10 Ways to Boost Immune Health: Stop cold, flu & depression in their tracks - before you get sick

The weather changes in autumn, cold temperatures set in, and runny noses and sniffles start to seem like an epidemic. Around Hallowe'en, the first snowfall combines with the sugar rush of October 31 to set most of us up for a spate of colds and flu that come and go through the winter. What if, this winter, you discovered a simple way to boost your immune system so you won't get sick? What if there were ten?

People who pick three or more of the suggestions from this list - and stick to them - will substantially improve their immune strength, increase their ability to stay sane and healthy through dreaded cold and flu season, and keep their health and happiness up through the darkest months of the year!

1. Drink your lemons. Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body's internal "climate" at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body's alkalinity, but the taste of lemons is much more pleasant!

2. Give your body an herbal boost. Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the winter. I recommend essential oils (especially my favourite winter blend, Thieves) as an excellent source of immune-stimulating compounds, and the rawest and most natural form of any medicinal plant, but there are other supplements which can be effective. Fresh herbs and whole food remedies are always preferable over packaged herbs or supplements, since they have a much higher potency and frequency and your body absorbs more of their value. See also Essential Oils Fight Cold and Flu.

3. Get a full night's sleep. Everybody's different: your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Whatever your personal sleep requirement is, get it! Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.

4. Eat plenty of protein. Protein is a building block for a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets low in protein tend to be high in carbs which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system.

5. Drink plenty of water. This is almost, but not quite, a given; most headaches occur because despite the number of reminders, people still aren't getting enough water! Headaches and thirst are both signs of dehydration. You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.) Click here for detailed guidelines - how much water do you need daily?

6. Stop drinking coffee. Contrary to recent marketing as a source of antioxidants, chocolate and coffee are two of the worst things you can do for your immune system and your health. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, make sure you add an additional two glasses to your water intake per cup of coffee. A mineral supplement helps to offset caffeine's damage, too.

7. Worse yet is the impact of refined white sugar. If you do only one thing to boost your immune system, eliminating sugar will do the trick. You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly when you break the cravings and stop eating refined sugar. Many holistic nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body; I have known practitioners to prioritize eliminating sugar from the diet over recommending that people quitting smoking. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but I avoid artificial sweeteners; they are more toxic than cane sugar.

8. Stock up on raw fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre and enzymes. The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled. Many vitamins, including C, are antioxidants and will protect cells - including those of your immune system - from damage by toxins in the environment. Dark-coloured produce (berries, kale, broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants. The perfect source of minerals is seaweed, which is sold dried, but can often be found raw (dried at low temperatures to maintain most of the enzymes and nutrients) in health food stores.

9. Spend some time out in the cold. Snowball fight, anyone? Exercise can make a noticeable difference to your health and happiness by releasing endorphins. Most of us spend 90% of our lives indoors, inhaling dubiously filtered air and other people's germs, so I take any opportunity I can to get outside. Time spent outdoors in the cold also stimulates the thyroid gland.

10. Nurture yourself. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions - if you're feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold. Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. I advise taking a "mental health day" every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you're happy, you're far less likely to get sick.

Dec 19, 2007 1:26 PM

Jo Murphy :

What a great help - thank you.
I had a series of injections that helped for ages and now my allergies are coming back.
So a natural alternative might be called for,
Jo

Dec 23, 2007 2:01 PM

Victoria Anisman-Reiner :

You're welcome, Jo - I'm glad I could be of help.

Jan 8, 2008 9:41 AM

David Greene :

There is a web article on "10 Ways Aloe Vera can Improve Your Health, it at www.aloe-vera.org, that talks about how aloe vera can give the Immune System a boost.

Another important plant for the Immune System is garlic. (Crushed garlic is very potent for good health.)

All the 10 steps the author lists for better health are excellent. They should be obvious too, sad that they are not.

For me, the difficult thing is sleep. The older I get (50 now, soon to be 51) the less easily sleep comes to me. Water, too, is a difficult one for me. I love water (with fresh lemon squeezed into it), but sometimes I just forget to drink (or eat!).

