Is Your Immune System Prepared?

The New Year Brings a New Viral Outbreak––

Is Your Immune System Prepared?

One of Winter’s many identifiers is “Cold and Flu Season.” For generations, people have attempted to prevent, outwit and fight this part of the season. There is no shortage of remedies lining the grocer’s and pharmacy’s shelves.

The media reports may appear alarming, but I want to offer comfort and support in some ways you (your body) may bypass this viral invasion.

It is a well known fact that 70% of your Immune System functions from your gastrointestinal region. This is good news since there are numerous options for preventive care.

Your amazing body was designed and created to attack foreign particles from head to toe. Defense cells, or macrophages, “respond to a variety of cellular signals and change their physiology in response to local cues.” (Science Daily) Imagine the PacMan game with the player “gobbling up” its opponent. That’s a simple explanation of how macrophages “gobble up” foreign particles (bacteria, virus, and other pathogens) in your body.

What steps can you take to strengthen those defense cells? Let’s begin in your gut. A good supply of gastrointestinal microbiota (gut flora––the healthy bacteria living in the digestive tract) is necessary to support a strong Immune System. It’s important to note that the types of foods you eat greatly affect the types of bacteria that take up residence in your gut.

May I introduce you to Nature’s “antibiotic” foods?

• Aloe Vera: Known as an effective healing plant from the beginning of time. Aloe contains antioxidant (polyphenols) and antibacterial properties that help in treating canker sores, as well as other types of infections. Aloe is a powerful “pre-biotic” that feeds the pro-biotic activity in the gut.

• Clove: Traditionally used in dental procedures, clove is gaining credibility in fighting several kinds of bacteria, including E.coli.

• Echinacea: Used for hundreds of years by indigenous civilizations and traditional healers to treat wounds and infections including Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat, toxic shock syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis).

• Garlic: Another time-proven remedy known for its preventive and curative characteristics against several types of bacteria.

• Ginger: Historically used to ease motion sickness and nausea and to lower blood sugar levels, science is now discovering ginger’s effectiveness in fighting many strains of bacteria.

• Goldenseal: Historically taken as a tea to treat respiratory and digestive discomforts (diarrhea and UTI’s). Recent discoveries show Goldenseal to be an effective treatment for skin infections. Because of the berberine (a vital part of natural antibiotics) it is important to consult your pharmacist to learn of any interactions with foods or medications. This is not safe to use with infants or breastfeeding moms.

• Honey: From early times, honey has been used as a topical ointment to heal, prevent or draw out infection. Current wellness professionals use honey in the relief of chronic wounds, burns, ulcers, bedsores and skin grafts. Honey’s hydrogen peroxide content contributes to its antibacterial effect.

• Horseradish: This potent plant energizes your body and helps in its defenses against potential illnesses. The antibiotic properties are broken down in the stomach––another reason a healthy gut is necessary for Immune System health. The “heat” from this food stimulates circulation. Add this raw plant to your blended juices for a healthy “kick.”

• Oregano: Documented as early as the 1100’s in German medicines, Oregano is known as a powerful antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulant. These properties seem to be most effective when Oregano is used as an essential oil, according to researchers.

Wow! I hope this list encourages you. These items may already be in your pantry. Keep this list nearby so you may effectively support a strong Immune System. Of course, you may already take Vitamin C, probiotics (TNF-alpha markers in the blood are increased with probiotic intake––a good thing) and drink plenty of water. These are simple daily things we can do to insure strong defense cells.

Some of these items are best taken as a tea with Honey (Ginger, and Goldenseal) or may be an ingredient in a nutritional supplement, or as an essential oil. Consult with an essential oil professional to learn which oils may be taken internally.

Savor the Season and stay strong!

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” ~Thomas Edison