13 Natural Ways To Boost Your Immune System
Isn’t it comical when someone gets sick and immediately heads to the grocery store to buy some orange juice? It’s as if the orange juice is this liquid time machine that will get them right back to where they were before their health declined. Wishful thinking at its best. At that point, it’s usually too late for anything to do that. Nothing you can do but rest and let nature take its course.
It’s easy to understand though why people have what appears to be a fight or flight response when they realize a cold is coming on. Being sick is the absolute pits. The second you begin to feel your health slipping away, you’d do anything to get it back. Although there is no way to stop the process of a cold once it begins, there are ways to boost your immune system and lower your chances of being that desperate person in line with pipe dreams and a gallon of orange juice.
Starting consuming black elderberry
Black elderly is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world and widely used for immune health. Modern science shows that the proteins and bioflavonoids destroy the ability of a cold or flu virus to infect our cells.
Add turmeric into your diet
Turmeric has one of the highest antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of any food. Curcumin the active ingredient in turmeric, is antiviral and antifungal. Inflammation is the cause of many chronic diseases that cause health to deteriorate, so think of turmeric as your natural anti-inflammatory go to.
Eat foods that contain a lot of Vitamin C
Universally known yet worth a reminder, Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses. Timing is everything and it’s important to load up on it before disaster strikes. Peppers, broccoli, kale, kiwifruit, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, mangoes and grapefruit all contain high amounts of vitamin C. This pineapple grapefruit vitamin C booster green smoothie provides more than your daily dose of vitamin C.
Drink green tea
Whenever I’m not feeling well, I can personally vouch for green tea helping me feel better when nothing else does. Green tea is rich in polyphenols and may be the most powerful of all the teas. It contains compounds called catechins, as well the antioxidant quercetin and the amino acid L-theanine, all of which support a strong immune system. These compounds are effective agents in helping the body fight viruses, such as influenza and many forms of gastrointestinal infections.
Take probiotics
Still on the fence about taking probiotics? If you’re looking to boost your immunity, it could be time to try them out. Probiotics fill your gut with good bacteria and can kill off invading pathogens, harmful bacteria and fungi.
Think zinc
Zinc is needed to perform numerous jobs in the body. There are a number of ways zinc boosts the immune system but primarily it activates enzymes that break down proteins in viruses and bacteria so they are less able to spread. Zinc also increases the activation of cells responsible for fighting infection.
Get an air purifier
Air purifiers can be very effective for removing bacteria and viruses from a home. If you want to start small, consider charcoal air purifying bags. Bamboo charcoal contains millions of tiny pores that can attract and absorb odors, bacteria, chemicals and moisture from the air like a magnetic sponge. They are completely safe, non-toxic and fragrance free.
Make relaxing a priority
You really don’t even need the science behind why being stressed out can lead to getting sick easier. How could constant worry lead to being really healthy? Stress suppresses the immune system, which makes it easier for you to get sick and harder to fight off bugs. Do things in your spare time like meditation, yoga, massages, walks in nature and reading to help ground you, calm you and keep you relaxed.
Put laughing at the top of your to-do list
Time to hit the Netflix comedy section hard. Surprisingly, laughter can be one of the best ways to boost your immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. Spend a lot of time with your funniest friend, purposely date a comedian, watch YouTube videos of bloopers/funny scenes or whatever it is that gets you laughing- do it!
Clean with essential oils
Many popular household cleaners are dangerously toxic. If you’re looking for a natural yet powerful way to clean, try using thyme essential oil and/or cinnamon essential oil. Thyme essential oil is rich in thymol, carvacrol, and linalool which will help you stay protected from bacteria and other environmental threats. Cinnamon essential oil is not only known for its nice scent but for its powerful antibacterial mechanisms as well.
Stop wearing shoes indoors
Did you ever roll your eyes when you walked into someone’s house and they asked you to take off your shoes at the door? Turns out those people were doing you a favor. Researchers from the University of Houston released a study that found 26.4 percent of shoes carry a bacteria called Clostridium difficile, also known as "C. diff." And if people roll their eyes at your request just nicely let them know that ditching the shoes means ditching the bacteria...so ditch the attitude!
Keep a window open
Not even a blizzard can stop me from keeping a window open just a crack. It just seems like a common sense immune-boosting strategy to always have fresh air circulating. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental health concerns. The simple act of opening a window — even in cold weather — can drastically reduce this pollution. Opening a window for at least five minutes a day to significantly decrease the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home.
Try homeopathic remedies
You never know what alternative healing modality could work for you until you try it. Homeopathic medicine is the practice of medicine that embraces a holistic and natural approach. Thymuline is a homeopathic remedy for immune system support that helps your body get and stay strong naturally.