Today I decided to review and repost this blog entry, that I wrote last year. It’s a good reminder , that prevention is always better than the cure , even if the cure it has its place. I have also added some more information and I hope you find it useful.
Your immune system is your bodyguard, that will always love you. On the whole your immune system does a remarkable job.Because is a system and not a single thing is requires balance and harmony in many levels.Mother Nature has a comforting solution for everything .
In the last few days the weather has changed towards colder and wetter conditions and a few of my friends already got a cold. Speaking for myself I am starting to sleep a bit extra and wrap up warm. A few years ago , before I decided to go vegan, I was the one who would get a cold annually in September and March.To be honest I can’t remember the last time I had a cold or a flu.Staying away from dairy and meat has worked for me and I am convinced , that what you eat has an enormous effect on your immune system. Well as well as stress , of course.
You could have the healthiest fresh diet, but if you are stressed you are “burning the candle from both ends” as they say.Talking about stress is a subject for another post. Let’s see what is in the Mother Nature kitchen , that will give your immune system a boost.
Garlic. This flavorful member of the onion family is a powerful immune booster .It stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production. The immune-boosting properties of garlic seem to be due to its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin and sulfides. Garlic can also act as an antioxidant that reduces the build-up of free radicals in the bloodstream. It is also a heart-friendly food since it keeps platelets from sticking together and clogging tiny blood vessels.
Sweet potato
You may not think of skin as part of your immune system. But this crucial organ, covering an impressive 16 square feet, serves as a first-line fortress against bacteria, viruses, and other undesirables. To stay strong and healthy, your skin needs vitamin A. “Vitamin A plays a major role in the production of connective tissue, a key component of skin,” explains Prevention advisor David Katz, MD, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in Derby, CT. One of the best ways to get vitamin A into your diet is from foods containing beta-carotene (like sweet potatoes), which your body turns into vitamin A.
Citrus Fruits:
Citrus fruits contain hefty doses of powerhouse vitamin C. Studies have found that this antioxidant can reduce cold symptoms by 23 per cent, and all that’s needed is just one to eight grams (1,000 to 8,000 milligrams) to do the trick. Besides citrus fruits, other foods that have high amounts of vitamin C include papaya, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, tomatoes, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and red bell peppers.
Ginger:
Ginger is one of the most popular and powerful immune system boosters. Besides soothing a scratchy throat, it has chemicals called sesquiterpenes that target rhinoviruses — which are the most common family of cold viruses — as well as substances that help suppress coughing. Ginger is also a natural pain and fever reducer and a mild sedative so you will feel more comfortable and be able to rest easier. Add a couple of tablespoons of shredded ginger root to your tea, or make ginger tea (it comes in tea bags, but you can also simmer fresh sliced ginger to make a potent brew).
Turmeric
This rich, flavorful spice has been used for centuries as part of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicines, in addition to being used for cooking. Turmeric is found in every yellow curry, and its golden color is the result of curcumin, a polyphenol with strong cold and flu-fighting properties.A study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications found that curcumin prevents some immune cells from responding to stimulants and so has modulating and anti-inflammatory effects.
Turmeric is found naturally as the rhizome part of the turmeric plant and it looks very similar to ginger. The powdered spice is made by boiling, drying and grinding the root. The powder has antiseptic qualities when applied topically and often is used on cuts, burns and bruises.
Oregano
Oregano is an herb whose name is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning “joy of the mountains.” And it is joyful indeed to think that your spaghetti sauce or pizza, flavored with this bold, peppery herb, can help keep you free from infections.
“In terms of herbs, [oregano] is the highest in antioxidant compounds.“The antioxidant activity in oregano is due to its high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids, color compounds that are also anti-inflammatory. When eaten, oregano can protect against the common cold, influenza, fevers and indigestion.
But oregano is rarely eaten alone, and the combination of the herb and other foods may contribute to its disease-fighting abilities.Oregano is often eaten with immune-boosting garlic and tomatoes, which contain vitamin C, beta carotene and leutine, all of which benefit the body.
Above all listen to your body. You know very well if you have too much going on and you have to this , finish that and organize the other. November is a month of darker evenings and shorter daylight , which is an invitation for you to rest more, sleep more and overall take care of yourself. If you do that no matter how many things you have going on you will be able to complete and do.
One more thing , which has proven to be a wonderful way to keep your immune system in optimal condition is the importance of healthy regular digestion. Its your own cleaning system , keep it flowing. Feeling good and clean on the inside is vital to your health.
So there you have some of the immune system boosters from Mother Nature.
Thank you very much for visiting Mother Nature Loves You.com
If you find this information useful , please share it with your friends. You might be doing them a favour .
Sending you lots of love,
Ivelina
