Best way to stay healthy this winter!

The kind folks at Pukka sent me over a wonderful hamper filled with immunity boosting Elderberry goodies!! I had never even heard of elderberry but aparently they are tipped as the new superfood.

These wonderful berries have a long history of use in herbal medicine. Elderberries are hugely effective at maintaining a strong immune system because of their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. There are lots of research studies that support the protecting properties of this super fruit and champion them as a great way for you to fight off viruses during the winter months. Many even claim elderberries are more effective than the traditional flu fighter, Echinacea.

So I decided to give them a go, every morning for the last 30 days I have added a teaspoonful of Pukka’s Elderberry Syrup to my herbal tea.  It tastes really yummy! I am going to continue taking it over the festive period and will update you with my results but so far so good!!!

Below is some of Sebastian Pole’s top tips for keeping well this winter. Sebastian is Pukka Herb’s co-founder and master herb smith. He formulates all the company’s teas and supplements, and is a registered member of the Ayurvedic Practitioners Association, Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine and the Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners.

1. Move over Echinacea, elderberry is the new superfood

Many recent studies have shown that elderberries can neutralise 10 strains of the ‘flu virus. Packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, elderberries can ease symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, cough, and body aches.

To make the most of the protective properties elderberries have to offer, and introduce some of their natural goodness into your diet, take one teaspoon of Pukka’s Elderberry Syrup up to three times a day. If you’re starting to feel rundown, try three teaspoons a day and you may be able to beat that cold or flu – or if you are already suffering you may be able to shorten your flu duration by half. The syrup also tastes great meaning it’s perfect for the little ones in the family too, give them just half a teaspoon up to three times a day.

2. Stay hydrated

As the months get colder, many forget it is important to drink lots of warm water and stay hydrated in winter. It is paramount to maintaining tiptop health because when hydrated, your body is better able to flush out toxins and fight bacteria. You’ll also benefit from boosted energy levels and improved concentration. If you do catch a cold or a nasty flu bug, dehydration can make your symptoms worse so keep your fluid levels up.

One way to drink lots of water and simultaneously help you stay warm in winter is to enjoy herbal tea.

3. Get rest

Late nights and early starts can take their toll on your body if you don’t get enough hours each night. The body is said to repair and rejuvenate itself when it rests, so it’s imperative you give your body the chance to do so. Try to get at least seven to eight hours sleep a day to let your body’s cells, tissues and organs repair themselves and keep your immune system strong.

4. Keep exercising

When it’s cold and wet outside it’s tempting to stay indoors and sit in the warmth, but do try to fit your usual gym session or weekly run in. It’s not just to keep fit, but to build your army of antioxidants that will help you fight the viruses that are everywhere in the season.

5. Massage yourself

The cold weather often brings with it aching joints and ‘frozen shoulder’. To offset this seasonal tendency, massage yourself with warm oil. When you’re finished have a hot shower and rub the oil off your skin with a towel. 

What do you do to keep colds at bay over winter? 

Love Ashly xxx