3 natural ingredients to support winter activity

The cold isn’t a reason to stop moving! Getting out in the fresh air and keeping active is key to feeling vibrant through the winter months. We’ve handpicked our top 3 naturally powerful botanicals to support your winter activity. 1. Blackcurrants New Zealand-grown Blackcurrants have been tested and shown to be one of the richest sources of antioxidants of any commercially available plant extract (1). Research shows that taking NZ Blackcurrants improves muscle recovery and immune function following exercise and exertion (2). This makes Blackcurrant extract ideal for supporting wellness on all fronts when exercising during winter. The secret to NZ Blackcurrants' success is their high levels of anthocyanins. These are the dark pigments which are excellent antioxidants and give Blackcurrants their deep black colour. Added to this is the traditional use of Blackcurrant throughout Europe as a support to soothe throats and ease ills and chills (3). NZ Blackcurrants also offer specific antioxidant support if you’re vulnerable to increased levels of oxidative stress. Perhaps you’re a smoker (4), suffer from asthma, are elderly, live in a polluted environment or frequently fly. Oxidative stress is also heightened if you’re undergoing significant emotional or physical stress, like if you’re a student, athlete or air steward.   2. Elecampane Elecampane is a herb with a long history of use as both a food and medicine, primarily for respiratory issues. It’s been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to support and enhance lung health and to relieve coughs, making it great for easy breathing when you’re exercising outside this winter! 3. Kawakawa This heart-shaped herb was used as a pick-me-up tonic by early European settlers to New Zealand as a tea alternative. Kawakawa is naturally warming, especially when combined with the heat of Ginger root. If you feel the cold in your toes or nose, this is a great combo - try a dose before leaving the house. When you come back inside from braving the outdoors, a hot cup of Kiwiherb Stomach Calm can warm you right up! For optimal winter wellness, choose the natural botanical support best suited to you: Kiwiherb Lung Care Spray combines the power of NZ Blackcurrants with Ginger, both of which are traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to soothe the symptoms of mild upper respiratory tract infections. It also contains Elecampane which is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to support lung health. Kiwiherb Stomach Calm is a warming way to calm and soothe the stomach. It features herbs traditionally used in New Zealand herbal medicine to relieve symptoms associated with occasional overindulgence. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.   References: 1. Gopalan A., Reuben S. C., Ahmed S., Darvesh A. S., Hohmann J., & Bishayee A. (2012). The Health Benefits of Blackcurrants. Food & Function, 3(8),795-809. doi: 10.1039/c2fo30058c. Epub 2012 Jun 6. 2. Coelho, M., Buxton, S., Butcher, R., Foran, D., Manders, R., & Hunt, J. (2017). The effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on recovery following eccentric exercise induced muscle damage. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76(2), 34. doi:10.1017/S0029665117000908 3. Blumenthal M., Goldberg A. et al. (2000). Herbal Medicine. Expanded Commission E Monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications. 4. Desjardins, J., Tanabe, S., Bergeron, C., Gafner, S., & Grenier, D. (2012). Anthocyanin-Rich Black Currant Extract and Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Have Cytoprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Journal of Medicinal Food, 15(12), 1045–1050. doi:10.1089/jmf.2011.0316  5. Staiger, C. (2012) Comfrey: A Clinical Overview. Phytotherapy Research Oct; 26(10): 1441–1448. Published online 2012 Feb 23. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4612