Search Website

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System: Advice From A Herbal Practitioner

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System: Advice From A Herbal Practitioner

With the current concerns regarding the coronavirus, much attention has been given to the measures we can take to contain it. But given the rapid rate at which the virus is spreading, with the death-toll rising, and the increased likelihood of contracting the virus, many are worried about the potential consequences of the illness.

While no vaccine has been made available as yet, there are ways that we can help our bodies to pull through and make a full recovery, should we catch the virus. We can do so by incorporating some healthy habits and getting rid of the not so healthy ones.

Here are 5 important ways to boost your immune system:

1. Eat Your Vitamins!

Vitamins A, C, D3, E and Zinc are all absolutely key in helping to boost your immune system. The appropriate dose should be written on the label of your vitamin bottle.

This should be in addition to eating a diet that is high in fruit and vegetables, which will contribute to fulfilling your body’s required vitamin and mineral intake.

2. Take These Herbal Supplements

  • Elder berry (Sambucus Nigra): these are dark purple berries that grow on the European elder tree. They have antiviral properties and help boost the immune system.
  • Echinacea (Echinacea Angustifolia Radix): This herb is a flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada, and has been used as medicine for centuries. It helps boost your immune system by increasing the body’s number of white blood cells. It has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu.
  • Cat’s Claw: Use your cat’s claws to scare away those pesky viruses (…just kidding). Cat’s Claw is the common name for the herb Uncaria Tomentosa. It derived its name from its unique claw-shaped thorns. This herb is especially useful for people who suffer from chronic immune deficiencies, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
  • Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata): This is a powerful herb from Ayurveda (the herbal medicinal system native to India), which is used for many bacterial and viral inflections.

The above herbs are easily available, and can be purchased online. You will need to be take them at high enough doses to feel their effects – a 2.5ml spoonful of each herb, taken in water.

3. Reduce Stress Levels

Stress is a well-known killer. It suppresses your immune system’s ability to function at its optimal, and increases your susceptibility to illness. Try to reduce stress by taking 5-10 minutes of your day to clear your mind and do some deep breathing exercises. These few minutes can go a long way in increasing your body’s function and well-being.

4. Get Proper Sleep

Not getting enough shut-eye has immense impact on our immune system. People who have poor sleep show a lowered immune response to illness. Make sure you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

5. Avoid Sugary and Processed Foods

Fizzy soda drinks and other foods that are high in sugar should be avoided, as they weaken our response to illness. This includes highly processed foods which contain very few nutrients and are detrimental to our health. These foods cause inflammation in the body, and if your immune system is being used to fight sugar-based inflammation, it cannot effectively focus on fighting off the cold or flu.

Make these changes, implement proper hygiene and most importantly, stay positive!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *