Editor's Letter
A lump in my throat and the 200th issue
Here it is. The lump in my throat and the 200th issue of Natural Medicine magazine. This is a very personal letter…
It all started 25 years ago – almost to the day. I do believe in miracles, and this is certainly one of them. What a journey this continues to be. My life, my love, my dedication – to bring you credible, objective independent information on health – from the brightest minds and the biggest hearts in health and healing globally; alive or no longer physically with us.
DEDICATION
I dedicate this issue to my three children: Jesse, Craig and Catherine. Thank you for your unwavering support. I am sorry for my absence largely during your formative years when I worked long hours at the office. I remember you sleeping under my desk through the long nights, so that the bright office lights don’t shine on your little faces. Your ‘Mumsie’ could never work for a boss and there was not the option of 9 to 5 with me. Driven by a passion larger than myself to make a difference, recognized by Dr Brom, we birthed this vehicle that provided for you your whole lives. Thank you Bernard Brom, for your inspiration, guidance, friendship and support.
Even dad worked here; and the divorce happened when Catherine was only 3 years old. We split partly due to me taking on the publication of The Complementary Medicine Journal and The South African Journal of Natural Medicine – forerunners to Natural Medicine magazine.
IN MEMORY AND GRATITUDE
Today, like many days, I remember our beloved deputy editor Sandra Wilson, who passed so suddenly and tragically in 2007. She was our tree. My late fiancé, Marco Bersella, worked here for many years as financial director. In fact, anyone that befriended me or loved and cared about me, helped at some point! They either wrote an article, assisted during a photoshoot, an event or helped with my children. Most of all, I appreciate the emotional support. And yes, I am a bit crazy, so thank you to all of them and especially to my mom, Eva van Niekerk, Malcolm Dare and our precious Lizzy Tokota.
Most of my authors supplied healing during one or another burn-out stage. A special thank you to Arjan Bogaers, Dr John Demartini, Dr Patrick Fieuw, Ann Gadd, Dr Horak, Dr Barbara Lewis, Drs Sandi and David Nye, Dr Lynette Steele and Dr Juan van Breda.
THE TEAM
To each and every one that worked on any one or many of the 200 issues, a massive thank you. You may never know just how much you mean to me and how often I think of you. How much you have taught me and shaped me. I stand before you humble and grateful.
I do need to name a few of you and commend you on your outstanding work: Gavin Blackstock, Zayeen Daniels, Lecia Durham, Mia Gibbs, Maylene Louis, Louise Louw, Francois Prins Manning, Cindy Nicolson, Olga Nieuwenhuizen, Yolanda Rossouw, Eleanor van der Merwe, Catherine van Dyk and Alice Walker.
And two exceptional consultants: Sam Haskell (marketing) and Francois van Niekerk (web and IT).
WHAT AN UNEXPECTED MILESTONE
When we printed our last issue number 150 in January 2018, I thought that was it. I focused on our video channel and website. Little did I know what was to be around the corner. My ex-boyfriend of 30 years ago and now my business consultant, Gerry du Toit, stepped in and came up with the concept of an online magazine that is not a tedious flipbook. A magazine that could be produced simply and with a global reach. But we needed a new website that could hold all that was to come.
Together with brilliant web developer Johann Dreyer, they spent most of 2018 and 2019 working on creating the most incredible website. We launched issue 151 at the end of May 2021. The impact of the site is the same on any device or screen. My deepest gratitude to both of you. Without your brains and financial support none of this would have been possible.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Thank you to all our authors that so generously give of their time to write for us. We are so grateful as you continue to inspire and empower. Thank you to every advertiser that supported us over the years (big or small). None of this would have been possible without you.
My heartfelt gratitude to Dave MacGregor, Tom Pace and Wolfgang Vogl for your love and support. Thank you Paul Bosman for trusting and believing in me and for giving me so much work over the last couple of years!
And if I have missed you, and you feel I should have included you, I am sorry. Maybe reach out? That means you have been absent from my life lately and I would love to change that.
AN ADVERTISER’S SUCCESS STORY
During the building and development of our new website, I decided to put myself in the shoes of an industry member to understand their world and to make sure that what we have to offer, will make a big difference to their sales. What makes a product effective? In this world of fake news, how do we bring credibility? Why should my reader choose one product over another?
