Author Archives: Merril

Conquering the last 10+Kilos

Have your weight loss efforts stalled despite continuing to eat well and exercise?

Losing the last 10+kilos is a challenge but it’s not an insurmountable obstacle. The weight loss plateau is a common problem on the journey to lose weight.

But with regular body composition testing and tailored dietary and lifestyle advice, we can have you on a weight loss fast track in no time at all!

Book a Women’s Wellness Package today for just $297 (Save over $200) for 3 Naturopathic/Nutrition Consultations plus regular body composition testing (in addition to other tests as required) and you will create a body that looks and feels stunning for the warmer months.

(Please note supplements are not included and all three appointments are to be completed within 2 months of your first appointment. This is a stand alone offer, not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion.)

If you want to discuss you health concerns further before booking, feel free to email us at gettingwellnaturally@gmail.com.

Or, you can simply book an initial Naturopathic or Nutrition Consultation on the Contact Us page.

Are you Zinc (Zn) deficient?

Throughout the month of October you can have your zinc level tested on site at Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote.

Zinc is an essential mineral used extensively throughout the body.

Zinc deficiencies range from outright deficiency through to mid range or sub-optimal status. At this point, you will have multiple health concerns throughout the body all linked to an inadequate dietary intake of zinc.

Optimal zinc status on the other hand, is the best preventative medicine you could have against a dizzying array of symptoms and health concerns.

However, this in not a mineral to self-prescribe off the shelf at the pharmacy.

It is a trace but essential mineral that needs to be balanced with a range of other nutrients. Too much zinc and you risk a lowered iron status which comes with it’s own set of complications.

Below is just a partial list of health concerns associated with a low or sub-optimal zinc status:

Compromised Immunity

Recurrent infections such as colds, sore throats and chest infections due to lowered immunity and allergies such as hayfever.

Skin Conditions

Slow wound healing and skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Mental Health Conditions

Such as mood swings, anxiety and depression. Frank deficiency or sub-optimal zinc levels can also contribute to behavioral conditions such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

It’s Hayfever Season…are you ready to knock it on the head once and for all?

If you’re plagued with seasonal hayfever every Spring, you may wonder if this is just your lot in life to be dealt itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing and the general frustration of having to avoid the outdoors, lest you have a hayfever attack.

In an effort to function, go to work and just do your daily activities, you resort to using anti-histamines such as Telfast & Claratyne for a couple of months each year to deal with these frustrating symptoms.

Thank goodness for anti-histamines…as short term relief is assured! There’s no doubt that these medications can be a lifesaver in times when you need to be at your best.

But, if you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to enjoy Spring without the fear of a hayfever attack. Or why not everyone experiences these debilitating seasonal symptoms, then you’ve come to the right place.

Allergy triggers such as pollens, grasses and high winds worsen the symptoms of hayfever but they are not the primary cause. They are like bullets in a gun. The final catalyst in a succession of events that makes people susceptible to allergies.

Allergy symptoms are the result of many underlying factors such as issues with gut health and nutritional deficiencies, all powered by an immune system which is overreacting to everyday environmental triggers.

By restoring your gut integrity through diet, lifestyle, nutritional and herbal treatments you can reduce and potentially eliminate your hayfever symptoms altogether.

Reducing the allergenic load on the body by improving overall health and wellbeing means that the amount of histamine is naturally reduced. Thereby creating far less hayfever symptoms.

Instead of simply treating the allergy symptoms you will be attacking the hayfever at it’s root cause(s) which produces long term results.

Why not change your life today and enjoy Spring once and for all.

Visit the Contact Us page to book for the Northcote or Yarraville Clinics.

Clear Skin Soup

Roast together at 170 degrees C for 1 hour:

4-6 Sweet Potatoes,

1/2 a Kent Pumpkin,

1 red Capsicum

3 cloves of Garlic

2-3 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil or a nut oil such as Macademia Oil.

Once soft, add to finely chopped Celery (2-3 stems) or 1 Leek.

Move to a saucepan and add 1-2 litres of water (or more if desired).

Blend together and add and Keen’s Curry Powder to taste.

Add 1/2 cup of soy milk for a creamier consistency to the soup.

Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until all the ingredients are smooth.

