With all the recent press about swine flu, I wanted to share some of the most effective remedies to keep your immune system functioning optimally during the winter season. The key to not getting sick is having a healthy immune system. I believe it’s more important to focus on honoring your body by feeding it good food, getting enough exercise and sleep, as well as managing stress. It’s important to note that eating warming foods this time of year if you are in a cold climate is very important. It goes with the natural rhythm of the season. If you are in a warm climate, colder foods such as salads and a raw diet are fine but in a colder climate hearty soups and stews, especially with the wonderful winter squashes, are warming and feed the soul as well as the body! I just made my most favorite soup which is lentil but I added some diced pumpkin and butternut squash to get some beta-carotene which acts as an antioxidant and immune system booster!
The following are some herbs that can boost your immune system:
Astragalus – This h
erb has long been used in Chinese medicine. It is a great immune system booster and has been used for cancer patients to help restore their immune function. It works by boosting the white blood cell activity. It is readily available and is sold in health food stores. I like to buy the fresh herb and make tea with it or throw it in soup and when the soup is done just take out the herb. It looks like the sticks that a good humor ice cream comes on but not quite so perfect. This is a good herb to take starting in the fall throughout the winter.
Mushrooms – Mushrooms are GREAT for the immune system. Reishi, maitake, cordyceps and shitake are just a few of the mushrooms that are beneficial for immune function. I recommend eating as much of these types as you can, however, they are part of a product called, “Host Defense” by a company called New Chapter. I am a fan of New Chapter vitamins and supplements line. Host Defense is made with up to 17 organic mushrooms.
Echinacea – When you start getting those sniffles, grab the Echinacea Purpurea (this is the one that is most beneficial for colds). You can have a nice cup of the tea but Echinacea comes in capsule, and tincture form as well. Studies have found that it shortens the duration of a cold.
Elderberry – Elderberry comes in many cough formulas and can cut the duration of the flu.
Garlic – Use raw garlic in salad dressing or on vegetables. The raw garlic has the most antiviral, immune stimulating properties.
Ginger – Ginger helps sinus and chest congestion. I like to make a big batch so I can drink it for a few days. Make ginger tea by putting about 4 inches of a fresh ginger root in 8 cups of water and boil for 20 minutes. Strain out the ginger and add some honey!
Also – don’t forget that pot of chicken soup and hot tea and REST, REST, REST!
As always with any herb, if you are on any pharmaceutical drugs consult with your doctor first since certain herbs can interact negatively with drugs. Also when buying herbs make sure they are standardized and buy organic whenever possible. I like tinctures. They are little bottles with the dropper and you can put the drops in a small amount of water or juice.
Some products I like:
Cold & Flu Formula (tincture) by Quantum
Host Defense by New Chapter
Herb Pharm, Propolis Echinacea Throat Spray (for a sore throat)
Source Naturals, Wellness Formula (capsules)
Sambucol, Black Elderberry, Immune System Support Liquid
Oregon Wild Harvest, Astragalus Reishi
Oscillococcinum – This is a homeopathic remedy
Wishing you peace and good health!
The following are some herbs that can boost your immune system:
Astragalus – This h
erb has long been used in Chinese medicine. It is a great immune system booster and has been used for cancer patients to help restore their immune function. It works by boosting the white blood cell activity. It is readily available and is sold in health food stores. I like to buy the fresh herb and make tea with it or throw it in soup and when the soup is done just take out the herb. It looks like the sticks that a good humor ice cream comes on but not quite so perfect. This is a good herb to take starting in the fall throughout the winter.Mushrooms – Mushrooms are GREAT for the immune system. Reishi, maitake, cordyceps and shitake are just a few of the mushrooms that are beneficial for immune function. I recommend eating as much of these types as you can, however, they are part of a product called, “Host Defense” by a company called New Chapter. I am a fan of New Chapter vitamins and supplements line. Host Defense is made with up to 17 organic mushrooms.
Echinacea – When you start getting those sniffles, grab the Echinacea Purpurea (this is the one that is most beneficial for colds). You can have a nice cup of the tea but Echinacea comes in capsule, and tincture form as well. Studies have found that it shortens the duration of a cold.
Elderberry – Elderberry comes in many cough formulas and can cut the duration of the flu.
Garlic – Use raw garlic in salad dressing or on vegetables. The raw garlic has the most antiviral, immune stimulating properties.
Ginger – Ginger helps sinus and chest congestion. I like to make a big batch so I can drink it for a few days. Make ginger tea by putting about 4 inches of a fresh ginger root in 8 cups of water and boil for 20 minutes. Strain out the ginger and add some honey!
Also – don’t forget that pot of chicken soup and hot tea and REST, REST, REST!
As always with any herb, if you are on any pharmaceutical drugs consult with your doctor first since certain herbs can interact negatively with drugs. Also when buying herbs make sure they are standardized and buy organic whenever possible. I like tinctures. They are little bottles with the dropper and you can put the drops in a small amount of water or juice.
Some products I like:
Cold & Flu Formula (tincture) by Quantum
Host Defense by New Chapter
Herb Pharm, Propolis Echinacea Throat Spray (for a sore throat)
Source Naturals, Wellness Formula (capsules)
Sambucol, Black Elderberry, Immune System Support Liquid
Oregon Wild Harvest, Astragalus Reishi
Oscillococcinum – This is a homeopathic remedy
Wishing you peace and good health!
Great information! I also like Umcka, by Nature's Way as a good way to help shorten the duration of any sort of cold.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, ginger is great and works wonders to help calm those dry night coughs.
I always try to make sure to get enough Vitamin D as well year around, and of course, weekly chiropractic adjustments!
Thanks for the timely information!