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Sandra Clair

Sandra is a health scientist, registered medical herbalist, and columnist for the NZ Herald.

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Sandra’s latest content
Sandra Clair: How to treat jet lag naturally
Lifestyle

Sandra Clair: How to treat jet lag naturally

31 Mar 09:54 PM
Is plant medicine the answer to holistic wellbeing?
Opinion

Is plant medicine the answer to holistic wellbeing?

03 Mar 09:29 PM

How can you holistically work towards a state of wellbeing?

Sandra Clair: Natural ways to help manage respiratory illnesses
Opinion

Sandra Clair: Natural ways to help manage respiratory illnesses

16 Feb 06:30 PM

Plant medicines that can keep chest infections and respiratory illnesses at bay.

Sandra Clair: How to avoid back to work summer stress
Opinion

Sandra Clair: How to avoid back to work summer stress

02 Feb 06:00 PM

Getting back into the swing of things can be the perfect time for stress to manifest.

Your Health: How to care for your liver
Opinion

Your Health: How to care for your liver

12 Jan 06:00 PM

Looking to give your liver a break this month? Here's how natural remedies can help.

Do plant medicines have side-effects?
Opinion

Do plant medicines have side-effects?

21 Dec 09:24 PM

Plant medicine has been used for millennia. What do you need to know before using it?

How to avoid burnout ahead of Christmas
Lifestyle

How to avoid burnout ahead of Christmas

24 Nov 07:00 PM

Signs you may be headed for a Yuletide meltdown and natural ways to combat them.

How plant based medicine can help diabetes
Lifestyle

How plant based medicine can help diabetes

09 Nov 08:33 PM

Plant medicine has been used to help treat diabetes long before we had synthetic drugs.

Sandra Clair: Natural remedies to curb stress
Lifestyle

Sandra Clair: Natural remedies to curb stress

20 Oct 07:00 PM

When looking at how to manage stress, it's important to look at yourself as an individual.

Sandra Clair: Plant based medicine then and now
Lifestyle

Sandra Clair: Plant based medicine then and now

29 Sep 06:00 PM

These days consumers have become acutely aware of what they are putting into their bodies.

How plant medicine can help support new mums
Lifestyle

How plant medicine can help support new mums

17 Aug 02:16 AM

Comment: Having a newborn can be overwhelming. Here are some natural ways to help.

How does plant medicine impact breastfeeding?
Opinion

How does plant medicine impact breastfeeding?

04 Aug 07:00 PM

Traditionally, breastfeeding teas are used for nutrient support during breastfeeding.

How marshmallow can help a tickly throat
Opinion

How marshmallow can help a tickly throat

21 Jul 11:00 PM

But it's not the marshmallow you're probably thinking of.

Dry July: How to boost your liver health
Opinion

Dry July: How to boost your liver health

08 Jul 03:00 AM

It's a great time of year to give your liver a rest.

The childhood illness to prepare for this winter
Opinion

The childhood illness to prepare for this winter

24 Jun 03:47 AM

These natural remedies may be able to help with symptoms of croup.

Is plant medicine really that effective?
Opinion

Is plant medicine really that effective?

09 Jun 11:00 PM

We take a look at the evidence behind plant medicine and its effectiveness.

Can children use plant medicine?
Opinion

Can children use plant medicine?

27 May 03:45 AM

Are you considering plant medicine to heal your children? Here's what you need to know.

Plants offer whole-body treatment; pharmaceuticals treat each symptom
Lifestyle

Plants offer whole-body treatment; pharmaceuticals treat each symptom

12 May 09:00 PM

Plant medicines should leave you feeling better off than when you started.

How to avoid getting sick this winter
Opinion

How to avoid getting sick this winter

28 Apr 08:00 PM

Build up your immune system before the chill really sets in.

How to battle school holiday stress
Opinion

How to battle school holiday stress

22 Apr 05:50 AM

With the kids at home all day, you may find yourself more strung out than usual.

Pharmacy Council allows sale of natural health products
Lifestyle

Pharmacy Council allows sale of natural health products

07 Apr 08:00 PM

Pharmacists can now sell alternative medicine alongside pharmaceuticals.

How to aid common digestive problems
Lifestyle

How to aid common digestive problems

25 Nov 10:00 PM

Digestion can be a problem for many, here are some natural remedies that could help.

Natural options for constipation
Opinion

Natural options for constipation

11 Nov 09:20 PM

Constipation is a very common problem. Here are some natural remedies to help.

The best herbs to combat allergies
Lifestyle

The best herbs to combat allergies

28 Oct 06:00 PM

Plant medicine can help with day-to-day management and strengthen resilience to reactions.

The best herbs for better skin
Lifestyle

The best herbs for better skin

01 Oct 02:00 AM

Need better skin and want to improve digestion? Try these herbal medicines.

How to get rid of a cough that won't leave
Opinion

How to get rid of a cough that won't leave

16 Sep 10:40 PM

Try these natural remedies to get rid of that cough, once and for all.

How herbal medicine can prevent dry skin
Lifestyle

How herbal medicine can prevent dry skin

03 Sep 01:30 AM

With the change of season dry skin can occur, here's how plant medicine could help.

