Natural Health Consultations

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” -Thomas Edison

Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?

Do you have health challenges that you want to overcome? Are you done taking medication and dealing with the side effects? Are you ready to be well?

My natural health services can help you get back on the path to wellness by offering:

• Nutritional counseling & supplementation
• Herbal recommendations
• Lifestyle changes
• Integrative therapies geared toward your unique health challenges

You can’t help but reach your health goals when you have the attention, personal support and guidance you need.

As a young adult, I suffered from anxiety and depression and other health challenges.  I understand the challenges these conditions pose, and I know that conventional treatments can be frustrating and ineffective.  Don’t despair…people with the following health conditions have found relief with nutritional therapies (see Testimonials):

• Sleeping Problems
• Headaches
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Digestion Issues
• Fatigue/Low Energy
• Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
• Allergies
• Pain Management
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management

If you suffer from any of these health challenges, please know there is often a nutritional imbalance involved.  Working to correct that imbalance can make all the difference.  The suggestions and recommendations I make can absolutely make a difference in how you feel and will help you manage stress levels and emotions.

Nutritional Health Consultations

I offer natural health consultations exclusively via telephone so you can start enjoying better health in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Even if you are not in the San Antonio area, I can assist you and help you feel better.

To alleviate any concerns, I offer a complimentary 10-minute telephone appointment so you can address any questions or concerns you have.

To reach me by email, simply fill out this form and let me know the best times to phone you.

Are you ready to live a better life? If you are ready to put yourself first and make your health the top priority in your life, let’s get started! Contact me today for a phone consultation and for better health!

TX Natural Health Services | TX Natural Stress Relief | San Antonio TX Depression Treatment

Why quit coffee?

There is quite a debate going around about coffee. Depending on who you read, there are theories that suggest drinking coffee is actually good for you. It does have antioxidant value associated with it, so that can definitely be a good thing. 

But for me, it’s how you’re drinking your coffee that matters. Personally, I don’t like the taste of coffee, so it was necessary for me to “doctor it up” to make it tolerable!  I think in and of itself, coffee probably does have some slight nutritional value, as long as you’re drinking it black! But since we live in a nation of Starbucks and seemingly with a coffee shop on every corner, how many of us are actually drinking BLACK coffee? It’s so easy to get Lattes, Frappucinos, Cappucinos, etc. – most of which are laden with milk, sugar and flavorings, and in some cases, even espresso!

I am not perfect, and I did get into the habit of drinking my coffee with cream, flavorings and sugar.  It was the only way I could get it down and make it taste good. Then I got addicted. I tried once to stop and couldn’t. I loved the flavor and the extra “kick” it gave me in the mornings. This has lasted for the last year and a half.

Finally, I reached a point where I recognized that it was having a detrimental effect on my health. Of course I know this intellectually; sugar and milk are definitely not good for the body! But my body didn’t seem to mind too much… Except for lately. I could tell that my energy level was not as good as I would like. That’s what happens with a drug like caffeine: you end up needing more and more of it to get you to feel as good as you used to. So, one cup of java soon can turn into 3-4 cups! Then watch out!

The adrenal glands are not made to function with the constant attack from caffeine. It forces the adrenals to produce more and more adrenaline, pushing your body into the “flight or fight” response.  Then later, when that response wanes, you need another cup (or even two!) or the afternoon candy bar to boost you up again to make it through the rest of the day.

For many people, this is a pattern that has been developed over many years. Many clients I talk to have the addiction that has resulted in many different health ailments; digestion issues, sleep problems, dehydration, headaches, weight gain (from blood sugar imbalances) and fatigue and general malaise. Over time, this roller coaster ride with caffeine and sugar eventually results in adrenal fatigue. For women, this is especially problematic because we already seem to have a lot of hormonal imbalances going around! Add to that problems with adrenal function and it’s a recipe for fatigue and lethargy.

So that’s where I was. I recognized that this was definitely not helping me and in fact, was starting to creep up to an extra 1/2 cup or even another full cup of coffee in the morning. Just to get that extra little “hit” that I needed to get going.

