11% Off BodiClenz – Ultimate Herbal DETOX Drink $169.00 – $269.00 View Info 11% Off Ultimate Herbal DETOX Body Cleanse Program $217.00 – $219.00 View Info Adaptonz – Stress And Cortisol Regulator 500ml $179.00 View Info Maca for Women – 300g Powder $49.00 View Info No products found Article References Article If you’re staring at that stubborn belly fat that just won’t budge, even when you’re eating “healthy” and hitting the gym, you’re not alone. That midsection fat often screams cortisol weight gain, which is the result of chronic stress keeping your body’s fight-or-flight hormone on overdrive. High Cortisol Signs Fat storage around the organs (visceral fat) High cravings for sugary/comfort foods Disrupted sleep Low energy References (1) An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517876/ (2) A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19016404/ (3) Schisandra chinensis and Rhodiola rosea exert an anti-stress effect on the HPA axis and reduce hypothalamic c-Fos expression in rats subjected to repeated stress https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4727095/ (4) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptoms. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27763802/ (5) Kava in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23635869/ (6) Kava as a Clinical Nutrient: Promises and Challenges. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7600512/ (7) Kava extract versus placebo for treating anxiety. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6999799/ (8) Feed your microbes to deal with stress: a psychobiotic diet impacts microbial stability and perceived stress in a healthy adult population. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36289300/ (9) Fermented foods, the gut and mental health: a mechanistic overview with implications for depression and anxiety https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30415609/ (10) Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Cortisol Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysishttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11510182/ (11) Efficacy of probiotics on stress in healthy volunteers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis based on randomized controlled trialshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7507034/ (12) Probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota relieves stress-associated symptoms by modulating the gut-brain interaction in human and animal modelshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26896291/ (13) The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004235/ The Good News You can tackle this naturally with a targeted, plant-powered approach. In my 25+ years helping over 120,000 people worldwide through herbal detox programs, I’ve seen massive transformations when we combine detoxification to clear inflammatory toxins, adaptogenic and liver-supporting herbs to balance hormones, nutrient-dense plant foods to stabilize blood sugar, and simple body-mind practices to lower baseline stress. This isn’t quick-fix hype. It’s grounded in science and real results from my Ultimate Herbal DETOX and BodiClenz programs. Let’s break it down step by step into a practical protocol you can adapt for your own use. I’ll dive deeper into the science behind stress, cortisol, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, explaining how they drive weight gain, with references to back it up. Then, we’ll explore the 7 natural ways to fight back, followed by a 4-week plan to put it all into action. Why Cortisol Becomes Your Waistline’s Worst Enemy The Science Behind the enigma. Understanding the “why” empowers you to fix it. Stress isn’t just mental; it’s a full-body cascade starting in your brain. At the core is the HPA axis, your body’s central stress response system. When you face stress, whether from work deadlines, traffic, or emotional turmoil, the hypothalamus (a brain region) releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). This signals the pituitary gland to pump out adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which then tells your adrenal glands (sitting atop your kidneys) to churn out cortisol. Cortisol Is Your Survival Hormone It mobilizes energy by raising blood sugar (gluconeogenesis), suppresses non-essential functions like digestion and immunity, and keeps you alert. In short bursts, it’s lifesaving—like escaping danger. But in our modern world, chronic stress factors, like endless emails, financial worries, poor sleep, or even hidden inflammation from toxins keep the HPA axis in contstant overdrive, leading to dysregulation. This is where cortisol stays elevated too long or spikes erratically. Chronically high cortisol messes with metabolism in sneaky ways. Hormonal Havoc Elevated cortisol suppresses the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, and growth hormone, which are key for muscle maintenance and fat burning. It also disrupts leptin (satiety hormone) and boosts neuropeptide Y (hunger driver), making you “leptin resistant” and prone to overeating. Plus, cortisol ramps up inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging cells and accelerating aging. Fat Storage Disruption Cortisol promotes lipogenesis (fat creation) especially in visceral (abdominal) fat depots. It does this by upregulating enzymes like lipoprotein lipase, which pulls fats into cells for storage. Studies show that stressed folks with high cortisol gain more abdominal fat over time, even if calories are controlled. Visceral fat is dangerous because it’s metabolically active, releasing inflammatory cytokines that worsen insulin resistance and heart risks. The Blood Sugar Rollercoaster Cortisol counters insulin, causing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Your body responds by cranking out more insulin, but over time, cells become insulin resistant. This leads to cravings for carbs and sweets (to “fix” the energy dips), perpetuating weight gain. Links To Metabolic Syndrome High cortisol correlates with obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes precursors. The Vicious Cycle Poor sleep from high cortisol feeds back into more stress (cortisol peaks in the morning but stays high at night in stressed people). Add in gut issues, as stress alters the microbiome, leading to leaky gut and more inflammation, which signals the HPA axis to produce even more cortisol. The Bottom Line Chronic HPA activation turns your body into a fat-storing machine, especially around the belly. But here’s the flip side; interventions like detox, herbs, and plant foods can reset this axis by regulating the HPA axis repsonse, reducing inflammation, supporting liver detox (where cortisol is metabolized), and calming the nervous system. The 7 Natural Ways to Reduce Stress Hormones & Slim Your Waist Now, let’s get practical. These 7 ways draw from science-backed strategies to dial down cortisol, support your HPA axis, and target belly fat. They’re built around my herbal programs,
Top 20 Metabolic Foods and Herbs for Detox and Slim
See 12 Ultimate Metabolism boosting foods with scientific evidence for each.
