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Natural wellness tools
Bridget Walsh on 29 August, 2011 |

If I’m unwell or injured, I’m not really much use to anyone. If we look after ourselves on a day-to-day basis, generally our bodies are already equipped with the fighting powers of our functional immune system. In theory, if we start to get ill, or if we manage to sustain a minor injury, all we need to do is supply some extra ammunition to help our body win the fight. Ayurvedic ideas of imbalance between the Doshas are a similar idea, but something I myself am not an expert on. But in many ways, it’s common sense to pay attention to your body, and to have a few tools up your sleeve to supply it with if required.

Last year, I injured my foot, I went to two doctors, who both prescribed me high doses of anti-inflammatories and pain killers (neither vegan), and told me that there was a 6 week waiting list to see a physiotherapist. Rather than whining too much, I used that situation as a learning opportunity, researching what I could pump into my body that wasn’t drug/cruelty related. My friends Sarah and Ana are both natural wellness geeks and combining all the gems I have learned from books, friends and experts, here is a list of some natural wellness tools everyone should know about. It’s not by any means exhaustive but, along with tips from Sarah & Ana, it’s a good place to start.

Arnica (200c tissue salts): This is what the nice lady at Wholefoods recommended I keep dosed up on to help my foot mend. A welcome respite from the doctors’ drugs and more drugs response. Even though it’s holistic, ‘hippy’ stuff, Arnica has crossed over into the mainstream and pretty well-regarded by most, including yogis and sportspeople.

“A great remedy for bumps, bruises and falls, take a drop under the tongue every 15 minutes as needed (for a maximum of 45 minutes.) It is also great for topical use as an anti-inflammatory and ache-reliever.

Garlic Eat a lot of garlic. Cooked is obviously more pleasant, but you can really pack a punch by eating a clove raw if you need an extra hit. “It boosts your immune system and fights bad bacteria and infection. Put it in it all your cooking, soups, sauces, roasted in salads, anyway you can take it, do it.”

Tumeric & Cayenne pepper: I was encouraged to spend £20 on tumeric capsules, as apparently it’s great for bones and muscles, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. So I bought a box of tumeric instead, and made a little ‘tincture’ at home with mashed banana, tumeric & cayenne pepper. Needless to say, it tasted interesting, but I felt good about it. Even though it may not have been a miracle cure, these are good natural things with properties that can only help me get better.

Ginger Like Garlic, ginger is a great wonder-tool, that can be easily and pleasantly added to diet. “It has the same infection fighting, immune system boosting power as the garlic, echinacea and vit c but it also does a whole lot more:: fight and prevent colds, calm sick stomachs, help with headaches and also works wonders against period pain Make a ginger tea when you have a ill stomach or even a hang over. Use it again to help numb pain and relive inflammation. Use it to help your body digest certain foods that may not sit so well with you. Slice up some big chunks of ginger, roll it up in a small towel or tea towel and wrap around your lower body when you have bad period pain, the ginger will draw out the bad toxins which are causing the bloating and uncomfortable feeling. You will notice the ginger towel getting very hot the longer you leave it on, that is the ginger doing it thing!”

Citricidal: This stuff tastes AWFUL. But it’s an anti-viral that really packs a punch, whether you take it regularly or as a one off to beat a nasty infection. It’s prime ingredient is grapefruit seed, so obviously it’s not going to taste like chocolate chip cookies. But dilute it in enough water (and chase it with a glass of something more pleasant) and it’s only a brief encounter with what tastes like, I’ll be honest, bleach. Good stuff though. Really.

Echinacea & Vitamin C I don’t take these regularly, but if I feel a sniffle or a niggle coming on, I’ll pop a few back. Then make myself a good hearty juice or smoothie and solid meal of veges so I can get my whole 5+ a day in one sitting!

“Echinacea is a North American plant, originally used by American Indians for the same purpose we associate it with today. I’m not going to get into too much scientific detail but basically Echinacea promotes and encourages good bacteria, white blood cells and certain parts of our immune system that help our body clear out the bad bacteria, bugs, and also aids the fight of infection.

