Natural Awakenings Charlotte - September 2025 Enjoy the September 2025 edition of Natural Awakenings Charlotte. A Quick Refresher I left feeling fortunate that long ago we had some wise, forward-thinking (if flawed) leaders whose actions have shaped our country and the freedoms we enjoy Read More » Are Your Bowels Talking? Poop Speaks Many people normalize symptoms like bloating, constipation, and irregular bowel movements Read More » Charlotte Area Sonny and Leslie Carl on Plasma Energy at Work in the Body Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is a highly ionized gas composed of free electrons and ions, giving it unique electrical and optical properties Read More » Lake Norman's Dr. Ben Schwartz on Maintaining a Healthy Gut Garden for Wellness Inside the digestive tract lives a vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome Read More » Charlotte's Dr. Haas With Causes of Abdominal Bloating While usually not serious, bloating can be frustrating and disruptive to daily life Read More » Collaborative Communication and Co-Parenting with a Couple in Conflict Separating couples oftentimes conflict with each other about parenting techniques and have different parenting styles Read More » Sacred Grove Retreat Hosts Third Holistic Fair Sacred Grove Retreat Center, in Gold Hill, North Carolina (only one hour from Charlotte), will host its third holistic fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 5 Read More » NeoGenix Stem Cell & Regenerative Therapies Offers Free Consultations NeoGenix Stem Cell & Regenerative Therapies, with locations in Charlotte and Cornelius, provides comprehensive free consultations with a board-certified doctor Read More » Charlotte's Awaken Spiritual Community Offers Many Fall Events Awaken Spiritual Community is launching a vibrant fall lineup of spiritually empowering events, classes and community outreach gatherings designed to uplift and unite the Charlotte community Read More » Charlotte Area The Patio Farmer Can Help Insure Bountiful Upcoming Harvests Erin Hostetler, farmer and owner of The Patio Farmer, is ready to provide expert advice on planting for successful fall and winter harvests Read More » Enjoy Fall in Western North Carolina The Dillsboro Inn, named for the town that it’s in and situated along the Tuckasegee River, is an ideal base from which to view phenomenal fall colors Read More » Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal at Gentry Dental in Charlotte Dr. Heather Gentry, owner of Gentry Dental, is certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology to perform Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) protocol Read More » Balancing the Gut: Investing in Our Inner Ecosystem Gut microbes shape digestion, immunity, and mood—but stress, meds, and processed foods can disrupt balance. Small lifestyle shifts help restore this vital inner ecosystem. Read More » Patrick Hanaway on Healing the Whole Person Dr. Patrick Hanaway shares his insights on access to functional medicine and its benefits as well as the role of gut microbiome and food on our health. Read More » Sweet and Tart: The Joys of Homemade Fruit Shrubs Fruit shrubs, tangy syrups made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar, offer gut-friendly benefits and a sustainable way to preserve seasonal produce. Read More » Farro Salad With Apple Spice Shrub Toasty farro, sweet potatoes, apples, and kale shine under a bright apple spice shrub dressing in this hearty fall-inspired salad. Read More » Fig Shrub Panzanella This roasted squash and sourdough panzanella gets a bold upgrade with fig shrub vinaigrette, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella. Read More » Wild Rice Side Dish Pomegranate shrub, pistachios, and wild rice come together in a vibrant, herb-laced salad that’s sweet, tart, and packed with texture. Read More » A Gentler Grip on the Wheel of Life Letting go of rigid control can reveal life's spontaneity, much like a dancer trusting muscle memory when the music begins. Read More » Ocean Harvests: Eco-Friendly Benefits of Seaweed Seaweed farming improves marine ecosystems, sequesters carbon, and offers sustainable food, fertilizer, and plastic alternatives. Read More » Gut Restorative Yoga: Poses That Bridge the Gut-Brain Axis Gentle yoga poses and breathwork can ease digestive issues by activating the parasympathetic system and supporting gut-brain harmony. Read More » Oral Health Benefits of Yoga: Surprising Ways To Improve a Smile Yoga may help prevent gum disease by reducing stress-driven inflammation and supporting posture, breathing, and oral microbiome balance. Read More » Childhood Friendships: How To Support a Kid’s Social Development Supporting children’s friendships means modeling calm, emotional presence and letting kids navigate social growth with empathy and trust. Read More » Guide to Canine Hormonal Balance: Strategies To Overcome Spay-Neuter Syndrome Early spaying or neutering may disrupt canine hormone health; natural diets, herbs, and glandular support can help restore balance. Read More » Food Companies To Discontinue Food Dyes Major food brands will remove synthetic dyes by 2026, responding to health concerns over behavioral effects in children. Read More » Global Integration of Traditional Medicine WHO’s new strategy supports research and regulation of traditional medicine while protecting Indigenous rights and safety standards. Read More » Cranberry Products for Urinary Tract Infections Cranberry juice and capsules may prevent UTIs in susceptible groups, but show limited benefit for pregnant women and the elderly. Read More » Youth Develops Heart Disease Detector A 14-year-old's AI app detects heart issues via smartphone audio, achieving 96% accuracy in early trials across two countries. Read More » Heavy Metals in Rice Arsenic was found in all U.S. rice brands tested; long-term exposure raises health concerns, especially for infants and pregnant women. Read More » Endangered Butterfly Benefits From Hurricanes Hurricanes help Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies by promoting new growth of key host plants, boosting a once-dwindling population. Read More » Our Universe Proposed as a Computer Simulation A new theory suggests gravity may be an information-saving function in a simulated universe, challenging current physics models. Read More » The Dirty Suitcase Suitcase wheels harbor more bacteria than toilet seats, including staph and E. coli, raising hygiene concerns for frequent travelers. Read More » Only One Country Is Food Secure A global study found only Guyana fully self-sufficient in key food groups, highlighting risks in global food security. Read More » Eco-Friendly Cattle Feeding seaweed to grazing cattle cut methane emissions by 38%, offering a promising climate solution without impacting weight or health. Read More » Packing School Lunch With Zero Waste Zero-waste lunch packing with reusable containers and homemade snacks helps reduce landfill waste and encourages healthier eating habits. Read More » In-Print