the herbalist corner 3/04:

Ahh.. the clouds are beginning to clear, and more days of sunny weather are starting to outweigh those frigid, grey afternoons. Any major climate shift will cause some disruptions to our day-to-day life. Achy joints, general fatigue, and sluggish digestion are all common experiences in the sloth of winter. Lucky for us, and as the Beatles put it best, here comes the sun! It’s time to get ourselves prepared for the activities and enjoyment spring has to offer. The best way to prepare yourself for this seasonal change, is to build your immune system and support your mental health.

Prevention is key with immune health, and with our current, world viral scare, there’s no better time to adopt a few immune system boosting habits. Some of my favorites include: prioritizing sleep, at least 6-8 hours is ideal to allow cell repair, regeneration and recovery. Eating your rainbow, nutrition and gut health are key to a balanced immune system. Eating real food, mostly plants and staying hydrated are also crucial. The general rule of thumb for hydration is for every pound you weigh, drink one ounce of water. There are certainly more ways to support your immune health, but by adding these suggestions into your routine, you may just see a difference in your overall well-being.  

As the days begin to warm, and our sluggish habits of winter start to shed, we may find ourselves caught in a lazier than we would like mentality. Don’t fret, this is normal and there are ways to support your mental health when these feelings arise. My favorites include any type of meditation practice, generally for 5-10 minutes, or more! There are a few different types of meditation you can try. Positive affirmations are another way to boost your confidence and revitalize your being. Try it in the mirror each morning on the way to work! Of course we can’t forget about herbal support- from nervines to adaptogens, there are so many to choose from. Some go-to herbal remedies I grab when I am feeling mentally sluggish or just a bit down in the dumps are Milky Oats and Saint John's Wort. Both offer unique nervine, or nervous system support, and are powerful adaptogens that help our bodies adjust to our environments. 

Breeze Botanical stores offer a variety of products that are formulated with some of my favorite herbal allies, as well as products that may support the immune system and overall vitality. The Panacea Immune Support Hemp Tincture from Sun God Medicinals provides a well-rounded combination of both immune and nervous system support, with the added relief of hemp, and they are crafted with bioregional, sustainably harvested herbs (bonus!)

At both store locations, we have a well-trained team, ready to answer any questions you may have. For any in-depth inquiries, we also have our clinical herbalist standing by to guide you on your path of healing- book an appointment today and begin your herbal medicine journey!