Using a Detox Program to Identify Toxins Affecting Your Health
Unlock the secret to identifying and eliminating toxins that may be impacting your health with our comprehensive guide on detox programs. Learn about the steps involved, from using a toxin level calculator and implementing an elimination diet to making environmental changes and engaging in a herbal detox program. Discover how to rejuvenate your health and pinpoint the toxins affecting your well-being today
Best Fasting Methods + Main Health Benefits
Keto diets have become a worldwide trend as a way to lose weight. They generally involve a high fat and protein intake, lots of fatty meat and low carb eating. However, is this really healthy, the best way of triggering Ketosis and could intermittent fasting be even better?
4 Steps To Kicking The Sugar Habit
If you’re a sugar junkie then this page is for you. It may not happen overnight, but increasingly we are becoming addicted to sugar as a population, and it starts when we’re children.
Obesogens – Toxins Linked to Obesity
Only since the early 2000’s have another group of additives and chemicals come into the Obesity discussion, namely ‘Obesogens’.
Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis) Leaf – Health Benefits
Article References Article The Energy Herb References (1) Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis) Metabolic, Satiety, and Mood State Effects at Rest and during Prolonged Exercise. Pubmed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579675/ (2) Effect of yerba mate and green tea on paraoxonase and leptin levels in patients affected by overweight or obesity and dyslipidemia: a randomized clinical trial. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6339368/ (3) Anti-obesity effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583719/ Yerba Maté (YM), the plant Ilex paraguariensis, is traditionally consumed in many South American regions, but its popularity is increasing in North America, Europe, and other regions worldwide. The dried leaves of the plant Ilex paraguariensis, is currently consumed by over 1 million people worldwide, traditionally in many South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay. More recently, Yerba Mate tea has been consumed in North America and Europe. Yerba Mate beverages are reported to have biological activities, probably due to their high polyphenol content. Phenolic compounds have long been known to possess biological functions. In addition to polyphenols such as flavonoids (quercetin and rutin) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic and caffeic acids), Yerba Mate is also rich in caffeine and saponins. Yerba Mate extracts are especially rich in chlorogenic acids that might contribute to hypocholesterolemic and weight loss effects. (3) A trend towards increased satiety, reduced hunger, and improved mood state has also been found in human participants who ingested Yerba Maté. The reported effects include improved total mood disturbance score, increased focus, alertness and energy, and decreased fatigue in habitual caffeine consumers. Modifying behavioral factors of mood state and appetite control is considered essential for effective weight-loss lifestyle interventions. (1) YM also has powerful protective properties. The results of one study using the extract of yerba mate, which was prepared in the form usually ingested by the population, were superior to those obtained with all other beverages. In addition, yerba mate presented the greatest concentration of polyphenols, followed by red wine and green tea. (2) Leptin Leptin exerts its effect on the energy balance primarily by acting in the brain. Insulin and BMI are directly related to leptin, which acts directly or by activating specific centers in the hypothalamus to decrease food intake, increase energy expenditure, regulate glucose and fat metabolism, or to change neuroendocrine function. (2) After feeding mice Yerba Mate for 4 weeks, it was observed a decrease in total cholesterol, leptin levels and blood glucose ultimately led to reducing their body weight. (3)
The Healing Triangle Explained
Yes, you can heal yourself. The secret is actually simple but does come with one condition. You need to be fully committed to investigating the method and understanding the process in order to reach your goal. You’re probably familiar with the concept of holistic medicine, where the whole person is taken into account with a view to triggering healing naturally. Everything is intrinsically connected and healing only happens when there is harmony and balance achieved between body-mind-spirit. Not only am I going to show you how to fully utilise medicinal herbs and therapeutic foods, but I will also share how you can fully harness the incredible healing power of your mind. Watch this video for a short introduction to the ‘Healing Triangle’. