🌿 The Golden Power of Turmeric ✨
11 Sep

For centuries, turmeric has been celebrated as one of nature’s most valuable healing spices. In Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it was used to treat everything from digestive issues to wounds. Today, modern science has confirmed what traditional healers always knew — turmeric is a golden powerhouse for health and vitality.

The secret lies in curcumin, turmeric’s active compound, which has been shown to support the body on many levels. It’s not just about one benefit — curcumin works across the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. That’s why turmeric has stood the test of time as both a food and a medicine.

What I love most about turmeric is how easy it is to use every day. Whether sprinkled on food, stirred into a latte, or taken as a supplement, this humble root brings comfort, warmth, and healing in the simplest of ways.

The Many Benefits of Turmeric

Here’s why adding turmeric to your life is worth it:

• 🦠 Immune support – helps your body defend against germs and seasonal bugs.
  
• 🔥 Anti-inflammatory – calms swelling, stiffness, and pain, making it especially helpful for joints and muscles.
  
• 🧠 Brain health – research suggests curcumin supports memory, learning, and focus, and may even protect against cognitive decline.
  
• 💪 Joint comfort – encourages flexibility and mobility, so you can keep moving with ease.
  
• 🌱 Digestive support – reduces bloating, soothes the gut, and stimulates better digestion.
  
• 💖 Heart health – supports healthy circulation, balances cholesterol, and helps protect cardiovascular function.
  

Easy Ways to Use Turmeric Every Day

Turmeric’s versatility makes it simple to include in your routine:

• Add to soups, curries, and stews for colour, warmth, and flavour.
  
• Stir into smoothies or juices for a spicy kick and added nutrition.
  
• Sprinkle into rice, scrambled eggs, or roasted vegetables for a golden glow.
  
• Enjoy a soothing golden latte before bed with turmeric, warm milk, cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of honey. (Adding a pinch of black pepper boosts absorption — a handy tip worth remembering!)
  

Personally, when I feel like having a coffee but want something gentler, I’ll choose a turmeric latte instead. It’s warm, comforting, and I know I’m nourishing my body at the same time.

A Note of Caution

Turmeric is generally safe for most people, but it is potent. If you’re taking medications — particularly blood thinners or those that affect the liver — it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before adding high doses or supplements. A little each day in food is usually very well tolerated.

The magic of turmeric isn’t about taking heaps all at once — it’s about consistency. Small amounts, enjoyed daily, allow its healing properties to build over time.

Final Thought

Turmeric is more than just a kitchen spice. It’s a golden reminder that nature gives us what we need to heal, protect, and thrive. By weaving it into your daily meals or drinks, you’re not only adding flavour — you’re strengthening your health in the most natural way.


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Do You Suffer from Allergies? Spring Allergy Season is Just Around the Corner 🌼
22 Aug

Every year, I see the same thing happen—spring rolls in, the flowers bloom, and while some people are out there soaking up the sunshine, others are stuck inside sneezing, coughing, and battling itchy eyes. If you’re one of those people, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Allergies are your immune system’s way of overreacting to something that, for most people, is completely harmless. Whether it’s pollen, pet hair, bee stings, dust, or even certain foods, your body thinks it’s under attack and kicks into defence mode. That’s why instead of enjoying the season, you’re left with a runny nose, blocked sinuses, or worse.

So, what’s actually going on inside the body when this happens?

The immune system produces antibodies to protect us from illness. In the case of allergies, it produces Immunoglobulin E (IgE)—a type of antibody that tells your body to release chemicals to fight off what it thinks is an invader. Unfortunately, in allergic individuals, IgE goes into overdrive, reacting to things that really aren’t dangerous, like grass pollen or the cat next door.

Here’s the kicker: allergies can develop at any stage of life. Family history plays a big role too. If one parent has allergies, there’s a 30–50% chance you will too. If both parents do, it skyrockets to 60–80%.

For many people, allergies show up early—infancy or toddler years—but even adults who never had allergies before can suddenly develop them. Some stick around for life, while others can lessen or disappear with time.

Now here’s the important part: if you want to manage your allergies properly, you need to know your triggers. Once we identify them, we can create a clear plan to reduce your reactions and get you back to feeling like yourself again.

At NE Naturopathic Group (Wang Wellness Centre), we offer a comprehensive Allergy Test using the Electro Magnetic Machine (AT2000 Allergy Tester). This can test for up to 290 different allergens—everything from foods, pollens, dust, soaps, and mould, to chemicals, metals, and even items you bring from home or work (like carpet samples, skincare, or garden plants). We can even test using just a hair sample if you can’t make it in person.

Once your triggers are identified, we create personalized desensitizing drops to reduce your reactions, alongside practical advice on avoidance strategies. It’s all about giving you back control so you can actually enjoy the seasons without being sidelined by your symptoms.

🌱 Ready to take the first step? If you’ve been putting up with allergies for too long, now’s the perfect time to do something about it—especially before spring hits full swing. Book your allergy test today and find out what’s really going on.

