Immune Defense
Achy groans travel down the hallways; achoo’s echo in the bathroom; and coughs from labored throats are abound. I have been finding myself holding my breath, passing through a cloud of germs.
Here is a list of anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-parasitic immune-boosters from lush, pine-scented oils to woodsy herbal tonics to get your body back into balance + activate your immunological defense system . . .
Prevent
Oregano
anti-bacterial / anti-viral / anti-fungal / anti-yeast / anti-histamine / rich in vitamins a + c, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, niacin, iron, potassium, copper, + boron. The main components in oregano essential oil are carvacrol, thymol, terpenes, rosmarinic, and naringin.
Carvacrol is a powerful anti-microbial against a range of diseases such as candida albicans, staph, salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.
Thymol is an immune system booster and aids in tissue-regeneration and flushing of toxins. It's also anti-fungal, which is an issue quite a number of people deal with during and following the summer months with the exposure to fungal infections from swimming pools.
Terpenes does not only give oregano oil its lush, pine scent but also provides antibacterial qualities.
Rosmarinic acid is an antioxidant that is even stronger than Vitamin E and a powerful tool in prevention of free radical damage. It is also effective against carcinogens as well as for the treatment of allergic asthma with its antihistamine properties.
Naringin, a component that provides grapefruit its bitter taste, is boosts the power of antioxidants such as Rosmarinic and has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells
u s a g e | mix two drops in water, preferably before bedtime, or rub a drop diluted in 2 oz. of oil such as fractionated coconut oil to rub on the soles of the feet.
on guard & thieves essential oil blends
I rub a drop of on guard or thieves diluted in fractionated coconut oil on the soles of my feet before bed whenever my exposure to toxins or infections is increased.
mushrooms | reishi, cordyceps, + turkey tail
Reishi has a long range of benefits from suppressing the growth of cancer cells to its anti-inflammatory uses for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It is deeply healing for the respiratory and circulatory systems as it strengthens the lungs + improves blood and oxygen flow the the heart.
Cordyceps is a potent yang tonic that oxygenates the body, stimulates the immune system, protects against free radical damage, + tones the muscles of the organs and body.
Turkey Tail targets chronic illnesses and cancer cells, aids in the regeneration of bone marrow, + is a strong antioxidant.
Treat & Heal
vitamin d
immune system boosting / bone strengthening / beautifying / cancer fighting / mood enhancing / liquid sunshine
Vitamin D is yet another holy grail of the immune and lymphatic system. Killer T cells require certain level of Vitamin D in the body to attach to in fighting against infection, maing it necessary part of the healing protocol. The sun is the optimal source of natural Vitamin D and only ten minus of sun exposure sans sunscreen/sunblock can aid in necessary daily requirements. This can be difficult, however, as we move into the darker, colder months of Autumn and Winter. I then would recommend boosting the body with food sources high in Vitamin D such as cod liver oil; organic, local, pasture-raised eggs; grass-fed butter or ghee; shiitake mushrooms; and fatty fish such as salmon or sardines. Supplements are also beneficial in liquid form, but be careful of overdosing. Vitamin D3 is fat-soluble, which means that its excess will be stored in fat tissue, accumulated, and become toxic. The Premier Research version is the best out there as it's not suspended in inflammatory vegetable oils and/or artificial flavourings like most other brands.
alliums | garlic / onions / shallots / leeks / scallion
Garlic is the king of anti-bacterials. I reach for it to treat a cold but also for topical issues such as a stye or pink eye that can come along with an alerted and compromised immune system. Microbes of any kind hate it as much as your nose does. Other alliums are also powerful in not only fighting colds and the flu while reducing its duration but also in preventing it. Traditional healers often recommend supplementing with a concoction called Fire Cider in times of high exposure to germs.
u s a g e | I love Rosemary Gladstar's recipe. If you're up to it and also won't mind public isolation, you can also make a tonic of two cloves of garlic with two ounces of apple cider vinegar . . . and chug. Placing a handful of garlic cloves in boiling water and inhaling its vapors also is great in dealing with nasal congestion. I recommend following it with an herbal tea compress + sinus drainage massage.
turmeric
blood and liver purifier / powerful anti-inflammatory / ant-cancer / anti-bacterial / digestive + heart protector / immune-booster / cell-activating / tissue regenerating / lymph-draining
I have blogged extensively on the powers of turmeric. It heals the immune system by decreasing the cytokines that block the appropriate drainage of the lymphatic system and immune response.
turmeric shot
3/4 cup of alkaline water
juice of one lemon
⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon each of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, fresh black pepper, & raw Manuka honey, optional
Form the turmeric powder, black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of raw honey into a paste. Add the lemon juice + apple cider vinegar, and slowly add the water. Stir and chug!
probiotics | digestive / immune system booster / beautifying / energising
I'm not a proponent of taking a medicine cabinet's worth of supplements and out of the few that I advocate for, probiotics are number one. Our gut is considered our "second brain," impacting through voluntary and involuntary thought processes everything from energy levels to metabolism to the condition of our skin. Doubling your probiotic supplement dosage to both morning and night while increasing fermented foods such as sauerkraut, coconut kefir, kombucha, and other cultured foods will increase good bacteria to activate the immune system.
u s a g e | add or increase the consumption of living, fermented, raw + unpasturized foods such as sauerkraut, cultured vegetables, miso [if tolerated], kombucha, and coconut kefir; supplement with high-quality probiotics that contain at least 20 billion living organisms.
oscilococcinum | homeopathic blend for flus + cold
Even my skeptical family members swear by this homeopathic remedy that comes in easy platelet shots taken every fifteen minutes—they look like sugar pills but have the potential to turn your hand away from the Theraflu.
b e r r i e s + e l d e r b e r r y | inhibits the growth of cold + flu viruses
A staple component of many naturopathic cold + flu medications, elderberry is a strong inhibitor of the growth of viral infections and at shortening their duration.
u s a g e | eat berries, cherries, grapes or take Urban Moonshine's Immune Zoom.