Natural remedies to aid breastmilk production
Lifestyle

Natural remedies to aid breastmilk production

20 Aug 02:45 AM

Breastfeeding is not always as straightforward as you may think.

How to treat a recurrent urinary tract infection
Lifestyle

How to treat a recurrent urinary tract infection

05 Aug 07:00 PM

Do you have a recurrent UTI? Look to these herbal remedies for relief.

Plant medicine for period pain
Lifestyle

Plant medicine for period pain

22 Jul 06:00 PM

Do you suffer from bad period pain? Try some of these natural remedies.

Gentle, natural solutions for nappy rash
Lifestyle

Gentle, natural solutions for nappy rash

16 Jul 03:45 AM

These are the natural properties you should look out for in nappy rash products.

Natural remedies for winter cough
Opinion

Natural remedies for winter cough

08 Jul 10:15 PM

Is there anything natural to take to get rid of that nasty winter cough?

Medicinal plants for healthy cholesterol
Opinion

Medicinal plants for healthy cholesterol

25 Jun 12:30 AM

Paired with lifestyle change, these medicinal remedies could help support the body.

Plant medicine can help libido issues
Opinion

Plant medicine can help libido issues

18 Jun 03:40 AM

Are you struggling with a loss of libido? Plant medicine may help.

How to avoid catching a cold
Opinion

How to avoid catching a cold

03 Jun 11:00 PM

Try natural remedies to reduce your chances of getting sick over the next few months.

Five natural alternatives for coffee
Opinion

Five natural alternatives for coffee

27 May 10:30 PM

These natural alternatives to coffee can boost concentration and focus.

How to alleviate peri-menopause symptoms
Opinion

How to alleviate peri-menopause symptoms

20 May 11:30 PM

Hot flushes, trouble sleeping and more irritable? You may have peri-menopause.

Using plant medicine to aid osteoarthritis
Opinion

Using plant medicine to aid osteoarthritis

13 May 11:00 PM

Taking drugs long-term can take a hefty toll on the liver and digestive system.

Plant healing for stress and low moods
Opinion

Plant healing for stress and low moods

06 May 10:00 PM

For uplifting mood in times of stress, there is no greater plant ally than St John's Wort.

How to naturally support lung health
Opinion

How to naturally support lung health

29 Apr 11:00 PM

There are a number of plant medicines available that help to protect your lungs.

How to treat varicose veins in pregnancy
Opinion

How to treat varicose veins in pregnancy

22 Apr 10:00 PM

Sandra Clair has some tips on how to improve vein integrity.

A herbalist's tips for better sleep
Opinion

A herbalist's tips for better sleep

16 Apr 03:00 AM

Try these natural tips for better sleep.

Natural healing for post-birth recovery
Opinion

Natural healing for post-birth recovery

09 Apr 02:30 AM

Speed up your post-birth recovery with these natural health tips.

How to naturally heal cracked lips
Opinion

How to naturally heal cracked lips

01 Apr 08:00 PM

Suffering from cracked and dry lips? Try some of these natural remedies.

Natural ways to recover from surgery
Opinion

Natural ways to recover from surgery

25 Mar 06:00 PM

Our natural health guru's tips for quick recovery from surgery.

The medicinal plants growing in our backyard
Opinion

The medicinal plants growing in our backyard

18 Mar 06:00 PM

What are the most useful medicinal plants that can be found right at home?

How to alleviate stress-related burnout naturally
Opinion

How to alleviate stress-related burnout naturally

11 Mar 06:00 PM

"I was wondering if there is anything natural that might help to restore my energy and speed my recovery?"

Why gut bacteria influences our health
Opinion

Why gut bacteria influences our health

04 Mar 07:00 PM

Our natural health guru on how our gut bacteria are so influential to our health.

How to protect your bones
Opinion

How to protect your bones

25 Feb 10:30 PM

My elderly mother suffers from osteoporosis and is susceptible to bone fractures. Is there anything that can be done to protect my

Can plant medicine help with adult acne?
Opinion

Can plant medicine help with adult acne?

18 Feb 06:00 PM

The key to getting rid of that adult acne you're embarrassed about could be as simple as adopting a diet based on real whole foods.

Coping with back-to-school anxiety
Opinion

Coping with back-to-school anxiety

04 Feb 07:00 PM

Entering a new phase in life can be anxiety inducing for anyone, regardless of age. Here are some natural remedies for helping manage those back to school jitters.

Natural remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Opinion

Natural remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

28 Jan 07:00 PM

Medical herbalist Sandra Clair offers some natural remedies for a common problem.

How to minimize chicken pox scars
Opinion

How to minimize chicken pox scars

14 Jan 07:30 PM

Your child may have made it through an itchy battle with chicken pox, but what about the scars they've been left with?

How to detox naturally
Opinion

How to detox naturally

03 Jan 06:00 PM

OPINION: Methods of detoxification have existed in different cultures for thousands of years, and science has started to catch up with traditional wisdom.

Natural remedies to fight hay fever
Opinion

Natural remedies to fight hay fever

25 Dec 06:00 PM

It's that time of year when hay fever sufferers' symptoms flare up. Here's how to keep the allergies under control.

