Readers of this blog know that I write a lot about health. As a menopausal, 50-something woman, late to motherhood and with one or two chronic health conditions, it comes with the territory. And, as any savvy woman will tell you, taking the responsibility for your health in your own hands is the only way to go.
For many of us, that means not only a good diet and exercise regime, sleep hygiene and caring for our minds as well as our bodies, but exploring ways to feel good and stave off ageing too. For this reason, many of us explore supplements to complement our body maintenance and I have discovered a new brand, Birch & Wilde whose ethos is to ’empower your wellbeing’ – a sentiment I can readily get behind.
Birch & Wilde is the brainchild of Tara Barton who recognised the toll a high-stress lifestyle was taking on her physical and mental wellbeing. She created a range of supplements designed to support your body and physical health in the knowledge that when you feel well, you tend to think well and enjoy increased emotional fulfilment.
She is also lucky enough to live near Kingsbridge in Devon which is a Hobbis family haunt every year.
Birch & Wilde supplements feature the following:-
- Marine Collagen to boost and revive
- D-Mannose & Cranberry Extract to cleanse and purify
- Organic Ashwagandha for calmness and clarity
and you can purchase these separately or in twin packs.
I was sent the Marine Collagen and Organic Ashwagandha twin pack to try (RRP £36.97 – a 5% saving on buying them separately).
If you suffer from recurrent UTIs and bladder problems, by the way, I highly recommend you try D-Mannose & Cranberry Extract to stave off symptoms and to enhance bladder health. Ladies suffering from vaginal atrophy and pelvic floor problems may find that the bladder suffers too so it is worth researching the benefits of D-Mannose and giving it a try. Obviously, I am not a doctor but those of us who put up with these things tend to become ‘patient experts’ as we research our conditions and share our experiences a lot!
In fact, late last year D-Mannose was added to NICE Guidance (Public Health England) in respect of self-care for prevention of UTIs. It means that medical practitioners can now actively recommend it (not a specific brand), for this purpose and that the supporting science is clearly there.
But back to the benefits of Marine Collagen and Organic Ashwagandha.
Marine Collagen
Collagen supplements offer great benefits for skin, hair and nails. Collagen is the connective tissue that holds your body together and supplements may help boost joint health and even rejuvenate cartilage and bone.
Unfortunately, by the time you reach the age of 40, your collagen production is about 75% of its maximum and at 60, production has reduced by 50% or more. Hello wrinkles, crepey skins and a complexion that is just not as firm as it was.
Add to that the fact that years of sun exposure won’t have helped and that all your skin bad habits tend to catch up with you eventually, slapping on a face cream won’t be enough but, for many of us, tweakments, fillers and surgery are just too much.
Birch & Wilde use hydrolysed collagen which is easier for the body to absorb and it comes from fish not cattle and research has shown that this form is the most efficient and easy to digest collagen for health uses.
Collagen offers:-
- anti-ageing properties
- stronger, healthier bones
- support for wound healing
- support for digestion and intestines
- clear skin, stronger nails and hair
- an anti-bacterial boost
Did you know that collagen helps prevent the spread of nasty infections like Staphylococcus aureus (Staph infection) in the body?
Birch & Wilde Marine Collagen Boost & Revive comes in 30 day supply bottle (60 capsules), 60 day supply bottle and a twin pack (2 x 60 days supply) or you can purchase it combined with Ashwagandha.
The packaging of Birch & Wilde products is absolutely gorgeous with white and rose gold labels and motivational quotes to inspire you too.
Ashwagandha KSM-66
Now I will be honest and say that I hadn’t heard of this before but it is a supplement which can help you to manage stress and anxiety better, improve your memory and cognitive function and help you sleep better.
Ashwagandha use started in India through the ancient medicinal system of Ayurveda and is regarded as a powerful health-promoting herb. It is also known as Withania Somnifera or Indian Ginseng.
Ayurveda has long been used for wellbeing and health support in India and it is believed that both Tibetan Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine have their roots in the Ayurvedic lifestyle.
Ashwagandha is classed as an ‘adaptogen’ which means that it can help your body to moderate and manage your stress response. It can also help balance your hormones and improve quality of sleep.
In addition, it helps boost brain function, reducing inflammation and helping to lower blood sugar levels.
Tinnitus sufferers may have read recently that brain inflammation may be indicated as a cause of this distressing condition so, whilst research continues (usually at a very slow pace), it may be worth exploring supplements which support a healthy brain function.
Ashwagandha offers:-
- reduced stress & anxiety
- support for cortisol reduction
- improved cognitive function & memory
- lower inflammation
- reduced symptoms of depression
- reduced blood sugar levels
- increased strength & muscle mass
- support for male fertility
Did you know that it may be the production of excess cortisol (through stress) that is actually responsible for the ‘menopause belly’? Obviously, Krispy Kreme Donuts won’t help but if you are struggling with weight loss, it isn’t always as simple as “eat less and exercise more”.
