By Marion Colledge
These are strange and unprecedented times for all of us and the uncertainty about what may happen next and the worry about illness can be a great cause of anxiety.
I therefore wanted to share some of my personal top tips on how to look after your health with herbs.
Boost Your Immune System
• Make sure you eat plenty of of nourishing home-cooked food. Garlic has wonderful antimicrobial properties and onions are high in Vitamin C so be sure to add these to as many foods as possible.
• Ginger contains antioxidants and an infusion with chopped fresh ginger makes a lovely drink which warms you up from the inside.
• Eat plenty of fruit and veg - the phytonutrients found in these are important for good health. Ideally 8-10 portions per day, fresh, cooked, in smoothies, whatever you prefer.
• Herbs such as Echinacea and Astragalus boost immune function, it’s good to have one of these on hand so you can start taking them at the first sign of a cold or flu.
• Elderberry syrup has lots of antioxidants and immune-boosting properties and has been shown effective in relieving symptoms of cold and flu.
• Linden tea is a great all rounder: it contains antioxidants so boosts general health, it can help to relieve anxiety, it acts as a diaphoretic, meaning it encourages the body to sweat in a fever, and it helps to soothe the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Keep Stress Levels Down
Easier said than done…. But
• Cortisol - the stress hormone - has a suppressant effect on the immune system. Therefore it’s really important in this time of heightened anxiety to try and keep your stress levels down. Herbal teas that can help you stay calm are Lemonbalm, Chamomile and Verbena amongst many others.
• Exercise is also a great stress-reliever and immune booster — preferably outside, but avoid crowded spaces!
Keep well and calm!
Marion x
Marion Colledge, Medical Herbalist BSc (Hons) MNIMH
marioncolledge@gmx.de
ONLINE HERBAL MEDICINE CONSULTATION AVAILABLE WITH MARION