I drink aloe vera each and every day. I also like to drink other organic juices for the enzymes.

Hope this helps others. - David G.

May 16, 2008 1:25 AM

Guest :

Stay out of crowds in confined places. Wear a face mask if you have flu

Aug 17, 2008 12:31 AM

Guest :

This is a very good site

Aug 17, 2008 7:33 PM

Guest :

If u drink fresh lemon juice and hot water it clears ur thourght and also makes u feel so much better

Aug 27, 2008 6:45 AM

Guest :

Thank you for this information. I am wondering about fighting the common cold sore. This summer alone I have already had two which is normally my yearly number. What can I do to boost the immune system to fight again them.

Thank you, Sandra S.

Sep 2, 2008 3:56 AM

Guest :

Please keep in mind that even eting fresh fruits and vegetables these days does not supply us with the vitamins, minerals and enzymes they once supplied because of food irradiation, chemical fertilizers, etc.
Our government here in the U.S. and most other nations of the world have been irradiating some of our foods increasingly from simple bacon since the mid 1950's. They say it saves the aggravation of food manufacturers lawsuits from the lessening of process contamination, but does it really work?
http://www.gomestic.com/Consumer-Information/Is-Food-Irradiation-Starving -Us.18271
Is Food Irradiation Starving Us?

Sep 3, 2008 3:49 PM

Guest :

Much more helpful than any site ive been on so far! ive recently had typhoid and want to boost my immune system, any other ideas? i work irregular hours too.

Sep 10, 2008 8:32 AM

Guest :

I really appreciate all of this wonderful information being available...God bless you and thanks!

Sep 11, 2008 6:03 PM

Guest :

thank you

Sep 19, 2008 12:05 AM

Guest :

If you are sick, especially if you have these symptoms :
(runny nose, cough, irritated sinuses,sore throat/nasal passage, bronchitis)

a VERY good way to heal yourself is by putting about 2-3 teaspoons of bicarbonate soda into a cup, fill it with 3 quarters boiling water,

then sit down and put your mouth 3 com away from the top of the cup, then inhale the steam, i usually wrap a tea towel around the top of the cup so i can rest my head on the cup,

do this until the water cools down and is no more steam
(or use a timer for 4 minutes), then you can dilute the hot water untill its warm and gargle your throat with it. do this about 4-6 times a day untill you are fully recovered

What this does is destroy the acid/alkaling environment the virus makes for itself in your throat or nasal passsage, and maes it into a neutral PH, this make it hard for the germs to live.

i dont know about everybody, but it woks VERY well for me and leaves me re-leaved for about hour and generally speeds up healing LOTS

Sep 23, 2008 1:22 PM

Guest :

I do every one of these every day. I ride my bike around 12 miles a day. drink more than enough water. I take vitamins and herbal supplement as well as make my own tinctures and teas but i still cant seem to get healthy. Meditation always seems to help but my real issue is marijuana and trying to counter act its damaging effects on my body.
any other suggestions???

Sep 28, 2008 2:17 PM

Guest :

thank you so much!

Oct 12, 2008 10:28 PM

Guest :

TO THE POSTER WHO CANT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHY THEYRE ALWAYS SICK STILL.....HOW ABOUT ELIMINATE THE ILLEGAL DRUGS?? HMMM???

Oct 13, 2008 6:15 PM

Guest :

Thank You so much for this very helpful advice. I especially liked #10. I knew that your emotional and mental state altered your physical state. This is a fresh reminder to get me back to keeping myself healthy. And if any one has any good ideas on how to get heal/rid of/ or treat cold sores, any advice would be appreciated!

Oct 17, 2008 10:58 PM

Guest :

i also had a series of common cold infection, almost 6 times a year.each time it ends up with viral fever spoiling a week.
I came to know that my immune system is very weak.n i m desprate to improve it. thanks for any help.
manu

Oct 23, 2008 2:30 PM

Guest :

I have found that when I get run down I go to my chiropractor right away and almost always my neck needs to be aligned. Within a short time I feel my energy coming back and my vitality returning.

