After the long Winter months we're looking forward to Spring and Summer... but if only we had more energy!

We all occasionally suffer from fatigue.

For women the most common causes of fatigue are menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and then menopause.

Particularly, when we have young children, nights are often interrupted. Tiredness and lack of energy follow.

Stress then makes it all worse and leads to even less energy.

Fatigue is the result of an energy imbalance. Too much energy spent, not enough energy conserved.

If emotional and relationship problems are not an issue, then it might help to regain energy by making sure we sleep well.

It's not merely the length of sleep that's important, but the sense of a good deep sleep.

A deep sleep after which you wake up refreshed, full of energy, ready and happy to face the day.

First of all cut out all foods and drinks which prevent you from sleeping well.

Try going without coffee and tea and other stimulating drinks for about two weeks. See if this makes a difference.

Try not to eat too late because a full stomach can keep you awake.

Late in the afternoon or before bedtime, drink a herbal tea made from one or a mixture of these herbs: Lemon Balm; St John's Wort, and Hops.

These herbs have a relaxing effect and will improve the quality of your sleep.

This is where you get your energy from. At first you might feel more tired when you cut out the stimulating items but it is worth it. You gain in the long run.

Then you can start taking tonics for the nerves, like: Rosemary; Siberian Ginseng; Panax Ginseng; Chinese Angelica; Skullcap, and; Oat.

Many cold and flu bugs strike after the long winter months.

A key benefit of herbal medicines is that they provide remedies which strengthen the body's natural defence system.

Elderflower and Elder Berries have immune boosting qualities. Also Echinacea and Myrrh, Garlic and Thyme, Grapefruit Seed Extract and Olive Leaf Extract.

Tiredness and lack of energy can also be helped by eating lots of raw foods. Raw food contains live enzymes.

As soon as you cook or process food you denature its enzymes, it becomes ‘dead food'.

Raw food is ‘live' food. After eating raw food one feels significantly more alive, more energised.

Recipe
Here is a home made recipe which you can change and adapt to suit your taste.

Chop or grate carrots, celery, celeriac, apples, beetroot, cabbage (white and red), add a dressing made with olive oil and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, add nuts and seeds and fresh herbs to your heart's delight.

This dish is filling and invigorating and full of goodness, especially when made with organic and locally grown ingredients.