Tag: Healthy body mind and spirity

Craniosacral – NLP and mindfulness changing how you see things to move forward – Connect to your higher brain!

Featured by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

After reading many books and articles about the brain and mind, I found that there is so much in common with the healing of the brain, and how much you can the brain do, if given the opportunity. While healing babies and children with craniosacral therapy, I realized that what I am doing, is given their brain an opportunity to heal the body and find another way of developing that works for them, hence healing themselves. The common things is also with adults, the difference with adults is that their own resistance, beliefs and upbringing, might stop them or delay the quick healing that the therapy would otherwise do. With the combination of NLP and Mindfulness the person is empowered to find another way of thinking and doing things that works for them, in order to heal, past and present trauma, or even blocks to their own being and being of themselves. The brain is an amazing healer, it can do miracles, if you allow it!

Brain copyright material

Try now with craniosacral therapy, or the combination with NLP and mindfulness meditation and living that you will be given if needed, as well as starting by changing your diet, or allergies. With the method NAET the over-reaction to food and the environment might diminish or go completely, as the brain reset to recognise what it has perceived as the enemy as part of itself. click here to read more about all the therapies.

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional Therapist – NAET for allergies – R-Craniosacral Therapist – NLP – Angel Guide Certified – Mindfulness Meditation teacher-

Where you come from might be surprising! looking at my ancestors.

Featured by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Out of curiosity I decided to do my DNA Heritage test, to see where my ancestors are and where I came from. I was expected mainly Italian, and maybe Spanish, from my surprise I half Italian/Greek, which I did not expect at all. Even though Romans did go and invaded Greece at some point, so it make sense now. I did not realize how much of Greece there was. It could be that half Naples might be partly Greek! If all did the DNA test there might be a way of knowing it. Amazing, though, then 6 per cent is related pretty much to the ancestors Jewish community, there is a percentage of West Africa, Middle East and less than 1 per cent Nigeria, and my son mentioned that many people find that they come from Nigeria, that might be the Africa that moved more thousands of years ago. So just for people to know that you might be different from what you think you are!

This can affect also the way you eat and what you eat, if you are stuck with your health in understanding what you care allergic to or even what you can eat more, it is worth to do the ancestors test to see what you can eat that is good from where you are from!

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional Therapist – NAET for allergies – R-Craniosacral Therapist – NLP – Angel Guide Certified – Mindfulness Meditation teacher-

High-Pitched Crying, Colic and Reflux in Babies: What You Can Do?

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Mother’s comment after a session of craniosacral therapy and nutritional suggestions that I make is from one session to another “He is another baby!”

Colic, Reflux and Craniosacral Therapy for Babies

For the past 17 years, I have had the privilege of working with babies using craniosacral therapy. I have always loved working with infants, and it is an honour to support families during what can be a challenging time.

Many of the babies I see experience excessive crying, colic, reflux or appear unsettled. These difficulties can begin within the first few days after birth or develop during the first six weeks of life.

Every baby is different. Some babies may have experienced a difficult or traumatic birth, while others are simply adjusting to life outside the womb as their digestive and nervous systems continue to develop. Both breastfed and bottle-fed babies can experience colic and digestive discomfort.

A high-pitched cry can sometimes indicate that a baby is in distress or discomfort. In my clinical experience, some babies who cry persistently also appear to have digestive issues such as constipation, trapped wind or reflux. While there can be many possible causes, I believe it is important that persistent crying or signs of pain are assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

The early weeks with a newborn can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Many parents I have worked with describe feeling overwhelmed, sleep deprived and anxious about taking their baby out in public in case they begin crying uncontrollably. Some parents gradually withdraw from social activities because they worry they will be judged. This can become an isolating experience at a time when support is needed most.

My aim is to provide a calm, gentle space where both baby and parent can relax. Many families report that their babies appear more settled and comfortable following craniosacral therapy, and that the sessions help support the bond between parent and baby. While experiences vary from family to family, I believe that supporting the baby’s nervous system can be a valuable part of a holistic approach to care.

If you would like to explore whether craniosacral therapy may be suitable for your baby, you are welcome to book an appointment. I also offer a donation-based 20-minute drop-in clinic in Crouch End during school term time for families who would like to experience a short introductory session.

