The Lifestyle Herbalists Podcast--A healthy dose of happiness

Fatigue, Burnout & Why Rest Doesn’t Help

The Language of Symptoms series and today we are going to talk about  Fatigue, Burnout & Why Rest Doesn’t Help.
“Welcome back to The Language of Symptoms — the podcast where we stop fighting symptoms and start listening to what they’re trying to say.
Because headaches aren’t always about the head. Gut symptoms aren’t always about food. And today, we’re talking about something so many are quietly carrying:
Exhaustion.Not just being tired… but that deep, heavy fatigue that sleep doesn’t seem to touch.
The kind where you wake up tired. Push through the day. Cancel plans. Drink the coffee. Try the supplements. Rest on the weekend…
…and still don’t feel restored.
What if fatigue isn’t a flaw?
What if burnout isn’t weakness?
What if your body isn’t failing you at all — but protecting you in the only way it knows how?
Today, we’re decoding fatigue, burnout, nervous system overload, and why rest sometimes doesn’t work the way we think it should.
So settle in — because this conversation may completely change how you understand energy, recovery… and yourself.”
 
 
For more information on this podcast please feel free to email me at sabrina@nurishwell.com and visit my website www.brewjablends.com
Also you can reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com and visit her website www.herbalhygienist.com
 
References and Citations for this episode.
McEwen BS. Protective and Damaging Effects of Stress Mediators.New England Journal of Medicine, 1998.
Picard M et al. Mitochondrial Psychobiology: Foundations and Applications. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 2018.
Maslach C & Leiter MP. Understanding the Burnout Experience.World Psychiatry, 2016.
Walker MP. Why We Sleep. Scribner, 2017.
Dhabhar FS. Effects of Stress on Immune Function.Neuroimmunomodulation, 2009.
Sapolsky RM. Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. Holt Paperbacks.

Gut Symptoms: When Digestion Isn't the real issue

 
Bloating. Food sensitivities. IBS.What if your gut symptoms aren’t actually about the food you’re eating?
In this episode of The Language of Symptoms, we explore the deeper connection between your gut, nervous system, and immune response — and why digestion often breaks down when the body is under stress.
You’ll learn why symptoms like bloating, reflux, and discomfort can appear even with a “perfect” diet, how your body’s stress response directly impacts digestion, and why food sensitivities are often signals of a larger imbalance — not the root cause.Through real-world examples and science-backed insights, this episode reframes gut health from restriction to understanding.
If you’ve been trying to fix your gut but nothing fully works, this conversation will help you see your symptoms in a completely new way.
 
For more information or to ask questions about this podcast please reach out to Sabrina@nurishwell.com.  
 

Intermittent Fasting: Who It Helps, Who It Hurts, and Why

Intermittent fasting is one of the most talked-about health strategies—but is it actually right for everyone?
In this episode, Dabney breaks down the real pros and cons of intermittent fasting, who can benefit from it, and who should be cautious—especially those dealing with adrenal burnout, blood sugar instability, or chronic stress.
If you’ve ever tried fasting and felt worse instead of better, this episode will help you understand why—and what your body might actually need instead.
 
Reach out to Dabney or work with her at www.herbalhygienist.com
https://herbalhygienist.myshopify.com/
 
Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com
 
 

Fact or Fiction? Unpacking Dental Myths with Becky Moore

In this episode, Becky Moore, RDH, joins Dabney and Sabrina to dive into the myths and facts surrounding dentistry and oral disease. Together, they explore common misconceptions that many patients hold about their oral health and uncover the truth behind them. If you've ever wondered what's fact and what's fiction when it comes to dental care, this conversation is a must-listen! Tune in as they discuss evidence-based prevention, the oral-systemic connection, and how to navigate your own dental health with confidence.
Becky Moore, RDH is a clinical dental hygienist, educator, speaker, and author with over 30 years of experience in prevention-focused and oral-systemic care. She is the founder of Restart Hygiene and the author of Beyond the Dental Chair: What Your Dental Hygienist Didn’t Tell You About Your Mouth, a book inspired by her passion for speaking and educating both the public and dental professionals about the vital connection between oral health and whole-body wellness. After reaching a pivotal point in her career when all hope seemed lost, Becky transformed her professional path through continued learning, mindset shifts, and a renewed focus on purpose-driven care—allowing her to navigate and overcome the challenges of an evolving dental environment. She is a certificate holder in Oral Systemic Education through the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists, holds a Bachelor of Science in Oral Health Promotion from O’Hehir University, and has served in public health and community outreach initiatives, including volunteer work with Baptist on Mission dental clinics and international dental missions. Her passion is to educate and empower patients and dental peers through evidence-based prevention, patient education without shame, and support for sustainable, fulfilling careers in dental hygiene.
 
