How to Boost Your Immune System Naturally
Foods, Herbs and Daily Living Tips
Whether you are concerned about bird flu, swine flu, or simply do not want to become ill, there are some steps you can take to naturally boost your immune system. These steps are common sense recommendations for living a healthier lifestyle, eating foods and using herbs that will enhance your immunity.
Foods that Boost Your Immune System Naturally
Garlic is nature’s antibiotic and can help you fight off infections. It also has anti-viral properties. A traditional, and still widely used, concoction to prevent viral infections is the “four thieves” mixture. This mixture got its name from thieves that used it during a plague to prevent getting sick as they stole from those that were ill. The concoction is vinegar, garlic cloves, and a blend of essential oils that prevent viruses and infection. Eating garlic is one of the best ways to boost your immune system naturally.
Omega-3 - Most Americans do not eat enough Omega-3 and it is necessary to support your immune system. Eating fish, or fish oils will help you boost the amount of omega-3 you are getting and in turn boost your immunity.
Vitamin C strengthens your immune system by stimulating antibodies. Eat red & green sweet peppers, kiwi, oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, papaya, mango, guava, and black currant to make sure you are getting enough vitamin C in your diet.
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that strengthen the immune system. Eat sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, wheat germ oil, turnip greens, and pine nuts to ensure you are getting enough vitamin E.
Antioxidants boost the immune system. These antioxidants are found in the pigments of fruits and vegetables with a colorful hue. Carotenoids give plentiful in carrots, apricots and sweet potatoes mangoes, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens, tomatoes, guava, and pink grapefruit. Bioflavinoids are more antioxidants that give fruits and vegetables a colorful hue. Bioflavinoids are plentiful in the white pith just beneath citrus peel of an orange or grapefruit, peppers, grapes, onions, garlic, berries, green and white herbal tea and buckwheat.
Yogurt - Many alternative health practitioners believe that the health of your immune system is dependent on the health of your digestive system. Cultured foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, as well as probiotics, populate your digestive system with the good bacteria it needs to boost immunity. Sugar feeds the bad bacteria in the digestive system and is all too common in the American diet. Probiotics are available in pill form at natural health stores and should be purchased only if they are refrigerated.
Echinacea is a well-known herb for boosting immunity. It works best when taken as a tea in fresh leaf form, but can also be taken as tea from dried leaves, as a tincture, or in capsule form. Echinacea is best at boosting the immune system when taken in combination with Goldenseal.
Your Mental Health and Your Immune System
Your body performs better when you get enough sleep. Making sure you get enough rest is the most important way to boost your immune system. Stress also weakens our bodies. Unfortunately, stress is part of everyday life. Some positive affirmations and changes in the way you “talk to yourself” can minimize the amount of stress you allow to follow you and break down your immunity.
Exercise and Immunity
Getting your body moving and getting your blood flowing improves your overall health and helps to prevent illness. You do not have to take on a strict exercise program. Get yourself moving a little more each day.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands, and paying close attention to the area under your fingernails will help prevent the spread of illness. Most people do not realize how many times each day they touch their mouth, nose, eyes, and ears with their hands. Washing your hands well, several times a day will reduce your chance of getting sick and catching the flu.
The Sun Boosts Your Immune System Naturally
You are often told to stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen. But, what you are not often told is that your body needs the sun. Sun exposure in moderation is healthy for your body. The sun is one of only a few ways your body gets vitamin D and your body needs vitamin D to fight off infection.
Echinacea to Boost Your Immune System
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Health & Wellness
Latest Articles