So I decided I wanted to quit. It took me two weeks of preparation. The first week, I started making the coffee weaker and weaker; adding a little more water and less coffee each day. Then the 2nd week, I started drinking less and less. I’ve heard about the headaches and how awful you feel when quitting caffeine. So I thought that I would stop on Thursday and purposely scheduled myself an easy day on Friday, followed by Saturday and Sunday being off and at home to rest and take it easy.

Turns out, this was a very good plan. My Friday was fine and in fact, didn’t really feel like I missed my coffee, although I missed the sweetness. Saturday, however, was another matter. The monster headache started about 8:30 am; by 11:00 am it was downright AWFUL! I resisted the urge to pop an aspirin; instead, I reached for my essential oils.

Peppermint Essential Oil, applied to the top of my head, my forehead and temples, definitely helped. It took the edge off and probably brought it from a 10 down to an 8, which sure was more tolerable. Then I got a tip from a friend about Frankincense Essential Oil. I put a drop on my tongue and held it to the roof of my mouth. Literally within 5 minutes, the headache was completely gone. It never returned, and by the end of the day, the malaise I had felt was gone too! I continued to drink extra water, relax, and generally took it easy for the first few days.

Now, it’s been over a week since I have stopped coffee altogether. Some friends have been around me at work with it, and I still LOVE the smell of it, but I don’t miss drinking it at all. I have substituted something so much better. I have always had NingXia Red drink in the morning, but since stopping coffee, I have doubled my dose every morning and I am convinced that it has made this transition SO much easier.

I now have more energy that the coffee ever gave me and I just feel so much better. My blood sugar has stabililized, and overall, I am so glad to be 100% rid of all caffeine. My “coffee” now is a supercharged Wolfberry Juice filled with powerful essential oils that provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that help support immune system function and keep blood sugar levels stable and balanced. So much healthier than regular coffee.

If you’re wanting to get off coffee or anther caffeinated drink, I’m here to tell you that I can be done – and it can be done with as little discomfort as possible. Follow the suggestions above and watch your energy soar and your health improve!

In my opinion, Food Matters is another MUST-SEE documentary for everyone on this planet, right after you finish watching Food, Inc.

Not only does this film discuss the importance of nutrition in our lives, but how we are being over-medicated by the medical community and BIG PHARMA at the expense of our good health.

Many of us already know these things intuitively, but this film really does a great job of bringing the facts out into the open!

The moral of Food Matters is one with which I very much agree: We must begin to actively accept and take responsibility for our own health, rather than relying on our doctors — who have very little if ANY nutritional training — to make the best decisions for us. Moreover, we must educate ourselves about the habits and foods that truly help our bodies heal.

If you are suffering with an illness, please know that your body can heal itself! But you must use the right tools and surround yourself with the right conditions — and people — in order to transform your health.

You can get better. You can get rid of your disease. You can get off your medication! This movie will answer a lot of your questions and help you understand why nutrition — not drugs — is the way to go! We need to have education and valuable nutrition in our lives, not more medication and poisonous toxins.

Please, watch Food Matters with your family and friends. (Buy the DVD directly from the online store or watch it instantly via Netflix streaming.)

Changing your lifestyle one step at a time adds up over the long term to support a new and improved optimum level of health for you. It’s not as hard as you think!

A Quick Start to Health

Clients often ask what they can do quickly to bring about some positive change in their health. If you’re not ready for an appointment just yet, but you are ready to start feeling better, this is a fantastic time to do some internal body cleaning!

Cleansing your body will help to get rid of some unhealthy eating habits, extra pounds and toxins! Below are some suggestions to follow to help your body get healthy!

Who knows, you might like it enough and feel so good that you’ll want to continue throughout the year! In either case, this will give your body a much needed rest and help to rebuild your health.

Eliminate the White Stuff: White Flour, White Sugar, Salt and Cow’s Milk… All of us know how damaging sugar, salt and flour can be to our bodies. Unfortunately, not too much has been said about cow’s milk, but I believe it is very damaging to the human body too.

For one, cow’s milk is extremely allergenic for most people and therefore they are unable to digest it (possibly explaining all the “lactose-free” products on the market today). Secondly, cow’s milk is an extreme catalyst for mucus forming in the body. For those of you suffering from extreme allergies, cutting out cow’s milk might make a significant difference in how you feel. Avoid diary products for 3 weeks to really test it out your body’s response.

