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Just took a 15-minute break to go into my garden and grab some morning sunshine in the far corner where the tulips are beginning to form buds and the bees are visiting the flowering heather. Winter seems to have been very long and very grey this year and to finally see the sun can only be time to join the birds in joyful song and the bees intensely buzzing from flower to flower. Is it sunny all the way from here? Unlikely, but at least warmer and brighter.

During the seasonal transition it is natural to feel more energetic and want to clean things out, cupboards, garages, wardrobes and attics. This is the time also to have a good internal spring clean to remove the stagnation and sluggishness of winter and do that detox you have been promising yourself for months. 

This winter we have all been facing a very tenacious flu that seems to leave most with a lingering cough that goes on for weeks. Sound familiar?

Enhancing the body’s natural defence system (immunity) plays a vital role in maintaining optimum health. We all know that prevention is better than cure. Taking a closer look at lifestyle and how we support our immune system at this time of year has to be a priority for you and your family. Ayurvedic medicine has some simple remedies that do just that.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), the hardy Mediterranean herb that not only looks gorgeous when lining footpaths and flower beds, smells divine, but also has many health benefits in addition to being a wonderful herb for adding flavour to fish, stews, soups, casseroles, to breads, muffins, as well as flavouring olive oil. Beautifully versatile!

As with most of the Mediterranean herbs it is aromatic containing essential oils thymol and carvacrol, triterpenes and polysaccharides not only to address respiratory issues, but also digestive issues. As one of many bitter tonics, thyme is carminative, anthelmintic and antiseptic supporting and aiding effective digestion.

Listening to a recent webinar with Dr Dugald Seely, N.D, M.Sc and integrative medicine doctor sparked my interest and broadened my understanding of the importance of exercising, but varying the type of exercise to build all round fitness.  Dr Seely, has been actively pursuing the growth and development of integrative medicine and pioneered an innovative model of cancer care and research through the creation of the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, operating since in 2011. He reminded me of the importance of exercise in overall fitness and as part of treating a patient for cancer. In this blog I am going to focus on movement and exercise and the importance of a varied regime to build all round fitness and support wellbeing.