Nov 2, 2008 11:53 AM

Guest :

All these remedies are excellent choices for a natural immune booster. Another easy way of keeping healthy bacteria and releasing the harmful viruses is to make sure you poop alot!

Nov 5, 2008 6:30 PM

Guest :

Hello i have a friend that gets constant throat irritations and also gets allergic reactions when exposed to new environments. Could anyone pleaze help!!!

Nov 6, 2008 11:54 PM

Guest :

great Job thanks

Nov 9, 2008 7:32 AM

Guest :

The article and comments are very helpful. I'm glad I found this site.
I have one question that I hope someone will be able to answer. I am a breastfeeding mom - my little on is 10 months old - and I've had 6 infections/colds in the last 5 weeks. I feel very very run down, and I am considering stopping to breastfeed (it's taxing on the body). I would prefer not to, but if I can't get my body to stop having colds/infections, I might have to.
Anyone has any suggestions for herbal remedies that are safe for breastfeeding moms? Or any other tips especially helpful for nursing moms?
Thanks.

Nov 11, 2008 5:58 PM

Guest :

thank you so much, those are great tips. Just what I needed!! I have a very bad cold right now and I have just moved away from home for the 1st time it is tough without mom!

Nov 12, 2008 6:17 PM

Guest :

i really like these tips. thanks!

Nov 13, 2008 8:36 PM

Guest :

THANK YOU !

Nov 14, 2008 1:16 PM

Guest :

This is a treasure! Thanks.

Nov 15, 2008 11:33 PM

Guest :

Very useful information

Nov 20, 2008 7:30 AM

Guest :

To the breastfeeding mom, for the health of your baby, keep going! It's important for you to get healthy as well...but remember that your breastmilk is giving your baby an important tool in fighting the illnesses...If you keep getting sick, imagine how sick the baby would be without the breastmilk!
For you, there are definitely some herbs that are safe during nursing...Talk with an herbalist, or search online, at a respected site...

Nov 24, 2008 7:46 AM

Guest :

Thanks for the good advice!
Is there anything that can help minimize your chances of getting cold sores?
Chez

Dec 5, 2008 2:03 PM

Guest :

Hi, I am breastfeeding my daughter she will be 8 months old on the 13th. I cannot for the life of me quit drinking coffee. I have been drinking coffee since I had her pretty much, but I was sticking to the 2 cups a day rule, now that I am back to work full time, it is even harder for me to stick to that. I am now drinking sometimes a pot a day. I know this is very bad for her, but would it be better if I mixed the milk with formula, or breastmilk with no caffeine? Or should I pump and dump? Any suggestions on quitting? and decaf doesn't do it. Also What will the coffee do to her? Knowing what it does to her could probably gt me to quit.

Dec 15, 2008 2:34 PM

Guest :

Hmm? These sound like great ideas, I wonder I if you would notice a difference? Even though I'm not that old.

Dec 16, 2008 4:14 PM

Guest :

a lott of comments asking about preventing cold sores, and i have found an read that gargling with hydrogen peroxide is a great help with this, and other ailments that may be caused by bacteria in your mouth. Careful not to swallow any though, because it is poisonous, not in the immediate death way, but in the make you sick way, which will lead you back to this site.

Dec 17, 2008 6:47 PM

Guest :

I think we left out spicy foods. They clear your nose and are harsh on viruses, too. Careful with the acidic content, though. Salsa is acidic, try spicing up vegetables with some cayenne pepper instead of grabbing the tortilla chips (carbs distract the immune system). Time released Vitamin C capsules are the bomb; take before bed and when you wake up.

And the dude who does marajuana, why don't you stop smoking it? Eat it dude (if you aren't strong enough to quit). So many people are tarring up their lungs with that antidepressant. Quit smoking. Don't put toxins in your lungs because you want to get high. That's what's bringing down your immune system and you know it.