Buy Organic: Make it a point to try to buy all your produce organic if at all possible, as the pesticides and other culprits that lurk among produce are quite scary. Also, even if you buy organic whole foods, please wash all of your fruits and vegetables before consumption. I use Grapefruit Seed Extract from Nutribiotic to wash all of my produce. Grapefruit Seed Extract contains an ingredient that is very useful in killing pathogens. Washing fruits and vegetables in it is just one of its many uses.

Exercise: All of us know we need to do it. And research is now showing that even 10 minutes a day is significantly better than nothing! So take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park FAR OUT in the parking lot instead of trying to find the spot closest to the store. My good friend Eddie Baran has developed a wonderful exercise program that is simple and QUICK and you can do it in your own home! Click on his name to learn more!

Juicing: Juicing is a wonderful way to get lots of nutrition in your body RIGHT now. Basically, it is predigested, since it is in liquid form, but has all of the vitamins, enzymes and nutrition. I love using my Vitamix for this purpose. It has so many uses and allows you to keep all the healthy fiber in your drink!

Massage: Having a massage once a week or even once a month provides many health benefits. Increasing circulation, promoting lymphatic drainage and helping with stress levels are just a few of them. Incorporating this into your wellness routine is a great way to get rid of toxins in your body and help you feel more relaxed!

Water: Yes, it bears repeating: Make sure you’re drinking half your weight in ounces of fresh, purified water every day. Even if where you live is not as hot as Texas or maybe it’s wintertime, you still need to consume adequate amounts of water.

Emotional Cleansing: Dealing with our negative emotions every day can make us physically sick. While you might be embarking on taking care of your “physical” self, don’t neglect your emotions! In fact, now is the best time to do some emotional cleansing.

First and foremost, let go of the past. Whatever did (or didn’t) happen in the past, it is important that you don’t carry those feelings with you. Secondly, it is important that you focus on all the positive things that have occurred in your life. Those emotions that are associated with good, positive changes will fuel you into taking better care of yourself. Lastly, make some goals for the future. They do not have to be “resolutions,” but simply goals and dreams that you would like to accomplish over the next year.

If you’re still struggling with some emotional issues, contact me today to learn more about a custom blend of Bach Flower Remedies that can help! You can also read more about the flowers and how they can help you manage stress in my Natural Stress Remedies section.

There you have it – some great ideas to get started to a new and healthier you. Even if you only pick one or two to get started, that’s a positive step, and your body will thank you for it!

Melissa Wood, ND
Holistic health practitioner

My quest for health and wellness began when I was a young adult, suffering from anxiety and depression. Finding conventional medicine ineffective in treating these conditions, I turned to alternative and natural medicine and studied nutrition, plants / herbs / flowers, homeopathy, massage, aromatherapy, and other techniques.

I have had the pleasure of working one-on-one with clients for the last ten years as a Naturopathic Doctor, Health and Wellness Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Aromatherapy Consultant. Helping clients find and maintain their optimal health is more than my job; it has been my passion for over 25 years. (See Testimonials.)

Located just outside of San Antonio, Texas, in the beautiful hill community of Pipe Creek, I offer telephone consultations for people in the region and around the country. No matter where you live, I can make suggestions that will help you lead a happier, healthier life.

What is a Holistic Health Practitioner?

In our hurried society, most MDs treat the symptoms, not the sickness. Naturopaths look for the root cause of the illness. Health is holistic; there is most often an underlying imbalance behind any condition, and we recommend nutritional therapies to correct these. We do not:

• Diagnose diseases or conditions.
• Prescribe any kind of prescription medicine.

Mass-prescribing pharmaceuticals are not in your best interest if you are trying to get healthy or treat the underlying cause of your illness. One drug causes side effects, so you take another to correct that. Then that drug causes side effects and you need yet another. Then that drug… it goes on and on.

Ten. That is the average number of prescription drugs my new clients are taking when they first see me. Ten different drugs with different effects, different long term health consequences, different risks.

There is another way to look at health, a way that says there are things that you can do – simple things – to achieve better health and stay healthy for the rest of your life.