Serves 6

With high amounts of beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, along with sulfur for the liver and other nutrients for cleansing the blood and lymph, fibre for the bowel and spices for inflammation and boosting the immune system, this makes a powerful skin beautifying meal for anyone suffering from acne or other skin issues.

The skin is an organ of elimination in the body. If other parts of the body are struggling to detoxify, (for instance, the bowel, bladder/kidneys, lymph or lungs, toxins can be expelled through the skin.

In order to keep the skin clear of blemishes, diet and lifestyle is just as important as topical skin treatments.

Working in tandem, good nutrition and beauty therapy, can create fantastically healthy and glowing skin, naturally.

The Young Skin Package now available at Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote is your ticket to having the best skin of your life.

We have combined an 30 minute Nutrition Consult and 4 Facials to get your skin glowing! All for the fantastic price of $300 a saving of over $100+.

To book this fantastic offer simply book an Initial Nutrition Consult (normally $130, package price $79 included in $300) on the Contact Us page and you will receive your package details at your first appointment.

Combined Nutrition & Beauty Therapy packages exclusive to Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote!

Getting Well Naturally is delighted to announce a beautiful new collaboration with Beauty Therapist, Melinda Vrees, available in store soon at Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote.

Together we are offering a combined nutrition and beauty therapy package for teens and young adults to assist those suffering with skin issues such as Acne, etc.

The ‘Young Skin Package’ will include four facials (3 plus one free) and a 30 minute Nutrition consult to compliment the beauty treatment.

The Nutrition consult will focus on identifying nutritional deficiencies through a dietary assessment and will provide dietary suggestions for the teen to implement at home.

The ‘Young Skin Package’ would normally cost $425+. However, we can offer this fantastic package exculsive to Westgarth Pharmacy for the very special package price of $300! (for 5 appointments).

To book simply email gettingwellnaturally@gmail.com.

Wellness Consulting now available at Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote

Westgarth Pharmacy, Wellness Clinic is your one stop shop for combining the best of pharmaceutical and complimentary medicine.

In a 20 Minute wellness consult you will gain an insight into the best way to compliment your prescription medicines with natural medicines for optimal health.

Wellness consultations are also valuable if you have ever wondered how a Naturopathic Nutritionist can enhance your existing medical treatment.

Or just as a way of introducing you to the wonderful world of complimentary medicine.

This service is normally $35……

However, on September 20th, 2019 I will be running these short consultations throughout the day as part of the grand opening of the Westgarth Pharmacy, Wellness Clinic.

On the day you can have a body composition assessment, a blood pressure check and a zinc level check all as part of the wellness consult. All completely free of charge.

Hurry, be among the first to experience this unique approach to healthcare.

Please note places are limited and bookings are essential.

Call Westgarth Pharmacy today on (03) 9481 3807 to book.

The Melbourne Thrush Clinic, now available at Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote.



The Melbourne Thrush Clinic was created to address the many underlying factors that cause recurrent Thrush.

Dietary choices, certain medications, stress, hormones, altered gut flora and low immunity, all set the stage for repeated outbreaks of Thrush.

While topical anti-fungal treatments can be of benefit in treating the acute symptoms of burning, itching and discharge; their repeated use only addresses the surface issues associated with Thrush caused by the fungal infection called Candida.

The Naturopathic and Nutritional approach seeks to address Thrush at it’s root cause (altered gut flora) strengthen the immune system, correct nutritional deficiencies and rebalance hormones.

The unique treatment combination reduces the excess Candida and strengthens the gut lining.

Once the infection is under control, this natural approach can assist patients with preventing further outbreaks.

By educating and empowering patients to learn about the connections between dietary and lifestyle choices, stress, medications and the link to illness, patients can gain more control over their health outcomes.

The program is run by Merril Bowater ND. Women’s health concerns and recurrent infections are her areas of speciality. In particular, Thrush caused by chronic candidasis (fungal infections) which is so widespread.

Merril is health blogger for www.gettingwellnaturally.com.au and has been contributing writer for the women’s magazine Finally at 40 Life Begins.

In addition to presenting numerous health workshops for the local community on topics as diverse as depression to allergies and ways to boost your immunity over winter.

Appointments are available Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday mornings at Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote.

To book online please visit www.westgarthpharmacy.com.au

Or book via the Contact Us page for the Northcote Clinc on this website.

