Creating vitality & resilience
In naturopathy, the term 'Vitality" or 'vital force" refers to the vibrancy & resilience of a person, made up through physical, spiritual, & psychological aspects that impact our overall health & wellbeing. This can be diminished through many factors & circumstances, which in turn, can cause an impact or stress on our immune system. Particularly as the winter months creep in, we need to have extra resilience & reserves to set us up for a better response should we be faced with falling ill. As annoying as it can be to fall prey to these pathogens, it actually plays a big part in the strength and development of our immune system. How we respond to infection is what matters, this relies on having strong vitality.
Healing with the power of nature- the translation to one of naturopathy's founding principles "Vis medicatrix naturae" refers to the fact that every person has an innate ability to heal themselves through finding and maintaining balance and harmony throughout and with a little help from our plant allies. The foundational pillars to maintain balance and harmony are: whole food nutrition, sunshine, clean water, movement, a strong community, adequate sleep & rest. These pillars lay strong foundations for a healthy immune system and helps to build resilience,
My favourite ways to build vitality and a strong immune system include:
Eating seasonally- this refers to the times of year where any given type of food is at its peak in terms of flavour and harvest. This is also not only when the food is at its freshest but it's also at its most affordable- so for those who think eating wholefoods is expensive- eating seasonally & buying from local growers is the best way to make it affordable.
Eating seasonally is a strong part of a naturopathic approach as it encourages the consumption of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals required at a specific season, and at a time where the food is as close to nature as possible containing potent amounts of those nutrients needed. During the cooler months, to boost immunity, a higher intake of Vitamin C, D, A, and Zinc are needed. It is no mistake that during the cooler season there is an abundance of oranges, lemons, kiwis and grapefruit- all of which are potent in vitamin C- an essential antioxidant for immunity. Veggies like broccoli and asian greens are also in season during Autumn/winter- these are incredibly rich in Vitamins C, A beta carotene, Vitamin E- all of which increase the immune system's fighting capabilities. Include lots of anti-inflammatory herbs such as Turmeric and ginger in your cooking. Nature is always organising for us!
Bone broth- Bone broth has been consumed for thousands of years, there is a good reason for that. I remember growing up where there was nothing more healing or comforting than Mum or Grandma's homemade chicken soup. Bone broth is incredibly rich in vitamins, minerals, magnesium, calcium & also the 19 essential amino acids- building blocks for protein. Bone broth is also wonderful for gut healing, containing glutamine- an amino acid which protects gut integrity and supports the lining with its healing & sealing abilities, also gelatin- the part that makes the broth jiggly after refrigeration protects connective tissue & reduces inflammation, the lipid found in the bone marrow helps produce white blood cells- little friends which help us to fight pathogens. It is well known that 80% of our immune system lies within the gut- bone broth's healing qualities highlight the relationship between the immune system & the digestive system.
Enjoy the ritual of making your own. I know there are an abundance of bone broths on the market these days, but nothing compares to the love put into making your own.
Broth can be sipped daily on its own, with some added lemon & ginger, or simply use it in your everyday cooking like soups and stews to enhance nutrition.
Cod liver oil- I can vividly remember being given a teaspoon of cod liver oil daily by my mum when I was young- often much to my disgust!!! Cod liver oil is an age old remedy that has become lost amongst all the trendy & new-founded supplements. Cod liver contains high amounts of vitamin D & vitamin A along with its healthy essential fatty acid profile of EPA & DHA. Vitamin D is a potent immune modulator & increases our innate immunity. Vitamin A is protective of the mucous membranes (the cells that line airways & digestive tract) which act as the body's first line of defence against infection. As always with supplementation, always be guided by a practitioner to help find the best quality supplements. For Cod Liver Oil, I like Green Pastures (Fermented Cod Liver Oil) & Nordic Naturals- this brand surpasses benchmarked quality of standards.
There are so many other ways we can support our bodies during all seasons, whether it's lifestyle, nutrition or supplementation. These are my go to, no fuss ways to get the beautiful benefits of these healing foods, I hope you can too.
We are always supported by nature.
Always, reach out for support or any questions.
X Bianca
