In Italy, where food and wellness often go hand in hand, winter doesn’t just mean bundling up — it means tapping into generations of passed-down kitchen wisdom. From the light-hearted to the truly restorative, here are some of our favourite Italian wellbeing hacks to prepare for the season, the Vegaliano way.

First, a Few Fun Ones… Because why not?

Ask any Italian nonna and she’ll have at least five tips for fighting off winter sniffles — half rooted in herbs, half in superstition.

• Avoid getting your feet wet — or risk catching your “colpo d’aria” (that dreaded chill from a breeze).
• Never leave the house with wet hair unless you want your aunties to declare you doomed to sinusitis.

But behind the folklore are centuries of knowledge around natural, food-based remedies that truly support winter wellness. So, let’s get to the good stuff.

Six Italian Winter Wellbeing Hacks:

1. Brodo (Broth): The Winter Cure-All

In Italy, when you’re feeling under the weather, brodo is the first thing to appear on the stove. A simple, clear vegetable broth — made slowly with celery, carrots, onion, and seasonal herbs — becomes the base for pastina, tortellini, or simply sipped on its own.

It’s not just comfort food. Brodo is warm, hydrating, mineral-rich, and easy to digest — perfect when your body needs to rest.

Try it the Vegaliano way: Add a bay leaf, black peppercorns, and a touch of nutritional yeast for a richer plant-based version.

2. Rosemary: For Focus and Circulation

Rosemary isn’t just for roasted potatoes. This woody herb has long been used in Italian households as a natural stimulant for circulation and concentration. Steep it as a tea when you’re feeling sluggish or use it in a steam bowl for a refreshing herbal inhalation.

A little trick: Crush fresh rosemary and add it to warm olive oil for a DIY chest rub.

Basil: The Mood Lifter

While often associated with summer, basil still plays a role in winter wellbeing. In folk traditions, basil was considered a plant that could “open the heart.” It’s known for its calming properties and ability to support digestion — especially useful after heavier winter meals.

Try this: Make a warm herbal tea with fresh basil leaves and a slice of ginger.

4. Oregano: Nature’s Antiseptic

Italians have been turning to oregano for more than just pizza toppings. Its strong antimicrobial properties make it a go-to herb for throat irritations and seasonal colds.

Quick fix: A tea with dried oregano, lemon, and a drizzle of vegan honey can soothe the throat.

5. Garlic: The Immune Booster

In Italian cooking and wellbeing, garlic reigns supreme. Antibacterial, antiviral, and immune boosting, it’s added to winter soups, sauces, and even eaten raw (if you’re brave enough). Some families even place a clove under the pillow to fight off bad spirits — or just colds.

Our tip: Try sautéing garlic slowly in olive oil with chili and use it as a base for almost any winter dish — both delicious and functional.

6. A Sip of Liquore (Yes, Really)

Herbal liquors like centerbe, amaro, or grappa con erbe have long been used in Italy to “settle the stomach” after a heavy meal. While we’re not prescribing a daily shot, a small sip of a well-made, herb-based vegan amaro can help digestion and warm you up from the inside out.

Non-alcoholic version: A warm infusion of cloves, citrus peel, and cinnamon bark makes a perfect winter digestivo.

In Italian tradition, that wisdom comes straight from the kitchen — in pots of simmering broth, sprigs of herbs, and comfort foods that go beyond taste. At Vegaliano, we believe that the best wellness is always plant-based, rooted in tradition, and shared with love. As you prepare your home for winter, we hope these little Italian hacks bring comfort to your season.