The Plant-based Practitioner / ZenTea

24/08/2026

Elderberry: A Little Berry With Big Immune Support

🌿 Have you discovered the power of elderberry?

Elderberries have been used traditionally for centuries as a natural way to support the body, particularly during the colder months when colds and respiratory bugs are doing the rounds.

Rich in anthocyanins and other antioxidant compounds, elderberries can help support the body’s natural immune defences and protect cells from oxidative stress.

✨ Some of the reasons I love elderberry include:

🌿 Immune support — helps support the normal function of your immune system.

🫐 Antioxidant rich — packed with powerful plant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress.

🌱 Seasonal wellness — a beautiful herb to have in your natural medicine cupboard during winter and periods when illness is circulating.

💜 Respiratory support — traditionally used to support the body during coughs, colds and upper respiratory complaints.

🌿 Anti-inflammatory potential — elderberry contains naturally occurring compounds that may help support a healthy inflammatory response.

Elderberry can be enjoyed as a syrup, liquid preparation, tea or supplement, depending on the preparation and your individual needs.

As a naturopath, I always look at the whole person rather than simply reaching for one herb. Your immune resilience is influenced by sleep, nutrition, gut health, stress, nutrient status and lifestyle — and these foundations are just as important as the herbs we choose.

💫 Your best defence isn’t just treating illness when it arrives — it’s building a body that is well nourished and supported all year round.

Important: Raw or unripe elderberries, leaves and stems should not be consumed as they can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Use a properly prepared commercial product or appropriately prepared elderberry preparation, and seek professional advice if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications or managing a health condition.

🌿 Want to know whether elderberry is right for you? That’s exactly what we explore in naturopathic care — finding the right tools to support YOUR body.

23/08/2026

What’s UNcooking at our raw vegan 🌱 retreat in November at the Hunter valley ?! Time to reset, cleanse and detox your body for summer 🌺 start here with us for more information reach out Angela Carey Jeevi | Retreat Chef & Laughter Yoga Nu Leaf Retreat

22/08/2026

Maybe following the science isn’t such a great idea ! The work “pharma” means “poison”
Trust your own body to heal itself 💛 I teach my clients how 💚

18/08/2026

12/08/2026

The power is within ✨✨

12/08/2026

COVID-19 reactivates dormant viruses in nearly half of hospitalized patients, new research reveals.

Early in the pandemic, researchers noticed that SARS-CoV-2 could 'wake up' latent pathogens resting quietly inside our bodies. Now, a comprehensive study published in the journal Nature has confirmed this phenomenon on a grand scale.

Analyzing more than 1,000 hospitalized patients, scientists found that nearly 50% of individuals—even those with healthy immune systems—experienced a viral reactivation. Common dormant pathogens like the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mononucleosis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) suddenly emerged in patient systems, often timed with their acute illness.

These viral awakenings are far from harmless; they are strongly linked to more severe initial cases of COVID-19 [1]. Furthermore, the research reveals a crucial connection to the lingering symptoms of Long Covid.

While previous focus has heavily centered on EBV, this large-scale study identified a powerful association between the reactivation of anelloviruses—a widespread and typically benign family of viruses—and chronic post-infection fatigue. Though the study cannot definitively prove causation, it provides a vital map of how COVID-19 disrupts our immune baseline, offering hope for targeted therapies to resolve chronic, unexplained illnesses.

source: Offord, C. (2026). COVID-19 can wake up dormant viruses in the body, large study confirms. Science.

08/08/2026

🌿✨ THE REAL FOOD RESET — NOVEMBER RETREAT ✨🌿
Pokolbin • Hunter Valley

What if you gave yourself permission to completely pause… breathe… reset… and reconnect with what your body has been asking for?

Join us this November in the beautiful Hunter Valley for a deeply nourishing Sacred Health Retreat designed to help you step away from the noise of everyday life and return to what truly matters — your health, your vitality and your connection to yourself.

🌱 The Real Food Reset is more than a retreat.
It’s an opportunity to cleanse, nourish and revitalise your body through beautiful raw, plant-based living foods, while immersing yourself in a supportive and uplifting environment.

Over our retreat together, you’ll experience:

✨ Nourishing raw vegan cuisine
✨ Detoxification & cleansing practices
✨ Health education
✨ Meditation & mindfulness
✨ Breathwork & movement
✨ Connection with like-minded souls
✨ Time to rest, restore & reconnect
✨ Practical tools you can take home and continue in everyday life

This is your invitation to slow down, nourish deeply and press reset.

Imagine leaving feeling lighter, clearer, more energised and inspired — with a renewed relationship with food, your body and your wellbeing. 🌿

📍 Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
📅 November 5-8 2026
🌱 Sacred Health Retreats

Spaces are limited to keep the retreat intimate and personal.

If you’ve been feeling the call to reset, this may be your sign. 💚

✨ Come nourish your body.
✨ Clear your mind.
✨ Reconnect with your spirit.
✨ And remember what it feels like to truly feel alive.

Bookings, Pricing & enquiries:
🌿 sacredhealthretreats.com.au
📲 Angela Carey

Sacred Health Retreats
Come home to your health. 🌿☀️💚