Anthrobotanica - Carolina Brooks

Have you ever noticed your ADHD feels different depending on the time of month?

You are not imagining it, and you are not getting worse at managing yourself. It is your hormones, and it is much more nuanced than simple oestrogen fluctuations.

Oestrogen has a direct effect on dopamine, the neurotransmitter behind focus and motivation. When oestrogen dips before your period, and when it does this more steeply through perimenopause, dopamine dips with it.

For women with ADHD, that can be the difference between holding everything together and everything feeling like it is too much and falling apart.

Generic advice misses the delicate interplay between thyroid, adrenals and ovaries all working together and influencing each other constantly. “Balance your hormones” is not specific enough to help.

Endobiogenic medicine and our Biology of Functions testing map your actual hormonal terrain, so we know exactly which system needs support and can tailor herbs and other recommendations specifically to you, not to a generic ADHD or hormone protocol.

I saw these piece ls at an exhibition recently that really had a very strong resonant impact on me. It is from Ana Mendieta’s Silueta series, her own silhouette carved or pressed into earth, sand, leaves, whatever the landscape gave her. She called them earth-body works, her body placed back into nature rather than held in disconnection.
That is close to how I think about hormones in my own patients. A cycle is not something extra layered on top of a woman, to manage and work around.Body and earth as one holistic process, not two.

If this sounds like you, book a call. Full piece on the website now, link in bio.

What does a star actually look like when you try to paint its medicine?✨

Στερέωμα και Λύρα: The Firmament and the Lyre, are the visual anchors of Astrofármakon, a diptych created for the Vega working and part of a larger system of stellar medicine built from the 15 Behenian fixed stars.⭐️🌟⭐️

The first piece is Vega itself. The ground is deep indigo because darkness is the precondition for seeing any light at all. At its centre the snake lyre, the body of a serpent forming the frame of Orpheus’s instrument, both carriers of something that moves through thresholds. The 8 pointed star in blue white is Vega in its oldest Mesopotamian form.The peridot green sleepy eye speaks to Vega’s talismanic stone and the potential of receiving stellar transmissions in that liminal threshold between waking and dreaming where enchantment becomes possible. The wing belongs to an-nasr al-wāqi, the Swooping Eagle, Lyra’s Arabic name. The plant is fumitory, prescribed for this star by the Hermetic tradition for over a thousand years. Running beneath everything are Mnemosyne and Lethe, the rivers of memory and forgetting, the threshold where Orpheus descended and where Vega’s medicine does its deepest work.👁️⚗️

The second piece carries the sigils of all 15 Behenian stars in a mandala, the complete system of every Astrofármakon working because regardless of which star we are working with, all 15 are always present in the sky, each transmitting their own medicine. 💫✨

The diptych isthe visual anchor of a 3 part ritual. Together with the sound ritual created with Jordan Garcia using Vega’s own rotation and the essence made from Vega’s starlight at its culmination, these visuals hold the space for something that only becomes complete when all 3 elements are present simultaneously. That moment happens for the first time on Saturday at 3pm at theleagueofstars H A L O

Not all hyperbaric chambers are created equal. If you’re considering HBOT, understanding safety standards could be the difference between therapeutic benefit and unnecessary risk.

Chamber design matters. Reclining positions create uneven pressure distribution across your body, affecting circulation and therapeutic outcomes. Horizontal chambers ensure even pressure, optimised venous return, and proper parasympathetic activation.

Materials matter. Non-medical-grade chambers can off-gas volatile compounds under pressure. PVC coatings, flame retardants, formaldehyde. Medical-grade materials are third-party tested for hyperbaric conditions.

Training matters. Reception staff operating chambers without proper protocols, no ear equalisation teaching, no emergency training. It’s more common than you’d think.

Integrated systems matter. Combining air compressors with AC units and oxygen concentrators in one system violates medical standards and risks refrigerant contamination of breathing air.

Furniture in chambers is a fire hazard. Full stop. Foam off-gassing, static electricity, and oxygen-enriched environments don’t mix.

We only use FDA-approved chambers because safety isn’t negotiable. Medical-grade materials, horizontal design, separated systems, comprehensive training protocols.
HBOT supports recovery for long COVID, chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions (including IBD), neurological issues, Lyme disease, gut dysfunction, fertility, post-surgical healing, and metabolic health. But only when it’s done safely and as part of a wider integrative approach.

Read the full article (link in bio) for everything you need to know about chamber safety, what to look for and why medical-grade standards matter.

