STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY FOLK REMEDIES
Traditional medicine is millennia older than the official one, but science treats it with caution 1: until exhaustive evidence is obtained, scientists are in no hurry to draw conclusions. So folk remedies for immunity have not yet been officially recognized. But even the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that this is an important and often underestimated area 2.
Paradoxically, many folk remedies are nothing more than herbs and plants well known to everyone, it’s just that people have noticed their healing properties for centuries. But at the same time, medicinal plants have been studied much less than synthetic drugs 3.
For example, in the 18th century, the famous English traveler James Cook, of course, could not be guided by science when he forced sailors to eat citrus fruits during a long voyage to protect against scurvy 4 . Vitamin C, which is rich in citrus fruits, was discovered only in 1928, and even later it was proved that this particular nutrient resists scurvy 5.
A balanced and varied diet is an important condition for maintaining the normal functioning of the immune system: up to 80% of the body’s immune cells are located in the gastrointestinal tract 6. Many products from the “people’s first aid kit” are included in the traditional recommendations of therapists, nutritionists, and nutritionists when it comes to boosting immunity. We will tell you more about this in the article.
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF REDUCED IMMUNITY
Most colds occur in the autumn-winter period 7 . During the period of cold weather, a person spends less time outdoors, more often he is in closed rooms where heating devices dry the air. This negatively affects the respiratory mucosa and skin, which, among other things, makes it easier for viruses to overcome our protective barriers and penetrate into the body.
Sunlight is still in short supply, and ultraviolet is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D3, which is very important for the immune system. Also, in autumn and winter, as a rule, there is a shortage of other micronutrients in the diet due to insufficient quantity or not very good quality of fresh vegetables and fruits.
The body usually signals that the immune system needs support by feeling unwell and frequent colds, which most often manifest as fever, cough, runny nose, and sneezing – we talk in detail about the causes and symptoms of reduced immunity in the article “Weakened immunity”. Of course, at the first signs of a cold and feeling unwell, you should contact a specialist for advice. However, if we are not talking about a serious illness, then lifestyle changes, good rest, and proper nutrition, which can be supplemented with folk remedies, can help the body and strengthen its protective function.
TOP 8 FOLK REMEDIES TO STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY
To restore strength and maintain health, people have long turned to “home” recipes. If used wisely, herbs and other plants can be immune boosters.
Chamomile
Many people love chamomile tea without thinking about its beneficial properties. Chamomile is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants and one of the most scientifically studied plants. It contains many biologically active substances that can have an anti-inflammatory effect, for example, essential oils. Used and dry powder of chamomile flowers, extracts, and infusions. Chamomile brewed can be used as a throat gargle for colds. Studies show that chamomile has antibacterial and soothing properties and can stimulate the immune system and immune response 8.
Orange juice
Citrus juices are not only tasty but also have a general health effect on the body. Orange juice contains many powerful antioxidants, vitamin C 9, which is necessary for immunity. But juices should not be abused: they are not very useful for teeth, especially for children’s 10, besides, in juice, unlike a whole fruit, there is little fiber – we are less satisfied with a drink than with solid food, and we risk consuming more calories 11.
Lemon, honey, and ginger for immunity
These ingredients are both brewed as a warming drink in the treatment of colds and made into a jam-like mixture to boost immunity in the cold season.
drink recipe
Grate 250 grams of ginger, pour boiling water over two medium-sized lemons, and finely chop
Pour the ingredients with hot water and add 250 grams of honey to them
Let it brew for a day
Drink a tablespoon of the drink three times a day.
These ingredients are both brewed as a warming drink in the treatment of colds and made into a jam-like mixture to boost immunity in the cold season.
The jam recipe is different in that the mixture listed above must be boiled until thickened and then cooled. Take a teaspoon twice a day.
However, in the first case, it must be borne in mind that boiling water destroys some vitamins, so the water should not be very hot. In addition, honey is high in calories and can cause allergies, and ginger can be taken provided that there are no stomach problems.
Lemon, contrary to popular belief, is not the record holder for vitamin C, which is often taken for colds. However, there is a lot of this micronutrient in it. In addition, lemon also contains other biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids and essential oils 12.
Honey is interesting in that its properties vary depending on the species. For example, buckwheat has 10 times more useful phenolic compounds than meadow honey, but fewer antioxidants 13 than comb honey. To get the maximum benefit for the body, you can use different types of honey, but in small quantities.
Ginger root contains potassium and magnesium 14, which are important for the functioning of the body.
A mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and honey to boost immunity
This homemade recipe is sometimes referred to as a “vitamin bomb,” but its original name is Amosov’s pasta.
To prepare it, you need
Pour boiling water over dried fruits for 10-15 minutes
Then strain, squeeze, and grind
Add finely chopped nuts to dried fruits
Mix all the ingredients and the pasta is ready.
Fruits are one of the sources of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E. But in the “off-season” they are stored using not the most useful preservatives, or they are brought from afar and also processed for safety. At the same time, dried fruits are actually ripe fruits, in which the beneficial substances are preserved and concentrated during the drying process.
For example, raisins retain minerals and most of the substances found in grapes. Moreover, due to drying, phytonutrients are more concentrated in raisins than in grapes.
Another popular dried fruit is dried apricots. It’s basically a dried apricot. Apricot contains antioxidant substances, a large amount of fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Because of this, even in scientific works, the apricot is figuratively called the “golden” food crop in terms of nutritional value and medicine. If 100 grams of fresh apricot contains 13 milligrams of calcium, then dried – 55 milligrams. Dried apricots contain 3 times more magnesium and almost 7 times more iron 15.
Together, nuts and dried fruits are a storehouse of important biologically active compounds 16: vitamin E, B3, B4, B9, minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus), phenolic compounds, as well as substances from which the body synthesizes vitamin A. Some nuts and dried fruits are among the top 50 foods with the highest antioxidant capacity, and, in addition, have a positive effect on the intestinal microbiota.
Propolis
This is one of the products of beekeeping. Scientific studies have shown that propolis is one of the most promising immunomodulators 17. In studies, it has confirmed its activity against many bacteria 18. Often propolis is used in the treatment of the respiratory tract.
Raspberry
Raspberries have long been brewed to quickly alleviate the condition of a cold. Science has found an explanation for this: the berry contains natural analogs of aspirin, an antipyretic 19. In addition to vitamin C, raspberries contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, and precursors of carotene 20.
Cloudberry
In this berry, there is a substance that, according to scientists, will pay attention to the pharmaceutical industry. It is called ellagitannin 21. This biologically active substance is already being studied in laboratories for the treatment of serious chronic diseases 22. And to maintain immunity, it is important that there is 3 more vitamin C in cloudberries than in some types of oranges 23.
Green tea
We consider this drink every day, but it turns out that tea can also be taken as a “means for immunity”. Black and green tea are the same plant, only the processing is different. Fermented black contains many antioxidants 24, but it is in green that the antioxidant with the complex name of epigallocatechin gallate is preserved, which strengthens the immune system 25.
WHAT FOLK REMEDIES SHOULD BE USED WITH SPECIAL VIGILANCE
Experts warn that some folk remedies for raising immunity may be ineffective, and sometimes even unsafe. Even a healthy ingredient can be harmful if it’s used in the wrong way.
Inhalations for immunity
No need to do inhalations – and “over the potatoes in uniform”, and with the addition of essential oils. For a child, this procedure can be dangerous, because you can burn yourself on the container. But an adult, with all caution, can get a burn of the respiratory tract. There is indeed a relief effect after inhalation, but it is achieved by the fact that the steam moisturizes the mucous membranes. However, it is precisely the therapeutic effect that does not occur 26. Essential oils can cause allergies, especially since they are even more active when heated. To make breathing easier, it is enough to humidify the air in the room or stay in the bathroom.
Herbs for immunity
One should not “prescribe” herbs to oneself, especially their combinations 27. Many herbs are not accidentally called medicinal – they can have a strong effect on the body. For example, St. John’s wort is able to reduce or enhance the effect of a number of drugs 28.
Also, already getting sick, people often resort to rubbing their bodies with alcohol. It is not recommended to do this to relieve fever 29. The feeling of cooling occurs because the alcohol evaporates quickly. But it is quite actively absorbed through the skin, which is especially harmful to young children. To cool off a little, just wipe yourself with a cool towel.
Even well-known folk remedies can be ineffective if taken incorrectly. But many folk remedies for immunity consist of affordable and well-known herbs and plants. Their healing properties are mainly provided by the vitamins and minerals that make up their composition. However, a safer way to strengthen the immune system is to regularly drink Imunele fermented milk drink. The product line includes drinks with chamomile, aloe, ginger, raspberry, cloudberry, and apricot flavors. In addition, the drink is enriched with probiotic lactobacilli, beneficial for the intestinal microbiota, and a complex of vitamins A, E, D, and group B. Two bottles of fermented milk drink a day will diversify and complement the diet and help strengthen the immune system.
For More Interesting Home Remedies, Click Here
One Comment