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Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygienist.com
https://herbalhygienist.myshopify.com/
 
Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com
 

Supporting Mineral Balance Naturally (Before Jumping to Supplements)

In this final episode of the series, we bring everything together and focus on how to support mineral balance in a way that’s practical, sustainable, and rooted in how the body actually works. While supplements can be helpful, they are not the foundation—and in many cases, they’re not effective without the right support in place.
We’ll walk through the key pillars of mineral balance, including how to build mineral-dense meals, support digestion for better absorption, and optimize hydration and electrolyte balance. You’ll also learn how chronic stress and everyday habits may be quietly depleting your mineral stores, even if you’re eating well.
This episode also introduces traditional, mineral-rich herbs like nettle, dandelion, and alfalfa, and how they can gently support the body’s ability to absorb and utilize nutrients over time. By focusing on food-first strategies, digestive health, and lifestyle support, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how to nourish your body at a deeper level—without relying solely on supplements.
If you’ve been doing all the “right” things but still feel depleted, this episode will help you connect the dots and give you actionable steps to start restoring balance naturally.
 
Reach out to Dabney or work with her go to: www.herbalhygienist.com
https://herbalhygienist.myshopify.com/
 
Reach out to Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com
 

Why You Can Eat Well and Still Be Mineral Deficient

Eating well doesn’t always equal nutrient sufficiency—and your oral and gut health might be the missing link. In this episode, we explore why even a clean, whole-food diet can leave you depleted, looking closely at how chronic stress, medications, inflammation, and digestion affect mineral absorption. We dive into the oral microbiome and how salivary testing can reveal hidden imbalances that impact digestion and nutrient uptake. By connecting the dots between your mouth, gut, and minerals, you’ll understand why fatigue, slow healing, or other subtle health issues may persist—and what you can do to support your body’s ability to retain and use minerals naturally.
 
Reach Dabney or apply to work with her at www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com
 

Food First – How to Actually Get Minerals from Your Diet

Many people eat “healthy” and still feel depleted—and the missing piece is often minerals. In this episode, we dive into the foods that truly supply your body with essential minerals and how to make them bioavailable. From leafy greens and roots to sea vegetables, nuts, seeds, and quality animal foods, you’ll learn practical strategies for nourishing your body at the cellular level. We’ll also discuss how modern soil depletion, food processing, and digestion impact mineral absorption—and simple ways to ensure your meals are doing more than just filling your plate. By the end, you’ll have actionable ideas to boost energy, immunity, and overall wellness through mineral-rich foods.
 
Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygienists.com
https://herbalhygienist.myshopify.com/
 
Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com
 

The Missing Piece in Your Health: Minerals

Are you eating well, taking supplements, and still not feeling your best?
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked foundations of health—minerals.
You’ll learn what minerals actually do in the body and why they play a critical role in everything from energy and nervous system regulation to blood sugar balance, immune function, and even oral health. We’ll also explore why so many people are unknowingly depleted, despite doing “all the right things.”
Backed by insights recognized by organizations like the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements and the World Health Organization, this episode breaks down the real-life impact of stress, medications, and digestive health on your mineral status.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or like your body just isn’t responding the way it should—this episode will help you understand why.
This is also where we begin shifting the conversation from chasing symptoms to understanding mineral patterns—and how they may be the missing link in your healing journey.
 
Reach Dabney @ www.herbalhygienist.com.    https://herbalhygienist.myshopify.com/
 
Reach Sabrina @ www.brewjablends.com
 

Understanding the Three Most Important Ratios on an HTMA Test

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, or HTMA, is a powerful tool that provides insight into how the body is functioning at a cellular level. By analyzing minerals stored in the hair, this test can reveal patterns related to metabolism, stress response, thyroid activity, and overall mineral balance.
In this episode, Dabney Vaccaro, RDH, clinical herbalist, and health coach, breaks down three of the most significant ratios on an HTMA test: the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio, the Sodium to Potassium ratio, and the Calcium to Potassium ratio. These key relationships between minerals help us understand metabolic rate, adrenal stress patterns, and thyroid influence within the body.
Dabney explains what each ratio represents, the ideal ranges to look for, and what it may suggest when these ratios are out of balance. She also shares how these patterns can provide valuable clues for supporting the body through nutrition, minerals, lifestyle practices, and herbal support.
If you’ve ever wondered why you feel fatigued, overwhelmed by stress, or like your body isn’t functioning the way it should, understanding these mineral relationships may offer important insights.
Learn how HTMA can help uncover deeper patterns in your health and guide a more personalized approach to wellness.
If you’re interested in exploring your own mineral patterns and working with Dabney through HTMA testing and personalized coaching, you can learn more about her services and programs. ✨
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Reach Dabney @ www.herbalhygienist.com
Reach Sabrina @ www.brewjablends.com
 

Headches, Jaw Tension & What Your Nervous System is Saying

Headaches and jaw tension aren’t just muscle issues — they’re often signals from an overloaded nervous system. In this episode, we uncover why clenching, migraines, and facial pain can appear even when tests are “normal,” and what stress, breathing, and sensory overload have to do with it. If you’ve been treating the symptom but missing the message, this conversation will change how you listen to your body.
Find out more on this short yet informative podcast.