I wasn’t expecting Winter this year. Cold lingered through autumn so gently here in Woy Woy, then all of a sudden the temperature dropped. It wasn’t until 2 weeks into June I realised my body was begging me for some supplements and support.

I’ve worked at the Hemp Store for 3 ½ years now, and have had the privilege of being in close contact with a variety of plant based wellness products. After years of trying and testing, I’ve found my best buds; the plant allies I gather to defend me from the cold.

1. Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seed oil is such an underdog. No matter how many products on the other end of the price scale I layer on, good old Hemp Seed Oil is always in the mix and continuously working to keep me well. It’s great to consume for immune support and to keep the joints from aching, but this year I’ve used it to save my skin.

A few weeks ago my skin was dry, flaky and dull, and I’d been coming up with these little red flaky spots which might have been fungal. I manage adult acne, so I’m a big fan of cosmeceuticals, but it started to feel like they were taking everything out of my skin and giving nothing back.

In comes hemp seed oil. For a month now I’ve been following my regular facewash with a hemp seed oil cleanse and OH MY GOD. I massage the oil into my face and neck and can feel it lifting gunk out of my pores. Then I give my face a hot towel steam and wipe the oil away. My skin feels so soft and nourished, like the oil has just fed and replenished every cell. After a month, the tone and texture has improved immensely. No more pale, red and flaky. My skin is plump and my face is glowing.

Shop Hemp Seed Oil.

2. Masons Mushrooms Jing Blend

Last year was the first time I did Jing as directed and it carried me through a massive time in my life. I was breaking up, moving house (twice, with a 4-year-old), working more than one job travelling between the coast and Sydney, and studying. Jing was the only herbal ally I was taking at the time. It stabilised my energy and life force, and supported my body and mind to be reliable and consistent. I look back on that time and remember all the energy that was going out, but I never felt depleted, which is what Jing says it will do, and did do for me.

This year I’m taking at Jing to nurture my kidneys and lungs, which are both feeling the cold more than anywhere else in my body. I could also take Cordyceps straight, a kidney and lung tonic which is found in the Jing blend, but I enjoy meeting my old herbal friends, so it’s Jing for me.

Shop Jing and other mushroom blends.

 

3. Cold & Flu Terpenes

I’ve been buzzing on terpene research lately – you might have seen the recent blog or our new terpene info cards in store. That’s all me just having a special interest time. I’ve loved discovering how terpenes interact with our endocannabinoid system and have picked up PBTA Cold blend to help me through the winter.

What I’ve noticed so far is that even though I’ve had the preliminary signs of sickness coming on, they haven’t really manifested into anything like “being sick”, and I think that’s the terpenes working. Cold blends often feature eucalyptol, which has an instantaneous refreshing, relieving effect, especially in the sinuses.

Shop PBTA Cold and other terpene blends.

4. Hemp Oil

No, I haven’t already talked about Hemp Oil – it’s different to Hemp Seed Oil, which you can read about in last months blog. Hemp Oil is my trusted companion. For a lot of people new to Hemp for wellbeing, Hemp Oil is the gateway to all the other natural living products I’ve talked about and many more.

Hemp Oil supports my immune function, decreases inflammation which is good for all the skin stuff and the winter fatigue. But what I really value in it is the mood enhancing effects, which combat Seasonal Affective Disorder I experience in the dark, cold winter months.

Shop Hemp Oil.

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When I reflect on these plant allies and the special relationship we’ve developed over the years, one word comes to mind: Vitality. The cold of winter really attacks my sense of vitality, and all the aforementioned power plants defend and restore me to a balanced vital energy. From the rejuvenating effects of Hemp Seed Oil, nourishing Jing, refreshing Cold Terpenes and holistic benefits of Hemp Oil, they infuse me with a renewed energy to live with ease through winter, and a sense of vitality that radiates from within.

Do you use any of my favourites? What are the plant allies you reach for when the wind gets chilly?

Wherever you are and whatever you use, I hope you’re having a warm, well Winter season.

Love,

Dawa