Nutritional Considerations

As a Registered Nutritional Therapist, I believe that nutrition plays an important role in supporting both mother and baby during the early months. Every baby is unique, and while there is no single diet that prevents colic or reflux, optimising maternal nutrition can help support both maternal wellbeing and breastfeeding.

If you are breastfeeding and suspect that certain foods may be affecting your baby, it can be helpful to keep a simple food and symptom diary for two to three weeks. This may help identify any consistent patterns. Before eliminating foods from your diet, I recommend discussing this with your midwife, health visitor, GP or a registered nutritional therapist to ensure both you and your baby continue to receive all the nutrients you need.

Some babies may be sensitive to proteins that pass into breast milk, such as cow’s milk protein, although this is different from lactose intolerance and should only be investigated where symptoms suggest this may be the case. If a food sensitivity is suspected, it is important to seek professional guidance before making significant dietary changes.

I encourage mothers to eat a varied, nutrient-rich diet that includes quality protein, healthy fats, colourful vegetables, whole grains (where tolerated) and adequate hydration. Looking after your own nutritional status is just as important as caring for your baby, particularly during periods of sleep deprivation and recovery from birth.

Specific nutrients that are important for new mothers include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iron (where required), iodine, choline and B vitamins. These nutrients support maternal health and contribute to your baby’s development during breastfeeding.

Some families choose to use infant probiotics. Research into probiotics for infant colic is continuing, and certain probiotic strains have shown promise for some babies, particularly those who are breastfed. If you are considering probiotics, choose products specifically formulated for infants and discuss their use with your healthcare provider or nutritional therapist to ensure they are appropriate for your baby’s individual needs.

For babies who are formula-fed, feeding technique, teat flow, avoiding overfeeding and ensuring the formula is prepared correctly can also make a difference. If symptoms persist, your GP or health visitor can advise whether a specialist formula or further assessment may be appropriate.

Nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle. Alongside appropriate medical care where needed, I believe that combining nutritional support with gentle craniosacral therapy can help support both baby and family during this important stage of development.

Supporting Babies with Reflux

In my practice, I often use craniosacral therapy to help babies relax and release tension throughout the body. Many parents tell me they notice improvements in their baby’s comfort and settling after treatment, although individual results vary and further research is needed into the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy for infant reflux.

There are also some practical measures that may help some babies:

  • Burp your baby thoroughly during and after feeds.
  • Hold your baby upright for a period after feeding if advised by your healthcare professional.
  • Always follow safe sleep guidance. Babies should be placed flat on their backs to sleep on a firm, flat mattress. Current safe sleep recommendations do not advise raising the head of the cot or placing pillows underneath the mattress because this can increase safety risks.

If your baby’s reflux is severe, they are not gaining weight, have green or bloody vomit, are unusually sleepy, or you have any concerns about their health, please seek advice promptly from your GP, midwife, health visitor or paediatrician.

To book a consultation with me or a treatment email me or call me: esposito_m@yahoo.co.uk (sometimes email go into spam, do call me or text me if you do not hear from me)

Tel. 07956662954

Emotion or physical trauma from before birth to adult time. What can you do to let it go?

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

I have been a therapist for 28 years and more. Starting to treat the physical trauma with massage and reflexology to the chemical trauma through nutrition and allergies and for the past 11 years trauma from birth or before birth to adult time with craniosacral therapy/healing.

It always amaze me when an adult can manage to let go from their body, their childhood trauma through their painful muscle or body.

If you are like me, that grew up long time ago, when children were not considered teachers, like they are now, then you still have some trauma, from family beliefs, religion and society.

This is not about blaming any of your parents or other people that raise you, as they did the best they could with the resources that they had, and some had none, or had a really tough time too.

All stems from that unconditional love that was given to your parents and your parents to you.

Emotional trauma and physical trauma are connected to each other, one might cause the other and vice-versa.

If you birth was traumatic for you and your mum, than the physical scar stay there, unless you deal with them from the start.

If you are an adult you can still deal with the trauma, through craniosacral therapy. If you have had a baby, than this is the best time to treat them and have a more positive life paved for them.

Step-by-step back to yourself!

If you have toddlers and older children, there is plenty of time to still treat them. Craniosacral therapy is one of the best treatment from babies to adults, as it is gentle but very powerful.

Depending on the trauma, for babies might needs up to 3 treatments only. For adults it might take some more time, but worth your money and time to heal yourself, as you will see your life, changing positively, treatment by treatment.