The recommended dosage of this supplement is between 350mg – 650mg per day and the Birch & Wilde Ashwagandha supplement is designed so that two capsules of 300mg can be taken daily. They advise taking one capsule a day for the first week to allow your body to adjust to it.
Birch & Wilde Organic Ashwagandha comes in a 60 day supply bottle (120 capsules) and a twin pack (2 x 60 days supply) or you can purchase it combined with Marine Collagen.
The Ashwagandha please.
I would most like to try HYDROLYSED NATICOL® MARINE COLLAGEN in the hope it might reduce my hair loss.
The collagen supplement sounds wonderful. May help my dry rapidly aging skin!
D-MANNOSE & CRANBERRY EXTRACT please 🙂
I would most like to try the hydrolysed Marine Collagen supplements. I used to take marine collagen a few years ago and it did wonders for my skin. Unfortunately I can’t find the same ones anymore so would love to try these.
I’d most like to try the Marine Collagen.
I would love to try the MARINE COLLAGEN Boost & Revive
Ashwagandha for stress & anxiety sounds wonderful…would love to trial.
I would love to try the Maine Collagen Boost and Revive for my dry skin and dull skin
Marine collagen boost and revive I’ve just turned 40 this would be fantastic
the marine cologan
I’d like to try the D-MANNOSE & CRANBERRY EXTRACT Cleanse & Purify most I think
ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA as I need some Calm & Clarity in my life – I love to try new products like this
I would love to try the Maine Collagen Boost and Revive
collagen sounds good, I need to repair leg around a knee replacement….but the rest of me could with a few repairs too….!
D-MANNOSE & CRANBERRY EXTRACT Cleanse & Purify – Anything to help avoid UTI’s.
I would love to try the Maine Collagen Boost and Revive for my dry skin and dull skin
D – Mannose & Cranberry Extract x
I’d love to try loads of products! Maine Collagen Boost
id like to try the marine collagen boost
The marine collagen boost as it sounds similar to an Elemis product I used to use
I’m most interested in the Ashwahandha. I’ve suffered from anxiety my whole life and try alot of natural supplements to try help me combat it. Am currently taking Rhodiola Rosea and Baccoppa Monnieri, but not tried this one yet. There’s a lot to be said about ayurvedic medecine.
Marine Collagen
I like the sound of Marine Collagen Boost and revive
I would love to try the Maine Collagen Boost and Revive for my dry skin!
ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 calm and clarity
Excellent article great product
Good looking products especially the D-MANNOSE & CRANBERRY EXTRACT Cleanse & Purify
the Maine Collagen Boost and Revive sounds perfect for my tight, dry skin xx
I’m taking Marine Collagen at the moment so I’d love to try Birch & Wilde’s version – great that it’s high strength too.
I have ASD with associated depression and anxiety so would be really interested in how you get on with the ORGANIC KSM-66 ASHWAGANDHA
I would love to try the Organic Ashwagandha, sounds as if ut could really help with my menopause anxiety – all of the products sound great though!
the ashwagahanda – i find i feel so enegergized when i take ashwagahanda
I would love to try the Maine Collagen Boost and Revive. It would be a treat for my skin!
Would absolutely love to try these products i like the sound of marine collagen Boost & Revive 🙂
It all sounds pretty incredible to be honest, I could benefit frommost if not all of their products, a few people have recommended collages capsules/powder to me now though so the Marine Collagen Boost and Revive sounds perfect
I would like to try the Marine collagen boost & revive, it sounds amazing
D-Mannose and cranberry extract x
ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 Calm & Clarity because I feel in need of a little clarity and happiness and calm right now in the maelstrom of my life!
Id most like to try the ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 calm and clarity xx
I would love to try these products, they sound amazing.
I would love to try these products!
I would love to try the D-Mannose and Cranberry Extract supplement
ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 Calm & Clarity for stress and anexity
I would love to try the Twin Pack – ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 Calm & Clarity
Would love to try the Ashwaghanda calm and clarity supplements as I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder and they may help thanks for the chance
ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 Calm & Clarity would be perfect right now, many thanks
Marine Collagen Boost & Revive.
Marine collagen boost and revive
Ne3d energy as I’m deflated !
I would like to try ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 Calm & Clarity x
I’d love to try Ashwagandha supplements
These sound like they should be a daily essential for anyone
I would like to try the D-Mannose and Cranberry Extract supplement.
MARINE COLLAGEN Boost & Revive they can give my energy a welcoming hand
I like the sound of the MARINE COLLAGEN Boost & Revive
D-MANNOSE & CRANBERRY EXTRACT
Marine Collagen Boost & Revive.
Hi! Birch & Wilde have some really good things but I think I would try ashwagandha supplements beacuse I like how they are organic and that it may help my memory.
ORGANIC ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 Calm & Clarity sounds great