Encouraging Real Healing and Creating Change in Healthcare with Dr. Tieraona Low Dog

Conversations for Health

From a young age, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog has been deeply drawn to the natural world and the field of natural medicine. Her academic journey encompasses a diverse range of disciplines including massage therapy, martial arts, midwifery, and herbal medicine, before going to earn her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She is the Founding Director of the Medicine Lodge Academy, and Dr. Low Dog served as a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties' American Board of Integrative Medicine. Her leadership extends to her tenure as Director of the first Inter-professional Fellowship in Integrative Health and Medicine, Fellowship Director for the University of Arizona's Center for Integrative Medicine that was founded by Andrew Weil, MD, and Co-Founder and guiding teacher for the New York Zen Center’s Fellowship in Contemplative Medicine. She currently oversees the Fellowship of Integrative and Functional Medicine at the University of California-Irvine's Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. Recognized as a foremost authority in integrative medicine, women’s health, dietary supplements, and herbal medicine, her scholarly work encompasses over 54 peer-reviewed scientific articles, 25 chapters in medical textbooks, and numerous authoritative books on health and medicine. Dr. Low Dog's global influence is highlighted by her participation in over 600 medical and scientific conferences worldwide.

Dr. Low Dog has had a great impact on my professional work and it is an absolute honor to have her on the podcast today. Together we discuss the incredible impact that she has had on both the holistic and traditional medicine communities and how she has effectively worked to bridge the gaps between herbal medicine and traditional medicine. She reflects on the importance of continuing her education to expand her own knowledge and effectiveness and the power that comes with admitting that, even as a lifelong learner and practitioner, she doesn't know everything. She also shares insights into the offerings from her Foundations in Herbal Medicine program and highlights the value of using herbs in clinical practice. Together we discuss the dismal state of nutrition in America today and consider drug-nutrient interaction and depletion, strategies for effectively weaning patients off of PPIs, and the many plants and supplements that she recommends in achieving whole health and healing.

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Key Takeaways:

[3:16] From herbalist, midwife, and martial arts instructor to medical school student, Dr. Low Dog recalls the moment she realized the limits to what she could do without a medical degree.

[7:15] The importance of training clinicians and expanding practitioners' knowledge of botanical medicine.

[11:16] Encouraging healing and creating change in the US healthcare system.

[15:18] Bridging the gap between herbal medicine and traditional medicinal care.

[21:00] Dr. Low Dog offers insights into the offerings from her Foundations in Herbal Medicine program.

[23:32] Treating anxiety with nervings starts with considering how a patient views the world.

[29:20] The value of storytelling when helping patients understand the value of plants in their healthcare.

[34:14] Accurate dosing based on patient information and health profile.

[38:16] Recommendations for herbs that are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

[42:47] The current state of nutritional health in the United States and the drug-nutrient interaction and depletion.

[49:02] Dr. Low Dog’s recommendations for transitioning patients off PPI’s, including utilizing melatonin.

[53:38] Dr. Low Dog shares what she has changed her mind about over her years of practice, her favorite supplements, and the health practices that keep her balanced.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog - https://www.drlowdog.com/

Medicine Lodge Academy - https://www.medicinelodgeranch.com/

U.S. Pharmacopeia - https://www.usp.org/

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

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