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional Therapist – NAET for allergies – R-Craniosacral Therapist – NLP – Angel Guide Certified – Mindfulness Meditation teacher-

This winter we are fighting more colds and flu viruses! what can you do?

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

This winter we are fighting way more colds and flus. There reason for that, is last winter we were all self-isolating and not mixing up at all. So all the colds and viruses that were not related to COVID 19, this winter are back!

As your immune system did not have any challenges last year, well, guess what, this year has been challenged a lot, so you get one cold after another, as your immune system is now fighting things that is meant to fight!

Children when they start nursery, as you know if you have children, will start getting ill every week, as their immune system start to build up a resistance of soldiers to fight the same colds and viruses over and over again. This is called inner immunity, when you fight something twice, usually the immune system will keep a record of that virus in its memory, so that next time it encounters it, it will know what to do.

Did you know that some inland indigenous tribe can die of the simple cold? That is because their immune system has never encountered it. Now for the elderly and vulnerable people and children, that immunity does not work well, so they need as much help as they can, they are like the indigenous people who have never encountered the cold virus. That is because their immune system does not work as well. Hence all the precaution for the always new variant of the COVID 19, till at least there is a better solution that we have now.

For any other person to strengthen your immunity, or help your immune system to fight well, the solutions is a healthy lifestyle, with extra supplement when needed and nutritious food to get the vitamins and minerals, proteins and fats, as well as carbohydrates, to support your immune system in their fight. It is like feeding your soldier and nourishing them with food and warmth.

In times of illness, also the soul and mind needs that support, before, during and after. Craniosacral therapy resets the body system into balance, by centering your body and mind back to health and allow the breath of life and the energy to run through your body after the illness.

Here is the link for strengthening your immune system click here

COVID19 support during and after to avoid long COVID fatigue and get back to your center click here and more COVID 19 help click here

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional Therapist – NAET for allergies – R-Craniosacral Therapist – NLP – Angel Guide Certified – Mindfulness Meditation teacher-

Introduction to Nutritional Therapy video course

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Introduction to Nutritional Therapy video course

This is a course for everyone who is curious about nutrition and how our human body function with the nutrients and food that is ingested every day. It is for parents also to understand the dietary requirements for their children to grow at an optimum level. For everyone that is curious to know how our body function so that our immunity is strong when fighting any viruses or bacteria. What happens if you do not have enough of a particular nutrient or food group, and how much each nutrient interacts with another in a synergetic way so that everything functions well.

Our body functions depend on our diet, and what we eat will shape our health!

This is what you are going to learn in this video course (for beginners, all therapists but not nutritional therapist)

Introduction to Nutritional Therapy outline

Lesson 1. Introduction to Nutritional therapy

Lesson 2. Carbohydrate, protein and fats

Lesson 3. Water soluble vitamins

Lesson 4. Fat soluble vitamins

Lesson 5. Macro minerals

Lesson 6. Microminerals

Bonus PDF information on the “Stress response”

To order the links for the videos click on the below button to purchase it. (Please, do not share any of the video with anyone else, as that is a copyright and you can be fined, each link is linked to the person that is buying the course).

Course fee is only £ 16.00

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional Therapist – NAET – R-Craniosacral Therapist – NLP practitioner – Certified Angel Guide

Happy Healthy Holidays seasons

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Holiday seasons are near and this year there are a lot of changes and a time when we need to be aware of others more than ever. Hope that you are all well in some way or another and that you are ready for a new year of hope, moving forward with awareness that life is unpredictable and we need to do what we want to do in life, to live a fulfilling life! Whatever that might be. Most of all be yourself, connect to your inner heart, and go with the flow of life!

Nutritionally, be aware of what you can do in your power to be healthy, have moderate meat, have a bit more sustainable oily fish or fish in general, plenty of vegetables and fruits and a varied diet.

If you do drink a bit more this year for some reason, be aware of drinking water in between alcohol, so that you do not dehydrate.

