FAQS

Your first consultation is a comprehensive health assessment — not a quick intake form and a prescription. Benjamin or Andrea will spend up to 60 minutes with you, and for complex or long-standing cases will often allocate 90 minutes. They take a detailed case history covering your current symptoms, past medical history, medications, diet, sleep, stress levels, and lifestyle. Where relevant, in-clinic testing may be performed at the first visit — including live blood analysis, nutritional testing, or body composition analysis. By the end of the consultation you will have a clear picture of what has been found, what is driving your condition, and a specific treatment plan tailored to your situation. You will not leave with a vague set of instructions — you will leave with a plan.

Initial consultations run up to 60 minutes. For complex cases — particularly those involving extensive medical history, multiple conditions, or significant prior testing — 90 minutes is allocated. Follow-up consultations are typically 30 to 45 minutes. If you are adding live blood analysis or other in-clinic testing to a follow-up, please mention this when booking so appropriate time can be allocated.

No referral is required. You can book directly online or by calling the clinic on (03) 9572 3211. New clients are welcome at any time.

Bring any recent blood tests, scan results, specialist reports, or previous treatment protocols you have. Do not worry if you have a thick folder — our naturopaths read everything and find prior testing genuinely useful. It helps avoid repeating what has already been tried and builds directly on what has been done. A list of any current medications and supplements is also helpful. If you have been on a specific diet or protocol, bring notes on that too. If you have nothing at all, that is perfectly fine — your naturopath will start from the beginning and build the full picture from scratch.

Book online via the booking link on this website, or call (03) 9572 3211 during business hours. Online bookings require at least 24 hours notice — for same-day or urgent appointments, please call the clinic directly. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 24 hours notice so that the time can be offered to another client who may be waiting. A cancellation fee of 50% of the service fee applies to missed appointments and late cancellations. You can manage your appointment through the client portal at any time.

A naturopathic initial consultation is $150 (up to 60 minutes) and a standard follow-up is $75 (up to 30 minutes). Homeopathy and iridology are available within naturopathic consultations at no extra charge. Herbal medicines, supplements, and laboratory testing are charged separately.

Full fee schedule:

• Naturopathy initial (up to 60 min) — $150
• Naturopathy extended initial (up to 90 min) — by arrangement
• Naturopathy standard follow-up (up to 30 min) — $75
• Naturopathy extended follow-up (up to 45 min) — by arrangement
• Homeopathy — included in naturopathic consultation
• Iridology — included in naturopathic consultation
• HBOT (AirPod) — 60 min single $75, 5-pack $325, 10-pack $590 / 90 min single $120, 5-pack $490, 10-pack $890
• Live blood analysis — $37 (added to any consultation)
• Body composition testing — $10
• Nutritional and heavy metal testing — $130
• Blood type testing — $20
• Remedial massage — 30 min $75 / 45 min $110 / 60 min $140 / 90 min $200
• Kinesiology initial (90 min) — $165 / review (60 min) — $125
• Bowen therapy initial — $150 / standard — $140

HICAPS on-the-spot health fund claiming is available for eligible services.

As of 1 July 2025, the Australian Government reinstated private health insurance rebates for naturopathy. This means your health fund may now cover a portion of your naturopathy consultation under extras cover. However, whether a specific fund includes naturopathy in their policy is at the discretion of each insurer — we recommend checking directly with your provider. Remedial massage and acupuncture are covered by most funds under extras cover. HICAPS on-the-spot claiming is available at the clinic so you pay the gap amount only.

A GP is trained in the diagnosis and management of disease — their primary framework is identifying whether a condition meets the clinical threshold for a diagnosis and prescribing accordingly. This is enormously valuable, particularly for acute illness, emergencies, and conditions requiring pharmaceutical or surgical intervention.

A naturopath operates differently. Rather than waiting for a condition to become diagnosable, naturopathy looks at the continuum of health — identifying the point at which function begins to decline long before it becomes a named disease. Our naturopaths ask: what is driving this? What is the body trying to tell us? What are the nutritional, hormonal, digestive, lifestyle, or emotional factors contributing to how this person feels? They then treat those underlying drivers rather than suppressing symptoms.

A practical example: a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) reading of 3.5 falls within the standard laboratory reference range of 0.5–5 and would typically be reported as normal by a GP. Naturopathically, a TSH above 2 can indicate the beginning of thyroid underactivity — what is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. The patient may be experiencing fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, or low mood and be told their results are fine. Benjamin in particular has written and spoken about subclinical hypothyroidism for years — identifying and treating these early-stage functional changes before they become a diagnosable condition. It is one of the most common presentations he and Andrea see in clinic.

