Being sick stinks! But it doesn’t have to happen to you

You can dodge the seemingly incessant flow of germs that are freely passed around in the fall and winter months by taking extra steps to support your immune system.

Your Immune System

The immune system is your body’s defense against disease. It protects your body from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other microorganisms. It’s a complicated system that consists of: 

• White blood cells – recognize and destroy foreign objects
• Bone marrow – creates white blood cells
• Thymus – also creates white blood cells
• Lymphatic vessels – transports white blood cells
• Lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, and appendix – filter out foreign objects

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Here are 10 simple, all-natural ways to alter your lifestyle, so you are flu-and cold-resistant this year:

1. Hydrate – dehydration weakens the immune system as it relies on fluid to flush toxins. In addition, dehydration makes you feel droopy; it’s the #1 cause of daytime fatigue. Make sure you drink enough pure, filtered water throughout the day – 68 ounces is the rule of thumb, but you should drink more if you feel parched (as that’s a clear sign of dehydration).
2. Sleep – sleep deprivation takes its toll on the immune system because your cells regenerate while you rest. To avoid feeling run down, get at least 7-9 hours sleep, and practice good sleep hygiene (going to bed and rising at roughly the same time each night).
3. Sweat – when you sweat, you release toxins and rev up your metabolism. In addition, when your body heats up, you produce more white blood cells, which are basically the immune’s system’s army!
4. Reduce Sugar Intake – sugar and other refined foods suppress the immune system and load you up with empty calories that are devoid of the essential nutrients you need to stay healthy.
5. Neti Pot – regularly using the neti pot (which involves pouring distilled saline through your nasal passages) assists the body’s natural defenses by cleaning out any bacteria, allergens, and other irritants from the cilia of your nose.
6. Ginger Tea – brewing fresh ginger tea provides your body with ample antioxidants to help fortify your immune system. Because it’s a warming spice, it is especially protective when it’s cold and windy outside.
7. Echinacea – long been used to support the immune system, you can enjoy echinacea in tea or tincture form to help prevent and shorten the duration of a cold.
8. Garlic – garlic and onion are part of the allicin family, which contains potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Eaten raw it’s most effective, but if you (or those around you) can’t stomach that, lightly cooked garlic will provide ample defense during cold and flu season.
9. Probiotics – since the majority of the immune system is located in the gut, adding additional healthy bacteria in the form of high-quality probiotics aids in immunity and keeps the “bad” bacteria in check.
10. Andrographis Paniculata – for centuries, Ayurvedic practitioners have used this herb to treat a wide range of ailments, but it has more recently been recognized as a potent immune system stimulant. Available in tablets and dried, this is your secret weapon against cold-weather maladies!
11. Essential Oils – these are my favorite oils to have in my medicine cabinet: 
    • Oregano – supports a healthy immune system, as well as healthy respiratory function. Can also be used as a powerful cleansing and purifying agent.
    • Melaleuca – promotes healthy immunity, protects against environmental and seasonal threats, and purifies the air in your home.
    • Rosemary – supports a healthy respiratory function, and healthy digestion (which keeps your gut healthy).
    • Clove – has powerful antioxidant properties and helps quench free radicals (which keeps your immune system healthy).
    • Frankincense – has extensive health benefits, including: supports a healthy immune system, promotes cellular health, keeps your digestive system healthy, has cleansing properties, supports a healthy nervous system, and more!

Already Fighting a Bug?

These essential oils have antiviral properties:

• Helichrysum – this amazing oil supports the health of the digestive, immune, respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. 
• Melissa – a great oil for your immune system, Melissa also cleanses and purifies surfaces throughout the home
• OnGuard’s Protective Blend – dōTERRA’s proprietary blend consists of:
  • Wild Orange – contains powerful antioxidants
  • Clove – defeats free radicals
  • Cinnamon Bark – strengthens your immune system (also soothes a sore throat)
  • Eucalyptus – opens airways, allowing you to breathe easily
  • Rosemary – powerful cold and flu aid

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Leann Forst, MBA, CHC, CEOC — Holistic Health Practitioner

Leann is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Essential Oils Coach. She holds a Master’s degree from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science from Upper Iowa University. Accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, Leann is an award winning author of 2 books “How to Get Your Kids to Beg for Veggies” and “100 Ways to Lose Weight”.

Born and raised as an Iowa farm girl, she moved to Texas in 1998 where she lives with her husband and 2 kids.

As a wife of a brain cancer survivor, Leann has a special interest in anti-cancer nutrition and detoxification. She works with individuals and groups, and speaks regularly at hospitals, schools and organizations. Leann’s goal is to teach people how to attain optimal health by getting to the root cause of chronic and inflammatory conditions, while using healing modalities such as essential oils. Click here to get Leann’s free report, “37 Cancer Facts You Should Know…But Probably Don’t”

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.

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