Dec 23, 2008 4:37 AM

Guest :

Freshly squeezed lemon, honey and hot water, yum yum!

Jan 3, 2009 12:18 PM

Guest :

This was excellent information! Thank you so much!

Pat S

Jan 4, 2009 3:34 AM

Guest :

well done for producing such a powerful and well thought out article. I am already putting these points into practice, especially reducing my excessive caffeine and chocolate intake. I was sick too many times in 2008 !!

Jan 8, 2009 1:49 AM

Guest :

I'm currently suffering from my third cold/sore throat/tummy bug in a month. I feel so run down and am worried that my immune system is not having a chance to get stronger after each bug, increasing my chance of getting another!
Thank you so much for all of these tips- I will definately start putting them into practice today and hopefully strengthen my immune system for good! I definately don't want to continue the year they way i feel now!
x

Jan 9, 2009 5:55 AM

Guest :

im not really sure whats wrong mith me im a young and usully health 16yr old male student and for the past 2 days i have felt really bad it just came out of nowhere i can't stand up straight for very long as i have lost balance i would say an ear infection but i dont think thats it as i also have very painful thoat and when i cough i get this horrible taste of blood have a light headach aswell i would see my doctor but i have no way of getting there i would drive therer but i know that i would if i tried walking there i would fall on the way.

Jan 15, 2009 1:33 PM

Guest :

Thanx for the advise

Jan 16, 2009 4:59 AM

Guest :

it almost makes me feel better al ready...

down to the kicten i go...

thanks

Jan 23, 2009 3:46 AM

Guest :

Its a realy helpful article.
I gets periodical cold and if I try to supress cold by certain medicines Cough develops which is more painful than cold. I had to waste time and money both. I will try to follow above instructions.
Ramesh

Jan 26, 2009 12:03 PM

Guest :

Regarding cold sores - I take L Lysine from the health store and find that this helps - if I take it at the first tingle it can stop the sore coming out.

Jan 27, 2009 11:38 AM

Guest :

I always catch whatever is going around the office or just in public. I've had nearly every cold and flu that was circulating. I'm 26/f and have always have a weak immunesystem. I'm currently sick with a chest cold...my cough is torture. The first thing I'm doing to strengthen my body is to quit smoking. I try to excersive regularly and I'm pretty good about eating healthy and what not. Any suggestions as to what else I can do? I take a vitamin C tab every day. Should I increase that?

Jan 27, 2009 5:15 PM

Guest :

Jessy Sumalpong Jr. 21 yrs old, from Philippines

i have a acute broncho the recent said brocho cause of emmune definciency or pneumonia... or a inflamatory in airways.. i take medicine as prescribe by a doctors. i take antibiotics and sulmox broncho.. now I'm worried and aware now in my health.. can you teach me some treatment that can help to boost my immune health in safe way?? or anything that you can share??

Jan 29, 2009 12:27 PM

Guest :

Teri, This was very helpful. I did not know Lemons would help. Thank you

Jan 31, 2009 9:51 AM

Guest :

Carrots are really good for the immune system, im eating them now haha... i love keeping healthy.. ill take all this in.. learn sumthing new each day haha...

Feb 2, 2009 3:00 PM

Guest :

I definately agree that getting enough sleep makes all the difference. That, and proper hydration. Anything that stresses the body, emotionally and/or physically, can cause strain on the immune system. So that means coffee, too harsh exercise anything that speeds you up.
and about the cold sores, preventing them is requires the same habits as staying generally healthy. if you feel one coming on, drink lots of water, take some L-Lysine pills, get some Vitamin C and RELAX!

Feb 8, 2009 8:04 AM

Guest :

It would be great if this worked! i've been sick 6 times since school has started and its really horrible. My immune system is shot. This is a great help! thank you.
-Tesla-

Feb 11, 2009 7:23 PM

Guest :

I have had flu shot at the end of last year. I have been having flu or sore throat since beginning of this year. This is my 5th cough this year. It doesn't help that lots of people are sick in the public and the office and when they cough, they don't bother to cover their mouths and that I'm asthmatic. It would be great if just something as simple as adding lemon juice to water works.

