If you are looking to boost your immunity naturally, (or fight cold and flu) leading up to winter, I have a list of ways you can do it. Most I’ve tried myself, and had success with, others have come recommended by other practitioners.
Probiotic:
A healthy gut sets your whole body up for better overall health. Gut health can even impact your emotional state!
Probiotics contain “good bacteria” and help restore the natural balance of gut bacteria.
Imbalances (of good and bad bacteria) can occur because of diet, illness, and medication such as antibiotics.
Taking a probiotic has been linked to a wide range of health benefits, including; weight loss, digestive health and immune function.
Vitamins:
Vitamin c is well known for its cold fighting abilities, but other immune supporting vitamins and minerals include vitamin E, vitamin D, zinc and vitamins B6 and B12
B vitamins are also good for reducing stress, and boosting energy. Stress causes hormone imbalances, which can lead to a myriad of health problems, and let’s face it, everyone could do with more energy!!
Incorporating a B complex or a good quality multivitamin into your daily regime is going to be beneficial, especially in the lead up to winter.
**Vitamins/supplements should never replace a balanced diet**
Food:
Diet is the best place to get your nutrients.
Certain foods can not only boost immunity, but can also help the body fight sickness.
Incorporate these foods into your diet:
Red peppers/capsicum
Contain twice as much vitamin c as citrus, which our bodies do not produce or store, so we need it daily.
Broccoli
Packed with fibre and antioxidants, as well as vitamins A, C and E.
They key is to steam it as opposed to boiling, so you don’t lose the nutrients, and not to overcook it.
Garlic
Recognised for its value in fighting infections, it can also help lower blood pressure. It’s quite easy to add to winter dishes!
Ginger
Helps decrease inflammation which can help with sore throats.
Spinach
Best kept raw or lightly cooked. Spinach is rich in antioxidants, beta carotene and vitamin C, all of which help our immune system.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt also contains good bacteria. Avoid flavoured or sweetened yoghurt (flavour it yourself with fresh fruit) and look for brands which have “live and active cultures” on the label.
Almonds
Contain vitamin E, which is key to a healthy immune system. A half cup serving is almost 100% of your recommended daily vitamin E needs. They have been proven to lower cholesterol, Plus they contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, which are important for healthy brain function!
Poultry
Chicken and turkey are high in vitamin B6, which is vital to the formation of healthy red blood cells.
Chicken soup not only makes you feel better when you’ve got a cold, but it can also help prevent you getting sick.
Shellfish
Zinc doesn’t get much spotlight, but it’s vital for healthy immune function.
Shellfish that are high in zinc include:
Crab
Oysters
Lobster
Mussels
However too much can have the opposite effect.
Bone broth
The thing everybody’s talking about!!
bone broths are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and they boost healing.
simmering of bones and marrow (or other parts of the animal such as skin, feet, tendons and ligaments... which isn’t for everyone!!) causes the bones and ligaments to release healing compounds such as amino acids, trace minerals, collagen, proline, glycine and glutamine that have the power to transform your health.
Bone broth is good for digestion, skin, detoxification, joints, immune system function, and aids the metabolism.
It’s also super easy to incorporate into your diet. You can drink it, or add it to any stock based dish, such as soup, casseroles, stews etc.
Here's a link to a recipe for bone broth if you aren’t sure how to make it.
You can substitute the beef bones for bones of your choice.
Essential oils
The key to essential oils being beneficial is consistency. They won’t do much if you use them once (neither will most things). Incorporate them daily for general health and well-being, and increase to 3-4 times a day when you feel you’re starting to get sick, tired or run down, this is when your immune system is most vulnerable.
***Please note I use doterra essential oils, and all my recommendations/suggestions are based on the pure, therapeutic grade of these oils. I do not recommend you take any other brands internally, or applied topically. ***
My go to oils for winter:
Easy air blend:
This blend of oils help to soothe the respiratory system.
Use topically on the bottoms of feet to help clear congestion, this will target sinus and chest by use of reflexology points, as well as drawing the fluid away from the chest.
Add 2 drops to a cup/bowl (not plastic) of boiling water and create a steam bath. Put your head over the bowl, covering both with a towel and inhale the vapours to clear congestion.
For children you can diffuse in their bedroom to help with this.
On guard:
This blend of oils has been combined specifically for their immune stimulating properties.
Take two drops in a glass of water daily for immune support.
Apply (diluted) to bottoms of feet for children and babies.
Add to water and gargle for a sore throat.
Take internally in a veggie capsule with lemon, oregano and tea tree to fight viruses (adults only, not recommended in pregnancy).
Lemon:
Is antiviral and a disinfectant. It is also an immune stimulant and helps with lymphatic drainage.
