About Dipaunka : Macrides, The Herbalist

I have been a vegetarian for all my adult life, I believe this is an important factor in my current state of good health, the reason for my high energy levels, vitality and the fact that I am still alive today. 

 I have been in clinical practice since 1982 when I first started doing massage. From there I  began making my own massage oils . Out of this was born Rosewood Natural Skincare. I started Rosewood from humble beginnings, after doing a massage course and an Aromatherapy course. Originally called Riverbank Natural Therapies, I started with 1/2 a dozen products.

I initially wanted to make my own massage oils as I wasn’t happy with what was available on the market at the time. I also wanted to be able to have control over what effect the massage oils I was using had and also to combine the aromas I liked. As well I wanted an aftershave that didn’t burn my face off when I applied it as at the time most aftershaves were alcohol based. I didn’t have someone to teach me or guide me but that was part of the fun of learning. I experimented, read lots, made mistakes !!! and learnt as I went. From there I started to sell a few products, began getting requests from friends and clients who were beauty therapists for other products .And so the range of products expanded, grew and a small business was born. 

I spent years producing  and selling All Natural products many moons before it became hip and trendy. In the meantime I studied Herbal Medicine, Body work, Aromatherapy and Iridology. I have since gone on to teach many others about the wonderful world of herbs, healing and self empowerment . I can see no other way for us as a species to move forward into a happier, healthier future, but through the reconnection with Nature and the utilisation of plant medicines. Herbs are an integral part of my life. I work with them and utilise them for food and medicine on a daily basis .

My Background in and love of Herbs plus Aromatherapy have obviously been contributing factors in my formulations as well as having an over-actively creative mind . I live as a Herbalist, Aromatherapist, Alchemist in training, Teacher,Writer who loves to create and help other beings to heal. 

I seek to empower people to facilitate their own healing via healthy eating, lifestyle and awareness of themselves and their bodies as well as through Herbal courses. These vehicles that we travel in need maintenance and care, we only get one to play with each life time and until we have mastered the art of complete regeneration of our physical bodies, we need to take good care of them. I see my role as a facilitator who has knowledge and experience in healing which I can draw on too share with others.

I love to share knowledge, if one does not share knowledge, the knowledge dies with you when you pass on. I have studied many things and now I facilitate Sweat lodges which are a wonderful adjunctive and complimentary healing tool to working with The Herbs /Plant Spirits. I utilise Shamanic Practices and dive deeper into The Majikal world of Herbs and Healing on a daily basis . I am more aware each day that we need to drop the ego, surrender, embrace and accept our shadows, and fill our hearts with LOVE. Love heals all and the power of Love (Pure Love , Not Romantic Love , which has been convoluted via our media and fairly tales) is what will change the world . When we are in the space of Love and acting from our heart centres then there is no blame, no hate, no fear.

About The Herbalist

• Diploma of Iridology (Dunns Herbal College)
• Diploma of Orthomythotics (Dunns Herbal College)
• Post Graduate Certificate of Iridology (With Farida Sharan - Author of Herbs of Grace)
• Post Graduate Certificate of Phytotherapy (With David Hoffman - Author of The Holistic Herbal )
• Post Graduate Diploma of Medicinal Herbalism (With Dennis Stewart - Author of The Botanical Prescriber, Fellow of NHAA )
• Certificate of Aromatherapy (with Elizabeth Jones of England)
• Certificate 4 in Work Place Assessment
• Member of A.T.M.S.
• Member IICT 
• Previously owned and was the resident Herbalist of The Alchemy Herbal Shop in Fremantle W.A .
• Currently owner and Herbalist at The Herbalist Naturopathic Clinic .
• I was the founder, Co-director, manager and manufacturer of the Rosewood Natural Skincare range operating since 1986. It was originally known as Riverbank Natural Therapies which started in 1982.
• I have been successfully conducting private Herbal courses for 20 years and aromatherapy Courses for 10 years. I no longer run Aromatherapy Classes.
• A member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society I have been attending Practitioner Seminars for 30 years , augmenting these with Meditation & spiritual ideologies for 34 years. I follow a mostly raw vegetarian/ vegan lifestyle.
• Facilitator of Sweatlodges based on Traditional Ceremonies.
• I have run private Herbal and Aromatherapy classes at T.A.F.E colleges in Perth.
• For a number of years I gave talks on Aromatherapy and herbal medicine at North Lake Senior Campus for year 12 students as part of their health studies.
• I have often been guest speaker at local herb society meetings around Perth and for other groups.
• Former writer of the Herb Blurb Column in Nova Magazine .
• Previous resident Herbalist for Herb Blurb radio show on 95.3 Radio 6 EBA fm.
• Former Writer of Articles on Health for Witchcraft Magazine.
• Former  Writer of Articles for New Vegetarian and Health
• Former Writer of Articles on Herbs for Annym Magazine
• Previous  lecturer in alternative therapies at the Australasian College of Natural Sciences in East Perth.
• Previous  Lecturer at Emmanuel Catholic College in Bibra Lake
• Previous  Lecturer in Iridology at The Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine in Jandakot.
• Previous  Lecturer on Magical uses of Herbs at the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies.
• Previous Lecturer in Herbal Medicine and Naturopathy at Challenger TAFE South Fremantle and Mt. Lawley TAFE.
• Previous Lecturer in Herbal Medicine at The Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine in Jandakot.
• Previous Lecturer in Herbal Medicine at Endeavour College in East Perth formerly know as Australian College of Natural Medicine.

Contact The Herbalist, Dipaunka : Macrides with any questions you may have.