As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm cup of herbal tea to keep you cozy and healthy. At ReMed Natural Medicine Clinic, we believe in the power of natural medicine to support your immune system. Here are some of our favourite immune-boosting herbal teas to help you stay well this winter!

Echinacea Tea

Echinacea is renowned for its immune-enhancing properties. This herbal tea can help reduce the duration of colds and support your overall immunity. Enjoying a cup of echinacea tea daily can be a simple yet effective way to boost your immune system,

Ginger Tea

Ginger is a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. It aids digestion and boosts immunity, making it a perfect winter companion. You can add a slice of fresh ginger to hot water or use ginger tea bags for convenience. Either way, ginger tea is a soothing and warming treat.

Elderberry Tea

Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, elderberry tea is a popular choice for warding off colds and flu. Its immune-boosting properties make it an excellent addition to your winter wellness routine.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Combining turmeric with a dash of black pepper enhances absorption, allowing you to enjoy the full benefits. Turmeric tea is not only warming but also a powerful ally in supporting your immune system.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is known for its ability to soothe the digestive tract and its antimicrobial properties. It can help relieve congestion and keep your respiratory system clear, making it an excellent choice during the winter months.

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, making it excellent for soothing sore throats and boosting immunity. However, if you have high blood pressure, it’s best to consult with your naturopath before incorporating licorice tea into your routine.

Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm is known for its coming effects and antiviral properties. It’s perfect for reducing stress and supporting the immune system. Enjoying a cup of warm lemon balm tea can help you relax while bolstering your body’s immune system.

Rosehip Tea

Rich in vitamin c, rosehip tea is fantastic for boosting your immune response. Its tart, fruity flavour is a delightful addition to you winter tea collection, offering both taste and health benefits.

Immune-boosting herbal teas are just one way to keep your immunity strong this winter. Check out some more naturopathic tips and tricks on the blog or to learn about how our team of practitioners can help you, book a FREE Health Reset Consultation today.

 

I am sitting here writing this post after my mini pre-Christmas panic. How on earth did it get from the start of November to now a week off Christmas Day?! I thought I was organised; maybe I am; however, it doesn’t stop that feeling of ‘there is more to do.’  Don’t get me wrong, I adore Christmas and everything about it, what I don’t understand is the general rush and craziness associated. As we get closer to the end of the year, many feel under pressure, dealing with looming deadlines, increased financial demand, some have to work through or maybe have lost a loved one. I certainly don’t know all the answers, what I do know is the importance of taking a moment to stop…and breath. No matter how busy you are, or think you are, stop and take a moment.

Here are a few tips to get you through the Christmas period.

Prioritise

One thing we can do is look at our priorities, all too often we have too big ‘to do’ list and have unrealistic expectations of ourselves. Unfortunately, these unrealistic expectations lead to exhaustion and disappointment that we didn’t get it all done.

What needs to be done now?…If it means stepping over and ignoring the mess in your home, fine, you can clean another day.

Woman are often labelled great ‘multi-taskers,’ and yes, we are. We can cook while helping out with homework, answer phone calls, feed our babies while placating and looking after the older children, organise work tasks and home demands. However, multitasking can also lead to the feeling that you never actually get anything done. So, when you feel overwhelmed, I recommend you focus on less and do it well. Don’t expect to get a million things done in one day; this is especially for mothers with very young children. Choose one or two things, and yes, congratulate yourself for getting them done.

An excellent teacher of mine always said, we cannot control what goes on around us, but we can learn to respond appropriately. It takes practice; I don’t think it matters whether we get this right, as long as we practice. I will often get patients to try mindfulness; this is one of the sites I suggest http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/

Mindfulness doesn’t require you to sit down and meditate, it just requires you to be in the moment, now…not thinking about what you should or could be doing.

These meditations run from 4 to 10 minutes, again, it just requires time and patience.

Naturopathic remedies

Bach Flower Essences

Bach flower essences come to mind for this time of year, you can buy them from a good health food shop, or your naturopath can make you up a treatment specific to your needs.

Elm

Elm is indicated for occasional feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion from over-striving. Elm exhaustion is temporary; it is when we momentarily lack self-confidence. Usually, when things are goingas planned, the Elm type will be well aware of their mission and be more than capable of fulfilling it, however, when they are out of balance the increased responsibility will make them feel the task is impossible to complete.  Elm also supports the immune system especially during increased work and life demands.

Tissue Salts

Tissue salts are an alternative treatment to herbs if compliance due to taste is an issue, often they are overlooked; however, they are worth considering. Kali phos or Potassium phosphate, is a remedy indicated for this time of year as it nourishes the nervous system. It can help with irritability, insomnia, and malaise, which is not uncommon this time of the year. Symptoms aggravated by stress and worry can respond well to this remedy to ensure a smoother transition into the New Year.

Herbs to consider

Adaptogens are a class of herbs which help to body adapt to stress; they don’t just affect one body system they have a general effect and increase your resistance to pressure. Adaptogens are better to use long-term; they indeed are not a quick fix. Most adaptogens come from the root of a plant, which means making them up as a tea requires time, you need to stop and take time out to brew these herbs up as you can’t just throw the tea bag into a cup with boing water. Your herbalist or naturopath can also make these up into a liquid herbal mix if that is what you require.

Withania Somnifera, or Ashwagandha is a herb commonly used inAyurvedic medicine which helps to provide the vitality to help you get through your day. This particular herb also helps improve the quality of sleep which of course will mean increased productivity and clarity. Ashwagandha is an excellent herb when you feel ‘tired and wired,’ traditionally this herb is taken as a powder mixed into milk before bed to support a restful sleep (Herbal Academy New England 2014).

Ocimum tenuiflorum otherwise known as Holy Basil, is revered as the “Queen of herbs” in India and holds immense importance in Ayurvedic medicine. Holy Basil increases our capacity to cope with stress and enhances our ability to adapt to a stressful environment (Mohan, Amberkar & Kumari 2011). Many studies indicate Holy Basil has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and antioxidant, a first-class panacea! (Mohan et al. 2011). As a member of the mint family, it is a pleasant tasting herb, and there are some lovely teas available combining Holy Basil with other herbs to support your nervous system.

How does your stress manifest?

Lastly, try and determine where you hold your stress, some people hold it in their musculoskeletal system which manifests as headaches and muscle pain, others hold it in their stomachs which can result in IBS like symptoms or tummy aches and nausea. Everyone reacts differently, so it is essential to work out where you hold your stress, so you are better equipped to deal with it appropriately.

Natural medicine can support you in so many different ways; please speak to your healthcare practitioner to determine a treatment plan specific to your needs.

As I finished this blog post a lot closer to Christmas than I anticipated, you may want to refer back to this for Christmas 2018!

Libby Shaw is available for appointments this week and throughout January 2018. Call 1300 1REMED or 1300 173 633 or book online remed.com.au

References:

Fisher, L 1993,  The Clinical Science of Mineral Therapy, The Maurice Blackmore Research Foundation

Herbal Academy of New England, course notes, 2014

Mohan, L, Amberkar, MV & Kumari, M 2011, ‘Ocimum Sanctum Limm-Tulsi- An Overview’, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, vol.7, no. 1,pp. 51-53,viewed 11 December 2017, http://twcleansecommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Tulsi-Research-Mohan-Ocimum-sanctum-an-overview.pdf

Optimal Rx, Technical Information-Holy Basil, viewed 11 December 2017

Wells, M 1996, The Bach Flowers Today, Autonomy Book