What about conventional doctors?

There are times when medication is advised. Medical doctors are vital. But nutritional therapies can be used hand in hand with conventional therapies. The medical and natural health communities can – and should – work together to help everyone achieve the greatest level of health and wellness.

What do Naturopaths do?

Naturopaths do:

• Suggest nutritional and lifestyle changes. These can be as simple as drinking certain teas or taking hot baths with Epsom Salts.
• Offer suggestions for natural and herbal therapies that will help you find your healthy balance again – or for the first time.
• Help correct imbalances and develop more in-depth treatment options which can include herbal extracts, essential oils, massage, or other therapies.
• Treat your health holistically, naturally, and effectively with you as an essential and knowledgeable member of the team.
• Help you take responsibility for your own health.
• Give you choices and provide you with the information and insight to make healthy decisions.

Are you ready to put yourself first? Are you ready to make health your number one priority? Let’s get started! I am happy to answer any questions about naturopathy and the natural health services I provide. Please contact me via email using this form.

Remember, even if you are not in the San Antonio area, I can help you feel better and improve your health. I provide telephone consultations which can be done at your convenience, from the comfort and privacy of your home.

One of the best things you can do for your health — drink plenty of water — is one the easiest and most important too! Because our bodies are made up of 70-75 percent water, it is extremely important to replace it every day.

On average, your body loses approximately 10 cups of water every day while regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and oxygen, carrying away waste and helping to detoxify your kidneys and liver.

Here are some healthy water tips:

1. “Eight” is not always the magic number for water. Of course, you have probably heard that eight 8-ounce glasses of water is the rule of thumb. I don’t necessarily agree with that philosophy.

My recommendation is that you base your water consumption on your weight and your level of exercise. For example, take your body weight and divide that number in half. Whatever the result, that is how many ounces of water you should drink in one day. If you weigh 140 pounds, you should consume approximately 70 ounces of water a day. If you exercise, that number should increase.

Doesn’t it make sense that if people are different sizes and have different exercise routines, they should consume different amounts of water? The standard of “everybody” needing 8 glasses of water a day simply doesn’t apply to everyone. I think it makes more sense to treat individuals like individuals with different needs.

2. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Take water with you when you run errands or travel to and from work. Keep water on your desk at work. Instead of a coffee break at the office, switch to a water break! Developing consistent plans to drink water will help you develop a healthful habit!

3. There is no substitute for water. One of the main surprises that some of my clients get is when I tell them that tea and coffee don’t count toward your water consumption each day. But they have water in them, you say? Yes, they do, along with chemicals that affect the body and in most cases actually cause a diuretic affect in the body, which causes dehydration. So in other words, only water is water. Drink it, not coffee or tea. Alcohol also is extremely dehydrating, so for every glass of alcohol, consume an extra glass of water to help with the dehydration.

4. Increase your intake of water when you’re exercising. Take frequent water breaks while exercising. Drinking extra water when you have finished exercising to replace perspiration lost during the exercise is advised. It is important to compensate for the amount of fluids you lose when exercising, so drink up!

5. Hungry, you say? Drink a big glass of water. Sometimes the body plays tricks on us, so you might mistake hunger pangs for dehydration. Dehydration symptoms can include dizziness, minor headaches and lack of mental clarity. Some of those same symptoms could also be due to low blood sugar if you’re close to needing a meal. If you’re unsure, make sure you try the water first! (And incidentally, if you’re trying to lose weight, drinking a large glass of water 10 minutes prior to a meal will help you eat less too!)

6. Drink 10-12 ounces of room temperature or slightly warm water with a little fresh lemon juice when you wake up each morning. It’s a good start to the day, and you’re getting some of the water you need, not to mention it’s a good way to flush out your system. Your body is very busy during your sleeping hours “cleaning house.” Drinking a large glass of water first thing in the morning will help it do its job more efficiently!

7. When you should drink additional water: When you have a cold or flu, or if you are in dehydrating conditions such as extremely hot or humid weather, severely cold weather or high altitudes.

8. Most of these tips apply to children too! Our children are constantly bombarded with opportunities to drink sodas in school and with friends. Make sure they are getting enough water too!