Guest post by Anna Mitsios, Naturopath, Nutritionist, and Founder of Edible Beauty Australia.
With a change in season comes a renewed focus on strength, immunity, and skincare, the cooler months typically causing chaos for your internal and external organs. Boosting immunity is paramount through winter, this year specifically, so if you’re a little more naturally inclined I have some naturopathic tips to ensure your body stays supercharged with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here’s how to keep your healthy gut flora in check before a dreadful cold strikes.
Seek sunshine.
Those gorgeous golden rays promote immunity! If you aren’t getting your daily dose of vitamin D (when the sun wants to cooperate of course), through exercise, enjoying lunch outside, or walking to work, you can begin to feel not only a little sluggish, but a tad moody too. A low level of vitamin D can weaken your body’s natural defence system, therefore making you increasingly more susceptible to contracting a cold or flu.
Side note, you can still get sunburnt in winter. Make sure you are protecting your complexion by applying SPF before spending time in the sun. If it’s a natural formula you’re after, try the Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen enriched with vitamin E and rosehip oil to further nourish your skin.
Sleep more.
Sleep deprivation can directly affect the production of infection fighting antibodies and cells. Throughout the cooler months, ensure you are getting quality sleep every night; 8 hours is recommended for optimal body and brain functioning, while keeping your cortisol levels (i.e. stress levels) in check. The hormone cortisol can impact the body’s production of antigens, which are fighting off disease. Taking the time to do breathing exercises daily with help here, otherwise introduce mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and long walks into your routine where possible.
Gut health.
Gut health and immunity are intricately linked, with over 80% of our immune system being found in our gut. Fibre and polyphenols are a fantastic way to encourage your internal systems to stay healthy; add 2-3 tablespoons of flaxseed meal to your porridge or smoothie, ensure you are eating wholegrains, nuts, and seeds daily, and supplement your diet with a gut health powder such as the Edible Beauty Gut Replenish. Designed to balance gut bacteria and improve digestion, this food based powder provides an extra boost to support building your body’s ongoing resistance and immunity.
Your skin is also a reflection of how your gut feels, the two working closing together to not only make you feel good, but add an overall healthy glow. If you aren’t turned off by the dip in temperature, this Golden Glow Smoothie is perfect for detoxifying and replenishing.
Ingredients:
- 250ml of Edible Beauty’s No. 4 Golden Glow Beauty Tea
- 1 medium frozen banana
- 1 cup of frozen mango chunks
- 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric (depending on taste)
- ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon of chia seeds
- handful of raspberries, raspberries
- 1 tablespoon of coconut flakes, for garnish
Method:
- Brew your Edible Beauty No. 4 Golden Glow Beauty Tea, then chill
- Set aside your raspberries and coconut flakes, then add all remaining ingredients to the blender
- Blend on high until smooth and thick, adjust the consistency as desired by adding more liquid or fruit if needed
- Serve with raspberries and coconut flakes as garnish
Heroic herbs.
One of my favourite herbs for boosting immunity is andrographis. This product has been given the status of a ‘herbal antibiotic’ and traditionally was used as an alternative to antibiotics. Taken in capsule or tablet form, a quick word of warning that it can be quite bitter, so be prepared for a kick if adding it to liquids or teas.
Garlic is also a very traditional antimicrobial food/nerb and whilst it can ward off friends (hello bad breath), as well as bacteria and germs, the presence of allicin is what provides it with such great immune boosting properties. You need to crush or slice garlic to receive these benefits, so I suggest creating a garlic oil dressing to add to your winter greens. Alternatively, if you’re brave enough, chop the cloves finely and literally gulp down 1-2 daily – the most heroic way to boost your immune system, some might say.
The humble ginger root is also antimicrobial, and helps most in eliminating sinus congestion. Its powerful anti-inflammatories will help keep the puffiness of colds at bay, with the silicon promoting healthy skin at the same time.
Stay squeaky clean.
Ensuring that you are regularly washing your hands or using a natural hand sanitiser when water is not available, is crucial to keeping germs at bay. Regularly wiping down your desk and working station is also critical. Tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender oils all have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which are able to fight and kill harmful bacteria. Add them to your oil diffuser, pop them in homemade cleaning products, and use diluted versions of them on your skin / pressure points as essential oils.
Treat your body and mind with kindness, nourishing yourself from the inside out, and by embracing these effective lifestyle changes you can walk away from winter without a sniffle in sight.
About Anna Mitsios:
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18 marked a real turning point in Anna’s life. She began to search for natural solutions – nutrition and herbal remedies – to help manage the autoimmune condition. While working in corporate finance in Sydney and New York, Anna also took up studies in naturopathy; a step towards making her passion her career.
Working as a naturopath in a Sydney fertility clinic, I was fed up with the lack of skincare that was safe and clean, especially for pregnant women. So, in 2014 I created a range of products – using Australian botanicals and luxury ingredients – that is so pure you could eat it.
After hours of research, cosmetic chemist meetings, more study, and formulating samples, Edible Beauty was born in Anna’s garage! From 2014 she was stocking the shelves at Sephora Pitt Street, when the store first opened, and within two months Edible Beauty was being sold internationally.
About Edible Beauty:
Edible Beauty Australia is a holistic solution to skincare and wellness that addresses the need for an inside and outside approach. True beauty means more than simply looking good, it’s about caring for the health of your body, mind, and environment.
Using sustainable, wild crafted botanicals, and exotic ingredients, our range is entirely Australian made, vegan, and gluten free. Limiting your exposure to synthetic and toxic chemicals is important to us, so we’ve ensured our packaging is 100% recyclable as well. Throughout the skincare and ingestible range, there are no: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial preservatives, petrochemicals, or aluminium.