Every autumn, basket in hand, I find myself moving slowly along the hedgerows of Tasmania harvesting hawthorn berries - and every year I'm reminded that somewhere along the way, herbalists put this plant in a box. Hawthorn became "the cardiovascular herb," and in doing so, we sidelined the berry: the part most widely used traditionally, and the part modern research is now revealing as a powerful, gut-mediated medicine. From TCM's Shan Zha to the latest microbiome science, it's time to bring the berry back to the table.

Many people worry about their brain health as they get older - memory loss, brain fog, or even the risk of diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. What's often overlooked is that one of the most powerful influences on your brain may be happening quietly in your gut microbiome. Recent research suggests that certain gut bacteria can produce prion-like proteins that may influence the earliest stages of neurodegeneration. The hopeful news? By eating more plants, fibre, and polyphenol-rich foods, and by protecting your gut lining, you're not only caring for your digestion - you're investing in your brain's future and supporting your health span.