Whenever I get a scratchy throat I reach for a strepsil.

Strepsils are manufactured in the UK by Reckitt (specifically Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd). It’s a name I trust. My father was a fan of the lozenges produced at their factory in Nottingham and I remember sucking just one occasionally for a sore throat. That or a hot toddy, I know, in the sixties and seventies this was the norm, no doctor unless you were dying. Healthy food, plenty of fluids, a hot water bottle and a good nights sleep cured most things.

And I follow this routine today.

As I have aged I have added more nuts into my diet and like to snack on dried fruit instead of chocolate and biscuits. Holland and Barrett with over 150 years experience in this space have an amazing selection to choose from offering really good buy two get the third one free so when I go, I stock up. The local small pharmacy doesn’t carry the wide range of vitamins and minerals available and I prefer a more homeopathic approach anyway.

I have added an iron tablet for energy as I no longer eat red meat or drink red wine. I have also opted for vitamin C and K, vitamin C to ward off colds (instead of a flu vaccine) and Vitamin K to help with bruising, blood clotting, wound healing and bone density all things that deteriorate as well as age.

I also swear by the Aduna super cacao available at Holland and Barrett, a nutrient-dense, minimally processed cacao powder with higher concentrations of flavanols, 8x more than regular cocoa. It is designed to support cardiovascular health and boost energy and promotes healthy blood pressure and circulation, enhances skin hydration, and offers a natural, antioxidant-rich mood boost. I love it.

You just make it like a cup of hot chocolate on the stove and it tastes absolutely delicious.

If I have any questions or issues I cannot speak more highly of the staff who are friendly and knowledgeable about the products they sell.

I’ve had a couple of issues, one with a muscle pain in my hip and bum and a patch of dry skin and the remedies, (one magnesium citrate, the other olive oil) and advice provided sorted out both problems within a couple of weeks.

Many people go to the pharmacy for advice but if you want to try a more holistic approach to wellness and well being I’d definitely make a trip to Holland and Barrett.

It’s a franchise business so each owner is like an independent business, a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get but I have found it’s usually someone caring, knowledgeable and really helpful.