Inside the Apothecary

Menopause technically happens on one day. So why can women feel completely different for years beforehand? In this episode, Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew explain what perimenopause really is, why it often begins earlier than expected, and why so many women don't recognise the symptoms. They explore anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, mood changes, heart palpitations, weight gain and why these experiences a...

Endometriosis affects one in seven Australian women, yet diagnosis still takes years and many people are told their pain is normal. In this episode, Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew explore why endometriosis is far more than a reproductive condition and how it can affect the entire body. They discuss the inflammatory and immune components of endometriosis, fertility, fatigue, digestive symptoms, bladder...

Painful periods. Heavy bleeding. PMS. Fatigue. Recurrent infections. So many women are told these symptoms are simply part of being female. But are they? In this episode, Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew discuss the symptoms women most commonly normalise and explain why common does not always mean normal. Together they explore why these symptoms deserve investigation, what they may be telling us about u...

Hormones have become one of the biggest topics on social media, but are we actually becoming more informed or simply more confused? In this episode of Inside the Apothecary , naturopaths Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew explore the growing world of hormone advice online and separate evidence from misinformation. From cortisol "spikes" and adrenal fatigue to hormone balancing, cycle syncing and hormone t...

Have you ever been told your blood tests are "normal" but still felt exhausted, foggy, anxious, in pain, or simply not like yourself? You're not imagining it. In the first episode of Season 2 of Inside the Apothecary , naturopaths Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew unpack one of the most frustrating experiences patients face: being told everything is normal despite ongoing symptoms. They explain why patho...

In the final episode of Season One, Jaime and Mel take listeners inside the clinical thought process behind naturopathic medicine. When someone walks into clinic with fatigue, hormone issues, digestive symptoms, fertility challenges, skin concerns, anxiety, or chronic inflammation, what are we actually looking for? This episode explores how experienced practitioners connect patterns across the bod...

Most people are taking supplements without understanding whether their body actually needs them, can absorb them properly, or has the foundations in place for them to work. In this episode, Jaime and Mel unpack why supplements often fail to create meaningful change and the factors that actually determine whether a protocol works clinically. They explore nutrient absorption, nervous system regulati...

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, p...

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 explor...

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 tha...

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 c...

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 functio...

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, inf...

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...