A selection of articles about plant-based medicine and wellness. If you’d like to learn more about plant-based therapies, please discuss your options further with your doctor or make an appointment with Astrid Clinic
This August 2025, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration opened a public consultation to review regulatory oversight of the current medical system, focusing on safety and whether the current framework is working well for patients and prescribers.
Menopause can be a wild ride: hot flushes, sleepless nights, mood swings.
I would like to acknowledge that this piece is written on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our experiences of illness, healing, and wellbeing are shaped by culture, community, and identity, yet many healthcare systems still treat diversity as an afterthought.
Each year on May 12th, International Nurses Day offers a chance to reflect on the vital role nurses play across every corner of healthcare.
On Saturday 3rd of May, Australian polling stations will be abuzz as millions take to their local primary schools to vote and pick up a democracy sausage.
Dr Thomas Arkell joins us to unpack the Victorian Drug Driving Trial—a groundbreaking study exploring how medicinal cannabis affects driving performance.
Very often the first thing that comes to mind when speaking about cannabis is the notion of smoking it.
April marks Adenomyosis Awareness Month, an important time to shed light on a condition that affects millions of women* worldwide—yet often doesn’t travel alone.
Written by Associate Professor Mike Armour
Written by Lisa Nguyen
1 in 7 Australian women* has endo—that’s a lot of workplace talent worth supporting.
If you’re living with endometriosis, you probably know the frustration of trying to explain your pain to others. It’s like trying to describe a colour that only you can see.
By Olivia Lackmann, RN & Astrid Health Clinical Manager
By Angie Mashford-Scott, endokind
Discover some myths and misconceptions of endometriosis.
By Georgina Phin, Naturopath at Astrid
By Kady Chemal, Astrid Team
You’ve been doubled over in pain for years. You’ve visited doctor after doctor, only to hear “it’s just bad periods” or “maybe you should try yoga.”
By Laura Lee, Psychologist & Sexologist
On March 1, 2025, Victoria takes a step toward recognising natural medicine as medicine and patients as people under updated drug driving laws.
Within the medicinal cannabis space, our current pharmaceutical model means that as practitioners we are really only focused on 2 major compounds within the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD) and everyone’s favourite, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The first of the month ticks over, and you have a fresh prescription from your doctor. You speak to the pharmacist about trying a different strain and they recommend a new product.
Naturopathy might seem like another trendy term floating around health-conscious circles, but it’s much more than just a buzzword.
At Astrid, we’re on a mission to support and educate our patients about our products and how they can support their wellbeing.
It’s that time of year again. Schools and universities are winding up for the year, offices are announcing their Christmas parties, and families around the country are planning their time away with family and friends.
On July 1 2023, Australia joined the first wave of countries to legalise psilocybin for medical use. This allows authorised psychiatrists to prescribe it for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
An opinion piece by Nour Abouzeid, 27/11/2024
Imagine it’s 1946. You can’t afford a television yet, so you read the paper. There’s an advertisement that reads “More Doctors Smoke Camels Than Any Other Cigarette”.
Endometriosis is a condition affecting almost 1 million women in Australia – that’s around 1 in 7 women.
Here is everything you need to know about Australia’s new vape laws.
Meet Georgina– our newest naturopath, who’s here to make a meaningful impact on our holistic approach.
With her passion for natural health and commitment to patient care, she’s not just joining our team—she’s here to inspire and transform lives. Get to know her and discover the exciting ways she’ll be contributing to our mission of holistic wellbeing!
Planning an international trip? If you are treated with medicinal cannabis, navigating the patchwork of global laws can seem daunting. But don’t let that put a damper on your adventures!
More affectionately known as “Bash”, Bashar is Astrid’s Head of Patient Experience and joined the team after completing his Biomedical Science studies and many years in community pharmacy. Let’s get to know our favourite Head of Patient Experience.
Asian Heritage Week is here and we are excited to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Asian Australian community.
As Mother’s Day approaches, Astrid invites you to explore the world of hemp oil infused skincare products to create rituals around nurturing your skin, loving your body and practising self-care.
