Arielle Richards

Tucked into a corner of South Yarra where Chapel Street meets Oxford, Astrid Dispensary aims to provide a holistic experience for patients accessing prescribed natural therapies. Established to improve education and support for people on alternative medicine journeys, Astrid offers a patient-centred approach to cannabinoid medicines, plant-based therapies and nutraceuticals.  Launched in 2020 by Lisa Ngyuen, an Australian-trained pharmacist active in the field of cannabis research and education, Astrid boasts a team of 40 medical professionals across two venues, with the latter opening in Byron Bay in 2023.  While several dispensaries have popped up around Melbourne since medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2016, Astrid is unique for its sophisticated yet cosy space. Inside, personable service is prioritised, with the goal of redefining the relationship between the patient and pharmacist. Reflecting the dispensary’s mission to break the taboos surrounding alternative medicines, Astrid’s design is the antithesis of what you’d expect from a pharmacy – the sage interior is inviting, doused in warm light and complemented by varnished wood panelling. Lining the walls are a range of plant-based products from premium skincare to gut-health solutions.  In addition to filling your cannabis scripts, Astrid provides clinic services including medicinal therapies, naturopathy and pathways for the cessation of smoking or vaping. Whether you’re making a foray into alternative medicine or si

Infrared therapy, ice plunges, IV drips… For those interested in optimising their wellness, P3 Recovery is Melbourne’s newest uber-tech spa, offering evidence-based therapies and the latest innovations for performance and recovery.  The three titular “Ps”, preparation, prevention and performance, illustrate the ethos, but P3 sets itself apart in its bid to champion inclusivity and friendly customer service, welcoming elite athletes, leisure athletes and health-conscious individuals alike.  A franchise with its roots in Queensland, P3 is backed by former athletes and boasts five locations across Australia, with seven still to come. The Port Melbourne location was Victoria’s first in May 2024 and was closely followed by P3 Geelong. All P3 centres feature a range of therapies across four distinct zones, “immersion”, “recovery”, “infrared” and “performance”. Within these zones, P3 Port Melbourne offers all of the services you’d expect at a recovery centre, and then some. The wet therapy section boasts an ice plunge and four pools of varying temperatures for those interested in practising contrast therapy. Taking it further, you can receive intravenous nutrition with the personalised IV drip therapy service, or experience the power of deep heat in a full-spectrum infrared sauna. You can also indulge in breathwork, compression therapy, or heal yourself with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In spite of the state-of-the-art facilities and first-class therapies on offer, P3 sits at the more