How Nature Became His Greatest Teacher in Healing – Exclusive Interview with Sebastian Liew
- Brainz Magazine
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
After graduating from Singapore Polytechnic in 1989, Sebastian Liew began his journey with various multinational companies. Despite achieving some success, an inner discontentment loomed over him. Each day felt like a battle, leaving an emptiness in his heart. Struggling with depression, he turned to antidepressant medications and, in a moment of vulnerability, prayed, “Use me for whatever you want me to do.”
Sebastian Liew, Medical Herbalist
What led you to specialise in Phytotherapy and Naturopathy at Leaf to Life?
After graduating from Singapore Polytechnic in 1989 with an engineering diploma, I began my career at various multinational companies, including Hewlett-Packard. Despite achieving success and financial stability, I felt a deep inner discontent. Each day spent working closely with top management felt like a battle, leaving me feeling empty. Struggling with depression, I turned to antidepressant medications and, in a moment of vulnerability, prayed, "Use me for whatever you want me to do."
Soon after, I discovered my desire to pursue something entirely different. I longed to step out of my comfort zone, even if it meant sacrificing my regular income. I wanted to explore the unknown and uncover my true passions. The first skill that called me was, surprise! - fashion makeup.
As fate would have it, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Shortly thereafter, several mentors entered my life, guiding me through beauty therapy, aromatherapy, spa therapy, and eventually, naturopathy and herbal medicine. Supporting my ageing parents, coming from a low-income family, made it challenging to embrace this unknown field fully. I wrestled with the question: "How can I earn a living while caring for my parents?"
A transformative experience during a three-day stay at an organic herbal farm changed everything. An inner grace connected me deeply with nature as I touched the plants, tasted their leaves and flowers, and savoured their aromas. This connection uplifted my spirit, filled me with love, and opened me to the wisdom of universal intelligence. Inspired and awakened, I moved closer to my true self. For the first time, I realised I was not alone in my struggles; invisible forces were guiding me. The call of the plants and the awareness of divine love were so profound that they brought me to tears during a sharing session.
Following this spiritual awakening, I dedicated myself to plant medicine.
Why am I so passionate about Phytotherapy even after 20 years? Because it works: it not only supports symptom relief but, more importantly, heals the root causes of disease.
Today, I lead a thriving clinical practice in Singapore, specialising in the holistic treatment of chronic diseases, including autoimmune disorders, skin conditions, women's and men's health, digestive issues, and age-related conditions.
How do you define the role of "the inner doctor" within each person's healing journey?
Our bodies possess self-healing mechanisms recognised by various names across cultures. I call this innate self-healing capability "the inner doctor."
The inner doctor is a God-given, self-healing mechanism within us, representing the innate wisdom that tirelessly maintains our health, repairs damage, and guides us towards well-being.
You don't need to believe in it for it to work, though it certainly helps. For example, when you cut yourself, the wound can heal on its own. If you consume something contaminated, your body may respond with diarrhoea as the inner doctor facilitates detoxification. If you contract a viral infection and develop a fever, that's your body's way of boosting the immune system to fight the virus.
All we need to do is support this inner doctor by creating the right conditions for self-healing.
If you nurture a plant with the right conditions for growth, healthy soil, water, sunlight, and love, it will thrive on its own. You do not (and cannot) force it to grow faster. The plant has a vital force (inner doctor) that drives its growth, encouraged by the right conditions. As Pasteur, the father of microbiology, said, "The germ (virus, bacteria) is nothing; the terrain is everything."
Can you walk us through how you identify and address the root cause of health issues rather than just treating symptoms?
Let me share a recent patient case that highlights the power of energetic assessment over traditional medical evaluation. A patient sought my help for excessive earwax after a year of unsuccessful visits to an ENT specialist.
Through tongue diagnosis, rooted in both Greek and Western herbal medicine, along with pulse assessment, I utilised my 7 Healers model to investigate the lifestyle factors that might be influencing her condition, particularly her sleep patterns. My evaluation revealed damp stagnation in her gallbladder, which was the underlying cause of her earwax accumulation.
I crafted a herbal tincture to support her gallbladder and recommended avoiding inflammatory foods like gluten and oils. After just a month, her issue was resolved, with no recurrence.
In another case from over a decade ago, a mother approached me for her son, who was suffering from chronic rhinitis and later diagnosed with adenoid hypertrophy–a condition for which surgery was recommended. Choosing to explore Phytotherapy first, she placed her trust in a more natural approach.
My thorough assessment uncovered root causes, including food intolerance, poor digestion, inadequate lymphatic flow, and heat toxins. With tongue diagnosis and careful evaluation, I discovered the patient had a heat/irritation tissue state, suggesting a tendency toward hyper-reactivity to stress. I guided him on how to process his anger (a form of heat energy), advised him to avoid heating foods, and encouraged a consistent sleep routine by 10 PM. After 4 to 5 months of treatment, he fully recovered with no recurrence. Today, as a young man in his early 20s, he is passionate about his health. For me, that transformation is an inspiring victory.
What is the unique value of your "7 Healers™" holistic approach for someone seeking long-term well-being?
