Helen Barnshaw

Around 2016 I became ill with chronic body pain in the form of Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), stomach ulcers, and hyperglycaemic attacks. This was an accumulation of minor symptoms I had already been experiencing over a period of years and—as I would soon learn—was connected to my environment, upbringing, and family history. Although I was using different forms of pharmaceutical medication and attending traditional osteopathic sessions for my spinal pain, I was still stuck in a never-ending spiral of, what seemed to be, no way out.

I’ve always been a practical, hands-on, get-things-done sort of a person due to my regimented upbringing. Although I was trying to teach myself to slow down and accept as much help as I could to heal, I realized there was more to fuller, longer-term healing than simply popping a pill or sitting in an osteopath’s chair. I decided to seek some deeper, inner healing through meditation, psychological therapy, and naturopathic nutrition. I started tackling my negative self-image through therapy and rebirthing my mind, but I also knew I needed to understand how to reverse some of the damage I’d already done to my body and to speed up its healing. I wanted to start experiencing the benefits of deeper healing sooner rather than later, so I could make the most of my new-found self-compassion and self-love in creating the best life for myself. The more I learned and tested on myself, the more I experienced progressive healing, which enlivened my happiness and empowered my soul. I realized I had to start questioning traditional methods as a way of healing fully. I suspected traditional methods had kept others and me in a place of stubborn pain and anxiety. Although traditional medicine does have a place in an emergency, I believe it does not have to be a long-term solution. When we learn to see and trust naturopathic nutrition as a better way of healing, we begin to jump beyond our current limits of expectation and happiness, and we experience unprecedented levels of suspended health, wealth, power, and happiness.

As I went deeper into my meditation practice, I discovered how to love others and myself more powerfully. This led me to naturopathic nutrition as a more natural and long-term solution for pain relief and fuller healing. I started by reading about Asian traditions and whole foods, which taught me the best of the Asian methods of naturopathy. They have been used for decades and have started to influence modern naturopathy. As I read, I tested the methods on myself—first successfully reducing my symptoms of IBS and then reducing all other chronic symptoms. The more I saw and felt it working, the more I believed in it as a better and lasting way of healing to fuller happiness. I wanted to learn more. From there I received a western naturopathic nutrition diploma. After successful completion of the exam and real practice on others, I felt confident enough to share with and help others who really needed it. I wanted to empower others to see a better, faster, and long-lasting way of physical and emotional healing for fuller well-being.

I started to help those around me who I could see wanted the support. My mother, who has rheumatoid arthritis, friends in a local fibromyalgia group, colleagues at work, friends of friends and other new clients who were recommended to my services. I am especially interested in helping people integrate functional healing—healing with whole foods—in an easy and hassle-free way, allowing them to make small, manageable changes one step at a time. These small changes eventually become lasting habits, resulting in faster symptom reduction and healing on a cellular level.

I found it helpful to use a balance of what is already available to us in the well-being market and homemade recipes. I share with others time-saving tips that use functional foods and tinctures—herb and spice medicine mixtures—to reduce symptoms fast and heal long term. I believe genuine healing is about making solutions real and accessible. Healing is not an unreachable thing for only people with money and time to spare. It is for everyone, and it is here for us now. You’ll need to see it, want to achieve it, and accept yourself on the journey. Healing is not an overnight fix. It’s a state of mind and a belief system that takes us beyond traditional archetypal methods. There is such a wealth of knowledge out there now, you will find everything you’re looking for if you’re ready to accept and embark on the journey to fuller healing. You are starting right here with this accessible, coaching book.