If you want to stay healthy and youthful in today’s world you need to give your body something extra every day, even while you are well. Fortunately, nature has many wonderful ‘tonics’ for us that we can use to prevent illness and ageing before it becomes an issue.

Here are 8 for you to consider:

Aloe Vera (Multi-vitamin and Gut Soother)

Aloe Vera gives us long-lasting youth and rapid healing.  It is anti-inflammatory and contains enzymes, minerals and amino acids that aid in digestion, reduce inflammation and help to cleanse and soothe the body. It is also anti-microbial.

Suggested Use: In a large glass add ¼ aloe vera juice, ¼ apple juice and ½ water. Sip throughout the day.

Aronia Juice (The ‘Miracle’ berry like Blueberries on Steroids!)

Aronia bushes produce dark purple berries that make a tart juice that is bursting with anti-oxidants. Protects your body from oxidative stress and ageing. High in anthocyanins which protect against cancer, diabetes, MS and heart disease. Boosts the immune system.

Suggested use: Have a small shot in a glass with breakfast. Can be mixed with other juices/water

Fresh Juices (Concentrated Fruit and Veg that is easily absorbed)

One way to get vegetables and fruit into your body every day is to have a juicer. Juicing helps your body absorb their nutrients more efficiently due to their liquefied form and higher concentration levels. Fresh juices also gently de-toxify the body. If you don’t have a juicer, you can buy fresh juices in a bottle and the company B.Fresh does really nice ones with nothing added.

Suggested use: Have a shot in a glass with breakfast every morning. Also, have an extra shot on any days where you haven’t managed to eat much veg and fruit.

Chyvanprash (Ayurvedic ‘Jam’ Bursting with Fruit/herbs)

This is an ancient Indian superfood (a polyherbal jam), prepared according to a traditional Ayurvedic recipe. It often has up to 40 different herbs, herbal extracts, and processed minerals. It helps to improve immunity and physical strength. Chyvanprash also helps to remove toxins from the body and improves heart health by lowering cholesterol levels.

Suggested use: have a spoonful each day straight from the spoon or dissolved in warm water

Shikimic Tea (Natural Tea for Immune Health and Anti-Shedding)

This is my natural tea that combines pine needles, star anise and fennel seeds which are all high in shikimic acid. Shikimic acid helps lessen the effects of glyphosate and restores gut health. This tea is also a powerful antiviral, particularly Influenza and Influenza B.

Suggested use: make up an herbal tea by simmering half portion of dried pine needles/ ¼ dried star anise/1/4  dried fennel seeds in water for around 5 minutes then leave to cool in the pan. Strain and, when cooler, add some raw honey if you want it sweeter. Drink a shot each day until the tea is finished. Keep it in the fridge.

Maca (Powdered Root for Energy, Endurance and Brain Function)

Also known as Peruvian Ginseng, Maca is known to boost energy and endurance and is used by athletes. Can improve mood and reduce anxiety. It balances both male and female hormones and can help during menopause. It also helps improve memory and brain function.

Suggested use: Take as a supplement for a month or two as capsules or add the powder to smoothies. It has a nice, nutty flavour so it can be added to cereals or homemade energy balls.

Turmeric (A Preventative for Many Chronic Diseases)

Turmeric is a root from the ginger family and is good for just about everything. One of its main gifts is that it reduces inflammation in the body so can help with conditions like arthritis. Turmeric is also a powerful anti-oxidant. It is reported to help inhibit the factors that enable cancer to grow so is useful as a preventative too. It is generally ‘anti-disease’.

Suggested Use: Take as a supplement in capsules that also contain piperine/black pepper (this helps absorption). Use in cooking, of course.

Pueraria Mirifica (Youth and Balance for Women)

This is a plant that grows in Thailand, and is a women’s remedy used by Thai women as they age. It has oestrogenic effects so can help in menopause. It promotes youthfulness and rejuvenation too. Helps keep bones strong and balances blood lipids so helps heart health.

Suggested Use: Take as capsules or mix powder into juice/water. Start at a very low dose to see how it affects your particular system. Everyone’s hormones are different.

B.Fresh Juices https://b-fresh.co.uk/collections/juices

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional although I have done a lot of research on work presented by people who are medical professionals. However, this information is for education only, it is not prescriptive, and should be used at your own discretion.