I approached Paul Bosman from Tara Pharmaceuticals. You may know his Progast Drops. He had faith in me, and we started with a contextual video about why woman have more gut issues than men. You can watch it here. (11 000 + views)
We then filmed a before and after video of a woman with gut issues, taking Progast Drops, prescribed by a doctor: Herbal drops for irritable bowel syndrome – a doctor prescribed natural solution. (35 000 + views)
And I wrote a review: Product Review – Progast® Gastrointestinal Support Drops.
We helped Paul with his website development, graphics and content for his product ranges: Progast, Sinulex and TravelRite. We looked after his social media, made up his print and web adverts and I redesigned the pack for his product TravelRite. I also reviewed his other products comprehensively.
We had fun launching new Progast products. It is a success story built on trust and hard work, but we achieved the results because his products are effective, safe and of high quality. And it has been achieved during a very difficult trading environment. This is what Paul has to say:
‘I met Daleen Totten in 2018. We had an open discussion on marketing, content, credibility and collaborating with market leaders to get to speak about disease entities. I wanted to get my products and ingredients verified by a credible third party like herself.
I needed independent medical doctors to speak about IBS, the treatment options and natural solutions. The public needed to be assured that Tara’s products are manufactured in an ISO 9001 facility, with good manufacturing practice (GMP) – a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. It is FDA approved and registered with SAPHRA (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority). Not all products are the same and one needs to be transparent in your marketing and claims linked to products.
I really enjoyed and still enjoy working with Daleen and find Natural Medicine World a great platform to get to both my prescribers and my end users. Since starting the collaboration, my sales have increased by 20% year-on-year.’
DON'T MISS OUT
We have two issue left this year and we all need a holiday. So industry, please book your ads now! For rates and stats, click on our Media Kit. You may send (flowers) books and products to review for my attention. My son, Craig is not new to the team as he has been filming and editing our videos for years. His role now extends to sales and marketing, pack shot photography and design. My heart is happy.
Show your friends! And if you haven’t subscribed yet – why not? We are committed to upload content daily and design it beautifully for your enjoyment, empowerment and health. In the next issue, I will highlight some of my favourite products, equipment, therapies, places, books, modalities and links to all of them.
Thank you Spirit. Everything is exactly as it is meant to be. All in Divine time.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our aim at Natural Medicine is to integrate the most successful approaches to health maintenance, disease prevention and the treatment of chronic ill health. Health maintenance and disease prevention must include care of the environment, the land, the water and air.
Yours in Healthy Living
Post-Sun Skin Savers
Table of Contents ↑|Summer has arrived in its full glory, but long, sunny summer days and outdoor activities can leave your skin dry, scarred, spotted and pigmented. Try these natural tips to prevent and soothe sun-damaged skin.
Avocado – pure green goodness
Table of Contents ↑|In our household avocado, both the fresh pears and the rich green oil, rules supreme – whether eaten with a spoon and some Herbamare salt, straight from the skin, or included in luscious, unctuous salads, or mashed with soy sauce and spread on hot toast, or in a spicy guacamole, or simply smeared all over my face!
The Basic Function of a Joint
Table of Contents ↑|It’s estimated that there are between 250 and 350 joints in the human body. This number varies depending on, for example, whether you view the skull as one solid structure or consider the jigsaw pieces that fit together to form it as being linked by joints.
Saffron for Emotional Health
Table of Contents ↑|Delicious with seafood, rice, tomatoes and plays well with plenty of garlic, saffron hails from the traditional medicine found in Persian cultures. It has served mankind for millennia as both a culinary herb and powerful medicine. Saffron is known for its vibrant colour and flavour, and also for being the world’s most expensive spice.
Illness – Past and Future
Table of Contents ↑|Understanding the phenomenon of illness in the human being requires a willingness to view the human being as more than only a biological (mammal) entity. In fact, it can be said that where his biology stops, the human being begins.
10 Simple Rules for Permanent Weight Loss
Table of Contents ↑|On a physical level, losing weight and keeping it off really couldn’t be easier. If you adopt my 10 simple rules and make sure you rarely digress, you will not only lose weight but, much more importantly, you will keep it off and you will be healthy.
Get Social