Health / Claire Kelly
Autumn herbal essentials
Autumn is the time when light and dark return to equal balance in the Northern Hemisphere. This change of season can make our bodies susceptible to common illnesses, so it͛s a good time to focus on boosting the immune system ready for winter.
Autumn is a time for the last fruit harvest and it͛s also mushroom season. As it turns out, Mother Nature has thought of everything, as both fruit and mushrooms are high in immune boosting phytonutrients.
Chaga mushroom tincture – Inonotus obliquus – is known as ͚The king of the mushrooms͛ in Siberian Shamanic folklore and has a long history of medicinal use. This fungus grows across the Northern Hemisphere on the bark of the Birch Tree. It has a dense mineral content and is alkalising to the body. It is also rich in Beta-glucans, which have a role in activating the immune system, and is anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. As an adaptogen, it helps the body adjust to extreme circumstances, including stress. These benefits make Chaga mushroom a perfect tonic for a change in season.
is needed now More than ever
Rose hip Tea – Rosa canina – the fruits of the wild dog rose have a long history of use in treating colds and flu. Rose hips are high in vitamin C, containing 50% more than oranges, which makes them a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants act like scavengers, helping to prevent cell damage and minimising the destructive effect of free radicals, which are caused by stressors from food, the environment and common illnesses.
The rose hips can be made into an antioxidant-rich tea, which you can drink daily during Autumn to prevent and treat seasonal illnesses.
Claire Kelly has a background in holistic therapies and co-founded Indigo Herbs. She has been researching and writing about herbs and superfoods ever since and is the editor of the Indigo herbs blog and Natural Health Guide.
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