The other key difference is time. A GP consultation is typically 10–15 minutes. Initial consultations at MNHC run up to 60–90 minutes, allowing a thorough exploration of all contributing factors. The two approaches are complementary, not competing, and our naturopaths work alongside GPs and specialists regularly.

A dietitian is a government-registered allied health professional trained primarily in clinical nutrition and medical nutrition therapy — managing conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or eating disorders through diet. Their approach is generally evidence-based and aligned with conventional medical guidelines.

A nutritionist focuses on the relationship between food and health, typically working with diet analysis, supplementation, and lifestyle. In Australia, the title ‘nutritionist’ is not a protected term, so qualifications vary significantly between practitioners.

A naturopath takes the broadest view. Both Benjamin and Andrea are qualified naturopaths and nutritionists, which means dietary and nutritional assessment is fully integrated into every consultation — clients do not need to see a separate dietitian or nutritionist in most cases. Beyond nutrition, naturopathy encompasses herbal medicine, homeopathy, lifestyle medicine, functional testing, and the full scope of natural therapies. It treats the whole person across physical, biochemical, and emotional dimensions.

In short: a dietitian manages diet in the context of disease. A nutritionist focuses on food and supplementation. A naturopath addresses all of the above and more, looking at the root causes behind why the body is not functioning optimally.

Alongside. Benjamin and Andrea work collaboratively with GPs, specialists, and oncologists and actively encourage clients to maintain their conventional medical care. They review blood tests, scan results, and specialist reports in detail — often spending more time explaining and contextualising these results than the original prescribing doctor had available. Many clients find this one of the most valuable parts of their consultation. Where it would benefit the client, Benjamin and Andrea are happy to correspond in writing with a GP or specialist — summarising findings, flagging nutritional concerns, or noting any interactions to be aware of. If a referral or further investigation is warranted, they will say so directly. The goal is always the best outcome for the patient, which frequently means both approaches working in parallel.

This is one of the most common situations Benjamin and Andrea encounter — and honestly, one they find some of the most rewarding to work with. People often arrive after years of searching: multiple GPs, specialists, and natural therapists, sometimes carrying a thick folder of tests and protocols. They frequently come with little hope, referred by a friend who has already seen results. It takes real courage to try again after multiple disappointments, and both Benjamin and Andrea recognise that.

The honest answer is: yes, in most cases we can help — and the previous attempts are not wasted. Everything that has been tried and has not worked is genuinely useful information. It narrows the field, eliminates dead ends, and allows your naturopath to focus immediately on what has not yet been considered. In over 30 years of practice Benjamin has learned that when good treatments fail to produce results, there is often an underlying factor that has been overlooked — sometimes a specific nutritional deficiency, sometimes a gut microbiome issue, sometimes a stress or emotional component that has not yet been addressed. Not always, but consistently enough that it is always worth exploring.

Our naturopaths also recognise that it is sometimes not the wrong treatment but the wrong combination, or the wrong sequence. Someone who has tried avoiding gluten without success may not be reacting to gluten at all — but to something else entirely. The experience of what has not worked is part of the diagnostic picture.

Results in these complex cases are often faster than people expect. Digestive conditions in particular frequently show improvement within weeks once the right testing — GI Map, live blood analysis, nutritional testing — identifies what has been missed. And for the rare cases where your naturopath genuinely feels they cannot add value, they will say so directly. More often, the agreement is: let’s give it three months and see how your body responds.

The honest answer is that it depends — and your naturopath needs to know a great deal about your situation before answering it accurately. That is precisely why the initial consultation is up to 60 minutes, and why a thorough case history and the right testing matter so much. The longer a condition has been present, the longer full resolution may take — though not always. Some long-standing conditions respond surprisingly quickly once the underlying driver is identified.

As a general guide: most clients begin to notice changes within 2 to 4 weeks, and by 12 weeks significant improvements are typical. Weight loss clients often see results in the first week, monitored weekly or fortnightly. Post-viral conditions or complex neurological presentations may require longer. At the other end of the spectrum, our naturopaths have seen clients get results within days when the right intervention was identified quickly.

One of the most consistent patterns Benjamin has observed over 30+ years of practice is this: the more committed a client is, the better and faster the results. The ideal patient says ‘I will do whatever it takes.’ That means being willing to make dietary changes, take herbal medicines or supplements even when they taste unpleasant, address lifestyle factors, and when necessary, finally confront an emotional pattern that has been contributing to the physical picture. These clients — often those who have been referred by someone who has already been through the process and trusts their naturopath deeply — are consistently the ones who achieve the most remarkable outcomes.

