The key to winter wellness may lie closer to home than you realise.

One of the positives to come out of the pandemic was the national drive to shop local. However, as the world reopened we can easily forget this valuable lesson unless we make conscious efforts to think about where our products come from. Reducing the distance from farm to table is highly beneficial in terms of nutrients, but have you considered the benefits to locally sourcing your herbs and health supplements too?

Ireland has much to offer in this area and our local health food stores are an excellent starting point for anyone looking to supercharge their health this winter. Take Irish Botanica for instance, this wonderful brand specialises in pure, high strength herbal products, developed in consultation with Irish Herbalist David Foley. Many ingredients are organically grown. Products are ethically sourced, cleanly manufactured, and suppliers carefully chosen who also share their ethical values and mindful approach. They believe in creating products that are gentle and kind, both to consumers, and all those involved in the supply chain.

It’s worth considering Irish Botanica when you’re stocking up on echinacea this winter. For the uninitiated, echinacea is a traditional herbal medicinal product used in adults to relieve common cold and flu-like symptoms, exclusively based on longstanding use. Irish Botanica Echinacea has a tincture which is a 1:3 dilution making it a therapeutic strength. This is one of the stronger brands on the Irish market. When taking this product, a tingling sensation can be felt on the tongue which is a sign of activity. (Top tip for those with more sensitive tastebuds: Irish Botanica Echinacea can also be mixed with orange juice or water before taking!)

If you do happen to catch a cough or Covid this winter Irish Botanica Botanical Syrup could help you shift that lingering chesty cough. It contains a unique blend of botanical extracts with vitamin C, ginseng, and liquorice. Formulated to help support all types of stubborn coughs, be they dry, chesty, or phlegmy as well as providing year-round immune system support as it contains vitamin C which contributes to maintaining the normal function of the immune system. It is non-drowsy and suitable to anyone over three years of age.