📍 NE Naturopathic Group (Wang Wellness Centre)
📞 03 5798 3344
👥 Christos Miliankos & Tayla Adams Read More…

🌿 Raw Foods for Healthy, Glowing Skin
15 Aug

Healthy skin starts from the inside out. What we put on our plate is just as important as what we put on our skin. Raw foods are a powerful way to nourish your body and your complexion from within.

Packed with fibre, minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids (EFAs), raw foods hydrate the skin, support collagen and elastin (your skin’s natural structure), and help your vascular system deliver nutrients while whisking away toxins.

The best part? Raw foods can be combined into colourful, delicious snacks and meals that make your skin glow from the inside out. Some of my favourites include:

🥜 Nuts & seeds (and raw nut butters)

🥑 Fresh fruits & veggies — think avocado, banana, berries, oranges, kale, spinach, and other dark greens

🥤 Fresh juices — fruit or vegetable-based

🌱 Soaked or sprouted beans, legumes & grains

🍏 Dried fruits & vegetables

🥬 Fermented foods — kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha

🌊 Seaweed — rich in minerals and antioxidants

Key Nutrients for Skin Health

✨ Antioxidants

These skin superheroes help protect your cells from damage and slow the signs of ageing. Vitamins A, C, and E are especially important for keeping skin smooth and youthful. You’ll find them in abundance in citrus fruits, cantaloupe, berries, bell peppers, spinach, and other fresh produce.

✨ Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids keep skin soft, supple, and hydrated. They also help absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K, and reduce inflammation. Avocados, olives, flaxseeds, and certain fish are rich in EFAs.

✨ Fibre

A healthy gut means healthy skin. Fibre supports digestion and helps your body remove toxins. Skin issues often link back to sluggish digestion or constipation, so adding fibre-rich raw foods is a great step toward clearer skin.

🥤 Glowing Skin Smoothie

Beauty truly does start from within — and a nutrient-rich smoothie is a delicious way to begin your day. This creamy, tropical blend is full of hydration, antioxidants, and vitamin C for collagen production (the protein that keeps skin firm and plump).

Ingredients:

½ cup plain coconut water (add more if needed)

2 frozen bananas (peeled and sliced)

1 cup chopped pineapple (fresh or frozen)

1 cup chopped mango (fresh or frozen)

2 cups spinach or kale

½ avocado, sliced

Method:

Blend all ingredients until smooth, adjusting liquid to your desired consistency. Pour into a glass, sip slowly, and enjoy the skin-loving goodness.

💚 If you’re dealing with persistent skin concerns or want personalised advice, Christos Miliankos & Tayla Adams are available at North East Naturopathic Group for allergy testing and natural skin management.

Naturopath | Bowen Therapist | Iridologist

For appointments or consultations, visit: North East Naturopathic Group

To explore my courses, head to: christosmili.org.au Read More…

Maintaining Men’s Health… Naturally
8 Aug

For generations, men were taught to tough it out—to work through pain, ignore signs of stress, and just get on with it. Rest was weakness. Talking about feelings? Forget it. But thank goodness those days are behind us. Today, more and more men are not just interested in functioning—they want to thrive. They want to wake up feeling energised, focused, strong, and calm. And that’s where natural health steps in.

In our fast-paced world, where convenience often comes at the cost of vitality, prioritising health has never been more important. Natural approaches to maintaining wellness offer sustainable, long-term benefits without relying on quick fixes. In this article, I want to share some of the essential, natural pillars I recommend to help men live longer, stronger, and better.

1. Fuel the Body: A Balanced Diet

Food is medicine—or at least, it should be. What we put into our bodies fuels every system, every organ, every cell. A well-balanced diet is the cornerstone of men’s health. This means real food: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, quality proteins, healthy fats, herbs and spices, and lots of colour on the plate.

Smoothies loaded with greens, berries, nuts, and seeds? Fantastic. Toast with strawberry jam and a side of coffee? Not so much.

Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibre are essential for everything from heart health to hormone balance. Don’t just eat to get full—eat to nourish.

2. The Case for a High-Quality Multivitamin

Here’s something a lot of people don’t realise: 50 years ago, our soil had up to 70% more nutrients than it does today. That means the carrot you eat now—compared to the carrot your grandad grew—is already less potent. Now factor in long-distance food transport, storage, freezing, reheating… you get the picture.

Unless you’re growing your own veggies and eating an organic, seasonal, whole-food diet every day, you’re likely not getting everything you need.

I notice a huge difference when I take my multivitamin and probiotic daily. Energy, focus, gut health—everything just works better. It’s not about perfection—it’s about giving your body the support it deserves.

3. Move Your Body: Regular Exercise

Exercise doesn’t have to mean gruelling gym sessions or endless cardio. It can be hiking, surfing, yoga, swimming, resistance training, or even chasing your kids around the park. The point is: move daily.

Regular exercise supports testosterone levels, improves mood, builds strength and flexibility, and enhances cardiovascular health. It’s also one of the best things you can do for your mental health. Men who move are men who thrive.

4. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is an underrated powerhouse. Aim for around 0.033 litres per kg of body weight per day (yep, that’s the magic formula). Water supports detoxification, digestion, skin health, and energy. Most of us walk around mildly dehydrated and wonder why we feel foggy or fatigued. So, drink up—it’s a game-changer.

