Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

Episode: UTIs, Pap Smears, Ear Infections, Natural Teething Remedies & More! | With Taylor Dukes
Date: October 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this information-packed episode, Alex Clark sits down for a second time with her friend Taylor Dukes, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, integrative health advocate, and founder of Taylor Dukes Wellness. The conversation flows through a wide range of women’s health, parenting, and holistic wellness topics — from navigating mammograms, UTIs, and pap smears, to safer household choices, non-toxic living, holistic child-raising (including homeschooling and teething remedies), and advice for resetting the nervous system. Taylor also shares updates on her health, family’s move to a farm, and how slowing down and simplifying have radically changed her life.

The vibe is friendly, honest, faith-oriented, with a focus on actionable, natural solutions for women and families looking to reduce toxicity and improve their health — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Taylor Dukes' Functional Medicine Journey and Healing (02:27–04:29)

• Background: Taylor shares her journey into functional medicine. After years of mysterious symptoms (joint pain, rashes, inflammation), she found healing through a functional medicine provider.
  • “People get into the integrative functional world because they’re sick or they’re smart...I was sick.” (02:27–02:36)
• Brain Tumor & Integrative Oncology: In 2022, a full-body scan found a brain tumor. Integrative oncology, faith, and lifestyle changes brought her to full recovery.
  • “I was gifted this full body preventative scan...and that's when they found the brain tumor, which led me down this whole integrative oncology journey.” (02:54–03:10)

What is Functional Medicine? (03:22–03:57)

• Definition: Instead of quick fixes/“pill for ill,” functional medicine asks “why” symptoms occur, digs for root causes, emphasizes lifestyle over medication.
  • “Functional medicine really asks the why question...how can we improve this person’s life and their quality of life?” (03:23–03:57)

Holistic Living is About Removal, Not More Product (04:29–05:23)

• Social media biohacking makes healthy living look expensive, but Taylor insists:
  • “It’s more about removal than it is adding things in...We just have to get back to eating real food, sleeping, spending time outdoors, moving our bodies.” (04:41–05:20)

Individualized Health & Epigenetics (06:10–08:55)

• “We're all bio individuals...we also are just bio individuals. We have different lifestyles, different schedules, different needs, body types.” (06:10–06:36)
• Genetics don't determine destiny — epigenetics empower us.
  • “Genetics load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.” (08:26–08:55)

Family, Farm Life, & Resetting the Nervous System

Life Change: Moving to a Farm (09:18–11:06)

• After her diagnosis, Taylor’s family sold their home, downsized, and moved to a farm near Fort Worth.
  • “For us, I was like, I really want to raise my boys on land...we finally found...a farm. So we moved to a farm.” (09:18–10:10)
• No farming experience, but the benefits include increased family time, outdoor activities, slower pace, and reduced exposure to EMFs.
  • “I honestly...didn’t know what we were missing out on. It is incredible.” (10:54–11:06)

Slowing Down & Changing Priorities (11:06–13:33)

• Taylor highlights the nervous system benefits of a less hectic, nature-centered lifestyle.
  • “I have been more at peace. It's led to just more time outside...we have slowed down, in a sense, and definitely getting away from EMFs.” (11:53–12:19)
• Strategies for reducing EMF exposure in the home: “We hardwired our house...we are thoughtful about choices and making it a healthy home.” (12:23–12:46)

Hormones, Stress, & The Nervous System

Stress & Adrenal Health (12:46–16:13)

• Chronic stress is normalized but destructive; manifests as insomnia, gut issues, emotional instability.
  • “We’ve so normalized stress in our society...your nervous system is dysregulated.” (12:54–13:36)
• Supporting adrenals: “It’s all the free medicine stuff...sunshine, fresh air, grounding...just five minutes with your feet in the ground can literally shift you into a parasympathetic state.” (14:11–14:32)

Practical Tips for Busy Lives & Moms (19:52–20:47)

• Involving the whole family, especially kids, in daily resets (getting morning sunshine, minerals, grounding, Epsom salt baths).
  • “Parents...set the pace of the tone. So if you’re stressed, your kid’s gonna be stressed.” (19:52–20:10)
• On social media fasting: limiting screen use improves ability to be present and parent well.

