This is a continuation of the series on our Immune system. I have talked about what the immune system is and how it works, then I discussed what weakens our immune system, now I will talk about how we can strengthen our immune system.
Include reducing your sugar intake, staying hydrated, working out regularly, getting adequate sleep, and managing your stress levels.
Eat Immune Boosting Foods
Of course, we need to eat foods that will strengthen our Immune system. These would include:
- Healthy Fats
- Fermented Foods: yoghurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, and natto
- Greens
- Fruits, especially berries
- Whole organic grains
- Seeds and nuts
- Sweet potatoes & carrots
Get Adequate Sleep
Nothing can replace sleep. It is vital to our health and longevity. 6-8 hours is recommended.
Exercise Regularly
Although over-exercising is hard on the body, we all do need to do some exercise on a regular basis. Brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, light jogging, and hiking are all good forms of exercise. What I like is The Surge. This is where for 30 seconds, you jog in place as hard as possible, then for one minute you do stretches. This is repeated 3 times. It is fast, effective, and simple.
Avoid Toxins
This means all forms of toxins including drugs and shots. It does not work to take something poisonous and expect to be healthy.
Train Your Immune System
Our immune system is trained by getting sick and then figuring out on its own how to fight the infection. Every time we use a drug to “help” get better, our immune system gets weaker instead of stronger. Unless, we allow our Immune system to learn how to fight infection, it will not learn. It is like a child doing math, the more they learn their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, the better they will do. But if a parent does their school work for them, they may never learn. Sure, it is faster for a parent to just solve the math problems, but how will the child learn? He will not. The only way a child will learn his math is to work on it and do it himself. This is very true with our immune system as well.
Use Herbs
On the other hand, using herbs will enhance our immune system, NOT cripple it. Good herbs to use:
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Elderberry
- Echinecea
- LDM (Lomatium dissectum)
- Astralagus
- Goldenseal root
- Chamomile
- Oregano
I trust this has been helpful to you.
Immune Boosting Herbal
- 1 oz. dried astragalus root
- 1 oz catnip
- 1/2 oz. dried angelica root
- 1/2 oz. dried chamomile
- 1/2 oz of rosehips
- 1 tsp. dried ginger
- 1 tsp. dried orange peel
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 Tbl honey
- Food grade alcohol (vodka)
Put all the herbs and honey in a Mason jar. Then pour alcohol on top. It should cover the herbs and be 3-4 inches above where the herbs were. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place.
Let set for 2–4 weeks. Shake the jars regularly (about once per day).
When ready, strain through a muslin cheesecloth or coffee filter. Store the strained herbal remedy in an airtight container at room temperature.
How to use it: Mix this into hot tea or take a spoonful a couple times a day.
We’re Here to Help YOU!
Amy Willis, MH, CN
About the Author
Amy Willis M.H.
Hi
I came across your website and is quite interested in your immune boosting herbal drink.
I would like to make it to build up my immune system, is there another substitute other than food grade alcohol which I can use to infuse the herbs?
Also is it suitable for children to take 10 years of age
Warm regards
Hi! The alcohol is used to extract the properties and to preserve. You can also use glycerine if you want, but add water. The dosage is small so the alcohol does not affect one. It is safe for a child even younger than 10, if they take the right dose.
In general dosages for tinctures are:
Adult dose: 2 droppers a day
child 5-12 : 1 dropper a day
child 2-5 : 1/2 dropper a day