11 Natural Immune Boosters

11 Natural Immune Boosters

Discover 11 natural immune boosters that are quick and easy to follow and stay healthy this December!

It’s this time of the year when the night’s are drawing in and the weather is turning colder that our immune systems can start to struggle.  On top of all of this it’s the run up to Christmas what is meant to be a time for peace and joy but for many it is a time of stress and extra pressures.

With this in mind I thought you would appreciate these 11 natural immune boosters to help you make to to the Christmas break healthy and well so you don’t just fall ill sick when you finally start to slow down.  They are also excellent at helping you make a speedy recovery if you are already unwell.

1.) Lemon Essential Oil

Research shows that lemon essential oil actually helps to increase your white blood cell count ^[1] – these are vital cells that help your body fight infection.  Another bonus of citrus oils including Lemon like Bergamot and Sweet Orange is that a 1995 Mie university study showed that citrus fragrances reduced depression. ^[2]

“The treatment with citrus fragrance normalized neuroendocrine hormone levels and immune function and was rather more effective than antidepressants.” ^[2]

2.)  Take Echinacea ideally from October-April

There is a lot of research into how this can literally boost white blood cell production which is a fundamental part of your immune system.  Ask in your local healthfood store for more information and find out if this is suitable for you.  I highly recommend Noahs Health Store in Wallington and The Natural Way in Banstead.

3)  Fresh lemon juice to start the day

This is one of the kindest things you can do for your general health and wellbeing and it’s so easy too!  Every morning squeeze the juice of half an organic lemon into a cup of warm water and drink, add a little honey if you need to.  This is a wonderful way to gently support your liver and help your body rid itself of toxins more easily.

 

4.)  Support your system with Bee Propolis tincture

A good alternative to Echinacea is Bee Propolis.  Propolis supports your immune system in a variety of different ways.  Firstly, it’s antimicrobial properties suppress infections and harmful bacteria.  Secondly it stimulates your immune system and raises your body’s natural resistance.^[3] Ask in your local healthfood store for more information and find out if this is suitable for you.

5.)  Get to bed on time

Did you know that sleep is one of the body’s greatest healing mechanisms?  Crucial repair processes are taking place between the hours of 10pm and 2am so if you get to bed at midnight you are not allowing your body enough time to regenerate and fight off infections.  Lavender oil is an excellent sleep aid – it’s soporific which means it induces sleep.  If you need some help getting a good night’s sleep you may be interested in the Peace Room & Linen Mist or the Sweet Dreams Gift Set.

 

6.)  The Rainbow Effect

Make sure at least half your plate looks like a rainbow with plenty of different coloured vegetables.  Your plate will be high in prebiotics that also boost immunity and will contain antioxidants which will help protect your body and your skin from free radical damage.

 

7.)  Foot Massage

A 1999 study undertaken by a team of researchers from the University of Hertfordshire and published in the Intensive and Critical Care Nursing journal, a five-minute foot massage brought about relaxation to critical care patients, helping to reduce their stress levels and measurably reducing blood pressure and heart rate. ^[4]

Lower stress levels = better immunity so why not ask your friend or partner to give you a 5 minute foot massage or book in for an aromatherapy foot massage here and enjoy a full 30 minutes, immune boosting blends available on request.

 

8.) Move it, move it!

Movement, not just exercise, is one of the best ways to boost your immune system and flood your system with happy hormones and chemicals that are need to fight off the damaging effects of stress.  Why not pick three or four of your favourite tunes that you can really get moving to, turn up the sound and spend a good ten minutes moving your whole body?

 

9.) Breathe fresh clean air

Certain essential oils like Rosemary were diffused in hospitals in war times as part of infection control and more recently Tea Tree has been recognised as powerful enough to kill MRSA ^[5] 

^{“The oil of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a popular ‘natural’ antiseptic with a broad spectrum of anti-microbial activity including MRSA”.}

Create a clean and fresh space to help you and your loved ones or office colleagues stay healthy and not pass on their germs by using a diffuser or oil burner and adding just a couple of drops of Tea Tree or Rosemary to it. N.B. Rosemary is not suitable for use during pregnancy or for those who suffer from high blood pressure.

 

10.) Spice up your life

Fresh ginger is a wonderfully warming spice and an excellent digestive aid.  Did you know that 65% of your immune system is in your gut?  Ginger is very cleansing for the digestive tract and holds powerful antibacterial properties.  Why not include fresh ginger in a your morning juice or Nutribullet?

I also love to boil a good couple of chopped square inches of ginger for 10 mins and add juice of half a lemon and some honey.   It’s spicy, warming and soothing for sore throats.

 

11.) Essential oil blend to help ward off germs

In an oil burner or diffuser

2 drops of Lemon 100% pure essential oil

2 drops of Rosemary 100% pure essential oil

1 drop of Tea Tree 100% pure essential oil

As a personal preference I like to use organic essential oils to guarantee the purest quality.

Purchase our Immune Boost Set set of organic essential oils included in this recipe here.

 

So now you have 11 natural immune boosters to help you throughout the festive season.  There’s no pressure, you don’t need to do all 11, maybe just pick one or two that you know you can manage and I wish you a very happy and healthy December!

I invite you to leave comments below, which one are you going to start with?

Until next time! Take care of YOU!

Best wishes, Louisa

_____

1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1142199/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8646568

[3] http://www.snydershoney.com/facts/propolis/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10595045

[5] A randomized, controlled trial of tea tree topical preparations versus a standard topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization M.S. Dryden*, S. Dailly, M. Crouch Source