Q&A with Lisa Hayne, from Herb + Spice

How did it feel to have Herb + Spice take out the Best New Business award?

“It was very unexpected but very exciting, it’s nice to know that what I’m doing is helping people and that they have recommended me to others.

“I am so thankful for the community’s support. I had no aspirations to be in a business myself, and the support I’ve received over the last 18 months has been phenomenal.”

What has been the most rewarding part of your business?

“It’s wonderful to know that I’m offering something that people are really looking for and getting results for people. There’s been a big movement over the last few years of people wanting to improve their health using more holistic approaches, so getting people to the point where they don’t need to come and see me anymore because they get better, that’s the goal.”

What has been the process of starting Herb + Spice?

“I’ve been in business for just over 12 months now and come from a health background. I still work as a paramedic three days a week and as a naturopath for two.

“I did 520 hours of practical training in total while studying naturopathy, 230 of which I did in Tamworth as well as 100 hours in Coffs Harbour.

“I studied naturopathy full-time while working as a paramedic. I’m also a mum of two boys and my husband also works full-time, so it has been quite a process to bring this all together.”

How can naturopathy play an important role in the Narrabri community’s health?

“There is no other naturopath business in the community – the next closest naturopath is in Tamworth, so I know how hard it was from personal experience trying to seek a naturopath.

“I can see how chronic health is affecting the community and how naturopathic health-related changes and alternative medicine can help people manage what they are dealing with at home.

“For me, Herb + Spice has helped me explore a lot of personal changes I’ve been making at home, using different plant-based medicines and focusing on nutrition as a way to improve our health.

What would you like the community to understand about naturopathy?

“People often think of naturopathy based on its differences from traditional medicine. We never use an ‘us or them’ mentality. If people haven’t used naturopathy before they may conceive it as quite alternative or that it can’t work alongside traditional medicine, but it works hand in hand to complement it.

“I have a great rapport with a lot of doctors in town and we’re getting some great health outcomes for clients by using a combined approach to treatment.

“It’s always good because it gives you different options like using plant-based medicine and food as medicine and coming back to the basics, seeing what the body needs to heal rather than just treating symptoms.

“With hormones as an example, not just going on the pill to treat hormone symptoms, and fixing what’s out of balance to treat the underlying cause of the symptoms.”

What kind of concerns do your clients bring to Herb + Spice?

“People have been coming to me who have been seeing naturopaths online, and lots of people travel from other towns as well; Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Moree, and as far as Rowena and Walgett.

“Most of my clients are women, between the 30-60 age mark, a lot of them are seeking help with hormones and cycles, looking for fertility assistance and support through menopausal changes. Some people come in just wanting an overhaul of their food, looking at what to eat, and what foods work with them.

“A few male clients come in for hormone support or prostate support, building up their immune systems and improving energy.

“I also see gut health and IBS problems that clients can’t resolve that’s impacting their life to the point where they can’t go to work.

“I have some beautiful kids who come and see me as well with poor immune systems who are getting sick all the time, having gut issues, food intolerances, and things like that.

“Overall, it seems like everyone is struggling with fatigue, regardless of what is going on in their life, so that has been a big issue with most of my cases as well, but also supporting stress and anxiety, low moods and depression, and poor sleep habits.”

What can the Narrabri community do in their day-to-day to give themselves a bit more energy?

“Drinking more water, going to bed earlier, and not being on your phone in that hour or two before going to bed. Everyone is going to bed at 10 or 11 o’clock and waking up early, so literally getting that extra hour’s sleep can make a huge difference.

“Getting a piece of fruit and a good serving of veggies every day; simple things that aren’t going to cost you an arm and a leg but doing them consistently will make a huge difference.

“We’re trying to fit more and more into our day and we’re getting to the point where your body is going to stop you if you don’t stop and give it what it needs.”

How has being a paramedic helped with Herb + Spice?

“I love the medicine side of things; I’ve been a paramedic for almost 17 years so I’m very passionate about that.

“I’ve been able to work in the Narrabri community for 15 years helping people in so many different capacities. It has given me a huge amount of clinical knowledge that I’ve been able to bring across, reviewing anatomy and physiology and interpreting blood tests, so I know what’s going on with people’s health that I can then translate with herbal medicine on top.”

What do you hope to accomplish with Herb + Spice in the future?

“I’d like to be able to continue to build the business, and gradually increase the number of days I can see clients. To be able to spend more time with my family and do something that’s bringing me personal joy, and to be able to help people one-on-one.”

What do you do for fun in your downtime?

“I love going to the gym, my physical fitness has always been really important plus I enjoy the social side of catching up with friends. I also love going out to the veggie patch with the kids and being able to grow our own food. I really enjoy music as well; I play the piano and I was in the choir and find it a great relaxing activity to do in my downtime.”