It May Be Flu Season, But There Are Ways To Naturally Boost Immune Health
Whether you live in town, or out on a few acres, the absolute worst feeling is when you know you’re sick! We have too much to soak in each day to waste time being sick. And, while I actually enjoy sick days as an excuse to truly be lazy and not feel bad about it, I also hate the physical feeling of not being 100%. And I know I’m not alone!
Over the years we’ve tested out a few different things to help boost our immunity and help us stay in top condition. We’ve found some things work better for us than others. I also polled a few of my friends and gathered immune-boosting tips that are tried and true!
- Emergen-C – Whether this powdery Kool-aid wannabe actually helps shorten a cold, or it’s all in my head, I like to drink this stuff when I start feeling sick. I know I’m not always the most healthy, so if I can help boost my immune system when I know it’s compromised, I will. I also like to drink these before and after I fly, because I know airplanes are full of germs. Our personal favorite is the Acai Berry flavor, but most of their flavors are pretty tolerable!
- Gargle Salt Water – Water and salt is all you need, which you can find almost anywhere you go. If you feel a sore throat coming on, gargling warm salt water does help. I’ve had many a sore throat disappear within a day from doing this as soon as I started feeling that dreaded tickle.
- Kick Ass Immune – When I first heard about Kick Ass, I was a little put off by it and it took me a little bit to get used to the name of this, but the all natural ingredients work great. My hubby swears by this stuff and he has some years where he gets sick a ton! This stuff is tastes dreadful, but it works really well and we ALWAYS have it stocked. You can’t find it at most drugstores or grocery stores, so Amazon is always a safe bet (though you can find it at some natural grocery stores too!)
- Elderberry Syrup – Elderberry syrup is great for helping you get over a cold or flu much faster once you’re already sick.
- Garlic Pills – Garlic has been known to help prevent bacteria from spreading, so when you have stomach viruses, it’s great to take. This helps your body have a better chance to fight infection.
- Echinacea – I’ve known people who swear by this natural herb. Some take it every day to help give an immune system a continual fighting edge and then increase the dose when they’re around someone sick.
- Thieves Oil – Essential oils are super trendy, but there’s a reason that they are so popular these days. Thieves oil has been known to help boost immunity. This essential oil is actually a combination of five different essential oils that work really well for immune health. You can apply it topically to the feet and also up along the spine. You can also apply it to the chest over the lungs. It’s usually recommended to dilute thieves oil with a carrier oil.
- Oregano Oil – Oregano is another essential oil technique used to ward off sickness and help you fight infection. It’s recommended to dilute the oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil. One technique is to dilute it and place it under your tongue, holding it there for a few minutes and then rinse out. Repeat that a few times a day to help kill bacteria.
- Probiotics – While not necessarily a huge fighter for colds, probiotics are good to help your digestive system stay healthy before AND after a stomach bug. I’ve had enough people recommend this that I’ll be adding it to our own mix, but don’t have any specific types of probiotics (and I know there are a ton of options) to recommend.
- Wash hands – I know it’s simple, but when you know you’ve been around someone sick, washing hands and surfaces can make a big difference to prevent others from getting sick too. Think about door knobs, faucet handles, cabinet handles, and even light switches. Look around for everyday fixtures in your home you use and consider wiping them down a few times a day if necessary! We’re also fans of Norwex cloths in our home too (no, I don’t sell Norwex – though I know a few great people that do!) and love the easy antibacterial properties of these rags.
Unfortunately, it seems like every time you turn around, someone you know has a cold or some passing illness. It’s hard to be down and out when you have so many things you want to be doing in life instead. That’s why I am so glad I learned some of these safe ways to keep the immune system strong! I love that these techniques are natural, and when I stay healthy I don’t need other chemicals or medications.
I know this is not an exhaustive list by far! I know there are other remedies and ways to stay healthy and fight sickenss. I’d love to hear what’s worked for you! Add your thoughts to the comments and share!