Personal profile
Research interests
- Quality and phytoequivalence of herbal medicine products.
- How naturopaths and herbalists define and evaluate clinical success.
- Safety, pharmacovigilance and regulation of herbal medicines.
Research Profile
Ian is a Senior Lecturer in Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine, with more than 30 years of clinical and academic experience. He has taught, designed and managed herbal and naturopathic programs across multiple institutions, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Ian has a long history of deep engagement with both the industry and the profession. He is currently a member of the Naturopathic Editorial Board for the global not-for-profit Empowered by Evidence initiative, an Expert Contributor to the Olive Wellness Institute, and Chair of the NHAA’s Board Member Advisory Committee. Ian’s ground-breaking phytoequivalence study on olive leaf extracts, and his research on the human safety of various medicinal plants, contributes to evidence-informed curriculum, and in 2021 Ian received the Bioceuticals Integrative Medicine Award for Contribution to Research and Education. Ian’s paper in 2020 on the safety of arbutin-containing herbal medicines was honoured as the Article of the Year in the Australian Journal of Herbal & Naturopathic Medicine. Ian’s current research interests include exploring how naturopaths and herbalists define and evaluate clinical outcomes with their patients, and issues of herbal pharmacovigilance. In 2006 Ian was awarded with Fellowship of the Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA), and in 2023 received Life Membership in recognition of his contributions to the profession.
Education/Academic qualification
Herbal Medicine Master of Herbal Medicines University of Sydney Award Date: 1 April 2005 Start Date: 2002 End Date: 2004 Naturopathy Diploma of Naturopathy Australasian College of Natural Therapies Award Date: 30 November 1992 Start Date: 1989 End Date: 1992 Herbal Medicine Diploma of Botanical Medicine Australasian College of Natural Therapies Award Date: 30 November 1992 Start Date: 1989 End Date: 1992 Remedial Massage Diploma of Remedial Massage Australasian College of Natural Therapies Award Date: 3 October 1991 Start Date: 1989 End Date: 1990
External positions
Member, Industry Affairs Special Interest Group, Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia
2025 → …
Research Advocate Committee Member, World Naturopathic Federation
2024 → …
Member, Antimicrobial Resistance Committee, World Naturopathic Federation
2023 → 2024
Chair, Naturopathic Editorial Committee, Natural Health Science Foundation
Aug 2019 → …
Expert Contributor, Olive Wellness Institute
2019 → …
Member, Expert Scientific Steering Committee, Boundary Bend Olives
2017 → 2022
Chair, Board Member Advisory Committee, Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia
2014 → …
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Efficacy and safety of olive leaf extract for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (ESOLED): a pilot randomised controlled trial.
Leach, M. J. (Principal Chief Investigator) & Breakspear, I. (Chief Investigator (Torrens Lead))
31/01/23 → 31/05/23
Project: Competitive Research Grant
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Efficacy and Safety of Actaea racemosa for Relieving Climacteric Complaints
Curtis, S., Moore, A. & Breakspear, I., 2025, (Submitted) In: Menopause.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
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Efficacy and safety of olive leaf extract (Olea europaea L.) for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (ESOLED): A pilot randomised controlled trial
Leach, M. J. & Breakspear, I., May 2025, In: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 59, 101949.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Efficacy and Safety of Olive Leaf Extract in adults with type 2 Diabetes: outcomes of the ESOLED clinical trial.
Leach, M. J. & Breakspear, I., 4 May 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
The Role of Herbal Medicine in Managing Cognitive Dysfunction Associated with SARS-CoV-2: Literature Review
Schultz, E. & Breakspear, I., 23 Oct 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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The Role of Herbal Medicine in Managing Cognitive Dysfunction Associated with SARS-CoV-2: Literature Review
Schultz, E. & Breakspear, I., 3 May 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
Prizes
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Australian Journal of Herbal & Naturopathic Medicine Article of the Year
Dwyer, L. (Recipient) & Breakspear, I. (Recipient), 27 May 2023
Prize: Research Recognition › Research Award
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People's Choice Research Poster Award
Breakspear, I. (Recipient) & Leach, M. J. (Recipient), 4 May 2025
Prize: Research Recognition › Research Award
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People's Choice Research Poster Award
Friend, J. (Recipient) & Breakspear, I. (Recipient), 27 May 2023
Prize: Research Recognition › Research Award
Press/Media
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Top 5 Medicinal Herbs Used in Western Herbal Medicine (and What They Do)
18/08/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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Australia’s vitamin B6 saga: Legal firm considering claims against more brands
24/07/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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The Potential Role of Olive Leaf Extract in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Insights from the ESOLED Trial
Breakspear, I. & Leach, M. J.
24/03/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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