Here you’ll find clear, practical guidance on inflammation and immunity. I explain how your defence system should switch on, then settle again. When that calm phase drags, you may notice aching joints, skin flares, sinus niggles, brain fog or frequent coughs and colds. Explore common drivers such as poor sleep, blood sugar swings, low fibre, stress load and a strained gut barrier.
Food comes first. Expect balanced meal ideas, fibre targets, omega-3 sources, and simple ways to use herbs and spices in daily cooking. We look at gentle movement, pacing during flares, breath work and sleep routines that help your immune system recover. You will also find seasonal posts on staying well, plus soothing supports for the throat, chest, skin and gut. Short-term tools appear when useful. Then we return to everyday habits that build tolerance and resilience.
Safety matters. If you take steroids, immune-modifying medicines or anticoagulants, check for interactions before trying herbal options and speak with a medical herbalist or your GP. This section is educational and not a substitute for medical care. Seek medical help quickly for red flag signs such as chest pain, trouble breathing, a severe or persistent fever, sudden swelling of the face or throat, a spreading rash with fever, or a hot, very painful joint.
Summary Catching every cold and bug that comes along is rarely just bad luck. It usually points to something going on underneath. That might be how you're sleeping, what your body is running low on, or how much background stress your immune system is already managing....
Inflammaging is the term scientists use for a specific kind of chronic, low-grade inflammation that builds gradually with age. Unlike the inflammation from an injury or infection, it has no obvious signs. It simply persists. But research now recognises it as a...
Summary Gout risk rises after 40 for women, and sharply during and after menopause, because of changes in hormones, metabolism and kidney function. Gout is often thought of as a condition that mostly affects men. This post explains why gout develops in older women,...
Inflammation plays a role in many everyday health issues, from stiff joints to gut flares and breathing trouble. But not all anti-inflammatory options work the same way. This post breaks down how fish oil, turmeric, and boswellia each tackle inflammation at different...
Autoimmune inflammation often sticks around longer than it should because the body struggles to switch off the immune response. A major factor in this is the imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats in modern diets. Too much omega-6 (from seed oils and processed...
Andrographis is a traditional herb used across Asia to support the body during colds and flu. Modern research shows it can help ease signs like sore throat and fatigue, especially when taken early in an illness. It works by supporting the immune response and making it...
In the UK winter, our skin can’t make vitamin D from sunlight due to low UVB levels. This can lead to tiredness, aches, low mood and more frequent infections. Food sources and a daily supplement of 10 micrograms can help maintain healthy levels. Some people are more...
Autoimmune conditions happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Medication often plays a key role, and nutrition can work alongside it. This article explains how gut health, chronic inflammation and certain foods can affect an autoimmune...
After 40, many women notice changes like joint stiffness, brain fog, and weight shifts – often linked to low-level, age-related inflammation. This is partly due to hormonal changes, especially falling oestrogen. Extra virgin olive oil, rich in natural plant compounds...
Histamine intolerance isn’t an allergy, but rather a buildup of histamine that your body can’t clear fast enough. This can lead to symptoms like flushing, itching, headaches, or tummy troubles that come and go unpredictably. Stress, sleep, hormones, and gut health all...
Staying well during cold season isn’t just down to luck — it’s about how strong and balanced your body’s inner defences are. Supporting your immune system starts with basics: good food, regular sleep, movement, and stress management. In winter, cold, dry air can...
Not everyone bounces back quickly after a virus. For many, the tiredness sticks around in a way that feels different and harder to shake. This lingering fatigue, often brushed off or misunderstood, can affect thinking, sleep, movement, and daily life. It might even...
Curcumin (from turmeric) and boswellia (Indian frankincense) each tackle inflammation through different biochemical routes - COX and LOX pathways respectively - and when combined they deliver a more comprehensive “master-switch” shutdown of chronic joint inflammation....
Seasonal allergies can be especially tough for people with chronic health sensitivities. Instead of relying solely on conventional antihistamines, this guide explores effective natural remedies for hay fever relief natural alternatives like stinging nettle, quercetin,...
While calcium has long been the focus of osteoporosis prevention, emerging research shows that chronic inflammation significantly contributes to bone loss. Inflammatory cytokines accelerate bone breakdown and suppress bone-building, disrupting the body's natural...
You may have noticed recently that there have been a lot of articles in magazines and social media about how to detox naturally. In my herbal practice, I frequently get questions on detoxification. The search for answers often stems from the huge amount of...
Acne vulgaris is common in the UK. This chronic skin condition affects almost all adolescents and around half of adults. And, more people than ever are having breakouks. As a herbalist, I regularly see patients with acne and help them to achieve clearer skin. In this...
Finally, we have some sunshine and isn’t it lovely! Except that the sudden gorgeous sunshine, means inevitably people are likely to get sunburned skin. If you have had too much sun exposure here are some natural remedies for sunburn with soothing and healing...
Detox plans are all the rage at this time of year. A New Year - a new you! I get it. And especially after a period of overindulgence over the Christmas holidays, many people are ready to tone it back and get on track. Eat more healthily. exercise more, drink more...
Summary Inflammation has a part in most long term illness, and the spices in your kitchen act on it. Turmeric, ginger, garlic and cinnamon have been tested in people, and the trials show them lowering the markers of inflammation measured in a blood test. This post...
NSAIDs are back in the news. A British Medical Journal article says all NSAIDs increase heart attack risk. The report also states that the risk is highest in the first month of use and with higher doses. Of course, the danger for an individual may be small. Yet it is...
This is the second post in a series of posts about the potential benefits of complementary therapies for people living with chronic pain. In case you missed it, you can find the first post here. This post focuses on research related to several complementary therapies...
Our immune system is a complex and intricate system that our health relies on. It is comprised of several different types of cells and substances. These work together to defend our body against infections and illnesses. From an early age our immune system learns the...
This is the third article in a series of posts about complementary therapies for chronic pain conditions. See the research in this review in the British Medical Journal. Read the first two posts of the series here: Which therapies for chronic pain? Which therapy -...