DR MARILYN GOLDEN

About Dr Marilyn Golden

My education

I was privileged to study Medicine at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and I was very fortunate to be selected to serve my internship at the renowned Groote Schuur hospital (the hospital where Professor Chris Barnard performed the world's first ever Heart Transplant). I spent the next 6 years working in various hospital departments, namely: paediatric surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, intensive care and renal unit, infectious diseases hospital, geriatric outpatients department, as well as having to do the dreaded casualty night duty shifts. When my father took ill, medical science could not provide a diagnosis nor an effective treatment and his lingering illness caused us immense heartache and frustration with the lack of hope and lack of options for treatment.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do a short crash course in multidisciplinary complementary medicine in June of 1983 with Dr Julian Kenyon from Harley Street in London and the course of my career changed completely. I realised that I had to widen my thinking and become educated in complementary forms of healing that would support my Western Medicine practice and offer patients more. I knew that I could only understand the benefits or otherwise of other therapeutic modalities through studying and qualifying in each one. I set about learning and qualifying in as many complementary disciplines as I could. I earned diplomas and certification in Homoeopathy, Clinical Nutrition, Plant based Nutrition ( Cornell University, Ithaca, NY),Aromatherapy and Phytotherapy (Western Herbs) and certificates in Traditional Chinese Herbal medicine, Menopausal medicine and Laser therapy. I studied Medical Acupuncture, topping NSW in the Medical Fellowship examination.

I have learned that it is essential to view illness from the perspective of a functional as well as a pathological imbalance and there are many levels of assessment and treatment. Healing is a process best facilitated by an integrated therapeutic approach. Chinese Medicine Diagnosis often leads me to a better medical diagnosis through its unique diagnostic methods, including extensive history taking, pulse, tongue diagnosis and abdominal palpation.

My inspiration

I was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. (Now Zimbabwe.) I was inspired to heal by my late father, Leslie, who was a Spiritual Healer and who introduced me to an understanding of healing and showed me the spiritual path. He left this earth at a very young age, but his presence is beside me always. My brother, Alan, was murdered by a drunk driver at the age of 10 years in 1966 when we were involved in a motor vehicle accident as we sat together in the car on the way back from my show jumping training. The trauma of that day has left an indelible mark on my life and my work, teaching me more empathy, compassion and appreciation for life and health. His life and death influence me every day.

I pay respect to my Teachers past and present whose teaching, support and guidance have enabled me to help others more effectively. The late Peter Townsend introduced me to the History, Traditions and Strengths of Traditional Chinese Herbal medicine. Peter – your teaching is with me every day in practice. You passed before my final examination but your presence is in every room in my clinic.

I give thanks to my teachers in the Australian Medical Acupuncture College, Emily Teo and Kit Sun Lao. I taught for the college for 13 years and learned through teaching.

Dr Jim Chalmers (Scotland) has taught me Nogier Auricular Acupuncture – what a wonderful world of healing through the diagnostics and acupuncture treatment of the ear.
Dr Robert Chu

Dr Robert Chu (Pasadena, California) has introduced me to the incredible practice of Master Tung’s Acupuncture. He has made it possible for me to help patients achieve remarkable results through his clear and accessible teaching of the Tung Family Acupuncture Tradition. Master Tung Acupuncture is profoundly effective.


Dr Henry McCann ( New Jersey ) teaches me Master Tung acupuncture in his classical and fascinating manner and I am grateful to both my Teachers .


Denis Stewart taught me the foundations of respect for plants in Herbal medicine, from the field to the laboratory to the patient.


Dr Julian Kenyon opened my eyes to endless possibilities of study in Complementary medicine.


My Teachers in Medical School who stand tall in my memory – Prof Roy Keaton who pushed me beyond all limits to learn to manage an intensive care unit, renal unit and do renal research simultaneously on very little sleep! Professor Jannie Louw and the surgical department of Groote Schuur hospital and Red Cross Children’s Paediatric Surgery department, the Nurses in every department and Midwives in Obstetrics who taught me so much. The tough education I received in Medical school in Cape Town is set in concrete and comes to the rescue at unexpected moments.

My journey to wellness


I have personally experienced debilitating autoimmune disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. I have overcome these through my total dedication to living
a vegan lifestyle and by treating myself with Nutritional Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture plus Meditation practice and Qigong. This is a system developed over millennia in China to increase vitality and longevity and to achieve optimal health and inner peace. I also practice Yoga, having completed level One studies in Yoga teaching. I do have to rely on one orthodox medication, so I can honestly say that I have healed myself through Integrative and Western Medicine. I value my energy and health and it is my absolute joy to teach others how to achieve this. I try to think of bringing compassion and kindness into every human interaction wherever possible.
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