Trauma, Healing, & Whole-Body Wellbeing

Trauma’s Role in Chronic Illness and Cancer (21:10–22:13)

• Taylor emphasizes the link between unprocessed trauma and immune dysfunction.
  • “Every single person that I’ve at least gotten close to...has some, you know, part of trauma. And including myself.” (21:20–21:36)
• True healing includes addressing trauma, not just physical health.

The Surprising Dental Connection in Chronic Illness (22:13–24:54)

• Cavitations (hidden jaw infections after wisdom teeth removal) were a factor in Taylor's case.
  • “Three out of four sockets have cavitation infections. Yeah. So I’m getting surgery in October in Utah.” (23:05–23:24)

Creating a Non-Toxic Home (25:06–29:37)

• Steps to reduce household toxins: non-toxic paint (ECOS), hardwiring internet, avoiding toxic flooring stains, careful use of wallpaper, air purification, and clean water systems.
  • “We just use real food ingredients.” (80:50)
• Key priorities: clean air, water, and organic bedding/mattresses, especially for children.
  • “Our bedrooms are where we spend the money. And so having a good, clean mattress is so important...” (27:44–28:17)

Parenting, Homeschooling, and Public School Concerns

Homeschooling & Co-ops (32:00–37:53)

• Taylor is choosing a Christian, nature-based homeschool co-op over private/public schools.
  • “She's gonna be the one influencing and teaching our children, which is super important.” (32:08–32:28)
• Strong criticism of public school mandates and pharmaceutical influence.
  • “I do not see one redeeming quality or reason why any Christian conservative family should send their kids to public school at this point. None.” (34:33–34:51)

Advancing Play-Based & Individual Learning

• “A lot of kids this day and age, they need to play...especially for boys, they're just, they're different.” (33:08–33:30)
• On school efficiency: “They didn’t need to go to school for eight hours a day. They needed two hours of concentrated work.” (36:48–37:18)

Women’s Health Deep Dive

Pap Smears & Mammograms — What’s Actually Necessary? (57:32–70:35)

• Strong skepticism toward routine mammograms and frequent pap smears:
  • “They expose you to unnecessary radiation...your friend is young, so she could have just fibroids in her breast...There are other options...MRI, ultrasound, QT imaging, thermogram.” (57:47–58:43)
  • Pap smears: “Getting a PAP smear every two years is totally overkill, especially for...a 35 year old female...in a monogamous relationship...” (69:50–70:35)
  • Focus more on immune support, vaginal microbiome, lifestyle—not just routine screening.

Safer Period Products, Lube, & Condoms (67:05–51:38)

• Key advice: Use 100% organic cotton period products, avoid fragrance.
  • “It’s unbelievably important that it is totally 100 organic cotton. Because think about what those cotton crops are sprayed with.” (67:09–67:56)
• Non-toxic lube recommendations: “Coconut oil...Woo (brand).” (50:43–51:04)
• Safer condoms: “Sustain is a really clean brand.” (51:38)

Motherhood Health Hacks

Handling UTIs, Ear Infections, and Teething (46:31–67:05)

• Chronic UTIs: Heal the gut, support immune system, try D-mannose, cranberry, hydration, urinating after intercourse.
  • “It’s an immune system issue that it cannot take care of that infection...heal their gut...try D-Mannose, cranberry extract, flushing with enough water.” (46:40–47:59)
• Yeast infections: Watch for fragranced detergents, use cotton underwear.
• Ear infections: Support symptoms, no rush to antibiotics; try steam, red light therapy, herbal ear drops.
  • “Most of the time ear infections are viral...It just needs a couple days.” (66:12–66:36)
• Teething: Cold chewable toys, homeopathic chamomile drops, avoid numbing gels.
  • “We make them comfortable...we’ve never used Tylenol or ibuprofen, none of that.” (66:14–66:36)