Add 2 drops to a glass of water and drink daily for a gentle detox, and to regulate blood pressure.
Diffuse to help kill airborne bacteria, as well as lift everyones mood and increase focus and concentration.
Combine with lavender and peppermint and inhale or drink in water to help with allergies.
Add 2 drops to tea with honey for sore throats.
Oregano:
Is a natural antibiotic. It’s also antiseptic to the respiratory system, antibacterial and antifungal.
Take internally in a veggie capsule for asthma support.
Take internally in a veggie capsule with lemon, on guard, and tea tree to fight viruses/sickness (adults only, not recommended in pregnancy). This combination can also be diluted and applied to bottoms of feet for the whole family.
Peppermint:
Add to water and mist over the body or apply to bottoms of feet to relieve fever.
Dilute and Apply topically to abdomen for tummy upsets.
Use in a steam bath or diffuser for congestion.
Dilute and combine with lavender and apply to temples to relieve headaches.
Tea tree:
Is antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant.
Diffuse to stimulate the immune system.
Take internally in veggie capsules or apply to bottoms of feet for viruses/sickness
Apply diluted behind the ear for ear aches and ear infections
Apply diluted to areas of skin irritation, blemishes and cold sores.
All of these oils are included in the home essentials kit, which you can purchase here: www.mydoterra.com/jadev
Olive leaf extract
Research shows that olive leaf extract (made from freshly picked olive leaves) contains up to 40 times more antioxidants than top quality extra virgin olive oils.
Olive leaf extract can be taken to boost antioxidants, for cardiovascular support, to relieve coughs, cold and flu, and to support the immune system.
It is very effective in helping boost your immune system when you feel a cold/flu coming on.
Being natural, It is also safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for children.
Colloidal silver
Silver is known for preventing the growth of bacteria, algae and other undesirable organisms. Up until the 1940’s, when modern antibiotics were invented, it was used to stop the spread of diseases.
There are different types of colloidal silver products on the market; ionic silver solutions, which is the least expensive and the least effective, silver protein; this product contains Gelatin in order to keep the larger silver particles suspended, again it is not as effective as true colloidal silver. True Colloidal silver contains nanometer sized silver particles, and contains no protein or other additives. There are many proven benefits of colloidal silver, here are a few.
Antibacterial
Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic, and doesn’t create immunity or resistance in the organisms it kills. This is really important as it means you can use it again and again and not worry about it becoming less effective.
One eye dropper taken internally is effective for immune support.
It can also be used to treat conjunctivitis by putting 1-2 drops into the eye; when applied to the affected eye, the silver colloids pick up infected cells and transport them into the bloodstream to be eliminated.
Because if it’s powerful anti-bacterial properties, a probiotic should be taken following a course of colloidal silver
Anti-fungal and anti-viral
Colloidal silver will stimulate healing in the skin and soft tissues. Use colloidal silver to treat ringworm, Burns, thrush, psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions.
Colloidal silver can help treat viruses such as herpes, shingles and warts.
Apply 2-5 drops directly onto the skin for any of these ailments.
Anti-inflammatory
Studies conducted on pigs showed reduced inflammation (almost back to normal) in their skin 72 hours after being treated with colloidal silver, it can reduce swelling, speed healing and promote cell recovery.
1-2 drops can help disinfect any wound or sore.
Sinusitis
Colloidal silver can be used as a nasal spray to treat sinus infections. It can also soothe respiratory inflammation associated with allergies and asthma.
5 drops sprayed into the nose is a sufficient amount for sinus infections.
Pneumonia
If the cause of pneumonia is viral, modern antibiotics won’t help at all. Colloidal silver can help regardless of the type of pathogen.
It can help with both pneumonia and bronchitis by taking it internally, or by breathing it into your lungs.
The most effective way to get it into your lungs is by use of a nebuliser; use one teaspoon, 3 times a day for 10-15 mins.
There is limited research to prove that there are any side effects to using colloidal silver, however, be wary of the cheaper products which are marketed as colloidal silver.
Never use colloidal silver for more than 14 days in a row.
So how am I using these in my household??
I have my family (myself, my husband and 2 year old daughter) on a probiotic, and a multivitamin.
I am incorporating as many of the foods into our diet as possible, and trying to have at least one bone broth based meal every two weeks. I also plan to make a batch and freeze down in portions for convenience.
I have all the essential oils on the list, some of which I’ve been diffusing, as well as olive leaf extract in my medicine cabinet so I am prepared should anyone start to feel a bit sick or run down!!
Buying a good quality, true Colloidal silver is on my to do list, so I’ll be well prepared should anyone get sick during winter!