Honouring your immunity this Autumn
As we move through the darker days of Samhain, there’s a natural invitation to turn inward — to slow down, rest more, and spend time cocooned indoors. With that comes a deeper need to nurture our immunity, especially if we have little ones at home.
So here’s how I’m supporting myself so I can continue to care for others:
1. Herbalist support (at the first sign of infection)
Our community of St. Leonard’s-on-sea are lucky to have Nancy at Barefoot Herbs, who crafts bespoke tinctures that always hit the spot. This is medicine — potent, synergistic and deeply effective. Her shop is open weekdays 11–4, you can just turn up and she’ll create a treatment for you there and then.
2. Gentle gut repair
I’m focusing on digestive healing with liquid probiotics, aloe vera, glutathione, colostrum (a few times a week) and raw milk daily from Hook & Son Farm. Having lived with intense sugar cravings and autoimmune imbalances, this remains foundational work for me — steady, ongoing, essential.
3. Turkey tail mushroom
My seasonal favourite. This mushroom acts as a prebiotic and immune balancer, helping regulate an overactive or underactive system. Within hours of taking it, I felt a lingering virus begin to lift.
4. Letting fevers do their work
Especially in the early stages of infection, I avoid painkillers unless absolutely necessary, trusting the body’s innate intelligence. A raised temperature is one of our best defences — it helps the immune system fight more effectively.
5. Sunlight, nature and fresh air
For mental and emotional balance — because when our mood dips, our immunity often follows. I skip sunglasses and SPF in Autumn, allowing natural light to reach my eyes and reset my circadian rhythm.
6. Prioritising nutritional density
Before each meal I ask, “Is some part of this feeding my microbiome?” Right now, I’m making the most of our apple harvest, creating nourishing, gut-loving treats that support both digestion and morale.
7. Hydration and lymphatic support
I’m leaning on electrolytes and bitter teas like dandelion, burdock and nettle to strengthen my lymphatic system — an area that’s needed extra care since childhood glandular fever. These old viruses can reawaken under stress, so supporting drainage and flow is key.
8. Sleep rituals
I’m maintaining a gentle rhythm of rest with small bedtime rituals — journaling, stretching, red light, a card pull, oil cupping — and when I’m run down, I sleep with an air purifier to support overnight recovery.
9. Throat chakra care
Speaking my truth, setting boundaries, singing with my children, and meditating with kyanite all help keep this energy centre open, expressive, and clear.
10. Regular saunas
Head down to Lior Wellness Studio on London Road for a detoxing sauna in a beautiful private room. This restorative experience comes with mint tea, fresh dates and a cold bucket shower to cool down. Perfect for solo outings, couples or groups.
11. Movement for lymph flow
The lymphatic system relies on movement, hydration, and touch to detoxify. I’m honouring this with brisk walks, facial cupping, massage, and beginning Qigong to harmonise with a slower winter rhythm.
12. Heavy metal and parasite cleanse
I’m gently supporting gut, liver, and hormone balance with herbs like wormwood, clove, grapefruit seed, ginger, curcumin, oregano, thyme, olive, cinnamon, black walnut, and cat’s claw - all found in Cymbiotika’s ParaX - plus probiotics, charcoal, psyllium husks, and plenty of leafy greens and sea herbs — cooked, juiced or via super green supplements.
As days get shorter, I’m leaning into restoration — tending to the inner terrain so that when the light returns, I’m ready to meet it with vitality and clarity.
Don’t forget to join the waitlist on the homepage to get updates when my appointments go live in December. For now, I wish you a healthy and happy season filled cosyness, simplicity and slowness.
See you soon!
