Author: michael.thompson@saltsoftheearth.com.au

For too many people winter equals chesty coughs, runny noses and congestion. Mucus seems to build up and no matter how hard you cough or blow your nose it just won’t clear or come up!  Chest congestion can be caused by any number of ailments, chief among them the common cold and the flu. Fortunately, chest congestion relief also comes in many forms, from home remedies like hot steam, to different kinds of medications and therapies like salt therapy. Hopefully one of these ways to break up chest congestion and relieve the build up of mucus works for you. Vicks is your friend:  Vicks can provide great relief when...

The darker months of winter can be tough, especially for sufferers of anxiety. Not enough time outdoors, more stress at work, colder commutes and passing illnesses - all of it adds up to a bad time indeed. For those who struggle with stress and anxiety, a bit of extra time spent focusing on wellbeing and self-care can make all the difference. Here’s a few little things you can add to your routine that might clear a clouded mind. Exercise Especially in the colder months, it’s easy to spend all your time snuggled up on the couch. And why wouldn’t you?! It’s...

Every day it seems like we are preached to about the negative health effects of sugar. Sugar causes weight gain, sugar is bad for your digestion, sugar is bad for your skin and the list goes on. But there is sugar in fruit, so does that mean fruit is bad for you too? Turns out there are different types of sugars to be aware of, simple sugars and added sugars.   Foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains are all examples of simple sugars. These naturally occurring sugars are valid energy sources, and along with the other nutrients...

According to the Australian Health Survey, about a third of adults don’t meet their magnesium requirement from the foods they eat (older teenagers are particularly likely to run short of magnesium). This is an issue as magnesium is an essential mineral for healthy bodily function. Magnesium is a mineral needed by every cell of your body and is required for every major biological process. This includes the production of cellular energy and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady and bones strong. For these reasons magnesium oil has numerous benefits to our health. Here are just...

Brace yourself Australia, we are on track for a killer flu season. Three times as many people have been diagnosed with the flu virus so far this year, compared to the same period in previous years. In March, more than 10,000 people were diagnosed with the flu. In March 2018, that number was 3,173. So, why is there so much flu around already? In 2018, Australia had a pretty quiet flu season and that means that community immunity wasn't built up to protect against this year's virus. Because of this, Chair of the Immunisation Coalition Professor Robert Booy, has warned Australians that many...

It seems like every home you go into these days has a salt lamp. This is because they have an abundance of great benefits for your health. Even if you aren’t interested in holistic approaches to health or wellbeing, the undoubtable power of salt lamps is very interesting. Salt is a natural mineral that can generate small amounts of negative ions (oxygen atoms that are charged with an extra electron). Studies have shown that in high concentrations these negative ions can have positive impacts on the mind and body. Salt rock can also help cleanse the air by attracting the water...

When you are in a new relationship, planning on building a life together, a little thing like snoring probably isn’t on the top of your list of things to discuss before the wedding day. According to a 2015 survey by the US-based National Sleep Foundation, 25 percent of couples sleep separately as a result of sleep issues. For many of us searching for lasting love and intimacy, that doesn’t sound like a very romantic prospect. Snoring doesn't affect all couples the same way. Some snorers are married to deep sleepers, who might not even notice. However, for the others, the constant sounds of...

When celebrity chef Peter Evans said he snacks on ‘activated almonds’, even health professionals looked bewildered. So, exactly what are activated nuts? An activated nut or seed has simply been soaked in water for 24 hours, then dried out again over a low heat .Raw nuts contain phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors that can reduce the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients properly. Eating large amounts of raw nuts can put extra pressure on your digestive system and may cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms like bloating, heaviness and nausea. There are numerous studies in grains and legumes that show soaking and/or germination decreases the...

When someone suggests you should “go with your gut” — they’re more right than you probably realise. Thanks to a whopping 40 trillion bacteria perpetually hard at work, your gut helps power your entire body, so it is very important to take good care of it. The gut is where 70% of your immune system lies, where we metabolise hormones, where we make nutrients and neurotransmitters, create detoxifying enzymes and neutralise pathogens. All of these processes can profoundly affect us if not in balance or working properly. To achieve a healthy gut, we need to support good bacteria in our digestive system. Bacteria pretty much run...

In today’s society, keeping up with the daily pressures of work, family and extra-curricular activities can lead to increased stress levels. Often in a fast-paced environment, prolonged stress can take it’s toll on the body with physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, breakouts, poor digestion and restlessness. It’s no wonder that there has been a lot of talk about mindfulness in the health and wellness industry of late, but what does it mean and how can it help you? Removing all of the hype, mindfulness is simply about paying attention to the present moment. Many people find practising mindfulness can assist...