Feb 12, 2009 5:47 AM

Guest :

You Guys are Great , thanks for the advices
I Just love it
Thank u

Feb 14, 2009 12:12 PM

Guest :

IT SURE IS INTERESTING INFORMATION YOU HAVE HERE. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW TROUGH ALL THIS TO THE LETTER THOUGH. IT ALMOST MAKES LIFE TO COMPLICATED.

JUST MY THOUGH.

Feb 19, 2009 11:04 AM

Guest :

I am 40 and was just dio. with Dermatomyositis which starts from my immune system fighting against itsself...i do not like taking all these meds.. but i need advice for a natural way please help
thanks
Lori

Feb 21, 2009 8:23 PM

Guest :

This sounds so rejuvinating, as I am suffering from a severe case of the flu right now. Thank you!

Feb 27, 2009 2:03 PM

Guest :

Thank you for this site! AND it's comforting to know that i'm not the only person who takes care of myself and still gets sick a lot. But i think the sugar/carb rule is a big one for me. I am definitely addicted. It will be a hard habit to break, but I will do it!! Thank you!

Mar 9, 2009 1:27 AM

Guest :

For the people who suffer from cold sores, Rooibos tea is brilliant. My aunt used to get cold sores all the time. She started drinking the tea, didn't have a single one for ages (when she would've had several normally). She stopped drinking the tea and then pop! One appeared! Now she's back on it and cold sore free.

Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine free and rich in anti-oxidents. Even those of us lucky enough not to get cold sores could benefit from the drink.

The lady who's nursing her daughter and addicted to coffee - perhaps you could dry drinking rooibos tea instead? It's advisable to cut back on the coffee slowly, but you should definitely cut back. It's not doing you or your child any good!

-Gemma

Mar 9, 2009 9:35 AM

Guest :

this helped me a lot for a project for health class.
thank you!

Mar 16, 2009 12:20 PM

Guest :

Prunes! They really work. Eat about 4 or 5 dried prunes a day to clean out your system and get rid of toxins in your body.

Mar 20, 2009 6:27 AM

Guest :

The part about coffee is nonsense. Coffee is actually a very mild diuretic and
produces similar amount of urine as drinking plain water. Google it yourself if you don't believe.

Mar 29, 2009 4:48 AM

Guest :

Irradiation of our foods should also be banned, which now depletes much of its nutrients.

Apr 3, 2009 5:56 AM

Guest :

I have chronic sinusitis. Does anyone know if building the immune system will help with this?

Apr 15, 2009 9:06 AM

Guest :

thank you for the tips...im so glad i found them. my fiance gets ill too often and now its obvious why! i need to now email this link to him to get him to change his habits!

Apr 26, 2009 5:40 AM

Guest :

it's great indeed... eat lots and drink lots of water.. scretch ur back and neck when cathing cold..

May 5, 2009 6:19 PM

Guest :

Great article, thanks!

May 20, 2009 2:29 AM

Guest :

Intrested in the coffee part as i drink lots of coffee but what if i drank de-cafe coffee with out sugar will that still dehydrate me.
Also the sleep, sleep is the most important part i agree get plenty of it and don't spend too much time thinking about stuff. Ignorance is bliss and very good for you with sleep it will boost you big time.
Any advice on the decafe coffee would be tops!!!

Jun 19, 2009 8:33 AM

Guest :

This is a very irresponsable and ignorant advice, I have been drinking at least 1 liter of coffee daily for 30 years and eating 200 gr of chocolat as well and I never get a cold or any disease; give me your search of investigation as I am not sure they are giving the proper and real information the the people.

