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6 Tips For Your Best Winter Skin

February 6, 2019 | Naturopathic Medicine

Winter in Indiana. It’s cold and dry. The gray days have a big impact on a lot of us. It all wears on us, and can show up on our skin. Besides being a protective shell, skin has many functions such as regulating our body temperature, making and storing Vitamin D, and eliminating toxins. In fact, it is responsible for releasing one third of the body’s toxins.Instead of hunching over and waiting for spring to come, keep your skin soft and fresh using these six tips.HydrateWinter is such a harsh season for our skin. The lack of humidity in the air can cause the moisture on the top layer of skin to evaporate. Dehydrated skin can look flakey, scaly and cracked. Staying well hydrated helps our organs to work more efficiently. When our organs work properly, it helps to relieve the skin from the duty of sweating out toxins. Easy ways to … Continued

Balancing Hormones for Every Woman

February 2, 2019 | Naturopathic Medicine

PMS and menopause are a challenge for every woman at some point. While symptoms of PMS or menopause can be difficult to manage, understanding the many factors that are at play give you the tools to cope. As a naturopathic doctor, I use natural methods to help balance hormones.Cholesterol and HormonesCholesterol is often high during peri-menopause and menopause to compensate for the decreasing levels of other hormones in the body, such as estrogen. Cholesterol is needed to make both sex and adrenal hormones. Hormones are the messengers of the endocrine system, and cholesterol is key to transporting hormones to the correct receptor sites on the cells. If you have low cholesterol, your body isn’t able to transport hormones efficiently, and if you have high cholesterol you may not have enough hormones getting into your cells. Low hormonal levels caused by cholesterol imbalance can result in symptoms such as fatigue, … Continued

Beat Sugar Cravings with NAET

January 17, 2019 | Naturopathic Medicine

Who doesn’t have food cravings? We often think about cravings as a psychological phenomena. An itch you can’t scratch. But beating cravings isn’t as easy as practicing self-discipline, although that is an important aspect. Food cravings can come from physiological issues as well as the mental/emotional pull. Desiring food as comfort can in itself be a symptom of food sensitivities or intolerance. A food intolerance or sensitivity is an immune response to either immunoglobulin G (IgG) or immunoglobulin A (IgA). Reactions to food could be delayed up to 48 hours after ingesting the food, which makes identifying the issue a challenge. Regular stomach discomfort is caused by an inability to digest or metabolize a food completely. Symptoms may include gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. Oddly enough, having an intolerance to a food may make you crave that food. Having a mild immune reaction to foods may act like an endorphin (e.g., runner’s high) in … Continued

Tapas – Burn Off The Heaviness

January 2, 2019 | Yoga

The term tapas is derived from the Sanskrit root “tap” meaning “to burn.” Tapas can mean either cultivating restraint or burning away impurities physically, mentally and emotionally. It implies a sense of fiery discipline or passion. Tapas also refers to the heat that gets our heart pumping and motivates us toward change. Lois Nesbitt (yoga teacher) described the heat of tapas as coming from “the friction generated by going against the grain of habit, of complacency, of doing what is easiest” (2009, para. 5). The purpose of tapas is to burn off the heaviness in our bodies, energy flow, and mental processes to awaken the dormant energy within. You can activate tapas during asana, pranayama and meditative yogic practices. Tapas in Yoga PracticeDuring asana (the physical practice of yoga), tapas can be the simple discipline of making time for our personal practice. It can also apply to the type of practice we do – … Continued

7 Tips to Ease into Dietary Changes

December 14, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

Eating healthy is a learned habit. Making dietary changes for health reasons or weight loss can be more challenging than just beating cravings. Grocery shopping changes. Meals might go from microwave or eating out to cooking with fresh foods. Which means more dishes to wash. Adding breakfast into your morning may feel like yet another task. So when I recommend dietary changes, I take into account the client’s current lifestyle. Busy parents and people whose work involves traveling or overtime hours need gradual changes in order to be successful. My cornerstone belief for healthy diet is to eat fresh, whole foods. This may seem simplistic, but it goes against the current Standard American Diet. Reasons I may recommend dietary changes include (but are not limited to): Celiac or gluten sensitivity, food sensitivities, candida (yeast overgrowth), weight concerns, and brain fog.Start with whole foods you already like. Instead of thinking of … Continued

