​The skin is the body’s largest organ.  It protects us against the external environment, helps to regulate our temperature, eliminates toxins, is part of our immune protection, excretes waste materials and helps with the regulation and production of Vitamin D.  So all in all it has a pretty vital role in our life, but we don’t often think of it like that.
 
There are certain nutrients that are vital for healthy skin:

• Vitamins A, C and E
• Minerals – Zinc, Selenium
• Collagen
• Protein
• Healthy fats

 
When our skin is lacking any of these vital skin nutrients it begins to loose it luster.  The skin becomes saggy, wrinkly, dry.
 
We often look to lotions and potions to put on the skin, the latest miracle cream to rejouvinate our skin, in all honesty the best way to look after your skin is like most other things, from the inside out.

• Get your fruits and veggies in – lots of colour and variety will provide good sources of Vitamins and Minerals.
• Healthy fats – this can be fish, avocado’s, coconut oils, linseed oil, evening primrose oil, sesame oil etc
• Protein – most natural foods have some protein, lean sources of protein are best for overall health – fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds.
• Herbs such as Horsetail, Nettle, Comfrey, Calendula and He Shou wu are wonderful natural sources of collagen

 
So the best way to look after your skin is to look after your diet .  No more thinking about calories!  Shift your focus to Nutrients!  Are you getting enough nutrients to be healthy?
 
 
 
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922

Every Herbalist has their favourite herbs.  Aloe vera is one of the herbs that makes it into my list of favourites, but why?
 
There are a lot of reasons but I’ll share a few of them with you today:

1. Aloe vera was an integral part of my own personal recovery from a serious neck injury and Fibromyalgia.  This simple herb is a major part of the reason I am well enough today to enjoy life and help other people with their own health issues.
2. Great for the gut – Aloe is a fabulous gut herb, soothing stomach issues, digestive issues and both constipation and diarrhoea.
3. Anti-inflammatory – Aloe is a fabulous anti-inflammatory agent when taken consistently
4. Good for all ages – I generally recommend from 2years to the grave.
5. Immunity boost – this simple herb is a lovely immune modulating herb, this means it helps to bring balance to the immune system, boosting or soothing depending on your individual need.
6. Skin – we all think of aloe for skin burns, and it does an amazing job at this, but what many don’t realise is it can be very helpful in most skin conditions.
7. Energiser – aloe is high in most of the nutrients we need and as a result can help with energy production
8. Lungs – Aloe is also known to be antiviral, anti bacterial and anti-fungal and as such can be very useful for lung issues

 
There is no one herb/food/therapy that is a cure all but Aloe vera comes close, The Egyptians named it the plant of immortality.
 
It is always vital you consult a professional herbalist for advice if you have a health condition or are taking medications.
 
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922
 

​Well we’ve definitely made up for the lack of rain, we’d all gotten used to the dry weather, enjoying the dry spell, but the plants around us weren’t so happy. 
 
After the huge rainfall recently the flora and fauna are thriving, my roses are blooming and my herbal garden is flourishing.
 
There’s a saying “You’re basically a houseplant with complicated emotions!  Drink water and get sunlight”  It’s quite simple, we need water, sunlight air and good nutrition in order to thrive, be healthy and enjoy life.
 
So what are the rules when it comes to water?

• Drink an average of 2L water per day (This can range between 2-4L per day, anything less or anything more is not as healthy)
• Keep an eye on your urine – almost clear is perfect, dark is dehydrated, completely clear may be a sign you are drinking too much water (this can cause your body to flush out vital enzymes)
• Exercising a lot or in a hot climate?  Increase your fluids

 
Simple health issues that can be improved by keeping hydrated

• Constipation
• Fluid retention
• Headaches
• Memory
• Skin issues
• Energy
• Sleep issues

 
Simple ways to increase your water intake

• 2L is roughly 8 glasses or 4 pints – drink a glass of water every 2 hours or a pint every 4 hours
• Drink more herbal teas – (Black tea and coffee are not included)
• Add fruit or mint to water to flavour
• Fill a 2L jug in the morning and you’ll see by the end of the day if you have drunk enough
• Drink between meals not with meals

 
Sometime the simplest things can give you the biggest results.
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922