Getting Well Naturally in conjunction with Westgarth Pharmacy, Northcote have created a new destination in heathcare….

Earlier this year Getting Well Naturally (GWN) began talks with local Northcote institution, Westgarth Pharmacy.

Established over 30 years ago, Westgarth Pharmacy has recently undergone a dramatic transformation and is now home to a very special clinic.

This unique offering comprises natural medicine and allied health care all under the one roof. Bringing together the best of natural and pharmaceutical health care for the local community.

Westgarth Pharmacy now boasts a complementary health care clinic which comprises Naturopathy, Nutrition and Remedial Massage. Alongside Beauty Therapy.

GWN’s Northcote clinic is also the home of a range of signature programs such as The Melbourne Thrush Clinic.

In a truly integrative approach to Thrush, customers can buy over the counter anti-fungal treatments for acute treatment from the pharmacy and then visit the Naturopathic Nutritionist, Merril to address the fungal infection at it’s source to help prevent future outbreaks.

The Melbourne Thrush Clinic seeks to educate and empower customers so they can become aware of the driving factors behind fungal infections and stop the repetitive cycle of recurrent Thrush.

Westgarth Pharmacy services the surrounding suburbs of Thornbury, Fitzroy and Fitzroy North, Carlton North, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Fairfield, Kew, Ivanhoe and Melbourne’s Central Business District.

To book online simply visit the Contact Us page of this website www.gettingwellnaturally.com.au.

Or for more information visit www.westgarthpharmacy.com.au, select Naturopathy and Services under Merril’s profile.

When food isn’t your friend…

If you’ve ever wondered about the link between food and performance, then you need look no further than the current season of ‘Australian Survivor 2019’.

The match up between the elite athletes known as the Champions and their everyday Aussie competitors the Contenders, provides a very accurate picture of food and how it affects a person’s ability to perform at their peak.

The Champions have won the last three food rewards and have subsequently lost the immunity challenges that followed. You have to wonder if the array of calories on offer was more of a curse than a blessing.

The first decadent food reward was sugary marshmellows and hot chocolate.

The second food reward was greasy fish and chips.

And the third food reward was hamburgers with the lot & beer!

Meanwhile the Contenders had to be content with their beans, rice, coconut and mangos. Strangely though, they keep winning the all important immunity challanges which keep them in the game.

Admittedly, it’s human nature that if we’re starving we’ll eat whatever is put in front of us, healthy or not.

The problem is that fast food like this, translates to slow food in the body. Especially when you give it to people who are in their 40’s, who have a lesser digestive capacity to be able to break foods down and store them as energy or eliminate them as toxins.

So when you need power and energy you will struggle to muster it.

The lesson for all of us here is that these are sometimes foods. It doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete or just getting through your day at the office, what you eat the majority of the time, will determine your energy, vitality and overall performance, mentally and physically.

Is you teen overwhelmed with stress & anxiety?

The recent horrifying events in New Zealand and the blanket media coverage that has followed, is heartbreaking and stories of survival and devastation are everywhere we look.

Every TV station, every radio channel, every news stand on social media and the world wide web.

Our hearts go out to our NZ neighbors as we all struggle to understand how this could have happened.

Teenagers are living in a world where the flow of news is more accessible and more pervasive than ever before. Before they’ve barely woken up, they’re bombarded with social media new feeds on their phones, bringing them up to date on all the latest details that have happened while they were asleep.

The constant availability of such information at a moments notice, can produce a heightened sense of anxiety and depression in young people.

In the last few weeks the news has been dominated by stories of child sex abuse and this week it’s terrorist attacks in NZ. Is it any wonder that our young people are experiencing higher rates of mental health issues that ever before.

Teens worry about everything. They may not always tell their parents but it can show up in an inability to sleep, socialize, eat and attend school.  They may have less motivation for doing things that they normally enjoy, less concentration and feelings of being overwhelmed. They take on these worldly worries in addition to their normal daily lives and it can quickly become all too much.

Encouraging your teen to take a holistic approach to their life can help them regain their sense of mental and emotional wellbeing.

Persistent negative thoughts and fears must be addressed and natural health care can be employed to great effect in boosting their feelings of positivity and happiness.

Eating well, sleeping well and focusing on the good in their world, can help to rebalance their thinking and allow them to stress less.