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Naturally good ways to stay healthy this summer
1. Hayfever and other seasonal allergies
Ensuring that the immune system is functioning well is another great way to prepare for allergy season and then manage the symptoms. A range of nutrients perform antihistamine and antiinflammatory actions in the body and have been shown to be effective for boosting immunity, including: • bee propolis (high in phenolenic compounds, potent antioxidant substances which have anti-inflammatory properties). • elderberry and acerola cherries (rich in quercetin). • reishi mushrooms, which contain oleic acid and cyclooctasulphur compounds, both potent natural antihistamines. You can also: • Add immune-boosting foods to your diet, such as citrus fruit, broccoli, berries, eggs, oysters, pumpkin seeds, oats and rye. • Close windows at night and in early mornings when the pollen counts are high. • Use barrier methods to block pollen from entering the nose, such as HayMax allergen barrier balms. • Boost your immunity via diet and supplementation. • Use a neti pot (for nasal cleansing) to clear your nasal passages. • Shower when returning from outdoor activities.
Nutrition consultant Erin McCann looks at some of the best ‘natural’ remedies to tackle the most common health problems you might experience this summer and on your holidays. If travel and summer health is something you generally don’t bother thinking about until it’s too late, now’s the time to start! Research has shown that two-thirds of travellers get sick on holiday, so while you might top up your vaccinations, will you remember to pack effective, natural health products for those problem days ahead? Or to boost your immune system beforehand? Here are five of the most common summer complaints, with recommendations on how to prevent and manage them naturally.
2. Insect bites
Diet supplements and herbal repellents can help to combat those pesky biting insects that plague us through the summer. Many commercial insect sprays are full of harmful chemicals, so why not try… • Eating garlic – may help deter bugs from biting by changing our natural scent. • Herbal repellant sprays containing eucalyptus, such as incognito's Anti-Mosquito spray (deet-free, chemicalfree and safe for all the family, including babies from three months) and Moisturiser combine to provide multiple layers of protection. The moisturiser contains organic Java citronella, which naturally helps to repel insects. Both these incognito products are registered with The Vegan Society.
3. Sunburn
Getting sunburned is a common problem, particularly for us pale-skinned north Europeans. But as well as applying suncream, diet and supplements may also help prevent, and aid recovery from, sunburn while helping to ease many skin rashes. • A natural suncream is crucial – try one with propolis. • Calendula cream is antimicrobial as well as soothing to
irritated skin (Nelson’s is a good choice). • Antioxidant-rich foods and antioxidant supplements can help your skin resist harmful UV rays, and help your skin heal after too much exposure. Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, beans and Acerola cherries have very high levels of Vitamin C. • Tea tree oil can be used as an external antifungal and antibacterial treatment for the skin by adding a few drops to a bath. • The anthocyanin and flavonoid content in elderberry and propolis may help prevent sunburn and reduce sun damage. These phytonutrients have anti-inflammatory and photo-protective actions. • Taking bee propolis internally can support systemic immunity, and its antifungal, antibacterial and antiinflammatory actions can help prevent skin rashes.
4. Colds, flu and viruses
These are often spread when you travel packed in close to other people and when wandering in highly populated areas. So… • Support your immune system before and during travel with immune-supporting foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, garlic and onions. • Add natural immune-supporting nutritional supplements to your diet. Look out for beta glucans which aid the immune system in developing antibodies to microbial and fungal invaders and elderberry, which helps slow the rate of viral infection by altering the viral cell membrane, making it difficult for the virus cells to move and to replicate. Propolis, again, is an amazing natural choice. Bee Prepared immune support contains all of the above.
5. Diarrhoea
Often the result of a bacterial infection from contaminated food or water, you can help ward off traveller’s diarrhoea by… • taking a natural immune-supporting supplement which contains bee propolis, a natural antibiotic, and olive leaf, an antimicrobial agent. These can help prevent and treat gastrointestinal infections (Bee Prepared immune support contains both, and is suitable for all ages). • taking a multi-strain probiotic containing Lactobacillus GG, combined with Saccharomyces boulardii. Both of which have been clinically to help prevent traveller’s diarrhoea (OptiBac Probiotics is a good choice). • being careful in selecting food in areas with a particularly high risk of bacterial and protozoan infection. Erin McCann NT mBANT is a nutrition consultant for Unbeelievable Health Ltd.
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Sláinte
45
Naturally good ways to stay healthy this summer
1. Hayfever and other seasonal allergies
Ensuring that the immune system is functioning well is another great way to prepare for allergy season and then manage the symptoms. A range of nutrients perform antihistamine and antiinflammatory actions in the body and have been shown to be effective for boosting immunity, including: • bee propolis (high in phenolenic compounds, potent antioxidant substances which have anti-inflammatory properties). • elderberry and acerola cherries (rich in quercetin). • reishi mushrooms, which contain oleic acid and cyclooctasulphur compounds, both potent natural antihistamines. You can also: • Add immune-boosting foods to your diet, such as citrus fruit, broccoli, berries, eggs, oysters, pumpkin seeds, oats and rye. • Close windows at night and in early mornings when the pollen counts are high. • Use barrier methods to block pollen from entering the nose, such as HayMax allergen barrier balms. • Boost your immunity via diet and supplementation. • Use a neti pot (for nasal cleansing) to clear your nasal passages. • Shower when returning from outdoor activities.
