Bridging Ancient Plant Wisdom with Modern Genetic Testing in Naturopathic Practice
Plant medicine and genetic testing might sound like they belong in different worlds, one ancestral, one clinical but in my practice they're two ways of asking the same question: what does this particular body need? Herbalism answers it through generations of observation and now some clinical trials. Genetic testing answers it at the molecular level. I use both.
For example so many people these days reach for Withania (Ashwaganda) a beautiful plant to help reduce stress, anxiety and so much more. However my client’s genetic test revelaed that Withania actually increases her anxiety and stress! This is true of Withania in a small amount of people and my client’s genetic test demostrated this.
Long before gene panels, there were plants. Across Traditional European Herbalism, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs were used not to suppress symptoms but to restore balance. Adaptogens like ashwagandha, nervines like lemon balm, liver-supportive herbs like milk thistle, these don't override the body, they nudge it back toward its own equilibrium.
Genetic testing adds precision to that same intention. If someone has slow COMT activity, for example, they may run heightened stress sensitivity or overwhelm, rather than reaching for a generic calming remedy, I'll consider nervines that support the nervous system without overstimulating it. If glutathione production looks reduced, herbs traditionally used for liver and antioxidant support come into the picture.
No two genetic profiles are identical, and no two people experience the same illness the same way, so standardised protocols only get you so far. Layering genetic insight onto herbal tradition lets treatment be both gentle and genuinely targeted, reducing guesswork and honouring the fact that everyone's biology tells a different story.
Are you based on the Sunshine Coast or anywhere in Australia? I offer personalised naturopathic consultations in person and via telehealth. If you're ready to explore the root causes of your health concerns and create a plan that truly works for you, I'd love to help.