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ncDcxySkr3E You can follow the links on this page to research and understand all the individual pieces, but after that, I suggest clicking here and seeing where to begin. Let’s look at the three parts of the Healing Triangle in a little more detail below. Herbal Medicine All we need is provided by nature and medicine is no different. Herbs have been used as medicine for over 60,000 years and are increasing in popularity even today. All the herbs we use in the ultimate Herbal Health program have been researched and shown to have proven healing effects. You can see all Brett’s herbal medicine articles by selecting ‘Herbal Medicine’ on the research article page. Brett Explains How Herbal Medicine Works Click Here To Read Brett’s Articles About Healing Herbs Healing Food Hippocrates said ‘Let thy food be thy medicine’ and this is actually the foundation of holistic, herbal medicine, especially when it comes to plant-based food, including herbs and spices. All the foods and recipes we use in the Ultimate Herbal Health program have also been researched, and you may be surprised just how powerfully healing your food can be. You can see all Brett’s food-related articles by selecting ‘Diet and Nutrition’ on the research article page. Click Here To Learn About Healing Foods The Power of Your Mind Brett has been an energy healer for over 25 years and has developed and unique technique that you can use yourself at home, without any special qualifications or equipment. He has written a series of articles called ‘Unconditional Energy Healing‘ where you can learn this method. Click Here To Learn About Unconditional Energy Healing
Personalised Ideal Weight and Ultimate Herbal Program Calculator
Ultimate Herbal SLIM – Shopping list and eating plan made easy
The central idea of the SLIM eating plan is this: Eat unprocessed natural living foods and connect directly with nature, especially air, light, and water. The list below should give you a good stock of ingredients for your ideal meals. Try to avoid getting things, not on this list i.e. processed food. You can also choose from the full range of recipes available on the quick recipe finder page click here Almond, Coconut, rice, soy, or un-homogenized whole milk Apple juice Apples/oranges Apricots Asparagus Avocado Baked beans Bananas Bea sprouts (alfalfa or mung) Beetroot (fresh or canned) Blueberries Broccoli Brown rice Cabbage red/white Capsicum Carrots Cauliflower Celery Soft Cheese (cottage or Brie)) Cherries Chickpeas (garbanzos), Dahl and lentils Chicken breast Cider vinegar Corn on the cob Courgettes Cucumber Dates, prunes, raisins, or figs Eggs Fresh herbs (a variety) Fresh fish, or canned tuna and salmon Garlic Herbal teas Herbs and spices Honey Hummus Kale Kiwifruit Kumara (sweet potato) Lemons or lemon juice Leeks Lettuce Mango, pawpaw and passionfruit Millet Mung beans for sprouting Mushrooms Nuts (mixed) Olives and Olive oil Onions Oranges Peaches Peanut butter (Raw) Pineapple Potatoes Pumpkin Quinoa Raspberries Rolled oats (for porridge) Sunflower and pumpkin seeds Silverbeet Spinach Spring onions Squeezed orange juice Strawberries Tomatoes (fresh and canned) Tomato juice Unsweetened yogurt All other whole vegetables and fruit are allowed Meal Recommendations These are my favourite suggestions. In the morning: Choose a smoothie from our recipe page or try some fruit and yoghurt. You could have ‘rolled oats porridge’ or ‘eggs on raw spinach or toast’ both once a week. If you do get some bread, try and get the heaviest brick seed loaf you can find at your local bakery and only use 2-3 slices a week. During the day: You could use leftovers from dinner, soups, curries, stir fry, or salads. You could add some tinned fish, avocado, tofu, or chicken breast, but it’s best to keep it vegetarian if possible. Snack on fruit as you feel the need for energy. You can always make a cup of tea or another smoothie as alternatives. Dinners: It’s good to stick to soups, curries, stir fry, or salads and avoid white rice, pasta, buns, or other alternatives to bread like naan, pita, tacos, tortillas, nachos, etc. Try to only have meat 2-3 times a week or less, and stick to chicken or fish if possible. It’s easier to digest. Increase the spiciness of your meals, as this helps boost metabolic rate. Remember, you can also choose from the full range of recipes available on the quick recipe finder page click here Free Herbal SLIM User Guide This free user guide gives you the full in-depth breakdown of Brett Elliott’s Ultimate Herbal SLIM program. This is the actual user guide and recipe book that is inside the Ultimate Herbal SLIM pack. So if you are interested in doing the program or you have lost your own copy click on the button below and it will be with you instantly. The SLIM program user guide includes: How the Ultimate Herbal SLIM program works The key four areas of weight management Stage One – Goal Setting Weight gain in the modern world BMI – Body Mass Index Body Types WHR – Waist to hip ratio BIA – Bioimpedance analysis GAY – Good about yourself Stage Two – Ultimate Nutrition Light Air Water Beneficial nutrients Good nutrition Fats Carbohydrates Gluten Fiber Making a meal Stage Three – Taking the herbs Dose plans Stage Four – Food & Shopping Breakfast suggestions Morning and afternoon snacks Lunch suggestions Dinner suggestions Shopping list DOWNLOAD NOW