Curious about trying HBOT? DM us to book a session or learn more.

ChronicFatigue AutoimmuneDisease BrainHealth LymeDisease GutHealth Fertility MetabolicHealth HolisticHealth IntegrativeMedicine NaturopathicMedicine LondonWellness HarleyStreet EvidenceBasedMedicine Wellness HolisticHealing FunctionalMedicinePractitioner

👑If you are a cancer surivor, this one is for you.

🎄Party season is here. And you’re scrolling through Instagram wondering if you can just have one

The conditions that allowed cancer to develop in your body are still there. Treatment can remove a visible tumour. It didn’t remove the metabolic dysfunction, the insulin resistance, the toxic burden, or the stress response.

Every mince pie, every toast, every just this once is a choice between protection and vulnerability.

Cancer cells consume glucose 10-100x faster than normal cells. One indulgent December creates weeks of elevated insulin—a cancer-promoting metabolic environment lasting into February.

741,000 new cancer cases globally from alcohol. Even ONE drink daily increases breast cancer risk. Alcohol suppresses your immune system for 48-72 hours per drink.Dairy raises IGF-1 (a potent cancer cell growth promoter)

I’ve spent 15+ years studying cancer metabolism & survivorship care through the lens of naturopathic & functional medicine. You need:
→ YOUR dietary protocol (not one-size-fits-all)
→ YOUR testing schedule (based on your cancer type)
→ YOUR HBOT plan (immune support, detox, cellular rejuvenation—not just radiation recovery)
→ YOUR stress management approach
→ YOUR detox strategy
→ YOUR own version of a survival guide

**SWIPE through*** This is everything you need to know about:
✓ Sugar and the Warburg Effect (why cancer cells love Christmas)
✓ Alcohol’s mechanisms (it’s not just calories)
✓ What to eat instead (very low carb protocol)
✓ Why dairy must go (IGF-1 connection)
✓ Party season stress management
✓ Toxic burden from celebrations
✓ Movement prescription for December
✓ Testing you can’t skip
✓ **HBOT’s huge benefits** (immune powerhouse, 8x stem cell activation, detox support, anti-cancer mechanisms, radiation healing, cellular rejuvenation, quality of life)

🔗 Link in bio for consultations. Your remission is worth more than this!
💾 SAVE this—revisit before every party
📲 SHARE with a survivor who needs this

Drop a 💚 if you’re committed to staying cancer-free through party season

“How do you keep up with exercise when you’re travelling so much?”

I hear this question all the time. The answer is simple: I treat movement as medicine, not as something I fit in when convenient. Whether I’m in London or abroad, my non-negotiables are Lagree, Pilates, hiking (mountains when possible), and tennis.

I’ll be honest—I’m quite terrified of losing muscle mass. Partly because i am vain 🤣 but also because I understand what muscle represents: metabolic currency, longevity insurance, and functional independence as we age.

Why does this matter from a physiological perspective?

Mitochondrial function. HIIT upregulates PGC-1α—the gene that drives mitochondrial creation. Hiking and endurance activities increase mitochondrial density in cells, whilst resistance work like Lagree optimises how efficiently those mitochondria function. Tennis delivers cardiovascular benefits through its unique pattern of intense rallies followed by brief recovery. The outcome? Enhanced cellular energy production, metabolic flexibility, and resilience under stress.

Metabolic regulation. Combining aerobic and resistance training lowers fasting insulin levels and improves how your cells respond to glucose. This combination is particularly effective for reducing visceral adiposity and supporting lean tissue development.

Stress response. Regular training lowers baseline cortisol, improves heart rate variability (your nervous system’s ability to adapt to demands), and strengthens recovery mechanisms after stressful events.

Supporting elimination. Movement enhances lung function and activates antioxidant systems. Both lungs and skin serve as detoxification organs—breathing deeply and sweating during exercise directly support these elimination pathways, boosting blood flow & lymphatic movement.

When travel disrupts my usual routine, I prioritise even more intentionally. I’ll find a Lagree or Pilates studio and book myself in, or use resistance bands in my hotel room—they’re always in my luggage and turn any space into a workout environment, along with a wall or a chair.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Showing up is

✨What does your movement practice look like when you travel?

Have you ever wondered why certain wellness protocols work brilliantly for your friends but leave you feeling worse? Or why that supplement everyone raves about gives you unexpected reactions?

🧬The answer might be written in your genetics….