Something Benjamin and Andrea hear regularly after initial consultations: clients thanking them for giving them hope. They leave with a renewed sense of direction and readiness to act. That shift in itself — from resignation to engagement — is part of what drives results. Follow-up consultations combine clinical progress review with health and life coaching, encouragement, and honest accountability — reminding people of their goals and adjusting the plan as the body responds.

Yes — and the evidence base is growing rapidly. Many naturopathic treatments are supported by peer-reviewed research, including herbal medicines such as St John’s Wort for depression, Berberine for blood sugar regulation and cholesterol, curcumin for inflammation and joint health, ashwagandha and other adaptogens for stress and adrenal function, and valerian and passionflower for sleep. Magnesium has strong trial evidence for sleep, anxiety, and muscle function. Gut microbiome protocols, nutritional interventions, and lifestyle medicine have extensive and growing clinical trial support — this is now one of the fastest-moving areas of medical research globally.

Where our naturopaths work beyond the boundaries of conventional evidence, Benjamin and Andrea draw on decades of direct clinical observation, pattern recognition across thousands of patients, and the use of AI tools to cross-reference prescriptions against current research and identify any interactions or contraindications in real time. They are transparent about the distinction between well-evidenced interventions and clinical experience-based approaches, and always operate within the boundaries of what is safe and appropriate for each individual client.

Benjamin Deutscher holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) and has practised as a naturopath, herbalist, nutritionist, and homeopath for over 30 years. He founded Malvern Natural Health Care in Malvern East, Melbourne in 1995 and has been in continuous practice at the same clinic ever since. He also holds certificates in Remedial Massage and Relaxation Massage, and a certificate in Basic Positive Psychotherapy.

Andrea Pryor is a naturopath, herbalist, nutritionist, homeopath, and Registered Nurse. Desma Carver and Elvan Kose are both experienced kinesiologists with decades of practice. All practitioners hold relevant qualifications in their fields and engage in ongoing professional development — including regular engagement with current research, clinical supervision, and emerging therapeutic tools.

Yes — and an experienced naturopath is uniquely positioned to do so. Cancer is a complex condition with many contributing factors, and naturopathy at its core is about supporting the body’s innate healing mechanisms. At MNHC this means working alongside — never instead of — whatever conventional treatment the patient’s oncologist has recommended.

What our naturopaths most commonly address in cancer clients includes: supporting detoxification pathways so the liver, bowels, and kidneys can manage the significant burden that cancer and its treatments place on the body; stimulating immune function to improve the body’s ability to identify and respond to abnormal cells; managing fatigue and stress through herbal adaptogens that support the HPA axis, regulate cortisol, and build nervous system resilience; and identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies and heavy metal loads that are frequently present and rarely addressed in conventional oncology. As qualified nutritionists, Benjamin and Andrea also cover the full dietary and nutritional picture — clients do not need to see a separate dietitian.

Our naturopaths read blood tests and scan results in detail — often spending more time explaining results to clients than the specialist who ordered them had available. Benjamin in particular is known for this — clients frequently say his careful, unhurried reading of their oncology results is among the most valuable things he does. Live blood analysis and other in-clinic testing builds a real-time picture of immune health, inflammatory load, and nutritional status that standard oncology does not provide.

The clinic’s AirPod HBOT chamber with added molecular hydrogen is a significant support tool for cancer clients — it is non-invasive, requires no effort from the patient, and many find it notably restorative during and after treatment. The clinic’s kinesiologists also provide valuable emotional support, which our naturopaths consider an important and often underestimated component of cancer care.

Many herbal medicines have been clinically trialled in oncology settings. Our naturopaths use AI-assisted prescription checking to ensure that any herbal or nutritional intervention is safe alongside chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy. The continuation of all medically prescribed treatments is always encouraged.

Hormonal health is one of the core clinical strengths at MNHC, and an area where Benjamin and Andrea consistently identify factors that conventional medicine overlooks or addresses too late.

The most commonly missed factor is stress. The effect of the nervous system on hormonal balance is profound — chronic stress dysregulates the HPA axis, suppresses thyroid function, disrupts the menstrual cycle, and accelerates hormonal decline. Most GP consultations do not have time to explore this in any depth. The second most missed factor is the gut. Approximately 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced and stored in the gut, and the gut microbiome plays a central role in hormone metabolism, including oestrogen recycling. A dysbiotic gut is frequently a hidden driver of hormonal symptoms.