In today’s fast-paced world, the practice of meditation has surged in popularity as more people seek natural and holistic approaches to improve their overall well-being.
On April 20 at 4:20pm our dispensary in South Yarra was buzzing with patients, nurses, doctors, and advocates, all sharing their experiences with natural medicine.
Olivia (Liv) is our Senior Nurse Lead and is a Registered Nurse with many years of clinical experience and specialty in surgical nursing, palliative care and general practice.
Astrid’s government submission into the Workplace Drug Testing Inquiry. Learn more about Astrid and our advocacy for patients
The Astrid team have been reflecting on the transformative year since early 2023 when we unveiled our second Astrid Dispensary, this time in the heart of Byron Bay. Our first year in Byron has been filled with growth, innovation and strong community engagement.
April 20th, known globally as 4/20, has evolved from an underground gathering to a major cultural event celebrating cannabis culture and its journey towards acceptance alongside medical recognition.
Astrid’s ongoing support and advocacy for our patients. In the evolving landscape of medicinal cannabis, one of the most pressing concerns for patients is how its use intersects with driving laws.
In the evolving landscape of natural healthcare, Dr. Shu Ng shines as a beacon of innovation and compassion.
World Sleep Day is a call to action to celebrate and strive for healthy sleep. Between 30-40% of Australians are regularly not getting enough sleep.
March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day acknowledging how women’s development and economic empowerment are central to a gender equal world.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, shedding light on a condition affecting almost 1 million women in Australia – that’s around 1 in 7 women.
Have you ever wondered how Astrid came to be and the brains behind it all? Meet Lisa Nguyen, Astrid’s founder and Australian trained pharmacist.
Australia is currently navigating the complexities of legalising and decriminalising cannabis. We are encouraged by this shift and advocate for public health to be a central focus in these discussions.
6 Heartwarming Gift Ideas to Surprise Your Valentine
Cancer affects millions worldwide, and understanding its impact and the importance of comprehensive care can empower us to better support those on this challenging journey.
Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 individuals in Australia aged 45 and above, totaling 1.6 million people.
To conclude 2023 on a high note, Astrid Dispensary & Clinic hosted a spectacular year-end event, bringing together the Astrid team and our extended community to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable milestones achieved throughout the year.
2800 BC is the earliest evidence about the medical use of medicinal cannabis, originating in Central Asia or Western China.
In October 2016, the Australian Government passed legislation to allow for medicinal cannabis-based products to be prescribed to patients by registered healthcare professionals. The laws also allowed for the import of medicinal cannabis products and the growing and production of medicinal cannabis products in Australia.
Plant medicine has gained increasing attention in Australia since its legalisation for medical use in 2016 as a potential treatment option for a wide range of conditions. However it may not be suited to everyone.
Mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being. In Australia, like many other parts of the world, a significant proportion of the population struggles with mental health issues.
Australians love to travel. In the 2022-23 year, there were 8,337,080 overseas trips taken by Australian residents, more than 5 times the previous year.
Medicinal cannabis may have a place in the treatment of epilepsy where the use of traditional anti-seizure drugs have not been effective.
Ever wondered why different plants have unique scents? It’s all thanks to compounds called terpenes.
Plant-based products vary, depending on the symptoms or condition they are designed to treat. The way that you take them can vary too.
Your doctor will need to assess your needs, and make a decision about whether there is an appropriate product for you.
Here we explore the differences between vaporising and smoking dried herb, and share information on natural therapy.
In the intricate orchestra of our body’s internal systems, like the well-known sympathetic nervous system responsible for our fight-or-flight reactions, there’s a relatively new player on the stage: the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This complex network of chemical signals and receptors, scattered throughout our brain and body, serves as the maestro of essential functions, from memory and emotions to pain management, sleep, and more. As global research and drug development efforts converge on the ECS, its role in our well-being is gaining remarkable attention.
There are more than 100 different plant-based products in Australia which come in many different forms, including oral formulations, topical formulations, inhalations.
The word “cannabinoid” may strike a chord with its association to cannabis, but this term encompasses a vast variety of chemical compounds that interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors.
