10 Natural Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System

  Your immune system is your body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Through a series of steps called the immune response, It defends against organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease.

The human body has a series of defenses to protect it from foreign objects, dangerous cells, and other substances that can invade and cause the body harm. Sometimes, food particles and pollen can also be harmful to the human body causing an immune response.

There are a number of natural ways to take proactive measures to support the overall functioning of your immune system while boosting overall health and wellness in the face of getting ill during cold and flu season.

1. Food As Medicine

 Eating wholesome foods that support energy, digestion and elimination is essential to strengthening your immune system. One of the ways to explore what foods create harmony and balance is to explore foods from the Eat Right for Your Type Diet based on Dr. Peter D’Adamo‘s extensive work. Based on research that confirms specific energizing choices related to food, beverages, supplements, exercise, and health needs that are based on Blood Types A, O, AB, and B you can benefit from specific choices specific to your needs.

Here is a link to an article on Healthy Blood Type Food Choice on Health: https://www.dadamo.com/media/energy.htm

Healing in Your Kitchen

a) Eat berries as they contain bioflavonoids that support immune health

b) Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds

c) Grapefruit, apples, papayas, cranberries, bananas are all vitamin and antioxidant powerhouses that boost your immune system.

d) Black beans are a good source of Zinc

e) Black Strap Molasses is a good source of iron with immune-boosting properties. Take a tablespoon in the morning with breakfast.

f) Fermented foods like Kombucha contains probiotics that helps support your body’s immune system. Add kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, probiotics, or miso to your diet this fall and winter as needed.

g) Broccoli is a good source of Vitamin A, C, and E.

h) Eat immune-boosting soups: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/better-chicken-soup

 i) Minimize intake of sugar, caffeine, dietary allergens and acidic foods including dairy, meat, and wheat.

2. Herbs to Strengthen Your Immune System

a) Echinacea is an immune stimulant used best within the first two days of cold or when you feel a cold coming on. It fights colds, flu, infections, and allergies. Use throughout the episode.

b) Oregon Grape Root is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory that can be used in place of Echinacea. These are excellent for respiratory issues.

c) Tulsi (Holy Basil) enhances the immune system and is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral. This can be used as a tea.

d) Hyssop is an anti-viral, expectorant, decongestant, and calms both your nerves and digestion.

e) Lemon Balm is anti-viral, reduces fevers, aids in digestion, and calms and lifts your mood.

f) Licorice soothes your throat and coughs, is anti-viral and supports adrenal function.

g) Red Root stimulates lymphatic cleansing and is helpful for sore throats, tonsillitis, and strep throat.

h) Thyme is antibacterial, anti-fungal, bronchial dilator and expectorant.

3. Use Anti-bacterial Essential Oils

a) Oregano, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Grapefruit, and Ravensara

b) Use Be Well Essential Oil Immune Blend: http://www.windowstotheheart.net/be-well-essential-oil-blend/

c)  Use eucalyptus or tea tree oil to help clear your sinuses. Place some eucalyptus oil on a cotton swab. Put the cotton in an old pill bottle. Open the bottle and inhale the scent when you feel congested.

4.Vitamin Support: Take Zinc Lozenges, Vitamin C, and  D 3.

5. Sleep: Maximize routine in your sleep as well as meal times even if you are traveling. Increase alkaline foods that include more plant-based choices.

6. Stay Warm: The following suggestions will help protect your body from excessive heat loss:

a) Wear several layers of lightweight clothing rather than one or two layers of heavy garments. The air between layers of clothing acts as insulation to keep you warmer.

b) Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.

c) Wear mittens rather than gloves. The contact of your fingers keeps your hands warmer.

d) Keep dry: Wet clothing is 20 times less warm than dry clothing.

e) Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes that give you maximum traction.

f) Cover your ears, nose, chin, and forehead, which are most susceptible to frostbite.

g) Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from directly inhaling extremely cold air.

h) Keep your house temperature at least 65 degrees F in the winter.

7. Stay Hydrated.

a) Use Emergen C Immune drink.

b) Eat Chicken or miso soup, drink water and herbal tea. Drink lemon balm, thyme, or Tulsi Tea.

c) Drink Black and Green Tea support the balance of T cells and support the Immune System by stopping bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungus. 

d) Drink Honey, Lemon and Ginger Tea. Cook with ginger.

f) Make a Fire Cider: This is an easy, effective, and inexpensive way to stay healthy during the cold and flu season. Internal dosage can vary from 3ml up to a “shot” (one ounce) per day depending on your affliction and heat tolerance. You can also rub this on sore muscles, or soak a cloth in fire cider and apply to your chest to ease congestion. Fire Cider is a great replacement for regular vinegar in your vinaigrette or other recipes. 

8. Stretch and Move to Strengthen Your Immune System

a) 10-Minute Movement to Boost Your Immune System:

b) Practice Qi Gong for Detoxifying and Strengthening Your Lungs and Immune System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROCyfHthxlI

c) Use a rebounder or mini-trampoline: http://www.how-to-boost-your-immune-system.com/rebounder.html 

9. Use Acupressure Points

a) For coughing, start by crossing your arms. Then push your thumbs into the inside of your elbows while holding the opposite arms.

b) Do the same at your shoulders, pressing under and into your armpits

c) For sinus and congestion, give two-finger support to the area between your thumb and forefinger. Press firmly, first on one hand, and then the other. Do this for a few moments each. e) Press your fingers into the skin on each side of your nostrils to bring relief from sneezing and sniffles. d) For Immune System support, tap on your sternum, about 2 inches down from where your left and right collar bone connect. This activates the thymus which is closely associated with the immune system.

10. Make time and space for yourself while minimizing stress in your life. Unplug and relax daily. Take inventory of what energizes, grounds and brings you joy.

The immune system’s function is to determine what is self and what is not-self. By making space and time for you, you are enhancing your body-mind system’s ability to center, restore, and ground yourself so that you are better able to discern what is essential to your life, and what you need to let go of that might not be yours.

When you take time to orient yourself to what is life-energizing, you create new possibilities for prioritizing your needs and actions to strengthen your wellness. In this way, you can return to everyday living with more coherent energy for your health, relationships, business, and sense of overall well-being.

Here is an opportunity to continue on the path with monthly healing modalities and repatterning events from Windows to the Heart Repatterning.

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