  • Eat a healthy fatty meal the next morning, such as eggs, mushrooms, avocadoes and salmon, with spinach; as that will get rid of the hungover, as well as pure water.
  • During the holidays take a good walk outside in fresh air; breathe! Do not wait till the new year to do the walking or running or exercise, do them even during the holidays!
  • Relax more by doing diaphragmatic breathing during the day; breathe by using your belly instead of your upper chest. While you are breathing let go of worries and concerns; Click here to listen and download a short meditation from me.
  • This year, instead of eating till your pants unbutton naturally, or your tracksuit stretches even more, eat just a small meal at the time, and use the leftover for the next day. There are so many recipes for leftover Christmas meals on the internet right now.
  • Use the following food to support your liver and get more nutrients: red cabbage (cooked), kale (slightly cooked), carrots (cooked), squash, pomegranate, orange juices (freshly squeezed), mandarins, fresh nuts, especially walnuts and almonds (no salt), hazelnuts, beetroot (cooked or raw), artichokes. Use turmeric, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and all the fresh herbs that you know, include ginger, cinnamon and more fresh herbs and spices, if you can add onions (raw and cooked), garlic (raw and cooked). All the above helps with the immune system.
  • By avoiding anything that you might be allergic too, you reduce the inflammation, which usually might lower your immune system. Stress is part of it.
  • Make sure you have a deep sleep of at least 4 to 5 hours. Use magnesium before bedtime, about 1 hour, or melatonin to support that, or relaxation tapes. Avoid any stimulants, including chocolate after 2pm in the afternoon. Avoid eating too late at night, leave a space of at least 3 hours before your bedtime.
Light Beam copyright

If you are allergic to some foods, and you have not seen me yet, then give NAET a try, as it has changed the life of many adults and children alike, from babies too. Click here to read more about it.

In order to move forward in this time and age, and let go of the shock of this year and fears, one of the best ways, is through craniosacral, combined with the NLP, which is amazing to get you rid of old emotions or trauma that are holding you back or stuck. Most conditional thoughts and beliefs are learned in childhood, and through some of the tools through NLP and CST, we visit the times, without going into the actual emotion or traumatic event. You are going to learn to use your own resources as an adult that you have, to give yourself another way of dealing with the same situation that you went through as a child! This will empower you, to deal with present and future events that would have caused the same old destructive emotions in the past, and to deal with them in a more resourceful positive way. Remember we can never change the past, but we can change the present time in dealing with the same situation in a different empowering way.

This is the unconscious mind, which drives your life, unknown to you, that you are aware of it or not!

NLP is also ideal to have a clear plan or goal towards what you need to do. click here to read more

I know that most people want this year to be over, and it is almost over; just notice what your learnings for this year have been and keep them in mind for next year. Keep moving forward, instead of going back to the past, and see what life will bring you!

Go with the Flow of Life!

Most of all, enjoy your Holiday seasons with your family even more this year, pay attention to your loved ones.

Best wishes and Light healing from me for this year ending and the new year coming 2021!

Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional Therapist – NAET – R-Craniosacral Therapist – NLP practitioner – Certified Angel Guide

Cellular health for a strong immune system

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Cellular health

Did you know that we are made of millions of cells stuck together, and these cells health are essential for our own body health?

Inside one cells is like a house, food needs to be eaten, waste needs to be taken out and the house needs to be cleared. Only certain nutrients are allowed in, and other are repelled. If any of the toxins from the food and drink that you eat gets in by mistake, the cells might die, and a new cell is made.

Also, every single cell in our body changes completely within a year. So, in a year time, you are a completely different person. Now nutritionally if you change the way you eat that is healthy for your and your cell, that is great, you might be younger and healthier than you are now if your diet is not the greatest.

But also you need to consider the emotional health, if you deal with life in exactly the same way that you have been dealt till now, then the emotional and mental health will be the same in a year time, and if you change the way you deal with emotion and life now, in a year time, you will have that memory cell change. The change in the way you see, feel and deal with life, can be very quick, as you get more grounded, anchor positive feeling to your body and keep reinforcing these positive ways of thinking, you will see the result in your life.

It is like a mirror reflecting back at you, when you change internally how you deal, see and cope with the world. Even in time of chaos around you, uncertainty, fears and worries, you can connect to that inner strength and inner peace that is within your heart, deep within you, and you will see the future clearly, things will come to you without much effort, and you will see the future brighter than ever.

I know that it seems difficult at this time and age, but it our inner world that needs to change, and we are the only one that can do it, with help, it can be done. We can only change ourselves remember.

Positive way of dealing with life, with NLP, craniosacral therapy, grounding and healing tools click here to read more about the webinars and book your place.