Healthy Living Tips & Holistic Practices

Everyday Detox and Wellness

• Baseline labs: CBC, CMP, vitamin D, homocysteine, full thyroid panel.
• Supplements: Prioritize B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3s, probiotics (when needed).
• Creatine: “So good for your brain...mood benefits, strength benefits...It gets a stigma, but women benefit, too.” (45:16–45:32)
• Bone broth protein: Clean, collagen-rich, doesn’t taste “soupy.” (59:44–60:37)
• Practical daily resets: Rest, grounding, micro-moments of calm, intentional family practices, Sabbath-like pauses.

Travel & Airport Hacks

• After flights: Grounding (bare feet on grass or sand). “Within five minutes, I felt like I had taken a nap. I was a new person.” (68:02–68:40)
• Opt out of 3D body scanners, hydrate with electrolytes, take magnesium.

Clean Cleaning & Home Products

• Non-toxic cleaners work: “Have you tried Branch Basics?...It works just as good.” (29:45–30:08)
• Ladybug Steamer for deep, no-chemical cleaning (63:43–64:54)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• “Genetics load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.” — Taylor Dukes, (08:26)
• “You’d think she’d been married...You’ve surrounded yourself with such godly people that have given you such sound wisdom.” — Taylor on Alex, (78:09)
• “I’m not going to tell everyone to move to a farm, but I do think we have to reclaim rest...We are a culture that glorifies the hustle, do more, sleep less.” — Taylor Dukes, her remedy to heal culture (82:02)
• “Fragrance...is an endocrine disruptor. It can mimic estrogen in the body.” — Taylor on air fresheners, (31:00)
• “If you made time for [micro-moments of rest]...it could really be a game changer.” — Taylor, (16:39)
• “Public school...is an absolute tactic to make sure that they’re getting your kid on that pharmaceutical treadmill for life.” — Alex, (34:08)
• “Our bedrooms are where we spend the money. ... having a good, clean mattress is so important.” — Taylor, (27:44)
• “You don't need to be wearing like fancy lacy bras around every single day with underwire. That's obstructing your lymphatic system.” — Taylor, (49:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:27 – Taylor’s health story, brain tumor
• 03:22 – Functional medicine explained
• 06:10 – Individualized health and epigenetics
• 09:18 – Moving to a farm and family changes
• 12:46–16:13 – Stress, adrenals, and practical nervous system resets
• 21:10 – Trauma as a factor in chronic illness
• 22:13 – Dental health, cavitations, and illness
• 25:06 – Making a non-toxic home
• 32:00 – Choosing homeschool, public school concerns
• 46:31 – UTIs: root causes and remedies
• 66:12 – Ear infections: when to skip antibiotics
• 66:14 – Natural teething remedies
• 69:50 – Pap smears: how often is necessary?
• 57:32 – Mammograms: alternative options, risks

Conclusion: The Remedy for a Sick Culture

Taylor’s top remedy is “reclaiming rest.” She advocates slowing down, simplifying, connecting with the natural world, and rebuilding family rhythms — pushing back against hustle culture for truly sustainable wellness.

“For us, that looked like moving to land. Just connecting with nature. It’s how God intended us to live. Resting...we are a culture that glorifies the hustle, do more, sleep less. It’s a lie.” (82:02)

Where to Find More

• Taylor Dukes Wellness: Website | Instagram @taylordukeswellness
• Culture Apothecary: Mondays & Thursdays | YouTube | Instagram @cultureapothecary
• Product Recommendations: Mention codes “Alex” or “RealAlexClark” for discounts at featured brands.

Rich With Practical Wisdom, Relatable Stories, and Honest Hot Takes — This episode is a must-listen for women and families seeking to cut through the wellness noise and adopt simple, holistic health upgrades.