Meet Brenda Rosenfeld, a Nature Care College graduate, naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, educator, mentor, and international speaker.
Herbal medicine has a long traditional history, along with an evidence-based scientific format.
I have always believed that the name of a disease or condition is not necessarily the most important characteristic. I believe that a key feature is the interconnectedness of our minds and thoughts, bodies, feelings and emotions, and spirits, and the powerful influence they have on our health and well-being.
I have been an intensive care registered nurse for 10 years, and I bring my combination of health systems training and complementary therapy training to each visit, bridging the gap between orthodox and naturopathic medicine.
I focus on the body-mind-emotion connection and how everything we think and feel is reflected in our body. We want to be as healthy as possible, and we understand that our bodies have an amazing ability to regulate and repair themselves.
I have a particular interest in autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.
How did you become interested in plant medicine/herbal medicine?
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in health. I have always wanted to work in a profession that cares about people’s health and well-being. Following that desire, my first career choice was to be a nurse. I had no family history of herbalists. My family’s history was based in medicine, pharmacy, and business.
While studying nursing, I went to see a naturopathic doctor who used herbal medicine in combination with other therapies to support my health, and always had results.
After qualifying as a registered nurse and working in an intensive care unit, I decided to explore natural therapies and bring the two worlds together. While attending Nature Care University, I supported myself by continuing to work in the intensive care unit.
I absolutely believe that both worlds exist and there is a place for us to work together to support health. I am very blessed and grateful to have been able to study both. The knowledge and skills I learned through nursing continue to support me in my naturopathic clinic and education today.
What does Nature Care College teach?
I teach herbal therapy to second graders.
Throughout the year, we will cover the different systems of the body, the many conditions and illnesses that may be experienced in a particular system, and how to support them using herbal medicine.
What do students learn in your class?
Through over 20 years of personal experience, clinical practice, observation and understanding, I have learned that no two clients are ever the same.
It is essential that students understand the anatomy and physiology of the body and the symptoms and pathology that can occur within the body. It is also important to understand that no client is a “textbook” case and to view each client as an individual.
Two clients may have the same “symptoms”, such as premenstrual syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or heart disease, but their experiences of symptoms and conditions may be very different. Each of us has unique thoughts and feelings, and conditioning that filters all of our experiences. To one person she may feel like a 3 out of 10 pain threshold, but to another person with the same symptoms she may feel like a 10 out of 10. An event that feels like a 2 out of 10 stressful event may feel like a 9 out of 10 stressful event to someone experiencing the same event.
The goal is for students to understand that each person’s experience is important and unique to them, and therefore needs to be supported and treated individually.
Another goal is to be able to listen to what is being said, no matter who is sitting in front of you at your doctor’s appointment, and feel confident knowing how to gather all the information about the symptoms you are experiencing. The goal is to be able to grasp and decipher and understand. You will be able to explain to your client what the cause of the symptoms they are experiencing, why they are occurring, and the goals of treatment in the consultation, allowing them to choose an herbal class with confidence. We can support treatment steps and help you confidently select each herbal medicine to be used in your client’s final prescription.
Herbal medicine has a long traditional history, along with an evidence-based scientific format. I believe that respecting tradition is important and has a valuable place in our learning.
Our herbs are medicine. They work on the client’s body, mind, emotions, and spirit. My ultimate goal for my students is for them to respect their own power, their ability to make a noticeable difference in their clients, and that less is often more.
It is an incredible honor to mentor students and share the wonder, wisdom, and world of herbal medicine with them.
Contact Nature Care College today.
Phone: 02 8423 8333
W:naturecare.com.au
E: info@naturecare.com.au