Thyroid presentations are a particular focus. The standard laboratory reference range for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is 0.5–5, and a result within this range is typically reported as normal. However, growing clinical evidence — and an increasing number of endocrinologists — supports a narrower optimal range. At MNHC, a TSH above 2 is considered as potentially indicating the early stages of thyroid underactivity: what is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. This is not slow enough for a prescription of thyroxine, but it may already be causing fatigue, hair thinning, weight gain, cold sensitivity, or low mood. Our naturopaths test for and treat nutritional drivers including selenium, zinc, and iodine — all of which are measurable in clinic — in addition to addressing stress and gut health.

For menopause, perimenopause, PMS, and other female hormonal presentations, the same multifactorial approach applies: stress, nutrition, liver health (the liver processes and clears oestrogen), gut health, sleep, and insulin resistance are all assessed. Perimenopause in particular — the years leading up to menopause — is increasingly recognised as a distinct hormonal transition that begins years earlier than most women are told, and is frequently undertreated by conventional medicine. Our naturopaths have access to highly sensitive salivary and urinary hormone testing through specialist labs including Nutripath, which provides a more complete hormonal picture than standard blood testing. Insulin resistance is another factor frequently missed by GPs — again because the conventional approach waits for a diabetes diagnosis before intervening. Our naturopaths identify and address it much earlier.

Digestive health is one of the most common presentations at MNHC and one where naturopathic medicine has a particularly strong track record. Our naturopaths begin with a thorough case history — symptoms, diet, stress levels, sleep, medication history — because patterns in this information alone often point directly to the underlying cause. For most of Benjamin’s 30-year career, before sophisticated gut testing existed, this clinical pattern recognition was the primary diagnostic tool, and it remains fundamental.

Where testing is warranted, the GI-Map (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus) is the gold standard. It measures the gut microbiome in extraordinary detail: pathogenic bacteria including H. pylori and C. difficile; parasites; fungi; keystone microbial species and their relative abundance; digestive function markers including pancreatic elastase (enzyme output) and steatocrit (fat absorption); intestinal inflammation markers including calprotectin and secretory IgA; leaky gut via zonulin; gluten sensitivity via anti-gliadin IgA; and beta-glucuronidase as a marker of detox capacity and dysbiosis. The result is a precise, actionable picture of what is happening inside the gut — not a guess.

Common findings include food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, fructose, lactose, or histamine), bacterial overgrowths or infections that have been present undetected for years, missing keystone species, and impaired function in the organs of digestion — the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestine. Addressing these organs directly often reduces bloating, pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and gas even before significant dietary changes are made.

A question our naturopaths hear frequently: if a food tests as sensitive, do I need to avoid it forever? In many cases, no. Once the gut microbiome has been corrected and the digestive organs are functioning well, the level of sensitivity often reduces — sometimes to zero. Food sensitivity is frequently a symptom of a dysfunctional gut, not a permanent feature of the person. Restoring the gut restores tolerance.

Weight loss and metabolic health are among Benjamin’s core clinical specialties, and an area where naturopathic medicine consistently delivers results that calorie-restriction diets and conventional management alone do not. The reason most weight loss approaches fail is that they treat the symptom — excess weight — without identifying what is driving it.

Fatigue, burnout, and post-viral illness are three distinct presentations that our naturopaths differentiate carefully, though they share common underlying drivers and often overlap.

Fatigue can arise from a wide range of causes — nutritional deficiencies (iron, B vitamins, magnesium), thyroid dysfunction, poor sleep, insulin resistance, gut malabsorption, chronic low-grade infection, or more serious underlying conditions including autoimmune disease or cancer. A thorough case history, blood work, and targeted in-clinic testing is essential to identify the driver accurately rather than treating fatigue as a generic symptom.

Burnout is a distinct and more serious state that develops gradually, often over years. The body has been in coping mode for an extended period — running on cortisol, adrenaline, and willpower — until it can no longer sustain the effort. Benjamin describes it as the body saying: ‘I can’t do this anymore — I need a rest and you can’t stop me.’ Recovery from true burnout requires addressing adrenal function, nervous system resilience, sleep architecture, and the life circumstances driving the chronic overload. It takes longer than fatigue but responds very well to naturopathic care.

Post-viral illness and long COVID present with a characteristic multi-system picture: persistent fatigue, brain fog, immune dysregulation, inflammatory markers, circulatory disturbance, and in some cases cardiac and neurological symptoms. The approach at MNHC is to identify each person’s specific pattern of deficiencies, toxic burden, and inflammatory triggers rather than applying a generic protocol. Commonly used interventions include nattokinase (and the specific form NKCP) for circulatory support, NAC for antioxidant and mucolytic support, CoQ10 ubiquinol for mitochondrial and cardiac energy, quercetin and vitamin C for immune modulation and anti-inflammatory support, alpha lipoic acid, herbal adaptogens for the nervous system and heart, and hawthorn berry for cardiovascular resilience. The clinic’s AirPod HBOT chamber with molecular hydrogen is also proving valuable for post-viral clients — it supports cellular oxygenation and recovery without requiring effort from a body that may have very little to give. For some clients, the trigger was a COVID-19 vaccination rather than the infection itself — the naturopathic approach is surprisingly similar, though each case is assessed individually.

