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Immune Boosters

It’s coming into winter and you want to avoid having the flu lurgy over the cold months, maybe you’ve got a bug you just can’t shake, or maybe you just keep on getting sick over and over and over again, and it’s becoming quite a drag. Well if that’s you, then you need an immune system BOOST.

Whatever the reason, as well as taking the lovely herbs and/or supplements prescribed by your lovely health practitioner, there are lots and lots of practical things that you can do to give your immune system a helping hand.

• R & R: when you’re under the weather, or your immune system is taking a battering rest and recuperation are vital. So rather than soldiering on, take some time out, stay in bed with a good book and a hot water bottle, or re-acquaint yourself with your couch and the joys (?) of day-time TV. Clear your diary, take some sick leave from work, keep warm and keep horizontal.
• Protein: your immune system is made up of antibodys, macrophages, T cells, mast cells and a whole host of other bits and pieces, all of which are primarily made up of protein. If you’re not eating enough protein then restocking and renewing all these immune system factors can get a bit low on the body’s priority list and your health suffers. To find out more about how much is enough protein then talk to your health practitioner, or take a look at the Protein Fact Sheet.
• Drinking plenty of fluids: my mum always told me to “drink plenty of fluids” when I was sick as a kid, and she was right (of course). Fluids, especially hot herbal teas are fantastic for your immune system - they help boost along your lymphatic system, thin down mucous and keep you well hydrated if you have a fever. So drink lots and lots of water, and try some herbal teas, eg echinacea (the Tea Centre do a fabulous Echinacea Blend Tea!), ginger, lemon and honey. Or why not try Mim’s Hot Cold Tea down below.
• Hot Foods: ginger, chilli, garlic, wasabi and horseradish are all hot, hot foods, and they are fantastic for your immune system, so use them liberally in your cooking. Make stir-frys with ginger, chilli and garlic, add some wasabi to mashed potatoes (it’s really good), have Thai hot soups, add some extra crushed garlic to your shop bought hummous.
• General Diet: apart from the hot foods, now is the time to be eating a good, healthy diet - lots of vitamin and mineral rich fruit and vegies, whole grains and some protein, especially fish, are what you need every day. Eat well and cut back on the junk.
• AVOID: as well as doing all the right things it’s important to avoid the foods that will inhibit your immune system - these include:
  • alcohol, which always takes a toll on the body
  • milk and yellow cheeses which can cause over-production of mucous, not helpful when you’ve already got a snotty nose
  • sugar
  • cut back on the tea (except herbal teas) and coffee.
• Gentle daily exercise and a bit of sunshine will do you the world of good. Avoid strenuous workout regimes, you need to build up your strength, not be constantly wearing yourself out. If you have a particular concern about your immune system, or feel that you are getting sicker more often than you should, of course it pays to give your friendly neighbourhood health practictioner a call.

Mim’s Hot Cold Tea

In your favourite teapot or plunger, combine the juice of one lemon and add half of the lemon rind chopped up, half a stick of cinnamon, three sprigs of fresh thyme, 3 cm of fresh ginger root grated and two or three teaspoons of honey. Add boiling water, put the lid on and stand for five minutes. Drink the tea fairly hot to facilitate sweating.