It is becoming increasingly important that we need to take personal charge of our health and the health of our loved ones. In this modern world of ours our bodies are constantly being bombarded with a multitude of chemicals which at one point or another begin to have an effect on our immune systems.

We eat foods that are grown with a multitude of chemicals; foods that are prepared with artificial (chemical) flavours, preservatives and colourings; foods that are transported long distances & kept in cold storage. Therefore, it is safe to say that many of our foods have lost some of their life giving properties. Our bodies are unable to eliminate all the chemicals that we eat on a daily basis, and the accumulation of these chemicals begins, over time, to manifest in a breakdown of our body's ability to withstand disease.

"But what can we do about this?" you ask.
The most natural way is to turn to HERBS.

There are many very ordinary, and well known herbs which have remarkable healing and cleansing properties. Herbs assist the body to elevate the immune system while working to eliminate the unwanted chemicals from the body. They are rich in easily absorbed natural mineral salts and vitamins. Many herbs have natural antibiotic, antiseptic & anti-inflammatory properties. The following can be grown in your garden - Sage, Thyme, Lemon thyme, Yarrow, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Parsley, Calendula, Centella (penny wort) and Lemon grass.

The easiest and most pleasant method of taking these life giving plants is to make yourself a "smoothie" every day.

Power High - C

• 1/2 a tomato
• 1/2 cup real orange juice
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp raw ginger root (peeled) (about 1 large slice)
• 1 tsp spoon parsley - or any of the herbs mentioned above - especially sage, thyme, lemon thyme, rosemary, penny wort. (Try a different one each time - never using more than a teaspoonful, until you are used to their strong flavour.)

Place all these ingredients in a blender and liquidise.
Add extra water (to get the best effect, make a herb tea and use this) to thin if necessary and extra honey to taste.

Mango Magic

• 1/2 cup peeled fresh mango
• 1/2 tsp kelp powder or 2 crushed kelp tablets
• 1 tablespoon chopped lemon balm leaves
• 1 tablespoon parsley - or penny wort, calendula petals,
• 1 chopped stalk of celery

Place all ingredients in a blender and liquidise. Add extra water (or herb tea) to thin down.

Lemon & Rosemary Lift

• Strip one teaspoon full of rosemary leaves off the stem.
• Tear up about 15cm piece of lemon grass leaf
• Strip a hand full of lemon balm leaves (melissa)

Place these all in a cup and cover with hot water. Allow to draw.

Add this to 1/2 cup liquidised fruit - 1 kiwi fruit (high in Vit C); 1/2 cup paw-paw; 1/2 cup cucumber and pineapple; or whatever you enjoy.
Or Add 1/2 cup buttermilk, or soy milk as an additional food source.

Winter Powerhouse

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tsp fresh ginger
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1 slice tinned pineapple
• 1/2 apple
• 1 tsp kelp powder or crushed kelp tablets

Place all these ingredients in a blender, and thin down with a little real fruit juice of your choice. Drink 1/2 cup twice a day.

You will soon realise that it takes little effort to mix up a natural immune booster smoothie, packed with real goodness.
You will also soon feel the difference that these fresh, natural drinks have on your body. Your energy levels increase, you work better, you sleep better, you play better! You don't get so hungry. You don't get so stressed. You are slowly able to keep many of the winter ailments down to a minimum.

Turn to herbs to turn your health around!

Text: Margie Frayne