The history of plant medicine
Opinion

The history of plant medicine

20 Dec 10:30 PM

Medicinal plants have been used throughout history to heal the sick.

Your health: How to soothe cradle cap naturally
Opinion

Your health: How to soothe cradle cap naturally

10 Dec 06:00 PM

Is your baby presenting flakes, yellowish-scales or redness on the scalp? Sandra has some natural alternatives to help with cradle cap.

Your health: How to naturally relieve eczema
Opinion

Your health: How to naturally relieve eczema

26 Nov 06:00 PM

What can you suggest to naturally help relieve eczema/dermatitis, or to at least minimise its severity?

How to ease children's ear infections
Opinion

How to ease children's ear infections

19 Nov 07:00 PM

My two sons get terrible ear infections regularly. It makes them very uncomfortable and miserable. Are there any natural remedies you can suggest?

Natural remedies for chronic pain
Opinion

Natural remedies for chronic pain

12 Nov 06:00 PM

My partner suffers from complex regional pain syndrome. Are there any plant medicines that can be used to help with chronic pain?

Your health: Plant medicines to add to your first aid kit
Opinion

Your health: Plant medicines to add to your first aid kit

05 Nov 06:00 PM

Hi Sandra, what plant medicines should we be adding to our family first aid kit? Thanks for your question. As summer inches closer

Remedies for croup in children
Opinion

Remedies for croup in children

29 Oct 10:00 PM

Are there any plant medicines to keep croup in children at bay?

Natural products to assist asthma symptoms
Opinion

Natural products to assist asthma symptoms

22 Oct 10:00 PM

New Zealand has some of the highest rates of childhood asthma, with more than one in four children diagnosed with some form.

How to treat shin splint problems
Opinion

How to treat shin splint problems

15 Oct 10:00 PM

Shin splints are caused by repeated trauma to the muscles where they attach to the shin.

How to boost children's immunity
Opinion

How to boost children's immunity

08 Oct 07:30 PM

When a child's immune system takes a hit, how can you help build it back up again?

Your health: Find out more about medical herbalist Sandra Clair
Opinion

Your health: Find out more about medical herbalist Sandra Clair

17 Sep 07:00 PM

Hi Sandra - I was wondering if you could share some more information on your background as a medical herbalist? It sounds so interesting!

How natural remedies can support ovarian disorder
Opinion

How natural remedies can support ovarian disorder

10 Sep 07:00 PM

Question: I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and I've really struggled keeping on top of the symptoms. Are there any natural remedies I can use to support my condition?

How to build your child's immunity
Opinion

How to build your child's immunity

03 Sep 07:00 PM

Question: I know it's is pretty common for colds to get passed around at day care, but is there anything I can do to keep my three-year-old's immunity up?

Treating bronchitis in young children
Opinion

Treating bronchitis in young children

20 Aug 07:30 PM

My 12-month-old has a nasty bout of bronchitis. I'm desperate to give him something to relieve him, but I've heard there are a lot

Natural remedies to help children sleep
Opinion

Natural remedies to help children sleep

14 Aug 02:39 AM

I am wondering if I can give my children anything to help with getting them to sleep. They are just not sleeping through the night

Natural remedies to aid breastfeeding
Opinion

Natural remedies to aid breastfeeding

06 Aug 08:00 PM

I am wondering what I can do to help with breastfeeding? I am expecting my first baby this month. - New mum As a new mum you face

How to sooth winter skin
Opinion

How to sooth winter skin

23 Jul 08:00 PM

My whole family are keen skiers. We have a season's pass and try to get up the mountain every weekend, and it seems like without fail

Natural remedies for glandular fever
Opinion

Natural remedies for glandular fever

16 Jul 08:00 PM

My daughter was recently diagnosed with glandular fever. She is missing quite a bit of school and the thought of getting behind is

Plant medicine for stress support
Opinion

Plant medicine for stress support

26 Jun 04:00 AM
Your health: Natural remedies for sports injuries
Opinion

Your health: Natural remedies for sports injuries

18 Jun 07:00 PM

Natural remedies are a great way to keep you in the game.

How to steer clear of 'man flu'
Opinion

How to steer clear of 'man flu'

11 Jun 07:00 PM

Every year my boyfriend comes down with bad man-flu. How can I help him stave off the sickness this year?

Your health: How to keep your heart healthy
Opinion

Your health: How to keep your heart healthy

04 Jun 07:00 PM

Cardiovascular health is an important topic for everyone, especially as we age.

Your health: Should you take antibiotics for a cold?
Opinion

Your health: Should you take antibiotics for a cold?

29 May 08:58 AM

Most bacteria are beneficial for our health, however there are some that are harmful.

How to keep fibromyalga under control
Opinion

How to keep fibromyalga under control

14 May 07:00 PM

Hi Sandra, I have fibromyalgia. Can you recommend anything to help with this condition?

How plant medicine can help hormonal acne
Opinion

How plant medicine can help hormonal acne

07 May 09:30 PM
How to alleviate your nerves
Opinion

How to alleviate your nerves

01 May 02:54 AM
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