10 Ways to Boost Your Immune System This Winter
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Winter is well and truly here in Aus, and along with it comes all sorts of yukky viruses. The challenge is how do you stay healthy while everyone around you seems to be getting sick? Here are a few different ways tried and tested by myself and my family to boost your immune system and tricks for staying well if you do get sick this winter:
- Increase your intake of foods containing vitamin C. Don’t just think oranges! Vitamin C is in all citrus fruits, but also in strawberries, capsicum, mango, raspberries, chilies, parsley, kale and cabbage. Vitamin C is anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, an antihistamine, and an antioxidant, so it will help reduce the symptoms of allergies and fight of viruses. Juice it or have it in smoothies.
.- Include foods rich in zinc. This mineral is so great for warding off illness, its wound healing, and a powerful antioxidant. Number one way to get it is in oysters, but if that doesn’t stimulate your appetite, it’s also in ginger, pecans, split peas, molasses and other seafood.You can take a supplement but eating it in food is best.
.- Echinacea. It’s a gorgeous little flower that is full of a plant chemical called alkylamides.These are immune stimulating, and antiseptic properties. Herbalists use it to support the bodies resistance to infections and to provide relief from infections. We currently have in our cafe a beautiful cold and flu elixir tea containing echinacea.I also get a tonic made, up from a local compound chemist with it in it as well.
.- Local raw honey. Using honey thats raw and hasn’t been treated from your local area means it is full of the pollen and propolis from around you. This helps increase resistance to infections. Source from farmers markets near you. Great in warm water with lemon juice.
.- Elderberry. You can have elderberry in a delicious tea, cordial, or as a tonic. Elder berries are also available to brew into tea, tonics or as lozenges. The elder flowers and berries are really awesome for any upper respiratory issues. Fight off the sniffles, sore throats or coughs with it. The key is to take it as soon as you feel the first niggle of getting sick.
.- Eating a Rainbow. The more colourful your foods, and the less processes the greater content of antioxidants and phytonutrients. By eating a wide range of colourful foods like fruits and veggies everyday, you are providing your body with heaps of vitamin and minerals to help keep your immunity strong.
.- Cleaning with cloves. One of the reasons people get so sick in winter is the germs are literally everywhere. We can all start by staying home if we are sick and reducing the risk of infection, but another thing you can do is to wipe your surfaces down with clove oil. Cloves are antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic.
.- Breathing Eucalyptus. A good old fashioned herbal steam using eucalyptus oil or dabbed liberally on a hankie or cotton ball will help clear your sinuses, but because it is antiseptic and antiviral, it will help kill any germs in your nose and throat.
.- Essential oils. Have worked amazing for my family in times of sickness. Doterra’s On Guard’ is amazing at keeping germs at bay. Rubbing on the chest, back and balls of feet along with diffusing ‘Easy Air’ really does work at alleviating congestion and symptoms of cold and flu.
.- Chicken Soup. Now this one isn’t just an old wives’ tale – chicken soup actually can help soothe a cold. The chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which helps thin mucus in the lungs, and the hot broth helps to keep nasal passages clear and moist, prevent dehydration, and fight inflammation in the throat. Make sure though that you buy a quality organic broth or make your own.
These are just a few ways that we have found to work really well. There are many more herbs and remedies that can help boost immunity & fight off infection, what other different methods have worked for you?
Would love you to share your wisdom x.
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