How To Strengthen Immune System with Natural Immune Boosters
Winter is coming! Cold, flu and Covid season is already here. You may become exposed to different bacteria and viruses when leaving the house or if you have children that attend school. Basically, many forms of interaction can lead you to possible illness. If you want to keep living an active lifestyle, I recommend these 5 natural ways to boost immune system.
Normally, I am an advocate for “balancing” our immune systems, not “boosting.” The reason being is that trying to boost our immune system can actually do more harm than good. Sometimes we don’t even know what part of our immune system needs help.
You have to be very careful with what you put into your body. A lot of supplements these days contain adulterated ingredients and fillers like gluten and toxins. It can get confusing and overwhelming.
However, as we transition from summer and into these colder seasons, “boost” adds a sense of urgency to take action and building our immune system becomes a key focus. So here are some natural ways to boost immune system!
Natural Immune Boosters
- Superfoods
- Essential Oils
- Colon Cleansing
- Lymphatic Self Massage
- Cold Showers
Increased Superfoods
If you already have a healthy diet plan in place, consider adding superfoods to those diet plans. Make sure that you have at least a few meals a week, or even one a day, that have immune-boosting superfoods added to them.
The easiest way to do this is to get in the habit of enhancing every meal with at least one superfood.
- Smoothies can be enhanced with superfoods like chia, goji berries, cacao or honey.
- Mix some mushroom powder like Reishi, Chaga, or Cordyceps into your morning coffee for an energy and immune system booster.
- Add broccoli sprouts to salads, sandwiches, soups or pasta for a burst of Vitamin C plus other beneficial nutrients.
- Turmeric powder is amazing for its anti-inflammatory properties. This super spice is a great alternative for yellow coloring, perfect for rice, soups, stews and broths.
- Matcha green tea is a powerful antioxidant that also contains Vitamin C to help boost the immune system. Matcha gives your body sustainable energy and is a great substitution for coffee.
Immune Boosting Essential Oils
You may not think of essential oils when you think about your immune system. The truth is, our bodies react to quality essential oils.
The aromatic properties of essential oils stimulate your mind and senses which stimulate reactions in your body that directly affect your immune system. They can also be taken internally, with caution, to further assist the body’s internal systems.
- Lemon: Helps the body remove toxins from the system while also working to kill bacteria that could cause issues with your immune system.
- Peppermint: Assists the body with sinus pressure and pain relief, opening up nasal passages, congestion, cold and flu symptoms, and easing an upset stomach.
- Tea Tree: Also known as Melaleuca, has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties that makes it ideal for immune system support.
- Oregano: Increases permeability of the cell, allowing more nutrients in and more waste to be moved out, accelerating the body’s ability to heal.
More information can be found in my post 5 Essential Oils For Immunity!
Colon Cleansing
If your digestive system is not running at optimal levels, then you could end up with problems in your immune system. The more sluggish your digestive system, colon, and liver are then the more likely it is that your body is holding on to toxins.
These toxins can lead to minor issues such as fatigue or major issues such as leaky gut and other gut-related problems. To avoid this, and to boost your immune system, consider natural colon cleansing routines at least once a month.
The purpose of the colon cleanse is to help your digestive system remove any bacteria, heavy metals, toxins, or excess fatty acids from the body.
Colon cleanses can be simple superfood-based juices that can help flush your system and deliver vitamins and nutrients in the process.
Having a well functioning colon is essential for hormone balance, sleep and mental processing, all which impact your immune system.
Lymphatic Self Massage
The lymphatic system is one of the circulatory systems responsible for removing excess waste from the body. It aids the immune system in carrying white blood cells to destroy pathogens while also filtering out disease-causing bacteria and toxins.
Proper lymph flow is vital for your immune system. The buildup of fluid in the body in response to inflammation can lead to serious health issues.
A lymphatic self massage at home is very easy to do and does wonders for the immune system. It involves a series of light and gentle strokes or pulses of the lymph nodes and vessels.
This video demonstrates a simple head and neck sequence to get your lymph moving! Lisa Levitt Gainsley’s The Book of Lymph is a wonderful resource filled with self-care practices to enhance immunity, health and beauty!
Cold Showers
One of my favorite healthy habits that I mention in How To Not Get Sick is taking cold showers. It’s a simple practice with amazing benefits!
Taking cold showers consistently reduces stress levels, increases alertness, strengthens your willpower, increases weight loss, and stimulates proper circulation, all generating a robust immune response.
Start with a regular shower and finish the last 30 seconds with cold water. Take deep breaths right before and during the cold shower to help your body adjust. Gradually build up the duration and intensity.
I’ve been taking cold showers since 2017. They get easier with consistency and eventually you’ll start to look forward to your cold showers!
Keeping these methods in mind and incorporating them into your daily routine will do wonders for your immune system. Always try to eat as healthy as possible in combination with these natural immune boosters.
What are some of your favorite ways to boost your immune system? I’d love to hear about them, let me know in the comments!