Jun 25, 2009 8:06 AM

Guest :

hello am dawson i have been experiencing nose-bleed how can i deal with that so that i will be free

Jul 9, 2009 7:26 AM

Guest :

decaffe is definatly better! its the caffine thats a diruetic (dehydrates you) so decafe is better for you, coffe is fine, as long as you stay hydrated with it. too much caffine can leavfe you with a headache - twitchy and unable to relax or sleep. this would definatly make you feel ill - and can last for days. as for chocolate - well its better to go for dark chocolate at least 70% cocoa content -raw cocoa is high in antioxidants and can be nebificial for health but as for anything MODERATION is KEY! too much of anything can seriously damage you body. exercise regulary,drink plenty of water,eat a varied and balanced diet. stick to those last three and youll find yourself feeling better!

Jul 15, 2009 2:48 AM

Guest :

Very much useful article. Especially taking "Lemon" helps a lot.
All points r very much useful!

Jul 16, 2009 5:08 AM

Guest :

This page is the same as the italian one. Wondering if it's the same source or just coping one other!

Jul 18, 2009 8:12 AM

Guest :

fear is my worst enemy.i suddenly fell sick.cold and indigestion is the problem.But i found out that each time i am happy,i dont feel the cold.there are few things here in nigeria that would make one happy.WHAT made the cold and indigestion a chronic one?

Jul 20, 2009 1:19 PM

Guest :

just getting over a very sore throat (bacterial/viral infection). for the past 4 days could'nt eat much or sleep. i usually take a well known energy drink every morning at work and i smoke (although don't drink at all).
several years ago i was prone to 4-7 colds a year as well as cold sores then i started taking vit c, zinc, garlic & cod liver oil tabs daily and now average 2 colds a year sometimes even 1! last year had the flu (1st time since '88 for me) but the virus i had recently made me realize my immune system is'nt as good as i thought. i admit i usually get no more than 6hrs sleep and usually get stressed easily. the fact that i could'nt eat or sleep very well and actually thought my throat was closing in, preventing me breathing (panicing!)made me check out facts about the immune system. thanks to ur site i know were i think i was going wrong.
i know i'll probably still get stress (in my nature!)but am now going to get more sleep,eat more friut and veg and not get THAT stressed, especially over trivial things. oh and maybe get a holiday! once again thanks for the info. very helpful.

Jul 22, 2009 10:34 AM

Victoria Anisman-Reiner :

Thanks for the comment about the Italian version of this page. This is the original source for this article, and any other versions, translations, or copies are unauthorized plagiarism. I'd very much appreciate it if anyone who comes across copies of this article would let me know by forwarding the website address of copies to naturalmedicine@suite101.com

Thank you.

Jul 22, 2009 11:58 AM

Guest :

One thing I don't see mentioned here is Beta Glucan!

Completely natural, no side effects and will not overstimulate the immune system. Beta Glucan activates the cells responsible for cleansing the body of "bad" stuff like viruses, bacteria, toxins, parasites and microbes.

Jul 24, 2009 2:40 AM

Guest :

Thank you. for the health advice. This is so great to me and to so many others.
Martin Karanja-Kenya

Jul 28, 2009 12:42 PM

Guest :

My brother has demodex mites on his face and neck. I was told because nothing else is working, only getting worse, to try and increase the immune system. The immune system may be strong enough to fight that off. Did anyone ever hear of this? My email is prowler650xt@comcast.net
Please help, Peg

Aug 8, 2009 9:59 AM

Guest :

Guest:
I've heard of a material called ehidanea (not sure if thats right) is this a drug or herb, is it useful and where can i get it if its effective?

Aug 9, 2009 9:40 PM

Guest :

Didn't know that coffee can be that harmful. Thanks a lot for educating me!

Aug 13, 2009 10:06 PM

Guest :

I immensly thank you for giving a wonderful advice and information. I'll definitely follow all these steps and i'm sure all these 10 steps will works best.

Aug 14, 2009 1:54 PM

Guest :

I just got diagnosed with shingles. What can I do to rebuild my immune system to combat this virus? Best tips for topical relief of the rash, and anything else to change in my diet is greatly appreciated.