Nutrition consultant Erin McCann looks at some of the best ‘natural’ remedies to tackle the most common health problems you might experience this summer and on your holidays. If travel and summer health is something you generally don’t bother thinking about until it’s too late, now’s the time to start! Research has shown that two-thirds of travellers get sick on holiday, so while you might top up your vaccinations, will you remember to pack effective, natural health products for those problem days ahead? Or to boost your immune system beforehand? Here are five of the most common summer complaints, with recommendations on how to prevent and manage them naturally.
2. Insect bites
Diet supplements and herbal repellents can help to combat those pesky biting insects that plague us through the summer. Many commercial insect sprays are full of harmful chemicals, so why not try… • Eating garlic – may help deter bugs from biting by changing our natural scent. • Herbal repellant sprays containing eucalyptus, such as incognito's Anti-Mosquito spray (deet-free, chemicalfree and safe for all the family, including babies from three months) and Moisturiser combine to provide multiple layers of protection. The moisturiser contains organic Java citronella, which naturally helps to repel insects. Both these incognito products are registered with The Vegan Society.
3. Sunburn
Getting sunburned is a common problem, particularly for us pale-skinned north Europeans. But as well as applying suncream, diet and supplements may also help prevent, and aid recovery from, sunburn while helping to ease many skin rashes. • A natural suncream is crucial – try one with propolis. • Calendula cream is antimicrobial as well as soothing to
irritated skin (Nelson’s is a good choice). • Antioxidant-rich foods and antioxidant supplements can help your skin resist harmful UV rays, and help your skin heal after too much exposure. Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, beans and Acerola cherries have very high levels of Vitamin C. • Tea tree oil can be used as an external antifungal and antibacterial treatment for the skin by adding a few drops to a bath. • The anthocyanin and flavonoid content in elderberry and propolis may help prevent sunburn and reduce sun damage. These phytonutrients have anti-inflammatory and photo-protective actions. • Taking bee propolis internally can support systemic immunity, and its antifungal, antibacterial and antiinflammatory actions can help prevent skin rashes.
4. Colds, flu and viruses
These are often spread when you travel packed in close to other people and when wandering in highly populated areas. So… • Support your immune system before and during travel with immune-supporting foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, garlic and onions. • Add natural immune-supporting nutritional supplements to your diet. Look out for beta glucans which aid the immune system in developing antibodies to microbial and fungal invaders and elderberry, which helps slow the rate of viral infection by altering the viral cell membrane, making it difficult for the virus cells to move and to replicate. Propolis, again, is an amazing natural choice. Bee Prepared immune support contains all of the above.
5. Diarrhoea
Often the result of a bacterial infection from contaminated food or water, you can help ward off traveller’s diarrhoea by… • taking a natural immune-supporting supplement which contains bee propolis, a natural antibiotic, and olive leaf, an antimicrobial agent. These can help prevent and treat gastrointestinal infections (Bee Prepared immune support contains both, and is suitable for all ages). • taking a multi-strain probiotic containing Lactobacillus GG, combined with Saccharomyces boulardii. Both of which have been clinically to help prevent traveller’s diarrhoea (OptiBac Probiotics is a good choice). • being careful in selecting food in areas with a particularly high risk of bacterial and protozoan infection. Erin McCann NT mBANT is a nutrition consultant for Unbeelievable Health Ltd.
Travel Products
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Nelsons Travella ¬– a combination of seven homeopathic remedies chosen to help bring soothing relief for the symptoms of travel sickness. Does not cause drowsiness.
incognito® moisturiser – a soothing after-sun moisturiser which contains Java citronella to help repel insects.
OptiBac Probiotics For travelling abroad – clinically proven to help prevent traveller’s diarrhoea.
BEE Prepared immune support – a natural supplement described by the Daily Mail as the ‘It-Vit’.
Be prepared
You can help prevent and manage the sorts of health problems you might meet this summer by putting together a travel health kit. Here are my suggestions:
HayMax – a 2014 study by Allergy UK found HayMax allergen barrier balm "effective in relieving some of the most common symptoms of hay fever" [now available in Allcare Pharmacies].
• A natural herbal insect repellent, such as incognito. • A hayfever balm, such as the award-winning Haymax, which traps more than a third of the pollen before it enters your body. • Nelsons Travella, a homeopathic remedy that can stimulate the body’s own natural healing processes to help relieve travel sickness without side effects. • Bee Prepared Immune Support Daily Defence – contains therapeutic doses of propolis, elderberry, and other antibacterial and antifungal ingredients such as olive leaf and beta glucans. (also comes as Bee Prepared MAX Strength, if you feel you need an extra boost). • A multi-strain probiotic, such as Optibac, and Saccharomyces boulardii. • Feverfew tea. • A suncream, such as Apivita Propolis sunscreen. • An after-sun moisturiser such as incognito. It is light and refreshing with a citrusy aroma and its organic Java citronella naturally helps to repel insects.