Stay healthy all year long with these natural tips!
There are many simple and natural ways to boost your immune system. Some are common sense, like getting a good night’s sleep. Others are things you can incorporate in your diet to help keep you healthy and feeling great. All year round! Even though our world is full of infectious microorganisms, most of the time, you’re reasonable healthy, right? Thank your immune system, which defends you from disease-causing microbes. Now, step beyond gratitude with these simple ways to boost your immune system!
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil can help you improve your gut health and boost your immune system.
It acts kind of like a weed killer by helping to eliminate some of bad bacteria that may be dominating your digestive system.
Steven Foster, expert on medicinal plants and herbs, and author of numerous books on the subject credits Oil of Oregano in the treatment of indigestion, diarrhea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache, earache, rheumatism, coughs and bronchitis in his book entitled Herbal Renaissance (Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1993, originally printed under the titleHerbal Bounty in 1984).
Difference between Oil of Oregano and Oregano Essential Oil:
Note that there is a product called Oil of Oregano (which has already been diluted in a carrier oil) and there is Oregano Essential Oil, which can be used for aromatherapy treatments as well as diluted in a carrier oil for using in the ways Oil of Oregano is used.
Eat Mushrooms to Build Immunity
Whatever variety you choose – enoki, shitake or oyster – Japanese mushrooms are a great immunity booster. They are also loaded with ergothioneine, a powerful antioxidant, that does not get destroyed during the cooking process.
Medicinal mushrooms are potent immune boosters. The Shiitake, Reishi, and Maitake mushroom stimulate the immune system, build up resistance to viruses, and block tumor formation. The ABM mushroom (Agaricus Blazel Murill) is one of the strongest cancer-fighting and immune-boosting mushroom available.
See better with Black Currants!
A wonderful supplement for promoting healthy vision, black currants contain compound anthocyanosides, which may be helpful for promoting night vision. They are also rich in vitamin C – they contain 5 times the amount in an orange – making them a powerful immunity booster!
Black Currant Health Benefits
- Since they are rich in vitamin C, they are a good antioxidant.
- It is very rich in proteins, which makes it rich for potassium, even more thwan bananas.
- The syrups that are made from this fruit are good for the treatment of sore throats.
- Leaves of black currant are used for diuretic purpose. Black currant tea is often used as a treatment against bleeding gums and diarrhea.
- Anthocyanin is present in the berries, which helps in the inhibition of certain enzymes such as Cyclo-oxygenas, which helps in the reduction of inflammation of certain organs of the body and the harmful effects of arthritis in the legs.
- Black currants have an alkalizing property, due to which it is suitable for the treatment of uric acid and stone treatment.
- Black currant juice is rich in proanthocyanididins and anthocyanins, which are very effective against the treatment of tumor cells in the body.
via: onlyfoods.net
Breath easy with Ginger
Ginger, a tropical plant related to turmeric and cardamom, produces a pungent, sweet-tasting root. Herbal tea aficionados steep freshly grated ginger in hot water to make tea, and various cuisines incorporate fresh or dried ginger into both sweet and savory recipes. Herbalists recommend ginger root as a natural treatment for a wide range of health conditions.
According to Ayurvedic traditions, ginger warms the body and helps to break down the accumulation of toxins in the organs, particularly in the lungs and sinuses. Ayurveda also believes that ginger helps to cleanse the lymphatic system, which is our body’s sewage system. By helping keep your airways and lymphatics open, ginger may help prevent the accumulation of the toxins that may increase your risk of infection.
Chicken Soup… it couldn’t hurt!
Your grandmother knew what she was talking about! Nothing works for boosting your immune system or spirit more than a homemade bowl of chicken soup. There is a reason why this is a go-to for cold and flu season, the chicken provides cysteine and amino acid that breaks up congestion, while the hot soup can strengthen the movement of white blood cells and the broth is ultra hydrating. Any combination of bone in chicken and broth slow cooked with celery, onion, carrot, and herbs is all it takes!
Go to Sleep!
Mother knows best — at least it appears that way when it comes to lack of sleep. It turns out that lack of sleep really may make us more prone to catching colds and the flu. Researchers have learned that circadian rhythms—the 24-hour cycles known as your internal body clock—are involved in everything from sleep to weight gain, mood disorders, and a variety of diseases.
“It is an old wives’ tale that if you don’t sleep well, you will get sick, and there is some experimental data that shows this is true,” says Diwakar Balachandran, MD, director of the Sleep Center at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
via: webmd.com
Boost your antioxidants with Tumeric
Turmeric is antiseptic and kills yeast and parasites when used internally. It is a member of the ginger family and it is what gives many Indian Foods their yellow color. It is used in curries and in mustard. There is some evidence that it supports brain health and can help avoid Alzheimer’s Disease.
via: wellnessmama.com
Think Zinc!
While a plant-based diet reduces inflammation and creates an alkaline environment, your body needs ZINC for immune support. If you’re deficient, animal products are better sources than plant, think only organic grass-fed beef, chicken, shellfish, or lamb. Zinc builds immunity and is actually very anti-inflammatory. Vegetarians, be sure to intake good amounts of legumes and nuts to maintain your intake.
Zinc is an important mineral required for countless reactions and functions in the body, including proper growth and immune function, DNA synthesis, cell division and cellular metabolism. The highest concentrations of zinc in the body are found in the liver, pancreas, kidney, bone, muscles and eyes.
Garlic will help you crush
Roman soldiers used to gobble down chunks of garlic before battle. They believed the pungent plant infused them with courage and heroic strength. While chomping on raw garlic cloves won’t give you superhuman powers, it may help your immune system defeat bacterial, viral and even fungal infections.
