Inside the Apothecary

Jaime Chew and Melissa Larkings (Gearing)
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Inside the Apothecary is a weekly conversation where clinical wisdom meets real life. Hosted by Naturopaths Mel and Jaime, each episode unpacks a focused health or lifestyle topic, breaking down the science, challenging common myths, and translating what actually matters in practice. From fertility and hormones to gut health, inflammation, nervous system regulation, herbal medicine, and food as medicine, the conversations go beyond surface level advice and into how the body actually works. Expect myth-busting, real clinical insights, practical education, and honest conversations about mind–body health, all delivered with warmth, clarity, and a touch of banter. Whether you’re navigating your own health, trying to understand your body more deeply, or working in the integrative space, this is where complex health starts to make sense. Explore more at insidetheapothecary.com Ready to go deeper Book a free discovery call nourishing-apothecary.simplecliniconline.com/diary Shop practitioner-formulated products nourishingapothecary.com/collections Follow along Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/insidetheapothecary/ Nourishing Apothecary Instagram http://instagram.com/nourishingapothecary/ Mel Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mgnaturopath/ TikTok Inside the Apothecary https://www.tiktok.com/@insidetheapothecary Nourishing Apothecary https://www.tiktok.com/@nourishingapothecary Mel https://www.tiktok.com/@mg.herbs.naturopa Jaime https://www.tiktok.com/@jaime Seed Apothecary Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seed.apothecary/ Shop practitioner-formulated products nourishingapothecary.com/collections

Episodes

  1. 3 days ago

    #Ep06 - Gut Health and IBS - Why You're Bloated, Constipated, and Reacting to Everything You Eat

    Bloating after meals. Food intolerances. Constipation. Diarrhoea. Abdominal pain. Many people are told they have IBS, but IBS is not a true diagnosis. It is a label used when digestive symptoms exist without a clear explanation. In this episode, Jaime and Mel explore what may actually be driving persistent gut symptoms and why so many people continue to struggle despite trying elimination diets, probiotics, supplements, and medications. They discuss the role of stomach acid, digestive enzymes, gut bacteria, intestinal permeability, inflammation, nervous system dysfunction, and how stress directly influences digestion and gut symptoms. The conversation also covers food sensitivities, why restrictive diets often fail long term, and the common root causes that may sit underneath an IBS diagnosis. If you constantly feel bloated, react to foods, experience constipation or diarrhoea, or feel like you've been given a label without real answers, this episode will help you better understand what may be happening beneath the surface. Topics discussed include: • IBS and digestive disorders • Bloating and abdominal discomfort • Constipation and diarrhoea • Food intolerances and food sensitivities • Gut microbiome health • Leaky gut and gut lining integrity • Stress and the gut-brain connection • Root cause approaches to digestive health • Natural and holistic gut health support Explore more or book your consultation via nourishingapothecary.com

    38 min

  2. 26 May

    #Ep05 - Fertility Preparation - Why Doing Everything Right Still Isn’t Working

    Fertility Preparation: Why Doing Everything Right Still Isn’t Working Trying to conceive can feel incredibly frustrating when you are eating well, taking supplements, tracking your cycle, and still not seeing results. In this episode, Jaime and Mel unpack the deeper layers of fertility preparation and the reasons conception is not always as straightforward as people are led to believe. They explore the factors that influence egg quality, sperm health, ovulation, implantation, inflammation, metabolic health, and hormone balance, and why the ninety days before conception matter so much for both partners. The conversation also looks at why “normal” test results do not always reflect optimal fertility, how stress and lifestyle impact reproductive function, and why fertility support should never focus on one partner alone. This episode challenges the idea that fertility preparation starts and ends with a prenatal, and explains why personalised care, timing, and understanding the bigger picture can make a significant difference. If you are planning for pregnancy, actively trying to conceive, or feeling stuck despite doing all the “right” things, this episode will give you a clearer framework for where to look next. Explore more or book your consultation via the website nourishingapothecary.com

    32 min

  3. 19 May

    #Ep04 - Hormones And The Menstrual Cycle - What Your Period Is Really Telling You

    Your menstrual cycle is far more than just a monthly bleed. It is one of the clearest windows into your overall health. In this episode, Jaime and Mel break down what a healthy menstrual cycle should actually look like, from cycle length and ovulation to cervical fluid, PMS, pain, mood changes, and bleeding patterns. They explain why so many symptoms women are told are “normal” are often signs that the body is under stress or struggling to compensate. The conversation explores how stress, inflammation, nutrition, gut health, sleep, and lifestyle directly influence hormone balance and ovulation, and why the menstrual cycle is considered a vital sign in clinical practice. Jaime and Mel also unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of women’s health: the oral contraceptive pill. They explain what the pill suppresses, why a withdrawal bleed is not the same as a true menstrual period, and what can happen underneath the surface while symptoms appear “controlled.” Whether you are dealing with painful periods, irregular cycles, PMS, fertility concerns, post-pill changes, or simply want to better understand your hormones, this episode gives you a practical framework to start interpreting what your body may be trying to communicate. Listen now and explore more via insidetheapothecary.com

    43 min

  4. 12 May

    #Ep03 - The Nervous System And Stress

    Nervous System: Why You Feel Wired but Exhausted You are sleeping, resting, taking the supplements… yet still feeling completely exhausted while your mind refuses to slow down. In this episode, Jaime and Mel unpack one of the most common patterns they see in clinic: the “wired but tired” nervous system state that sits underneath so many hormone, gut, sleep, and fertility issues. They explore how chronic stress changes cortisol rhythms, impacts melatonin production, disrupts blood sugar stability, and keeps the body stuck in survival mode. The conversation breaks down why symptoms like anxiety, burnout, PMS, insomnia, bloating, irregular cycles, and fatigue are often connected through the nervous system rather than being isolated problems. You will learn why the body deprioritises reproduction, digestion, and repair when it feels unsafe, and how this can quietly affect ovulation, hormone balance, inflammation, and recovery over time. Jaime and Mel also share the practical foundations they focus on in clinic to help regulate the nervous system and create an internal environment where healing can actually happen. If you constantly feel overstimulated, exhausted, anxious, flat, or like your body cannot properly recover no matter what you try, this episode will help you understand why.

