Putting Plant Power into Practice – Immunity And Respiration Inspiration Naturally From Puressentiel.
This winter the nation can expect a sickening ‘twindemic’ of respiratory illnesses caused by predicted spikes in Covid-19 infections alongside a significant surge in seasonal flu. Fortunately, plants can play a powerful part in our immune defences and infection and symptom control.
Nurture with Nature, a new report just published from Puressentiel, the brains behind an evidence backed range of plant-based health products, gives us some insights into what, why and how plants can give us the best chance for a healthy winter ahead.
GP, Dr Nisa Aslam, and a member of the Puressentiel Expert hub explains: “Many of the essential oils found in plants which have a history of medicinal use have well proven winter respiratory busting properties which are incredibly useful against many winter health miseries.
“Depending on the essential oil and its active ingredients, essential oils, like the Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray and the Puressentiel Respiratory products have clinically backed antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity.
“Plant extracts and essential oils with recognised benefits for respiration and symptom relief include eucalyptus, echinacea, camphor, clove, and menthol. Echinacea has long been used to treat cold symptoms”
Getting Immune Fit
Flu for many Brits is going to be a big issue this winter. Dr Nisa Aslam explains: “We can get a very good idea of what to expect in the UK flu season from looking at what has happened in the preceding winter in Australia and other countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
“The flu season started around a month earlier than usual and there was also a huge rise in the number of people who became seriously ill because the most commonly circulating flu virus was a particularly nasty strain on Influenza A, so that’s what we should expect here, too.
Common sense strategies such as good hand hygiene and ventilation, supporting your general health and immunity and seeking out soothing symptom relief will all help to ease the burden of respiratory illness this winter and plants can play a big part in this.
Another critical factor for immune health and our ability to respond and recover from respiratory infections is sleep and plant power is invaluable there too.
Impact of Allergies
Allergies can also cause winter heartache, with dust mite allergy being a common trigger for wheezing, congestion, and other respiratory symptoms in one in four people in the UK.
The power of plants can even be harnessed to help combat airborne bacteria and viruses, fungal spores, and house-dust mites.
Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray, which combines 41 essential oils — including two species of lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and geranium (pelargonium) — ticks all the boxes as it busts airborne bacteria and viruses, fungal spores, and house-dust mites.
Dr Nisa Aslam adds: “We know that plants produce some extraordinarily beneficial natural compounds and chemicals, and many pharmaceutical medicines are simply synthetic derivatives of phytochemicals, but there is also a lot of evidence to show that the synergy which comes from combining different essential oils will often enhance their efficacy.”
Women Talking are great supporters of the power of plants, here are a selection of the Puressentiel health heroes to help you breathe easy, support your immune health, and get health and overall wellness:
Respiratory Saviours
Resp Ok® Air Spray: Combines a unique blend of essential oils which should be used at the first signs of winter discomfort or seasonal sensitivities. It contains 19 essential oils which help soothe the airways and ease congestion: anise, St Thomas Bay, cajeput, atlas cedarwood, lemon, clove, cypress, eucalyptus, Lavandula officinalis, Lavandin grosso, peppermint, niaouli, oregano, Sylvestris pine, ravintsara, rosemary, sage officinale, tea tree and thyme.
New Respiratory Nasal Hygiene Hydrating Spray: Combines soothing calendula and sea-water to deliver a three-in-one action — cleansing, hydrating, and clearing the nasal cavity — to prevent ear, nose and throat issues and strengthen the nasal lining’s defense. Also effective at eliminating pollen and pollutants. Licensed as a medical device.
Purifying Air Spray: Combines 41 essential oils — including two species of lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and geranium (pelargonium) — to combat airborne bacteria and viruses, fungal spores, and house-dust mites.
Rest & Relax Rescues – The perfect size for travel and convenient to pop in your bag, allowing to use them on the move.
Rest & Relax Air Spray: A clinically proven blend of 12 essential oils including sandalwood, lavender and neroli. Clinical trials confirm that Rest & Relax Air Spray improves sleep scores across five different measures and, unlike sleeping tablets, there is no lingering grogginess in the morning.
Stress Roll-on: A clinically proven product, this Stress Roll-on helps release tension and calm feelings of anger, nervousness, or low morale. The blend includes 12 essential oils such as lavender, orange peel, pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) sandalwood, lavender and neroli.
Headache Roll-On: Contains the plant bioactive, cineole, linalool and β-caryophyllene, in combination with sweet basil essential oil to target headaches and migraines. It also has calming effects and boosts concentration and mood.
Lilly Light