5α-reductase activity. This is the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT.

Three of my favourite herbs include:
• Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
• Nettle root (Urtica dioica)
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Remember, elevated DHT is often a symptom rather than the root cause. It’s very common in conditions such as (formerly known as )
however there are multiple other reasons it can become elevated.

If you’re looking for support with your , hair thinning or excess facial hair, I’d love to help! i’m in clinic every Tues, Wed &Thurs at SANA Skin Clinic | Holistic Skin Experts | Melbourne

Emily x

19/07/2026

Hormonal acne isn’t always about having “too much testosterone.”

Sometimes the issue is how your body converts testosterone into DHT—a more potent androgen that can stimulate oil production and contribute to acne, hair thinning and excess facial hair in some people.

Three of my favourite herbs to help support healthy DHT levels are:
• Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
• Nettle root (Urtica dioica)
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

If you’ve been wondering whether your skin is hormonal, I’d love to help you find some answers. I offer both in-person and Zoom consultations every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at SANA Skin Clinic | Holistic Skin Experts | Melbourne
Emily x

15/07/2026

Are you currently taking an iron supplement?

Iron is honestly the pickiest nutrient in your body... the hoops it
makes you jump through just to be absorbed are wild.

If you’re taking an iron supplement and your ferritin still isn’t
improving, these three things could be why.

Number one: You’re taking it at the wrong time.

Your body produces a hormone called hepcidin, which regulates iron absorption.

When hepcidin is high, your body absorbs less iron. It naturally tends
to be lower in the morning and later in the evening, making these
ideal times to take your supplement.

Hepcidin also increases after taking iron, which is why research
suggests that, for many people, taking an iron supplement every second
day may improve absorption compared with taking it daily.

Number two: You’re accidentally blocking it.

Calcium, dairy products, coffee, tea and zinc are not your iron
supplement’s friends.

They can all interfere with iron absorption, so try to leave at least
a two-hour gap between them and your iron supplement.

I can’t tell you how many people are unknowingly taking their iron
with their morning coffee.

Number three: You’re missing the iron absorption puzzle pieces.

Taking an iron supplement is only one piece of the puzzle.

Your body also needs:
• Strong stomach acid
• Digestive enzymes
• Vitamin C
• A healthy gut microbiome

Research has shown that beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus
plantarum may also help support iron absorption.

If you are looking for support with your iron levels I’m in the clinic at SANA Skin Clinic | Holistic Skin Experts | Melbourne
every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and I’d love to help you uncover what’s driving your low iron and create a personalised plan to
support you. Emily x

12/07/2026

One of the first questions

I ask every client is:

“What do you think is driving your acne?”

The pause before they answer says more than words ever could.

They have the answer.

but after years of being dismissed they have stopped trusting it.

“I think it’s my hormones... but I was told my blood tests are normal.”

“I think it’s connected to my gut... but I was told the bloating
probably isn’t related.”

“I’ve always noticed my skin flares around my period... but I was told
that’s normal.”

As practitioners it’s our job to listen with curiosity and help piece
together the clues clients share.

Every concern deserves to be heard.

When someone finally feels safe enough to share their story, that’s
often when the real healing begins.

Before the herbs.

Before the supplements.

Before the treatment plan.

Healing starts with being heard.

If you’ve been feeling unheard, I’d love to change that.

I’m in clinic every Tuesday evening at SANA Skin Clinic | Holistic Skin Experts | Melbourne , and I’d love to hear your skin story.

You don’t have to navigate your skin journey alone.

29/04/2026

Skin needling is one of my favourite topical skin treatments at .skinclinic 🥰 Before you start these are the three nutrients I always discuss with clients so we can optimise their collagen synthesis! If you are looking for internal supplementation support, I’m in clinic every Tuesday - Emily x

23/04/2026

If you would like support with your PCOS or suspect you might have it, I’m here to help! You can find me in clinic every Tuesday at .skinclinic Em x

17/04/2026