Nutritional food and nutrients essential for our internal cells:

As you can see from the list below, you need to have a varied diet, in order to get all the nutrients that the cells need to function well.

  • For the cell to make fuel for the body it needs to have fat, carbohydrates and protein to make it first of all. You can get that from the good fat such as fish oil, avocadoes, olive oil, coconut oil, seeds and nuts.
  • Carbohydrates from good ones such as brown rice, brown pasta, wholemeal bread, potatoes with skin on, any vegetables also have some form of carbohydrates.
  • Proteins from meat, fish, beans and lentils and eggs.
  • Nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6 and biotin (found in grains, fish, meat, beans and lentils);
  • Zinc (found in pumpkin seeds, oysters, meat, shellfish);
  • Iron (found in meat, eggs, in a form that the body absorbs it easily, in vegetable form is found in lentils, beans and spinach, you need to have some vitamin C to be easily absorbed and used in the body);
  • Lipoic acid (found in spinach, organ meats and red meat, broccoli, avocadoes, meat, Brussel sprouts, rice, carrots);
  • CoQ10 (found in organ meats, oily fish, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges and strawberries, beans and lentils, soy beans, sesame seeds and unsalted) pistachio
  • Water and you know where to find it.
  • Manganese and magnesium found in green leafy vegetables, mineral water, beans, lentils, oysters, mussels, grains.

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) RNT- NAET – RCST – NLP practitioner – Certified Angel Guide

Set of sessions for healthy your own healthy body, mind and spirit

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

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Tranmuting into the new world

This programme is to help yourself in being physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to live your live in the way you want to live your life.

The programme works with you yourself following the healthy guidelines and you are going to be guided to get all the positive resources to deal with your emotions, old beliefs that stops you from moving towards your positive goal.

beauty within us all

This include Nutritional Therapy and nutritional guidance to get a healthy body, Neuro linguistic programming and craniosacral therapy to set your emotional and mental state of balance. Finding your own resources of wisdom that you have within you, while in a state of pure calm and relaxation during the craniosacral therapy.

Setting goals that you would like to achieve and working together in planning step by step to achieve them. Working together in resolving internal and external conflict on the way of achieving your goal and possible road blocks that you encounter on each step.

This is a minimum of 6 months programme and you need to commit to this in order for you to get into the state of mind that you need to achieve your goal. For example:

  1. Suggestions of a healthy eating and nutrition for you, according of what lifestyle right now you have, suggestions of possible supplements to kick start the healthy habits.
  2. Your goal might be loosing weight and stay healthy with a healthy choice of food, or starting your own business, or changing career or jobs, or Keeping healthy in order to prevent possible trigger of family disorders.

I have been working with people for about 30 years, and healing myself at the same time, I know how it feels to get stuck and unable to move. I worked with people for so long as my reason was to help people be themselves and get to do what they are meant to do, for themselves and others for the highest good of all. Only from the unconditional love of our heart. This programme is to help people get to the point of being themselves, without the restrictions of family, old beliefs that do not serve them any longer and negative stuck emotions that keeps propping up when they start moving forward.

Each session can be on line or in person, after receiving the signed agreement and payments for at least the first 2 months. Each session is about 1 or 1 and half hours max two and the cost for each session is

£ 111.00 x 8 for the first two months (once a week session for consecutive 8 weeks) (1 and half hours max). Once a week email to see where you are at with your own journey.

Payment via bank transfer or ask for a paypal invoice for the 8 sessions. Only when paid in advanced the 1st sessions start. This is to ensure your commitment to your own health journey.

To be paid one day prior to the consultation by bank transfer to Maria Esposito TSB code 308472 account 24603860. No refund is given once the journey starts. You can stop after the 2 months session starts before the next once.

£ 111.00 x 4 for once month for consecutive 4 months. (1 and half hour max). Once a month email to see where you are at with your journey. Also this needs to be paid in advanced and you need to be committed to your journey. No refund once it starts.

After that, the payment needs to be in full for the 4 session of the last 4 months in advanced. If you decide to stop after two months is fine, and it is your choice with no guarantee of help after that, as you might need to start few sessions before going ahead. After 6 months if still you have not reached the goal that you set up, we can extend it for a further 6 months.