Aug 17, 2009 9:45 AM

Guest :

this page is really helpful, thank you so much. i have a VERY low immune system that even when its hot (like right now) i catch a cold!
ohh and do you think you can post up something to help nosebleeds? my nephew bleeds from his nose when he goes outside or picks up something heavy. idk why.
please help! :D
really appreciate this, thanks again. :D

Aug 18, 2009 6:22 PM

Guest :

thanks for this tips!!!!!!

Aug 20, 2009 5:22 AM

Guest :

Thank you for the beatiful tips.Been always a self believer with having constant cold sours, head aches,any tired everytime i wake up.But now i had to quit smoking both ciggarete and marijuana since past 11 years.I feel on top of the world constantly.Getting back my health fully.The crave is still hammering but i believe will make it.Thanx 4 the health tips
frm Botswana

Aug 20, 2009 8:11 PM

Guest :

For cold sores, I take an aspirin (to lower my temperature) as soon as I feel that tingle, poke it open and treat with alcohol to dry it out. Keeps it to a minimum. I used to get them often as my menstral cycle neared, that's when the basal temperature raises slightly. Or spending all day out in the hot sun could bring one on too - at least it has for me. Does this happen to anyone else?

Aug 20, 2009 10:46 PM

Guest :

Thanks a lot for the information.
I have caught a cold which is the 2nd time within the month.
Im going to try these right away

Aug 23, 2009 12:17 PM

Guest :

this was very helpfull...i have been having intermittent fevers and sore throats and i was worried i had tb or something serious but i realise that i dont do more than half of the things on this list.thank u!

Aug 25, 2009 4:06 PM

Guest :

I just began to read this article, and by tip #1, it proved itself a waste of time and a blatant display or quackery.
It recommends people eat lemons and vinegar to "improve your body's alkalinity" - which doesn't make any sense, because lemons consist of a large amount of citric acid and vinegar is actually acetic acid!
Adding an acid to anything never, ever makes it more basic!
That's just simple third grade chemistry!

Aug 25, 2009 8:43 PM

Guest :

To the posters for cold sores you can of course take L-Lysine but also get a prescription call acyclovir...works great.. When I feel the slightest tingle and itch I pop one in on that day and it goes away.. I too suffer with bad horrible infections. My Ear nose and throat dr mention to eat lots of yogurt. Have at least 1 a day to help with the good bacteria and get rid of bad bacteria which is a major reason for sinus infections. Each year I get sicker and sicker and yet I have no idea what keeps my immune system shot. It would be real nice to boost that baby up. On another note if you take more then the recommended dose of vitamin c all you are going to do is pee it out. HTH

Aug 28, 2009 11:11 PM

Guest :

Niranjana
this page was very useful to me.
thank you.

Sep 3, 2009 12:13 PM

Guest :

cold sores: Try herpicin for chapstick. It's awesome for your lips and will prevent future cold sores.

Sep 6, 2009 7:28 PM

Guest :

WOW. Will certainly take all this into account. I had a coffee binge last week and only had 6-7 hours sleep a night. Saturday morning after work I was hit with a terrible cold. Monday and it's slowly getting better but this is my 4th cold this year.

Sep 22, 2009 1:37 PM

Guest :

I love lemons, they are super delicious!
I don't get sick very often, probably only had one cold a year.
Maybe I'm immune to EVERYTHING!
>:D

Sep 25, 2009 6:10 AM

Guest :

What we have here is some sense mixed in with a whole lot of nonsense. First, there is no evidence that the body requires a "pH-balance" help and drinking lemon juice sure aint gonnna do it. Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice are both acidic compounds so they would actually reduce alkalinity if anything. Your advice regarding sleep and taking care of yourself is sensible but it is mixed up into a baloney of nonsense. Drinking water like crazy has no effect on the immune system, nor do any of the herbs/supplements. Smelling pretty flowers might lessen stress but if you are already eating and sleeping reasonably the effect is negligible. In you bio it says you "soak up" information but instead you should question the evidence underlying claims.Everyone should.