Your body holds secrets that often get missed.I’ve been fascinated by the intricate ways our genetic variations and epigenetic expression influence everything from supplement absorption to herb metabolism. The truth is, what works for others might not work for you—and that’s not a failure, it’s biology.

🚩So many patients come to me after experiencing adverse reactions to protocols they were never properly screened for. High-dose IV vitamin C administered without G6PD testing. Methylene blue protocols without genetic consideration.Berberine or wormwood to address dysbiosis…. (I won’t even get started on sulphur intolerance because that’s a different and equally important topic)

Most people are walking around with genetic variations they know nothing about. These aren’t rare conditions; they’re common differences that fundamentally affect how your body processes treatments, detoxifies, and responds to therapeutic interventions.

What if the missing piece isn’t finding the perfect protocol, but doing a proper deep dive to understand how your unique body actually works?

I’ve spent years diving into the genetics, metabolic pathways, and biochemical individuality that conventional approaches often miss. The patterns I see repeatedly are both fascinating and transformative for those ready to move beyond guesswork.

💫Your wellness journey doesn’t have to be trial and error. Your body has been trying to communicate with you all along—we just need to learn its language.

Ready to dive deeper with your health? Link in bio to book a preliminary consultation ✨

This is the biggest problem I am seeing in clinics

You do everything right - take your supplements, use your herbs, follow your protocol, avoid trigger foods. But your symptoms keep returning.🤬 Why aren’t you getting better? The answer might be sleeping next to you...

Intimate partners share their microbiomes. When your partner has imbalances, they’re acting like a consistent reservoir. It’s like trying to empty a bathtub while the tap is still running.

This microbiome ping-pong affects:
✨ Fertility & pregnancy outcomes
✨ Weight loss resistance
✨ Immune stability (hello autoimmune) flares
✨ Skin issues (acne, eczema)
✨ Mood & mental clarity
✨ Energy & vitality

I get it. Your partner may not be as invested in their health as you and often don’t want to see a practitoner.But just giving your partner the same supplements as you isn’t really the best solution - everyone has their own unique terrain, and underlying health issues. What works for you might be completely wrong for your partner, especially if you are in different life stages, have different genders, different toxic loads and genetics impacting the way we metabolise hormones…

My patients asked, we listened! Partner Microbiome Assessment is here.

In just 30 minutes, your partner gets:
→ Targeted assessment
→ Personalized testing guidance
→ Custom supplement protocols
→ Ongoing support options

Stop playing microbiome ping-pong. Heal together and stop wasting time and money.

Link in bio to read more and book your Partner Assessment if you are a current patient wanting to get your partner in to see me. If you’re not a current patient and want to know more, feel free to book in for a call.



📸 Helmut Newton

Hi there, it’s been a minute. Thanks to those of you who have stuck around—I appreciate it. I’ll aim to show up more consistently. Honestly, I’ve been feeling completely blocked when it comes to social media. Curated posts feel inauthentic & not aligned with my values, and I can’t rely on anyone else to speak for me or emulate my voice when I’m time-poor.

What’s been frustrating is seeing the irresponsible advice that gets shared online accepted without question. It’s made me realise I need to speak up more. I’m uncomfortable with how some practitioners within the industry I’m part of sometimes promotes protocols & the inapproriate use of supplements to treat symptoms.The concept of true personalised medicine is being lost..

For anyone who doesn’t know me—I’m a naturopath with a focus on herbal & food medicine, and I actually practice true personalised healthcare every day.

I have extensive training in many modalities & systems (you may have found me searching for functional medicine, endobiogeny) but no extreme devotion to any single approach because every system has its limitations and flaws (plus none work in isolation) so this has led to me creating my own method, the Vitamorphic Method and my clinic doesn’t look very clinical (as you can see here)💫

I work with complex chronic patients & a broad spectrum of health conditions because I believe choosing a specialism as a practitioner is extremely problematic. it makes your knowledge & thought process narrow, eliminates the need for deep thought & restricts your boundaries of knowledge.

It feels irresponsible to me now to offer general advice, especially when I’ve seen how even simple supplements can cause reactions. Recently a patient told me maybe I should focus more on what people shouldn’t do or what gets overlooked. So that’s what I’ll do. I’ll focus on dismantling myths & gimmicks, highlighting things being missed when clinicians aren’t going deep enough & helping people learn how to really listen to their bodies harnessing both current knowledge & ancient wisdom and practices to understand their health.

More soon & much love x