Light within us all

Then there is a once a month for 4 months session where we can check where you are at with your project and progress into your goal. If needed, we can extend the agreement for a year and it will be for 12 months.

The first session is about getting what you want to reach or your goal, looking at your diet and lifestyle, thinking mode and what you want to achieve. Recommendation for a healthy diet and exercise that it is suitable for you will be suggested. Possible supplements for integrating your health and balance your body physically also might be recommended.

From the second to the 8th session is about your emotions, old beliefs that no longer serve you and if you are here physically, you can have a craniosacral session and with the NLP sessions, otherwise, you will have NLP sessions on line and possible distance healing.

Healthy fruit salad

It might be that at the end of the 4th session, your goal is different from what you thought it was, and it might be more appropriate for your positive new you. This will be discovered by you only.

© Maria Esposito BSc (Hons) R-Nutritional therapist – NAET – R-Craniosacral therapist – NLP practitioner – Certified Angel Guide

Woven basket filled with oranges on a rustic wooden kitchen table

Cough and Cold Season: How to Support Your Immune System and Relieve Symptom

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

The season for coughs and cold has started let’s see what can be done to minimize the symptoms and or shorten the illness:

What can be done to strengthen our immune system?

Coughs and colds are common, particularly during the colder months. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent every infection or instantly cure a cold, there are simple steps that can support general health and help relieve symptoms.

Supporting your immune system

  • Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole foods.
  • Get enough sleep and rest.
  • Stay physically active when you are well.
  • Drink enough fluids.
  • Manage stress where possible.
  • Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.
  • Keep up to date with recommended vaccinations.
  • The old remedy or chicken soup, or vegetables soups with onions, ginger, cumin and tumeric, garlic and cabbage and anything warm is still valid for colds of the present times!

Helping to relieve cold and cough symptoms

  • Rest and sleep: Giving your body time to recover is important.
  • Drink plenty of fluids: Water, warm drinks, and soups can help you stay hydrated and soothe the throat.
  • Warm soups: Chicken soup or vegetable and ginger soups can be comforting and provide fluids and nutrients.
  • Honey and lemon: Warm drinks containing honey and lemon may soothe a sore throat and cough. Honey should never be given to babies under 12 months due to possible bacteria.
  • Saline nasal sprays or drops: These can help relieve a blocked nose and are available in suitable forms for adults, children, and babies.
  • Salt-water gargles: Adults and older children who can gargle safely may find warm salt water helpful for a sore throat.
  • Warm baths or showers: These may help you feel more comfortable, although care should be taken to avoid overheating.

Vitamins and supplements

A healthy diet is usually the best way to obtain vitamins and minerals.

  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C taken during the day, may reduce the duration of your cold or coughs, vitamin C is eliminated via urine every few hours, hence taking a little bit every few hours, either through extra supplement or food can support your immune system and your body, if you take too much vitamin C for you, you will know as it will give you a bit of a loose bowel.
  • Zinc: Zinc may also help shorten some colds if taken appropriately and early, but excessive amounts can cause side effects and interact with medications. Speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional about the right product and dose. (if you are taking any serious medications especially blood thinning, I would stay away from vitamin C or zinc, zinc take only a max of 15 mg).
  • Probiotics: Some research suggests certain probiotics may have benefits, and again, this will support your immunity, and your family immunity. It is not a substitute for seeing your GP for you or especially for babies or children.

Important safety advice for babies and children

Babies and young children should not be given adult supplements, herbal remedies, essential oils, or cold treatments unless they are specifically recommended for their age by a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Avoid using strong essential oils around babies unless a healthcare professional confirms that the product and method are appropriate. Essential oils should never be swallowed, and they should be kept away from children’s reach.

What to avoid

Some popular remedies have limited evidence or may cause irritation or harm. In particular, inhaling powdered salts or other substances directly into the lungs is not recommended, as it may irritate the airways.

When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, getting worse, lasting unusually long, or if there is difficulty breathing, chest pain, dehydration, confusion, or a persistent high fever. Babies with breathing difficulties, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness should be assessed promptly.

For personalised advice about supplements, medicines, pregnancy, babies, or existing medical conditions, speak with a pharmacist, GP, a nutritionist like myself where ever you live, to optimize your immunity and that of your children, if you are breastfeeding you can optimize your nutrition and the baby will get your own immunity.

Blood oranges
onion