5. Manage Stress Before It Manages You

Modern life is stressful—we’re pulled in 10 directions at once. But chronic stress wreaks havoc on men’s health. It elevates cortisol, depletes energy, impacts libido, disrupts sleep, and contributes to a whole host of chronic diseases.

Meditation, breathwork, walking in nature, journaling, playing music, gardening—whatever works for you, make it a priority. You don’t need to be a monk on a mountain to meditate. Just start with five quiet minutes a day. Trust me, your nervous system will thank you.

6. Prioritise Quality Sleep

Sleep is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Deep, restorative sleep supports everything from brain function to hormone balance to immune resilience.

Struggle with sleep? Avoid screens an hour before bed, dim the lights, avoid caffeine late in the day, and establish a consistent routine. There are also beautiful herbal and homeopathic remedies available that can support deeper, more restful sleep. Ask about them—I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

7. Harness the Power of Herbal Medicine

Nature has provided some powerful allies. Herbal supplements can enhance men’s health in targeted ways:

• Saw Palmetto for prostate support
  
• Ginseng for energy and stamina
  
• Ashwagandha for reducing stress and improving sleep
  

The key? These aren’t one-size-fits-all. I always recommend speaking to a qualified naturopath to get a personalised plan. You’ll get far better results that way.

8. Know Your Nurture Points: The Power of Iridology

Here’s something not many men talk about—but it’s absolutely powerful: understanding your body’s nurture points. Through Iridology, we can assess your body’s strengths, weaknesses, and inherited tendencies—just by examining your iris. Yes, really.

This painless, non-invasive method can detect early signs of imbalance and help you focus on prevention rather than cure. It’s one of the best tools I’ve used in my clinic to help people get proactive about their wellness.

To book an Iridology assessment, contact either:
📍 Melbourne Natural Medicine Centre — (03) 9686 2566
📍 Wangaratta Wellness Centre — (03) 5722 9216

Let’s figure out your unique path to thriving.

Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Results

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to overhaul your entire life in a day. Health is not about perfection. It’s about consistent, sustainable choices. And those choices can be natural, effective, and empowering.

By incorporating these natural principles into your daily routine—nutritious food, movement, quality sleep, herbal medicine, and personalised support—you’re investing in a healthier, stronger, more grounded version of yourself.

Because real strength? It’s not just physical. It’s knowing how to take care of yourself, so you can take care of everything else.

Stay well,
Christos Read More…

Magnesium Mystery: Are You Taking the Right Form of Magnesium?
1 Aug

Magnesium has become one of the most talked-about minerals in the wellness world — and for good reason. It plays a critical role in over 300 bodily functions, from supporting muscle and nerve health to regulating blood sugar and strengthening bones.

With modern diets often falling short in magnesium-rich foods, many people are turning to supplements. But here’s where it gets tricky — not all magnesium supplements are created equal. The type of magnesium you choose can dramatically affect how you feel and whether your symptoms improve… or get worse.

That’s why understanding the different forms of magnesium is key — and exactly what we guide clients through at Christos’ clinic.

Let’s break down the most common forms and their unique benefits: ⸻

🧘 Magnesium Glycinate

Ideal for people dealing with stress, poor sleep, or anxiety. This form is bonded to glycine, an amino acid with calming effects. It’s gentle on the stomach, making it a favourite for anyone with digestive sensitivities.

⚡ Magnesium Malate

Perfect if you’re feeling drained or struggling with fatigue. Magnesium malate includes malic acid, which supports energy production in the body — great for muscle recovery and day-to-day vitality.

🧠 Magnesium Threonate

The brain booster. Magnesium threonate is one of the few forms that can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it ideal for those looking to support memory, focus, and long-term cognitive health.

🔥 Magnesium Oxide

Commonly found in over-the-counter supplements, magnesium oxide is often used for digestive issues like indigestion or heartburn. However, its absorption rate is lower, meaning it might not be the best for addressing full-body magnesium deficiency.

🚽 Magnesium Citrate

This one’s well-known for its laxative effect. It’s useful for relieving constipation and quickly replenishing magnesium, but in higher doses, it can send you running to the bathroom — literally. 

The Bottom Line?

Choosing the wrong type of magnesium can leave you frustrated, uncomfortable, and still dealing with the very issues you were trying to fix. That’s why we take a tailored approach at Christos’ clinic, helping you understand your body’s specific needs before recommending any supplements.

Whether you’re struggling with energy, sleep, mood, digestion, or general well-being — there is a magnesium for that.

Not sure which magnesium is right for you? Book a consultation with Christos at NE Naturopathic Group through the website.
Let’s take the guesswork out of your health — and give your body the support it’s asking for.

Quick Magnesium Match-Up:
• Glycinate – Calming & gut-friendly 🍃
• Malate – Energy & muscle support ⚡
• Threonate – Brain health & memory 🧠
• Oxide – Digestive relief, but low absorption 🔥
• Citrate – Digestive support (and laxative in high doses) 

Understanding your body’s unique needs — and matching them with the right form of magnesium — can be the missing link in unlocking better energy, deeper sleep, and more vibrant health. Read More…