    42 min

  5. 4 May

    #Ep02 - Herbal Medicine Explained

    Herbal Medicine Explained: Do Herbs Actually Work and When to Use Them. Herbal medicine is one of the most misunderstood areas of natural health. In this episode, Jaime and Mel explain how herbal medicine works from a clinical perspective, and why practitioner prescribed formulas differ from over the counter supplements. They break down how herbs can support hormone balance, stress, immune function, and fertility, and what determines whether a herbal treatment will actually be effective. From dosing and plant chemistry to quality and formulation, this episode gives you a clear understanding of how plant medicine is used in modern naturopathy. If you have ever wondered whether herbs are worth it or how to use them properly, this episode will shift your perspective. Explore more or book your consultation via the website nourishingapothecary.com

    42 min

  6. 28 Apr

    #Ep01 - Why We Approach Women's Health Differently

    In this opening episode of Inside the Apothecary, naturopaths Jaime and Mel share how they came to practise in women’s health, fertility, and complex hormone conditions. This conversation goes beyond introductions. It explores why conventional approaches often fall short for chronic symptoms, and what changes when you begin to look at the body as an interconnected system. Hormones, gut health, inflammation, and the nervous system are all part of the picture. You will hear how their clinical thinking has been shaped through working with endometriosis, hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, and patients who have tried everything but still feel stuck. If you are looking for a more personalised and root cause approach to your health, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows. Explore more or book your consultation via the website nourishingapothecary.com

    37 min

  7. Season 1 Trailer

    Welcome to Inside the Apothecary

    We can not wait to welcome you inside our apothecary. Meet Mel and Jaime Jaime Chew - Founder Nourishing Apothecary, Naturopath and Homeopath Specialisation: Fertility, IVF support, women’s hormonal balance, mental health Jaime’s journey into natural health began with a nursing degree and was driven by a desire to help people. Now a Naturopath and Homeopath, Jaime founded Nourishing Apothecary, a natural wellness clinic in Liverpool, Sydney. Jaime and her team offer Naturopathic and Homeopathic consultations, natural supplements and guidance for healthier living. Jaime’s practice focuses on women's hormonal balance, helping women to feel themselves and supporting them through anxiety, depression and PMDD. With a special interest in fertility, Jaime supports both men and women through every stage of their fertility journeys; from preconception, to pregnancy and postpartum. By blending traditional natural remedies with modern health expertise, Jaime helps clients feel themselves again, naturally. Mel Gearing - Naturopath and Medical Herbalist Specialisations: Mental Health, IVF support, Fertility, reproductive health, gut health, nutritional medicine Mel believes that food is a powerful medicine, and uses her expertise as a Medical Herbalist and Naturopath to help her clients create sustainable lifestyle changes, rather than seeking quick fixes. With a Masters in Health Science and a focus on mental health and addiction support, Mel’s unique range of focus areas includes mental health, reproductive health, gut health and nutritional medicine. She has a particular interest in supporting clients who identify as neurodivergent. Mel has published cookbooks, produced a health podcast, and spends her time mentoring future Naturopaths. Her practical, client-centred approach combines natural and conventional medicine, addressing mental health issues like anxiety, ADHD, and depression while offering sustainable lifestyle and nutritional support.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Inside the Apothecary is a weekly conversation where clinical wisdom meets real life. Hosted by Naturopaths Mel and Jaime, each episode unpacks a focused health or lifestyle topic, breaking down the science, challenging common myths, and translating what actually matters in practice. From fertility and hormones to gut health, inflammation, nervous system regulation, herbal medicine, and food as medicine, the conversations go beyond surface level advice and into how the body actually works. Expect myth-busting, real clinical insights, practical education, and honest conversations about mind–body health, all delivered with warmth, clarity, and a touch of banter. Whether you’re navigating your own health, trying to understand your body more deeply, or working in the integrative space, this is where complex health starts to make sense. Explore more at insidetheapothecary.com Ready to go deeper Book a free discovery call nourishing-apothecary.simplecliniconline.com/diary Shop practitioner-formulated products nourishingapothecary.com/collections Follow along Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/insidetheapothecary/ Nourishing Apothecary Instagram http://instagram.com/nourishingapothecary/ Mel Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mgnaturopath/ TikTok Inside the Apothecary https://www.tiktok.com/@insidetheapothecary Nourishing Apothecary https://www.tiktok.com/@nourishingapothecary Mel https://www.tiktok.com/@mg.herbs.naturopa Jaime https://www.tiktok.com/@jaime Seed Apothecary Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seed.apothecary/ Shop practitioner-formulated products nourishingapothecary.com/collections

Information

  • Creator
    Jaime Chew and Melissa Larkings (Gearing)
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jaime Chew and Melissa Larkings (Gearing)
  • Show Website
    Inside the Apothecary

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