Nourishing Your Qi During the Winter Months

December 12, 2018 | Acupuncture

“When one stays in the darkness long enough, one begins to see.” -C.G. JungWinter is a time of stillness and quietude, when nature’s energy has turned in during this most inward-looking of all the seasons. We call it the most Yin of the seasons. Trees have dropped their leaves, the sap of the tree has retreated to its roots, outward signs of life have disappeared and the landscape can be covered in snow. There is still work going on, but is in-doors. In this state of rest, energy is collected and held in reserve. It’s cold and dark, which are the qualities that preserve and store. It is this concentrated, internal force of winter that enable a seed to burst forth in Spring. A time for internal work, we use this season for rest and the filling of our reserves, gathering strength for the year ahead. Abundant reserves within us … Continued

TLC for a Healthy, Happy Gut

November 27, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

The digestive system is the power center of the body. There are more organs in this system than any other system. It keeps things moving in the right direction. Regular bowel movements are the cornerstone of good health as can ensure proper detoxification and absorption of nutrients. Anything interfering with these processes interferes with energy, sleep, mood, immune function and more. Therefore chronic constipation may lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, yeast overgrowth (candida), migraines and allergies. As a naturopathic doctor, chronic constipation is a common issue that I help address. After each meal, you should produce a bowel movement. Although it is very common, finding the underlying cause can be complex and differ from person to person. Blanket treatments such as laxatives often do not address the true issue and long term use can come with side effects. The body is very complex and the root issue must be found for overall health. Constipation is usually a symptom of other issues caused … Continued

The Five Elements of Ancient Acupuncture Treatment

November 9, 2018 | Acupuncture

The practice of Acupuncture began more than 3000 years ago in China when early practitioners observed patterns in nature and theorized that in all of nature is an underling cyclical flow of energy. The tradition of Five Element Acupuncture is based on the understanding of this cyclical flow of energy- also known as Qi. The past few blogs have talked about the seasons of Late Summer and Autumn. How do these relate to Acupuncture? In all of nature we see five elements expressed. They are FIRE (Summer Season), EARTH (Late Summer), METAL (Autumn), WATER (Winter) and WOOD (Spring).The Five ElementsEach element exists within the other element and corresponding season. The elements and seasons remind us that there is no beginning and no end to Qi energy, only change and transformation. However, one of the elements is manifested or expressed more strongly within us. It is our strength and also where … Continued

6 Steps to Begin a Meditation Practice (and why do it)

November 2, 2018 | Yoga Philosophy

Have you heard that you should meditate? There are many potential benefits from meditating like reducing your stress, clearing your mind, feeling less tired, getting happier, etc. Interested, but not sure what this meditation stuff is?The practice of meditation is simple. Find a place to sit or lie down, close your eyes, and focus your attention on one thing (like your breath or sensations or visual aid). Actually practicing meditation is not so easy.Some folks get caught in the “I don’t have time for this” barrier. It feels like you’re doing nothing and there are SO MANY things to do! Some folks sit still and just fall asleep – so you get a nice nap, but no enlightenment.Some people try meditating and get frustrated with the constant chatter of their mind. They feel that they are not good at meditating, so why waste the time.Some people can set aside time … Continued

Homeopathy for Your Family During Cold & Flu Season

October 22, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

Everyday in my practice, I help adults and children to address chronic conditions such as allergies, digestive issues, and hormonal imbalances. A major part of addressing health concerns is dealing with the little flus and viruses that come and go.As a Naturopathic doctor who practices homeopathy, I team up with natural bodily functions in order to help the body’s innate ability to heal itself, which is the cornerstone belief of homeopathy. According to homeopathic medicine, symptoms can be alleviated by small doses of substances which produce similar symptoms in healthy people. What is Homeopathy?The word homeopathy is a Greek term that means means “like disease.” Homeopathy can be traced back to the Greek Father of Medicine, Hippocrates. It was the German physician Dr. C. F. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who tested and refined homeopathic practices and remedies. Homeopathic medicine is founded on two major principles: that “like cures like” and “law of minimum does.”Like … Continued

Angie Garrett

23:19 15 Mar 19

I go to Dragonfly 360 Yoga & Wellness for both naturopathic services with Dr. Melanie and acupuncture with Sara. They are both amazing at what they do and they seem to be genuinely interested in helping you feel better.

