The Optimal Rx company was developed by a group of passionate people in the natural healthcare industry, some of who are practicing naturopaths. The foundations of Optimal Rx are firmly entrenched in traditional herbal processes and philosophies; we also review and adopt the latest validated research resulting in natural supplements and liquid extracts of absolute quality.

Our passion extends itself to:

• Evidence based research to validate the therapeutic properties of herbal medicines
• Production of quality, effective and reliable natural medicines for health practitioners
• The sourcing of raw herbal material growers which are preferably as certified organic
• Education of natural therapy practitioners to ensure clinically relevant practices
  

Graduated with honors in Engineering from UWA in 1974 and worked in design & project management with international companies including BHP and Shell.

He subsequently joined Shedden Pacific an Australian engineering consulting company and progressed to Engineering Director before leaving consulting to join his wife Gill in establishing Oborne Health Supplies.  Barry completed an MBA in the first intake of the Deakin MBA program and was for a number of years a director of the Victorian Innovation Centre.

Barry brings  broad knowledge & experience of modern business practices and skills, along with a persisting desire to ensure that the Board of Optimal Rx deliver the best that is possible to clients.

Graduated in Pharmacy from Curtin University in 1975 where her love of pharmacognosy commenced under the tutelage of Professor Betts and John Baird.

Gill commenced her study of Naturopathy after the birth of her second daughter to help her with health concerns. She lectured for the College of Somatic Studies and was politically active by taking a key role in negotiations during 1989/90 for the TGA recognition of Naturopaths. Gill represented Victoria for 6 years on the CMA Federal Executive and operated busy naturopathic practices in Geelong then Prahan and Hawthorn. Gill has been a director/part owner of Victoria's leading natural products distribution company Oborne Health Supplies since 1990 and has provided formulating advice to many suppliers during that time.

Gill brings impeccable scientific knowledge, skills and experience plus a mature knowledge of traditional naturopathic, herbal medicine & philosophies which give Optimal Rx unique insights into merging the positive features & benefits of these traditions.

Gabrielle Webster
General Manager

BHSc., Adv. Dip. Herb Med., Dip Bot. Med., Dip. Nutrition, Post Grad Dip. Psychotherapy, and Cert IV Workplace & Training Herbalist, Nutritionist, and Lecturer.

Gabrielle is a naturopathic practitioner  in private practice  for 11 years. Gabrielle had been involved in sales and marketing on a global scale for an IT company for 10 years prior to becoming a naturopath. She is currently studying the Masters of Health Science in PhytoTherapy and also lecturered at the Australian College of Natural Therapies and Nature Care College until recently.

Dr Cooke has opened and run wholistic health centres within Sydney for a number of years.  After graduating from UNSW in 1979 she continued studying to complete her degree with overseas training as a general practitioner in paediatrics (UK) and plastic surgery (Canada). On returning to Australia she completed her general practice training in Brisbane (Qld), Launceston (Tas), Gloucester and Toukley(NSW).   Following this Dr Cooke completed studying with the grandfather of herbal medicine, Denis Stewart and finished other studies at Nature Care College.  She is a lecturer and prominent public speaker on talk back radio shows and a regular contributor to natural health magazines, newspapers and  television over the past eighteen years.

Phil Rasmussen Professional Practitioner Technical Advisor

Phil is an experienced pharmacist and medical herbalist, his background reflecting Phytomed's blend of traditional and modern medicine.

Whilst working as a pharmacist Phil made a decision to follow his passion and study at the School of Phytotherapy in England. He returned home to New Zealand and set up a successful practice as a consultant medical herbalist, and began making a range of liquid extracts for his own clinical use.

As a result of the efficacy achieved in Phil's own practice, Phytomed was established in 1998 making these herbal medicines available to other qualified practitioners.

For many years Phil has lectured in phytopharmacology for various colleges throughout New Zealand, and written extensively for herbal and pharmacy publications in New Zealand, the UK and Australia. He also acts as a consultant to governmental agencies and academic institutions.

Sharon Palmer
Technical Advisor

Sharon is a qualified Medical Herbalist. She studied in the USA and then practised in New York prior to returning to Australia in 2000. In Australia she spent two years researching and developing a comprehensive anti-ageing program for an integrated clinic, and in 2007 went into partnership to establish Nedlands Natural Health.

Sharon has spent over 25 years working in the area of health and fitness. Prior to becoming a Medical Herbalist Sharon was a Health Promotion Officer at Curtin University in Perth, W.A., and Director of a Corporate Health and Wellness Program.

Sharon's main interest is in hormones. All of her areas of speciality are related to hormones and hormonal imbalance. She uses advanced laboratory testing which identifies hormone and mineral levels, and biochemical pathways in the body. As a Medical Herbalist, Sharon extensively uses herbal medicine in the form of liquid herbals, but also has a major focus on nutritional support.