Sep 26, 2009 8:56 AM

Guest :

Guest:
Regarding cold sores - I fell asleep in the sun when I was 20 years old and wound up with a severe sunburn. My entire mouth broke out in cold sores. I had to drink food through a straw. The doctor said I had sun poisoning. For years after that, I would get one cold sore after another, or even several at one time. For a couple of years I had chicken pox shots and that stopped them for a year or so and then they would come back. Finally, I learned that a lack of the proper amount of acidophilus in the stomach will cause cold sores to break out. From then on, when I first felt that ominous tingle, I would take 5-6 acidophilus tablets and one L-Lysine tablet, and an hour or so later I would repeat both. The cold sore never broke out. I haven't had a cold sore in at least 10 years. I keep both acidophilus and L-Lysine in my cabinet at all times, just in case. Our bodies produce acidophilus, but the sun, antibiotics, and stress can kill it. If I know I have to take antibiotics, I will take the pills even before I feel the tingle. If you get a lot of cold sores, it wouldn't hurt to take 5-6 acidophilus tablets and one L-Lysine tablet every day for a week or so just to get your "good" bacteria back in balance.

Oct 1, 2009 2:26 AM

Guest :

I have been getting coldsores every month for the past 3 months & its getting me so down. I have tried antibiotics, zovirax and compeed patches which clears them up for a while but they always return!! really appriciate what everyone has been recommending, will be giving all of them a try! :)

Oct 1, 2009 12:02 PM

Guest :

I am so glad I found this article. As a mother of a young child I am always looking for natural ways to keep our family healthy, and this was a great list. Thanks.

Oct 4, 2009 11:35 AM

Guest :

FANTASTIC article. I bookmarked it and plan to fully follow through. I can not stand medicines and constant doctor visits. Glad you posted this.

Oct 4, 2009 12:03 PM

Guest :

Somebody here wrote "ignorance is bliss". That is such an empty expression. Ignorance is not bless, and thinking is an essential part of our being human. The important bit is not to get too worried and to find happiness in life. What i would like to know is how to "check that our emotional needs are met", as the article says. How do we meet our emotional needs?
Anyway, thanks for the other points. They are all very useful.
Regards,
Emma

Oct 8, 2009 7:42 AM

Guest :

hi, last month i had herpis infection. but now i want to be pregnant. what should i do to improve immune from herpis.
ameenah malik

Oct 20, 2009 2:37 PM

Guest :

Fabulous - timeless advice.

Oct 25, 2009 4:13 AM

Guest :

its very informative. i have been searching it for my 3 yr kid.i will surely apply and let my friends know about it.thanks a lot

Oct 25, 2009 10:02 PM

Guest :

WARNING - Do NOT take Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics!! They are TOXIC to every cell in the body and CAUSE autoimmunity!! NO FLUOROQUINOLONES: CIPRO(Ciprofloxacin), LEVAQUIN(Levofloxacin), AVELOX(Moxifloxacin) and others of this class... check your medical records, you may already be a victim!! FQResearch.org for more info that may save your life or the lives of those you love!! Spread the word/promote awareness!!

Nov 6, 2009 1:22 PM

Guest :

On the post about Levaquin. I did take it and spent then next year in three drs. offices with tests ect before the warning ever came out. When it did the next time I got sick I aked for an antibiotic that wouldn't make me worse...
My question is why do Dr.s continue to give it if it is proven to cause such things.... And Levaquin isn't the only ones.
My answer would be to "why do they" is. ...That is how they make money... they can't make money off of a healthy person. If they see your smoking, drinking, ect they can always blame it on that. If they give meds with severe side effects they are sure to see you again soon. And that raises insurance expenses as well as out of pocket expenses too.. So the next time the doc writes you a script check it out completely before you take it to see if it is worth the risk. Our bodies belong to us. Not the ones making the money destroying our bodies that work for the madical fields. Dr.s are supposed to save lives. Do all you can to be healthy and make their job easier.