About Us
Home About Us
The Beginnings
When migrating from Switzerland in 2008, Hans and Brigitte brought with them strong beliefs on herbal products and herbal dispensing standards. This originated from our home country not allowing any practitioners (including medical practitioners) to dispense anything from their clinic premises. Our background naturally equipped us with the knowledge and expertise we needed to set up our dispenary business.
The Progress
Our humble beginnings and meeting a profession open minded to our idea, let us progress to premises that allowed us to apply for a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) license, a huge milestone for our small operation. The requirements of a license then provided us with an opportunity to streamline our processes and implement a quality management system. This system and standard operating procedures that are part of it, allow us to produce consistent high quality products that meet consumer expectations.
The Progress
Our humble beginnings and meeting a profession open minded to our idea let us progress to premises that allowed us to apply for a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) license, a huge milestone for our small operation. The requirements of a license then provided us with an opportunity to streamline our processes and implement a quality management system. This system and standard operating procedures that are part of it, allow us to produce consistent high quality products that meet consumer expectations.
The Future
With over 12 years in the industry, we have accumulated experience and expertise in sourcing herbal products, managing stock, packaging and labeling as well as running a small business in the Australian landscape. This included setting up a Chinese medicine clinic.
Additionally, we have come to know some of the challenges that our industry faces and are deeply committed to help solve those troubles. This is the reason that we are actively involved in creating an environment that is both inspirational and supportive of practitioners and the industry as a whole. We believe that makes us different from other dispensaries in Australia. Simply stay in touch and we happily keep you in the loop!
The Importance of “Safflower”
Safflower is one of humanity’s oldest crops. It is an annual and robust plant, native to arid environments with a long dry seasons. Traditionally, safflower was grown for its seeds, and used for colouring and flavouring foods and making red and yellow dyes. In recent years, the plant has been cultivated mainly for the vegetable oil extracted from its seeds. In Chinese herbal medicine, safflower is called Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and the petals are used in patterns of blood stasis. It harmonises with its slightly warm and acrid flavor, dispersing ‘red’ as it enters the blood stream and soothes the liver. It provides fast relief as its effect on the movement of blood is rapid – stasis is transformed and pain is stopped.
The Safflower Team
Brigitte is the heart and soul of Safflower. She is responsible for marketing and the promotion of our services and products. Her global expertise in dispensing started in 2004 when she was asked to work for one of the top three dispensaries in Switzerland whilst continuing her path as lecturer and Chinese medicine practitioner. Establishing Safflower has allowed her to progress both personally and professionally and combine an array of talents in marketing, sales and quality assurance. Her Swiss heritage coupled with a creative approach and a tad of stubbornness allows her to overcome challenges and support others in a positive way. Running her own business was always a goal, she considers it as a blessing to have been able to build Safflower from the ground up. Brigitte considers it her duty and responsibility to empower and encourage others. Brigitte has published her first book (Chinese Medicine Practice Success) in May 2019.
Brigitte Linder
Founder and registered Chinese medicine practitioner
Susanne has a background in Naturopathy and indigenous studies. At present, she is completing her Diploma in Remedial Massage. Her dedication for healing with natural methods has brought her to us. She has recently moved to our area and enjoys her life close to nature and abundant wildlife. She also spends time in the garden where she is experimenting with new methods of fertilization. Her caring nature shines through every day when she supports the entire team with her nurturing personality. She also has prior expertise in running a community based organic produce cooperative as well as packaging and freighting goods across the globe.
Susanne Harradence
Dispensing Assistant
Lillian is a pharmacist with over 30 years experience. She has worked in research, community and hospital pharmacy, and has also been accredited to conduct medication reviews. Lillian has
always been interested in complementary medicines and lifestyle management and their potential to augment health. She tries to find time for daily yoga and loves to get outside when possible;
her swag has become a close friend! Lillian finds it an exciting opportunity to work with the Safflower team and bring her pharmaceutical knowledge to merge and complement the Chinese
dispensary. Along the way, she is planning to expand her understanding of Chinese herbs and how they may interact with pharmaceuticals.
Lililan Lear
Production Manager and registered Pharmacist
Dionne works in Business Development where she benefits from the creative and social outlets of marketing, events and the community projects that Safflower delves into as an aside to herbal dispensing. A creative herself, who’s background includes art and photography, Dionne loves the tonic of nature, so is particularly at home in the island paradise that Safflower calls home. When she’s not working at the dispensary, Dionne’s working towards her Chinese Medicine degree at Southern School of Natural Medicine (SSNT). Beyond health science, her work history includes occupational health and safety and aquatics and recreation. Aquatics and recreation remain a fundamental part of Dionne’s life, as her rambunctious little boys love the beach, movement of kind – gymnastics, yoga, swimming, surfing, martial arts, running endlessly – and the great outdoors, as much as their mum does.
Dionne Smith
Dispensing Assistant and Business Development
Tijana has long held a passion for healing and natural therapies, having worked at a whole foods cooperative and organic produce shop in her formative years. The experience led her to growing her own food, herbs and honeybees from which she would make poultices and creams or natural plant dyes for clothing and crafts. When the time came to start a family, Tijana was inspired to have natural home births for all three of her children (amazing!) and turned to homeopathy and anthroposophical treatments for common childhood ailments, accidents and illnesses. Tijana has taught dance in many forms, studied and practiced yoga, meditation and massage and used shiatsu and acupuncture as therapeutic treatments for herself and her family. What Tijana loves most about working at Safflower is the opportunity to draw on and further nurture her holistic health experiences.
Tijana Smith
Dispensing Assistant