Kelsey Gmelich

18:20 15 Mar 19

I would highly recommend Dr. Melanie to anyone looking to find out the root cause(s) of their health struggles and treat them holistically. Dr. Melanie actually listens to you (which you don't often find in a doc) and runs testing to determine exactly where to start and what imbalances to address. I have felt terrible for the past 5 years and my doctors never listened-they did some minor testing and never went in depth to really find out what was going on. Dr. Melanie is different- she doesn't just give you a quick fix band-aid, she really tries to heal the root causes of your health issues. She has helped me balance my hormones, heal my digestion, and we are now working on my adrenals. My cycles are regular again and I no longer have depression/anxiety now that my hormones are balanced and I feel so much better. If no one else will listen to you when you say you don't feel well/right, go to Dr. Melanie. You know your body better than anyone, so don't hesitate to take a proactive stance and work with someone who cares.

tyler rich

18:29 14 Mar 19

DragonFly 360 has been a great help for me personally. I have used their NAET (allergy elimination) therapy it was great to help me tolerate and be able to eat foods that i had some reactivity with, i have also had success with their acupuncture and zero balancing services. The staff is always personal and professional. Thank you Dr. Melanie and your whole staff!

Lisa Mayer

03:12 10 Aug 18

This place has changed my life. I've had to avoid casein (milk) for over two years because I would wake up with trouble breathing. Not only did the NAET treatments (you can find articles on them on psychology today as well as the NAET website) cure me of my milk intolerance, Dr. Melanie also recommended all natural remedies to help my body heal. She has truly been the answer to our prayers that I would heal from food intolerances. If you're suffering like I was, you don't have to. Take a chance on her. Thank you, Dr. Melanie!

semhar dagnew

08:32 29 Jun 18

I am so happy l found you doctor, you have been an answer to my problem’s . My next would be to bring my kids to you!

Roxanne Smith

14:46 17 Mar 18

I am happy to write a review for Dr. Melanie because what she does is so amazing. I have been going to her about twice a month for a few years for NAET treatments. My many allergies are now gone and as a singer/performer she and I have discovered that her treatments clear up my voice!--stress and emotions affect my ability to sing my best and I rely on Dr. Melanie as my "voice whisperer" lol. I will come in with raspiness in my voice and every time I leave her office my voice is clear as a bell. It's truly amazing--often she uses NAET for emotions and finds the hidden cause that is always a surprise and a physical relief. I highly recommend her for improving your health in ways you can't even imagine.

Cynthia Lantigua

23:25 21 Aug 17

"Dr. Melanie is amazing, she doesn't try to rush through an appointment in 15 minutes, you feel like you have her undivided attention. She also demonstrates an exceptional understanding of nutrition and how the different vitamins, electrolytes, etc. affect your body and presents options to correct through either diet changes or supplements or both. She appears very competent in other naturopathic treatments as well. Her use of NAET therapy on me made me a believer! The results were immediate and something I could see myself! (I would never have believed it had I not tried it myself.) My husband is now seeing her as well for GI problems and general fatigue."

Krista Wright

16:54 28 Feb 17

I could not be more pleased with the choice I made to practice yoga at Dragonfly 360. There are classes for every level, the instructors are knowledgable, attentive, and sensitive, and the atmosphere is warm and inclusive. Most importantly to me, the integration of spiritual practice is a strong component of the classes. You will be affirmed in mind, body, and spirit by your practice at Dragonfly 360.

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