If we build up the arsenal of a strong immune system, germs are less likely to make us sick for long. We need to listen to our bodies to discover when our immune system is straining and take action to replenish it. Any disease is easier to correct if we treat at the first sign of imbalance, rather than wait until we present symptoms. We have outlined here ways of building a strong immune system, and responding immediately at the first signs of imbalance.

HEALTH
Sleep – We all know at some level the restorative power of sleep. Our immune system would strongly benefit from being asleep between the hours of 10pm and 2 am, most nights. Once we stay up beyond this time, sleep is more difficult to achieve. Do you really do that much that is productive during these hours that could not be accomplished during the day? Establish a sleep routine, such as the following: eat a light dinner before 7 pm, drink a cup of calming herbal tea at around 8 pm and again at 9 pm such as Passiflora’s Sanctuary Tea; have no distractions in your bedroom such as TV or clutter; take a warm bath or shower; massage your body with a Organic Sesame Oil (by Mountain Rose Herbals or Avena Botanicals) and a relaxing essential oil (such as Lavender Highland by Wisdom of the Earth). Our immune system is stronger if our digestion is working. After you eat, scrape your tongue (a stainless steel spoon will do). If it has a coating, think about ways you can improve your digestion, such as: drink one-half your body weight in ounces of room temperature water each day, our first glass being immediately upon rising (so that you do not lower our digestive fire), drink a cup of Ginger Root tea before eating, and if we are not passing our bowels each day, consider using Triphala by Banyan Botanicals (a gentle three fruit herb to cleanse your body). By getting to know your tongue, you will be able to start observing when your body is under strain and work to correct it. The power of your health is completely in your hands.

Use Anti-viral, Immune Boosting Essential Oils every day – For example, in the middle of your shower, turn it off and apply about 10 drops of Black Spruce Essential Oil by Wisdom of the Earth to your skin, from head-to-toe, avoiding your face and mucous membranes. Breathe in its beautiful essence and then turn the shower back on and the oil will be absorbed into your skin. Before you go to bed, pick among our anti-microbial oil kit Lavendar Essential Oil (Lavendar Essential Oil by Wisdom of the Earth is both anti-microbial and sleep inducing; apply 5 drops with Sesame Oil to the base of each foot).

HERBS
Botanical Medicine Prevention: A diet without refined sugar is the key to a healthy immune system. Can you eat no refined sugar for one day a week? Start there. See how you feel during this for a couple of weeks. Add in another day in a few weeks if you can. Slowly, you will feel better without refined sugar than with it. But, go gently. Refined sugar depletes us of minerals (such as magnesium) and therefore makes our immune system strain.
Black Elderberry: A food based anti-viral that tastes delicious. In a recent study by Israeli scientists, black elderberry was shown to decrease flu virus. Black elderberry can be used as a preventative, but can also be used while you are sick. Take 2 teaspoons a day of Sambucol Pro by MMS to prevent virus; double the dose while you are sick.

Astragulus Root: goes into our bone marrow providing us with more white blood cells to fight invaders. Astragulus Root is naturally sweet and can be added in a cheese cloth to soups; also, you can take it in capsule form (up to 1000 mg a day) from Vital Nutrients. Give this great tasting herb to children each morning before school (2 dropperfuls of Astragalus Glycerite by Eclectic Institute).

Probiotics (or friendly bacteria for our large intestine): 60% of our immune cells originate in the health of our large intestine. Passing our bowels and having a strong digestive system as mentioned above is the root to good. For extra insurance of add ¼ teaspoon of Probiotic Synergy Powder by Designs for Health to your diet each day.

Artic Cod Liver Oil (orange flavored) by Nordic Naturals: will provide you with Vitamins A and D to support your health all winter long. The essential fatty acids in Cod Liver oil helps you brain to work, keeps your cardiovascular system strong, and allows you to hydrate each cell.

Add immune boosting spices to your cooking: such as Ginger, garlic, tumeric, cinnamon, nutmeg etc. Before you go to bed, prepare a warm cup of almond milk or 2% organic milk, add ¼ tsp of tumeric; ¼ tsp of ginger root and a drop of raw honey; or use nutmeg and cinnamon. This will provide immune boosting each night.

So you have done everything you should and you still got attacked by these clever viruses:

Teas: Drink warming ginger root tea throughout the day; To sweat out the virus, use our Diaphoretic (sweating tea blend). Prepare a cup with 2 teaspoons of tea to 6 ounces of water, let it steep for 30 minutes. Drink right before bed.

Andrographis paniculata: A very effective Chinese herb for fighting colds. The World Health Organization recommends it. It is a low-cost natural alternative to getting well. Take 250 mg twice a day.

Immuvir by Wise Women Herbals or Immune Support by Eclectic Institute are both anti-viral herbal treatments that are highly effective. They contain anti-viral herbs such as Lomatium, St. Johnswort, Lemon Balm, Black Elderberry and Echinachea. We will be glad to provide you with recommended doses.

Give us a call if you get sick and we will help you to design a protocol that will help to heal you.

HAPPINESS
Get out to walk in nature in everyday; even at night. A night-time walk with a friend under the stars is nurturing to your system. Spend time each morning setting positive affirmations for each day.

BREATHE - We can recommend various breathing techniues to you.