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Worried about the Coronavirus pandemic? Who isn’t? But don’t panic! Stockpiling toilet roll and baked beans will not help! Instead, try these tried-and-tested ways to help boost our immune systems naturally, along with reducing our risk of viral infection. Plus, a lovely immune-boosting soup recipe!
Despite the doom and gloom, there are positive steps we can all take to build up our resilience while continuing with our normal day-to-day activities. And let’s face it. It won’t do any harm!
Why Boost Your Immune System?
The immune system is a network of cells and proteins that defend the body against infection. A healthy immune system reduces our susceptibility to viral infections and flu. More importantly, it is protective against pathogens – the viruses, bacteria, and foreign bodies that cause infection or disease. And the best news is that you can help to support your immune system by making some very simple lifestyle changes.
9 natural boosts and lifestyle changes for a healthier immune system
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly.
- Take a probiotic.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Reduce your stress with yoga or meditation.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption.
- Get some fresh air.
- Try some Gua Sha massage to stimulate your lymphatic system and help eliminate toxins.
Related – Plant-Based meal Ideas
Top foods to boost your immune system
Kiwi – Kiwis are nutrient-dense and full of vitamin C, an essential nutrient when it comes to boosting your immune system to ward off disease
Turmeric – Turmeric is an antioxidant that contains curcumin which possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties
Green tea – Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body
Spinach – Spinach contains high levels of vitamin C, which may help fight off infection
Ginger – Ginger is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to naturally boost the immune system. It contains vitamins and minerals including magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium
Broccoli – Broccoli is not only rich in immune-boosting antioxidants, it also contains choline, a nutrient that is essential for our metabolism and heart health
Bell peppers – Bell peppers are full of Vitamin C which helps fight against infection
Top up with an immune-boosting supplement
Even if you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, there are times, especially after illness, or when you’re under stress, when a vitamin supplement can be beneficial. The winter months take their toll on our well-being too, with lack of sunlight, exercise, fresh air, and over-indulgence in comfort foods being the main culprits. Topping up with vitamins and minerals known to be immune-protective can help reduce our risk of infection, especially during ‘flu season. The key vitamins for immune-boosting include Vitamin C, B6, D, and E.
Immune Boosting Supplements – Here Comes The Sun!
It’s been scientifically proven that sun-deprivation can be detrimental to our health. This could be one of the reasons why we’re all feeling under-the-weather, to say the least, after months of rain! According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, an estimated 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in vitamin D. Not only is crucial for our health, but it also boosts elasticity and collagen production in the skin.
To give us a much-needed lift, HUM’s Here Comes the Sun (yes, we all need a bit of that!) Vitamin D3 Supplement, has been made specially formulated for anyone craving the benefits of the sun for skin and general wellbeing. Packed with D3 to promote strong bones and cellular health, this high potency supplement is also a great immune booster when the skies are grey!
Solid Gold
Need a bit of a boost? Source of Life GOLD Liquid is a power-packed elixir formulated with no less than 13 vitamins and 8 minerals and includes trans-resveratrol, CoQ10, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2. It is hypoallergenic, gluten, and iron-free. With extracts from 120 fruits and vegetables, all the essential and non-essential amino acids, whole food Omega Fatty acids, a pre-biotic complex, and an enzyme-rich whole food blend, this is an absolute winner for health and immunity. It also tastes delicious!
Reduce the spread of the virus at home, in the office – and when you’re out and about
According to the latest recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), along with avoiding anyone who is coughing and sneezing, washing our hands regularly – and avoiding touching our faces – can help reduce our risk of catching the virus.
“Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.”
Two of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of any virus is to keep surfaces scrupulously clean. Also to wash/and or sanitize our hands frequently, especially when we are in public spaces and places.
Cook up some immune-boosting soup!
Thanks to Emily for providing this Super immune-boosting soup recipe!
Super Immune-Boosting soup recipe by Emily at Food at One
Immune Boosting Soup
Ingredients
- 1 leek remove top and tail and chop roughly
- 2 handfuls kale washed
- 1 whole broccoli cut into small florets
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 1 large carrot grated
- 1 large parsnip grated
- 1 tin organic chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp marjoram
- 1 – 2 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tsp Himakayan Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 500ml water
Instructions
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Add the leeks and cook over a low heat
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Add the pepper and garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes
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Add grated carrot and parsnip, stirring it in and leave for 2 minutes
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Add tin of tomatoes and water and bring to the boil, then redue to a simmer
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Add the kale and broccoli and give it a good mix in
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Add the turmeric, marjoram, thyme, tomato puree, himalayan slat and pepper tot taste.
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Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to develop and the vegetables to cook through.
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Blend with a hand blender or Vitamix
Protect your home with DoTERRA On Guard Cleaner Concentrate
Although there is lots of advice encouraging us to blitz our homes with cleansing products that contain bleach or alcohol (60% and above) to combat the spread of bacteria and infection, there are downsides, especially with bleach. Most household bleaches contain a blend of chemicals including sodium hypochlorite mixed with small amounts of sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and calcium hypochlorite.
While these may be effective germ-busters, if used excessively, bleach can be toxic, especially if inhaled. In some cases, it can irritate our respiratory systems and even trigger asthma and breathing problems.
On Guard
On Guard is a natural alternative to chemical household cleaners. Claimed to be protective and effective, On Guard is a blend of potent botanicals, including Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary CPTG® essential oils, which provide natural protection against a variety of bacteria commonly found in our homes.
It has been reported to kill MRSA in minutes, and although there is currently no clinical evidence that it can protect again Coronavirus, it’s definitely worth a try. I use this concentrate to make a DIY multi-surface cleaner all the time. Not only does it take 2 minutes to make but I also find it does a great job of protecting and cleaning all my surfaces. And an added bonus – it smells so good! Find my cleaning recipe here.
Keep hands clean with sanitizer
When you’re on the move – and especially when you’re traveling on buses, trains, and taxis – a portable hand sanitizer is a quick but effective way to keep hands clean. Beauty Kitchen Sanitizer Spray is not only cruelty-free, but it is also natural, and zero waste. On top of that, it contains aloe vera and vegetable glycerine to keep the skin hydrated. Available in handbag-sized handy sprays, the spray is perfectly portable and can be used without water.
An added bonus: the deliciously citrus-scented formulation is also non-sticky! Simply spritz – and go!
Stay well, everyone! Try the immune-boosting soup recipe – it’s so good!
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Natalie Shirlaw is passionate about healthy living and writes posts about wellbeing. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to pin it or share it! |
My passion for natural, safer alternatives has also been fuelled by the fact that my mum died of cancer when she was very young, something that could well be attributed to the prevalence of potentially harmful ingredients commonly used in hair products and skincare, food additives and chemicals found in the environment.
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