Health is wealth, and that is why health can also be a source of wealth.
A healthy person can go about his business easily and enjoy the fruits of their labour. It’s even better when a healthy person makes money from helping other people stay healthy.
Chioma Okonkwo, also known as “The Fruit Nurse” is a naturopathic medicine practitioner and a practicing nurse. Her business, Sparkles Health Lifestyle is a brand that sells medical solutions in the form of fruit therapy for all kinds of ailments.
According to Web MD, naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies, including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counselling.
Techniques used in naturopathic medicine are centuries old. Modern variations of the practice have successfully fused modern medicine with the ancient techniques that were used to heal ailments.
Chioma has been practicing as a nurse for seven years and added naturopathy to her practice two years into her nursing career. She happened upon naturopathic medicine due to a special bond she shared with a patient of hers in her days as a student nurse.
“I was in 200l in nursing school when I admitted a patient with stage 4 ovarian cancer. This patient was given two months to live, and I just wanted to save this life. I started to research alternative ways to cure cancer, and stumbled on wholistic (naturopathic) medicine.” Chioma says.
“We started with juice therapy [using juices from fruits, vegetables, herbs and roots], then we changed the patient’s diet. She [the patient] went on to live for another eight years after being given only two months to live initially.
“I started my naturopathy journey after that experience. I studied with some South African doctors, took courses on nutrition and naturopathic medicine, wellness therapy, herbalism and everything that has to do with wholisitic medicine.
“I wanted to help patients beyond just being a regular nurse, so I [put my certificate to use and] practised naturopathy alongside my nursing, and in 2017, my business (Sparkles Health Style) officially launched.”