Foods to boost immunity

     During the winter months with temperature changing from warm to cold, being inside with central heating and getting caught out because it's much colder outside than we expect, any one of us can be caught out by coughs, colds and winter chills.

    Of course it is important to take care of our natural immunity. Adding vegetables and fruits to your diet along with some nuts, poultry and fish will provide you with a wide range of antioxidants.  Antioxidants help to protect your cells from free radicals that can cause ill health.  Free radicals are molecules that are produced by the body breaking down food or when the body is exposed to pollution e.g. tobacco smoke

    Fruits that are high in antioxidants are cranberries, red grapes, strawberries, raspberries, figs, pears, oranges, apricots, mango, watermelon, cherries and goji berries. Why not try adding some to your porridge or even sprinkle some cranberries into a salad.  I like to add chopped oranges and un-sulphured apricots to a raw red cabbage salad it makes an interesting mix of colour and adds to the flavour.  Vegetables include artichokes, kale, red cabbage, beetroot, spinach, tomatoes.

    Exercise is another thing to consider as it is so good for our emotional wellbeing. Taking a walk in the fresh air, dancing, yoga, pilates all help to release endorphins, known as happiness hormones and feeling good is certainly a bonus in the winter months when people often feel miserable due to the long dark days/nights.

    Say goodbye to any negative emotions that you may be hanging on to, these do not serve us well. Turn your attention to things that make you feel good instead.  Meditation can help with this as it helps to focus and settle the mind.  

    Avoid processed foods as they are often laden with sugar and other additives

    Stay hydrated.  It's best to avoid fizzy drinks they tend to be high in sugar and don't hydrate you as well as water. You can flavour your own water; cut up some lemons and limes and infuse them in a jug of water.

    Open the bedroom windows for a little while and air your home

    Include a probiotic this will help support the integrity of your gut and they are good for the immune system.

    Plan a visit to your homeopath, nutritionist or other health professional to review your overall health.  There are a number of homeopathic remedies that can help you combat those winter coughs, colds and chills.

June 

I would like to give credit to the image by silviarita from Pixabay 

© June Sayer December 2021
www.homeopathinessex.co.uk

The information on this webpage represents the views and opinion of the author, based on her clinical experience, and the traditions of Homeopathy. This material is provided for information only, and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Always consult with a suitably qualified and registered Homeopath, or with a medical doctor for advice about the treatment they offer, especially in serious or life threatening medical conditions, or if you are already taking medical drugs. 

Sprains and Strains -

While many people are aware of the homeopathic remedy #Arnica widely used for bumps and bruises, another useful remedy for your home first aid kit is Ruta Graveolens (Garden Rue).  Here are some of the reasons to choose Ruta. 

Sprains and strains to tendons respond well to this remedy.  The injured part can feel bruised and sore along with aching and weakness.  You may feel anxious and lethargic but the pains can make you restless as you try and find a position that gives relief.   If backache, caused by an injury or a strain is the issue you will find that lying on your back could ease the discomfort.   

In wet or icy conditions it's easy to slip and, as you try to recover from the embarrassment of falling over and hurting yourself even more, you could put a strain on your muscles or tendons.  Sprained or twisted ankles are common when we are rushing around trying to fit in all those last minute jobs and because we are hurried it's easy to miss our footing.   The ankles may be swollen, the hamstrings can feel shortened, there could be pain along the sciatic nerve and the tendons feel sore.   

I have found Ruta immensely helpful when my eyes are tired and strained after I have been on the computer for any length of time exacerbated by the use of artificial lighting.  Changes in the way that our lives have been affected in the past two years has meant that working or studying from home has increased the time that we spend in front of computer screens. 

Ruta can also be used for chills.  Coldness and shivering accompanied with feeling very thirsty and the inability to get warm even in a warm room.

This is just a brief overview of how one #homeopathic remedy can help speed up recovery of minor injuries.

© June Sayer December 2021
www.homeopathinessex.co.uk

The information on this webpage represents the views and opinion of the author, based on her clinical experience, and the traditions of Homeopathy. This material is provided for information only, and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Always consult with a suitably qualified and registered Homeopath, or with a medical doctor for advice about the treatment they offer, especially in serious or life threatening medical conditions, or if you are already taking medical drugs. 

References: 

Nature's Materia Medica, 3rd Edition, Robin Murphy.

Homeopathic Clinical Repertory, 3rd Edition, Robin Murphy