The 7 Healers represent my holistic wellness model, guiding individuals in preventive health, healthy ageing, and the comprehensive treatment of health challenges. Often, despite investing time and resources in diet, exercise, and therapies, individuals still wonder why they struggle with health issues–many clients express frustration, asking how they can remain unwell despite their best efforts.
The uniqueness of my approach lies in teaching individuals to start their wellness journey from the core of their being–their soul. All supporting tools foster the soul's growth toward love and service to others. Our wellness is intricately linked to recognising the divine presence in all aspects of life–not just in sacred moments but in our daily experiences. By doing so, we cultivate healthy relationships with ourselves, others, nature, and the Source (God, the Great Spirit, the Ultimate Mystery). A change in consciousness (the soul) is essential for lasting stress reduction and optimal wellness.
You may be exploring various forms of medicine–conventional, herbal, or alternative therapies such as chiropractic, homeopathy, or reflexology. However, without addressing the seven terrains, you may find yourself merely treating symptoms rather than the root cause.
You can discover more in my book, My Healing Life, or my first book, From Leaf to Life, available on Amazon.
How does your clinic integrate natural and non-invasive treatments alongside conventional medicine?
Firstly, I respect my patients' choice regarding their medications; I don't ask them to stop unless they personally opt for natural medicine. If they are on pharmaceutical medications, I assess nutrient deficiencies and explore how herbs can enhance their bodily functions and complement primary treatments. I also teach patients non-invasive methods to manage their conditions, including hydrotherapy, dietary changes, meditation, and prayer.
What types of conditions or clients most benefit from your personalised care model?
In general, chronic diseases and age-related disorders. With over twenty years of clinical experience, I have found that conditions benefiting most include autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases (eczema, hives, psoriasis, blistering conditions), children's health issues, hormonal imbalances in both men and women, digestive disorders such as colitis, mild depression, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, mental tension, sleep disorders, cancer support, gum diseases, poor immunity, respiratory issues, recovery from heart attacks or strokes, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, infections, and more.
Can you share a case or result that illustrates how your approach delivered a meaningful transformation?
In 2017, a vibrant young man came to me seeking help for his chronic autoimmune arthritic condition. He was burdened by an autoimmune disorder that caused intense joint pain. For three years, he endured significant discomfort and relied on potent immunosuppressants, steroids, and painkillers to cope with his symptoms. His specialist informed him he would need these medications for life, a notion he couldn't bear to accept.
He decided to try alternative treatments, such as experimenting with different diets, fasting, and earthing daily. All these helped, but he was still unable to wean off the drugs entirely. The disease would come back every time he tried. Eventually, he found me. He tried my holistic approach to treatment. In 3 months, he was pain-free and off all medications! It's been more than 5 years now, and he continues to support my health with Phytotherapy. His blood test results and all inflammation markers returned to normal.
This healing journey led him to pursue Phytotherapy as a profession, and he found his calling to help others with chronic diseases heal naturally. I am very proud of him.
What's the biggest mistake people make when trying to recover their health, and how do you help them avoid it?
One major mistake is failing to trust the body's incredible ability to heal itself. Many do not recognise their inner healing potential, which leads to a loss of responsibility for their health. This mindset can foster feelings of hopelessness and melancholy, ultimately weakening the immune system.
Another common issue is patient non-compliance. When the physician is genuinely committed to healing, it is in the patient's best interest to embrace their advice and implement their recommendations. It takes humility to follow instructions, and over-intellectualising the situation hinders healing. Remember, healing is a partnership between the practitioner and the patient.
How can I help? My role is to educate and empower my clients during consultation sessions.
What can a potential client expect in their first consultation with you? What is the process, and what outcomes do you aim to achieve?
The journey begins with a comprehensive review of the client's medical history and primary concerns. I perform a differential diagnosis, supported by tongue diagnosis (following the Western herbal medicine model) to assess tissue health. I also explore disease patterns from both medical and energetic perspectives.
If further assessment is necessary, I utilise functional tests, additional medical tests, a nutritional profile assessment, and gut testing. The plant medicines I prescribe are designed to stimulate and strengthen the body's natural functions, guiding it toward self-healing.
I approach each client as a unique individual, creating a holistic diagnosis tailored to their specific needs. Herbal remedies may include combinations of plants and can be delivered as teas, tinctures, capsules, tablets, or topical lotions/creams.
My long-term goal is to empower patients to discover vitality in both their bodies and their souls, embracing healthy ageing.
For someone ready to take control of their health, what is the next step to connect with you?
It is better to be educated than to be medicated. I encourage you to explore my educational resources to understand holistic medicine better.
I invite you to join my free classes on my website.
You can also find my books on Amazon:
Additionally, follow my Telegram channel for valuable educational tips and knowledge. If you feel called to connect, reach out for a consultation by sending a text-only WhatsApp message to +65 8820 7661 or by emailing me here.
I also founded Leaf to Life ®, a product brand dedicated to supporting your healing journey. I am keen to connect with regional partners who share our vision of introducing signature products to support the wellness of your community. Together, let's build a healing community.
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