Vitamin C works on the same principles. It is a super strong fighter of infection and killer of bad bugs. When you’re sick, take vitamin c every hour, the more you take the better. Yes, your body will dispose of what you don't need but when fighting colds/flus your body will also use a larger amount of vitamin c than usual. This can also be done when you have pains or other sicknesses.”

Cayenne pepper “The list of things is does is endless. Whack it in your cooking and let the heating power of it work its magic on your insides. It helps blood flow around your body, it helps with circulation, it helps carry toxins from the body, help with digestion and of course is another immune system booster!”

Vitamin B12 The only ‘real’ supplement a healthy vegan needs, because it’s generally only found in animal products or B12 fortified foods. Our body stores B12 for a while, but eventually you’ll need a hit, particularly if you don’t consume animal products. Keeping your body’s balance of vitamins and minerals is vital to whole wellness, so B12 is more a tool of prevention than a cure.

Vitamin D3 Especially over the winter months (or 90% of the year in London) it’s important to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D, generally only absorbed as sunshine through the skin, OR in D3 form orally. If you’re vegan, you unfortunately can’t just pick a pack off the shelf in most cases, as they all seem to be derived from fish or even lanolin. I’m generally all about keeping air miles down and buying locally, but Source of Life Garden is an American company (as you can totally tell by the packaging) but is the only vegan option I have found. I believe their D3 is sourced from mushrooms. When it’s grey outside, I take one of these every few days to keep my D levels up. Good for keeping you well and smiling.

Lavender Oil A great on the spot natural tool and remedy. Can be used as a sedative (in bath water or a drop on the pillow) as well as an antiseptic, directly on burns.

Chamomile is useful as an anti-inflammatory, anti-infective & anti-spasmodic.

“It [chamomile] is great for many physical ailments such as menstrual cramps, teething (babies), insomnia, nausea & head aches. Great for respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies & sinusitis.”

Tea Tree Oil With it’s unmistakable aroma, it’s no surprise Tea Tree Oil is a powerful antiseptic for cuts and grazes as well as a treatment for athlete's foot and head lice!

Rescue Remedy I can vouch for this, as it’s helped me through many a stressful or demanding situation (and a break-up or two!)

“A potpourri of flower essences, it works fantastically for any upset or trauma. A few drops on the tongue or in a glass of water should do the trick.”

Aloe Vera Most people know about aloe, and that it literally provides instant relief from mild burns and stings. “If you can, keep a plant on your kitchen window sill! Just cut the leaves open and apply the gel!”

Coconut Oil Can be kept in the kitchen cupboard and used for cooking (it makes a mean roast potato) but also applied topically!

“Great for skin infections & conditions, antiseptic needs (apply to the sore and it forms a protective layer) and bruises!”

In addition to tangible tools you can aid your body with, it may be actions that are required. Maybe you need a hot bath with peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus oils to relax you for a good sleep and ease body aches. Perhaps you need to massage a pinch of peppermint oil onto your temples and neck to relieve it a headache. You body probably needs rest as well. Lavender oil on your temples or pillow can help to encourage sleep, along with a mug of chamomile tea. Sarah mentions one other action that may be of assistance...

“Sex, yep thats right, if you have a wiling partner sex is a great help to a cold or flu. All that enjoyable exercise gets the blood flowing and a good release of endorphins will help the goodness in your body fight the bugs.”

The most important thing to remember is to stay in tune with your body. Don’t let yourself get bogged down with a debilitating head cold or flu. Look out for the signs and symptoms and fight them head on as soon as they appear, while they are still minor and manageable.

“Most people find that the first sign of getting sick is feeling tired. It might not make too much of a difference, but if you are feeling slower that usual, or your sleeping just a bit more than you normally would for no apparent reason it could be the start of something not fun. The slight body aches and tenderness is a give away too. This comes from our muscles trying to protect our organs as they start to fight the bugs before we even know we've got them. You know your body the best and you'll know when you start feeling off, listen to your body and then help it.”