This is an important and completely reasonable question. Benjamin and Andrea have extensive experience working with clients on complex medication regimes, and have access to a detailed, regularly updated database of drug actions, side effects, and potential interactions with herbal medicines and nutrients. They also use AI tools to cross-reference any prescription against current interaction data in real time.

Many medications deplete essential vitamins and minerals as a side effect — statins and CoQ10, metformin and B12, proton pump inhibitors and magnesium are well-documented examples. Our naturopaths routinely identify and address these depletions, which often explains why clients feel better under naturopathic care even when their medication is unchanged.

Some clients come specifically because their medication is not working as well as expected, or because they are experiencing side effects that are affecting their quality of life. Naturopathic support can often improve the body’s ability to tolerate medical treatment — by supporting the liver, gut, and nutritional status that medications may be stressing — without interfering with the treatment itself. This is a genuinely underutilised area of integrative care.

The answer in almost all cases is that natural medicine can be used safely alongside medications — but it must be done carefully and with knowledge. Please do not self-prescribe herbal medicines or high-dose supplements alongside medications without professional guidance. This is precisely where the expertise of our naturopaths adds value.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing concentrated oxygen inside a pressurised chamber, which dramatically increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood and delivered to tissues throughout the body. MNHC uses the AirPod — a specialised chamber with the added benefit of molecular hydrogen, which provides potent antioxidant support at the cellular level.

The therapeutic applications are broad: recovery and performance, chronic fatigue and post-viral illness, cancer supportive care, neurological conditions, wound healing, inflammation, and general wellness and longevity. Sessions are 60 or 90 minutes — clients simply lie back and relax inside the pod. It is non-invasive and requires no effort, which makes it particularly valuable for people who are unwell and have limited energy reserves. Single sessions from $75 (60 min) or $120 (90 min), with discounted 5 and 10-session packs available.

HBOT can be used as a standalone service or integrated into a broader naturopathic treatment plan. Many clients combine it with herbal medicine, nutritional support, and other in-clinic services for a comprehensive approach to recovery and health optimisation.

Live blood analysis involves taking a single drop of blood from a fingertip pinprick and examining it under a high-powered dark field microscope while the cells are still alive. The image is projected onto a screen so you can see your own blood in real time alongside your practitioner as they interpret what they find.

Its greatest strength is as a window into inflammation. The degree of rouleaux formation — where red blood cells stack like coins rather than moving freely — is one of the most immediate and visible indicators of systemic inflammatory load and blood viscosity. Fibrin deposits, cellular debris, and the presence of inflammatory crystals in the plasma all provide additional inflammatory data that standard blood tests rarely capture with the same immediacy. For clients dealing with chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular risk, or post-viral illness, this real-time picture is often genuinely revelatory.

Beyond inflammation, live blood analysis reveals red blood cell health, shape, and integrity; immune system activity and white cell behaviour; signs of nutritional deficiency including iron, B12, and folate; liver stress indicators; and intestinal permeability indicators consistent with leaky gut. The combination builds a detailed functional picture of what is happening in the blood right now — not a snapshot of averages from a laboratory reference range, but a living, dynamic view.

Live blood analysis costs $37 and can be added to any consultation. For a full explanation of the technique and what to expect, see the dedicated live blood analysis page.

MNHC offers one of the most comprehensive in-clinic testing menus in Melbourne. Testing is performed during a consultation and interpreted in the context of your full health picture.

In-clinic tests include: live blood analysis (dark field microscopy); body composition analysis (bio-impedance — measuring muscle mass, fat mass, cellular hydration, and biological age); instant non-invasive nutritional testing assessing mineral status, heavy metal load, and oxidative stress; iridology; and the AirPod HBOT chamber for therapeutic use.

Referral-based laboratory testing includes: GI-Map (comprehensive gut microbiome and digestive function); salivary and urinary hormone profiles through Nutripath and other specialist labs; food sensitivity testing; fructose, lactose, and gluten tolerance testing; tissue mineral analysis (hair); and standard and functional blood panels.

The goal is always to test precisely what is needed for your case — not to run every possible test for its own sake, but to build the most accurate clinical picture in the most efficient and cost-effective way.