Garlic contains allicin, ajoene and thiosulfinates — three powerful compounds that help the body prevent and fight infections. The compounds are so strong that consuming raw garlic juice is nearly as effective as Neosporin is for disinfecting minor wounds.
When applied to the skin, garlic beats topical creams like Tinactin and other antifungal agents in fighting athlete’s foot. Evidence has been documented suggesting that people who consume large quantities of garlic on the onset of a cold will reduce the amount of time it takes them to heal.
For thousands of years, people all over the world have hailed garlic as an elixir of health. Its cloves are said to help treat the common cold, keep the plague at bay, and even ward off vampires. Despite its notorious odor, this veggie is the bulb of a plant in the sweet-smelling lily family. Ancient writings show that garlic was used as an aphrodisiac in India and as currency in Egypt.
Today, at just 4 calories per clove, it’s a low-cal immunity-boosting superstar. One clove contains 5 mg of calcium, 12 mg of potassium, and more than 100 sulfuric compounds — powerful enough to wipe out bacteria and infection (it was used to prevent gangrene in both world wars). Raw garlic, not cooked or dried, is most beneficial for health, since heat and water inactivate sulfur enzymes, which can diminish garlic’s antibiotic effects. Inclinical trials, the toxin-fighting staple seems to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and kill parasites in the body.
Keep your gut healthy with Probiotics!
Although the word has been plastered on food labels and bandied about in magazines across the nation, most people still don a confused look when the topic of probiotics comes up! So, what is it about this mystery topic that has people so enamored and confused?
What are probiotics? Simply put, probiotics are natural, healthy bacteria that help produce strong levels of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal system. Your body contains ten times more bacteria than cells. Friendly bacteria not only attack pathogenic bacteria and fungi, but they also trigger appropriate white cell reactions to invaders. Surprisingly, one of the main functions of friendly bacteria is to stimulate your immune system. By eating probiotic-rich foods and maintaining good intestinal flora, a person can also maintain a healthy immune system.
Calm a cough with Sage!
Sage extract works as an expectorant, which helps your body move mucus out of your respiratory tract and helps to calm your cough. As a good alternative to an over-the-counter expectorant, try a drop of sage extract in tea or hot water.
The ancients used aromatic sage to bring the virtues of wisdom, strength and clear thinking. Modern day researchers in Great Britain found that sage inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine, and so helps to preserve the compound used to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s.
An EGGcellent way to treat your hair!
Containing iron, biotin and vitamin B12, eggs can help strengthen hair. The iron also helps combat anemia, a reduction of red blood cells that may also cause hair loss in women. Eggs are an effective natural treatment for various hair and skin problems. Learn how to use eggs in your daily beauty routine. Here are a few common beauty benefits of eggs:
Oily Hair: Before washing your hair, make it a point to apply egg white thoroughly onto your hair. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then shampoo your hair as usual. Finish off with a lemon rinse. To make the lemon rinse, take a juice of one lemon and mix it with a little amount of water. Put this lemon rinse on your hair and then simply wash off with lukewarm water.
Dry Hair: To treat dry hair, take half a cup of Fullers’ Earth and mix it with two tablespoons of oil and with the yolk of an egg. Mix all the ingredients to make a smooth paste. Apply this mix all over your scalp. Leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual.
Add body to your hair and get natural shine: Beat one whole egg with the juice of one lemon thoroughly. Apply on your hair all over and leave it on for at least half an hour. Then shampoo as usual and you will be amazed to see instant results. The protein in the egg coats each hair streak adding body and thickness to your hair. Most of all your hair will become soft and will get an instant natural shine.
via: beauty.knoji.com
Can graviola fight cancer?
As a natural immunity booster, graviola has been traditionally used to kill parasites, ameliorate liver problems, reduce fevers, and help treat colds and the flu. Scientists have studied graviola since the 1940s and most research has been centered around annonaceous acetogenins, a group of natural compounds that appear to have some anti-tumor properties – meaning they may help fight various types of cancer cells and thus help boost immune function.
While the remarkable possible cancer-killing properties of Graviola have been disputed, there is much evidence that the popular Amazon super-food offers a wide variety of benefits to help protect and boost your health.
Those Graviola health benefits may include:
- Highly active antioxidant compounds, offering protection against aging
- Help in stimulating blood circulation within your system
- Assistance in draining the lympathic system
- Support for your entire immune system
The FDA has approved Graviola as an immune booster, but has not done the same in terms of its anti-cancer effects.
Read more: althealthworks.com
Can Pumpkin Seeds reduce the risk of heart attacks?
Pumpkin seeds, which are rich in magnesium, may help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart attacks or stroke. If you’re in the mood for a chewy snack that doubles as a phenomenal health food, look no further than pumpkin seeds.
One-quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium, which participates in a wide range of vitally important physiological functions, including the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecules of your body), the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the pumping of your heart, proper bone and tooth formation, relaxation of your blood vessels, and proper bowel function. And because pumpkin seeds are highly portable and require no refrigeration, they make an excellent snack to keep with you whenever you’re on the run, or they can be used as a quick anytime snack at home, too.
Adding avocados to your diet is an simple way to support adrenal function and health and keep your immune system happy. Avocados contain essential amino acids, antioxidants and some healthy fats to help balance hormone production. Avocado is a nutritious fruit with a creamy texture and nutty flavor.
Avocados can be sliced and added to your salad or sandwich, used to make guacamole, spread on a bagel or scrambled with eggs. Though avocados are high in fat, the type of fat in avocados is beneficial to your health when consumed in moderation as part of a healthy balanced diet. Incorporating avocado into your diet can strengthen your immune system, lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and help manage your weight.