Speakers 2025

M.Pharm; M.P.S.; Dip Herb Med; F.N.Z.A.M.H.; M.N.I.M.H. (UK); M.N.H.A.A

Phil has been in clinical practice for 32 years, after graduating from the College of Phytotherapy in the U.K, and working several years in hospital, community and drug information pharmacy. Prior to studying herbal medicine, he did research on antidepressants and serotonin for a masters degree in pharmacology, at Otago University.

Phil has extensive experience in the use of plant medicines to support a wide range of mental health conditions, substance dependency, stress, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, weight management and cancer. He works with patients to try and foster closer connections with nature, and is a longstanding advocate for the greater usage of locally and healthily grown plants as medicines. He also frequently works with people who need to take other types of medicines, and continues to research and educate both patients and other health practitioners about both unwanted and desirable interactions between drugs and phytomedicines.

Phil writes and presents regularly on a wide range of herbal subjects, for practitioner, consumer and industry audiences in Aotearoa NZ and Australia. He is actively involved in the local Natural Health Products industry, and ongoing medicinal plant cultivation trials. He is a longstanding advocate for greater recognition of well trained medical herbalists within our health system, and was President of NZAMH from 2018-2021. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy at the Department of Health Sciences, University of Auckland.

BSc, ND

Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual and The Metabolism Reset—practical guides to treating period and hormone problems with nutrition, supplements, and body-identical hormones.

A graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (1997) and the University of Calgary (evolutionary biology), Lara serves on several scientific advisory committees, including The Centre for Ovulation and Menstruation Research (CeMCOR) at the University of British Columbia. She is a popular speaker and has delivered keynote presentations for the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA), the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), and the University of Otago.

Lara worked for many years in Sydney but currently has consulting rooms in Addington, Christchurch, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone- and period-related health problems.

MBBS (Hons), PhD (TCM), PhD (Elec Eng), BMed Sci (Hons), FAMAC, FICAE

With a medical degree, Honours in physiology and psychological medicine, and PhDs in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Marc has over 30 years of experience in integrative medicine. Co-authoring the landmark text "Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide" across four editions, Marc has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and numerous books on wellness and natural medicine.

Former President of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association and past Board Member of the Global Wellness Summit, he served as Professor of Complementary Medicine at RMIT University from 2002 to 2018. Currently, he is Co-Owner of Extremely Alive and Maruia Hot Springs and hold adjunct professorships at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University and the National Institute of Integrative Medicine at the University of Western Sydney.

B Com

Ian is the leader in Australia & NZ in Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and is regarded as a trailblazer in Nutritional and Herbal Medicine. Since the 1990s, he has researched and developed natural medicines, working with experts globally and educating practitioners on minerals and heavy metals. He created original nutraceutical formulations respected by medical and naturopathic communities, including bioavailable mineral formulations.

Ian patented and commercialised the packaging of Dunaliella salina to preserve beta-carotene and nutrients. He won the Best Poster Award at the 2007 International Holistic Health Conference for his presentation on Dunaliella salina's effectiveness in detoxifying toxic minerals and heavy metals

ND, Dip Hom, DBM

Daniel  is the co-founder of Optimal Rx liquid herbal brand (Australia) and BioMedica, with over 35 years in practice. He created an evidence-based herbal and nutritional protocol for COVID and vaccine-related issues, widely used by practitioners.

He has presented at undergraduate and postgraduate conferences in six countries for over 30 years and sponsored several herbal studies in oncology, PTSD, and cognitive function.

Bachelor of Natural Medicine

Jane has established the holistic sleep clinic "How to Sleep Well," offering personalised consultations and using herbs in her treatment. She constantly works with individuals and groups on sleep, fatigue, and stress. She has presented workshops to international companies like Google France and Boston Consulting Group. 

Jane authored "The Everyday Herbalist" (Allen & Unwin, 2023), a comprehensive guide to herbs, covering everything you need to know, simplifying herbal medicine for the public. She frequently leads herbal education workshops for community organisations and schools. Jane has many skills and has designed a 3000sqm community garden for a construction company, enhancing employee wellness.

B.Sc.Zoology Dip. Sci. ( Ecology and animal behaviour)

Peter is the author of "Foraging NZ" (Penguin, 2025), and a Registered National Programme One Food Provider with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), specialising in foraging foods.

He conducts educational foraging tours and has self-published several foraging guides.