WELLNESS TRENDS
WELLNESS TRENDS REGENERATIVE GARDENING More and more people are embracing the fact that wellness really does start from the ground up. Consumers are rallying against mass-scale agricultural practices - which use toxic, man-made chemicals that severely impact soil health - and shifting towards regenerative farming, which considers the health of both the soil and the end-consumer. Regenerative farming doesn’t have to be on an agricultural scale - you can do it from home! Growing your own herbs and veggies requires nutrient-rich soil, so consider mixing it between harvests (use your hands – it’s good for you). Another, easier consideration is using natural pesticides like onion and garlic spray or neem oil for your edible crops. Compost is king, so consider storing all your old peels (omitting citrus peels) in a sealed bin for later use. A lack of space isn’t an excuse anymore, as vertical gardens are becoming increasingly popular.
INGESTIBLE BEAUTY These days, it’s about more than just collagen and a skinfriendly diet. An ever-increasing range of beauty-from-within solutions is becoming available, and we’re so here for it. Think fulvic acid for managing inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis; fruit extracts to promote vibrant and luminous skin; prebiotics and probiotics to improve skin barrier function; essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats for everything from hydration to cell renewal; and much more. We’re particularly enjoying the rise and rise of adaptogens and medicinal mushrooms for the natural beauty, with reishi, chaga, cordyceps, shiitake and tremella shown to be particularly beneficial for skin health.
GLUCOSE TRACKING Did you know that an estimated 7.3 million adults ages 18 years or older have diabetes, but are still undiagnosed? Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 is preventable, and technology is stepping in to aid in both prevention and treatment through glucose tracking. Smart management of glucose levels is becoming easier and less invasive. A sensor can now be implanted under your skin, which links directly to your device in order for you to track and manage your glucose levels. Portable, wearable, futuristic and far more accessible than previous iterations of glucose tracking, this new technology is also rethinking affordability and addressing stigma in areas in which people are struggling with diabetes and imbalanced glucose levels and don’t have the resources required to live a healthy, fruitful and sustainable life.
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PSYCHEDELICS REIMAGINED Psychedelic science is enjoying a resurgence after years of misunderstanding and repression. Psilocybin - the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms – is proving to be one of the most popular plant medicines of 2022, with people reporting having ‘breakthrough’ experiences on high doses, and enjoying sustained focus, empathy, creativity, and calm on micro-dosing protocols. Other hallucinogens slowly (re)entering the mental health field include ketamine, which – when used in lower doses than for its original anaesthetic function – is showing promise in the treatment of depression; and MDMA, which is being used increasingly for its benefits in treating PTSD. While South Africa has a long way to go before we’re freely able to experience these powerful substances in a professional therapeutic setting, we’re watching this space with great anticipation for what’s to come.
