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Mentha x piperita – Peppermint

January 17, 2023

[caption id="attachment_11791" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Mentha x piperita–peppermint[/caption] Mentha x piperita – Peppermint This spring the Wellpark College gardens have recently exploded in greens, purples, oranges and pinks. Being the first year since 2020 that we have not been in and out of lockdown restrictions in Auckland leading into Spring, our students and herbal gardener Sonya have been able to get into the gardens and nurture them. This means our gardens are looking the best they ever have since Wellpark College moved to the Albany campus. The comfrey is enormous and healthy, the parsley is prolific, providing students and staff delicious greens to add to their lunches each day, and the peppermint is delightfully abundant. Mentha x piperita (peppermint) belongs to the Lamiaceae botanical family, sharing similar structural and chemical characteristics...

Naturopathy Graduate ~ Life after Study

January 17, 2023

Nutrition

The 3 years that our Naturopathy students spend studying for their degree – Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine is a journey of education and self-discovery, but this learning journey continues long after Graduation. Naturopath Christabel Ritson talked to us about what life has been like since she graduated from Wellpark College and set up her own practice The Holistic Naturopath You graduated from Wellpark College’s Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine Programme 6 years ago. You have since set up your own Naturopathic, Nutrition and Reiki practice, presented short courses, taught Yoga, sold wellness products on and offline and have set up a mentoring programme. What have been the biggest lessons you have learned since leaving Wellpark College and starting your career in Health and Wellbeing? “Over the last 4 years, I...

Patchouli – Essential Oil for October

January 12, 2023

Massage Therapy

The signature oil for Scorpio / October is Patchouli which parallels with the nature of Scorpio. Patchouli is one of the ‘deepest’ oil in aromatherapy with a very distinctive aroma. Patchouli has an aphrodisiac property which reminds us that Scorpio is a sign profoundly linked to sexuality. In aromatherapy, Patchouli is used to assist with different kinds of sexual issues with the idea to bring it back to balance and enjoyment. Scorpio starts from 24th October to 22nd November. The medieval astrologers referred to Scorpio as Mars’ ‘Night House’. Maybe because Scorpio is the deepest, most secretive sign in the entire zodiac. Scorpion or The Stinger can get bad press due to the projection of strong emotions and moodiness. Scorpios tend to have a small circle...

The transition from Massage Student to Massage Therapist

January 8, 2023

Massage Therapy

Craig you recently completed your NZ Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage at Wellpark College. How ready were you for the transition from student to practitioner. Did you feel that the programme had prepared you well enough to start practicing as a Massage Therapist? Yes, the 6 months spent in the Prema Clinic (Wellpark College’s Student Training Clinic) dealing with clients was great in preparing you to work in an actual working clinic. That combined with other papers gave you a great grounding to go into the industry. The skills taught in meeting clients and giving professional massage appropriately were invaluable to working as a therapist. You recently moved to Tauranga and are working 4 days a week for Hands to Heal, can you tell us about the practice you...

Calendula officinalis– calendula | pot marigold | marigold Herb of the month:

January 8, 2023

Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine, Nutrition

Note: From Calendula [image], Kelly, P (2022). Calendula officinalis is a cheery and bright herb flowers all year around in most areas but grows most prolifically from late spring to late autumn. Commonly named calendula derived from the Latin kalendae, reflecting its ability to flower every month of the year. Well known to many gardeners and highly prized by famous historical herbalists such as Nicholas Culpepper, John Gerard and Maud Grieve for its wide array of medicinal uses including strengthening the heart and spirit and supporting the healing of wounds, cuts, and skin concerns (Grieve, 2021). Calendula is well known as a traditional herb supporting symptoms of minor inflammations of the skin and aiding in the healing of minor wounds. Its healing anti-inflammatory action is due largely to...

International Student chooses New Zealand to Study Herbal Medicine & Holistic Health

January 8, 2023

Nutrition

[caption id="attachment_11793" align="aligncenter" width="300"] john-Tang-Naturopath-Student-wellpark-college[/caption] International Student John Tang joined Wellpark College of Natural Therapies in 2019 in pursuit of knowledge. John had turned to natural therapies in Singapore to help manage an arthritic autoimmune disease and soon developed a keen interest in herbal medicine and a holistic approach to managing his health. On a quest to learn as much as he could John started researching post-graduate degrees in Naturopathy and found Wellpark College in New Zealand. John enrolled as an International Student and graduated 3 years later with a Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine and the Academic Excellence Award. John is now back and practising in Singapore, John took time to talk to us about his year’s studying in New Zealand and why working in Allied Health and helping people to...

Turning a passion for plant-based nutrition into a thriving business – Interview with Buffy Gill

January 8, 2023

Nutrition

[caption id="attachment_11796" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Be-good-organics-wellpark-college[/caption] Buffy Gill is well on her way to becoming a recognised champion for Plant-based nutrition. Her business Be Good Organics started as a blog that now has over 100 000 followers around the world, she has a growing presence on social media where she shares recipe ideas and videos that show just how versatile a plant-based diet can be. Since graduating from Wellpark College four years ago Buffy has expanded her business to include an online cooking school and a naturopathic practice. We were delighted that Buffy took time out of her very busy schedule to answer a few questions about turning her passion for nutrition and good health into a successful business. You graduated from Wellpark College 4 years ago with a Bachelor of...

The Journey to becoming a Naturopath – Interview with Sandy Watts

January 8, 2023

Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine, Nutrition

[caption id="attachment_11800" align="aligncenter" width="278"] Sandy-Watts-Naturopath-Wellpark[/caption] Being a Naturopath wasn't Sandy Watts first career choice but a desire to better understand her own health and the ailments of her family members lead her to explore natural health practices and learn more about holistic nutrition. Taking a leap of faith Sandy fare welled her previous career and enrolled to study for a Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine at Wellpark College. Although the degree programme was challenging it was a journey of self discovery as much as education and today Sandy runs a successful Naturopathic practice in Omaha and is a well respected member of the Naturopathic community. What first sparked your interest in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine? Experiencing health benefits first hand, when I saw a naturopath during a stressful time in...

Mature Student – It’s never too late to learn new skills.

January 8, 2023

Massage Therapy

[caption id="attachment_11802" align="aligncenter" width="219"] Craig-bennett-massage-stident-wellpark-college[/caption] Craig Bennett was faced with the decision to take early retirement or return to study as a Mature Student. Looking for a way that he could give back to his community Craig decided to enrol onto the 1 year NZ Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage at Wellpark College and six months into the programme he has come to realise that rather than retire he now has the opportunity and skills to take his life in a totally new direction and help people on their journey towards wellness and better health. Craig you came to study at Wellpark College as a mature student, what prompted your decision to learn a new set of skills at this stage of your life? I had just hit 60...

Vetiver

January 8, 2023

Nutrition

Essential Oil Vetiver Vetiver ( Vetiveria zizanoids) Vetiver is an essential oil known for its grounding character. A beautiful oil to enhance centring, vision and wisdom. Ground yourself, find a strong sense of reality and be fully aware of your surroundings. One drop of Vetiver essential oil on your finger and anoint the sole of your feet to assist mind and body connection. Then rub the left over oil from your finger on your palm and inhale slowly. Have this ritual before bed time to improve sleep and promote a sense of calm and contentment in your mind. Sleep well! Awake feeling refreshed and grounded. By Rina Poerwadi – Massage Diploma Tutor and Aromatherapist. References: Worwood, V.A.(1995). Vetiver. The fragrant mind. Aromatherapy for personality, mind, mood and emotion. Bantam Books. U Image https://unsplash.com/@primal_harmony...

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