Heirloom Wisdom: How My Grandmothers Shaped My Path Into Health Science
I grew up surrounded by heirloom wisdom — the kind that isn’t written in textbooks but passed down through hands, kitchens, gardens, and quiet conversations between generations. My maternal grandmother and great‑grandmother were the first health practitioners I ever knew. They didn’t have degrees, but they had intuition, observation, and centuries of cultural knowledge behind them.
They knew which teas soothed a cough, which roots eased digestion, which leaves cooled a fever, and which rituals restored balance after a long season of stress. Their remedies were simple, natural, and deeply effective. And as a child, I absorbed them without question.
But as I grew older, curiosity took over.
I wanted to understand why their remedies worked. I wanted to know the mechanisms, the pathways, the compounds, the evidence. I wanted to bridge the world of ancient wisdom with modern science.
That curiosity led me to pursue a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Nutrition and Exercise. This degree didn’t replace my grandmother’s knowledge — it expanded it. It gave me the research skills to validate, contextualize, and deepen the wisdom I inherited. It allowed me to honour my lineage while contributing to it with scientific literacy. If you need a nutritionist to evaluate your diet and help provide recommendations relevant to your unique needs, then contact me today.
Holiday Overindulgence and the Return to Ancient Remedies
After the holiday season — when food is abundant, routines are disrupted, and the body feels heavier than usual — I often return to one of the remedies my grandmother swore by: Triphala.
Triphala is an ancient Ayurvedic formulation made from three fruits:
- Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
- Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)
Together, they form a powerful cleansing and rejuvenating blend traditionally used to support digestion, detoxification, and overall vitality.
Modern research echoes what my grandmother already knew. Triphala contains antioxidants, polyphenols, and bioactive compounds that support gut health, reduce inflammation, and promote gentle detoxification.
A Modern Herbal Blend:
Triphala + Moringa + Turmeric + Fennel + Ginger
When I want to amplify the benefits of Triphala, I combine it with other botanicals that have both traditional and evidence‑supported benefits:
🌿 Moringa oleifera leaf
Also known as malunggay in the Philippines is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research shows moringa supports metabolic health, reduces oxidative stress, and provides anti‑inflammatory benefits.
🌱 Turmeric root (Curcuma longa)
Contains curcumin, a potent anti‑inflammatory compound. Studies highlight its role in reducing inflammation, supporting digestion, and protecting against oxidative damage.
🌾 Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare)
Traditionally used to ease bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort. Modern evidence supports its carminative and gut‑soothing properties.
🫚 Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
A well‑researched anti‑inflammatory and digestive aid. Ginger supports nausea reduction, gut motility, and metabolic health.
Why This Blend Works
When combined, these botanicals create a synergistic effect:
- Digestive support: Triphala, fennel, and ginger help regulate digestion and reduce bloating.
- Anti‑inflammatory action: Turmeric and ginger provide powerful inflammation‑modulating effects.
- Antioxidant protection: Moringa and Triphala offer high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants.
- Gentle detoxification: Triphala supports natural elimination pathways, while moringa and turmeric assist liver function.
- Metabolic balance: Several of these herbs support glucose regulation and metabolic health.
This blend is not a “quick fix” — it’s a return to balance. It’s a way of honouring the body after a season of indulgence, using ingredients that have been trusted for thousands of years and increasingly supported by modern research.
Why Detox Cleansing Matters for Inflammation and Clear Skin
Detox cleansing isn’t about extreme diets or deprivation — it’s about supporting the body’s natural elimination pathways so they can function efficiently. When digestion slows, inflammation rises, or the liver becomes overburdened, the body often expresses this imbalance through fatigue, bloating, and even skin concerns like dullness, congestion, or breakouts. Inflammation and toxin buildup can increase oxidative stress, which disrupts collagen, accelerates ageing, and contributes to inflammatory skin conditions.
This is why gentle, evidence‑supported detox practices, like Triphala and botanicals such as moringa, turmeric, fennel, and ginger, can be so beneficial. These herbs help regulate digestion, support liver function, reduce systemic inflammation, and promote antioxidant activity. When the gut is functioning well and inflammation is lower, the skin often reflects that internal balance with greater clarity, brightness, and resilience. In many traditional systems, including Ayurveda, clear skin is seen as a sign of a well‑functioning digestive fire; and modern research increasingly supports this gut‑skin connection.
Honouring the Past, Advancing the Future
My grandmothers didn’t have PubMed, clinical trials, or biochemical terminology. But they had lived experience, ancestral knowledge, and a deep understanding of the body’s rhythms.
My degree didn’t replace their wisdom, it allowed me to translate it. To understand it. To validate it. To share it with others in a way that bridges tradition and science.
This is the heart of my work: Honouring where I come from while contributing to where we are going.
If you’re ready to feel lighter, stronger, and more aligned this new year, contact me today to access my personalised diet and fitness consultancy services and begin your journey toward a healthier, more intentional you.
Reference List
Healthline. (n.d.). Triphala: Benefits, uses, and side effects. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/triphala
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2024). Triphala’s characteristics and potential therapeutic uses in modern health (PMC12089839). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12089839/
Sethi, S. (2023). Triphala, gut health, and Ayurvedic detoxification [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga72LnUPeEM
Artist & Academic 