Now as we not only are protecting ourselves from the Covid-19 virus, here comes flu season. So we work on boosting our immune system to stay safe and healthy.
Here are my tips regarding what my family is doing to stay healthy. I do want to point out that nothing in this post is meant to be medical or health advice; and I’m not commenting on the severity of the virus, nor am I a doctor.
We Wash Our Hands
It goes without saying that the most effective way to stay healthy is to wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds.
We Regularly Disinfect Our Home and Anything Entering Our Home
We disinfect with homemade disinfectant wipes
We Use Essential Oils
To boost immunity — Thieves Oil: Dilute 1 drop with 10 drops of olive oil, and rub onto the bottoms of feet. It also is great in a diffuser to keep the rest of family healthy.
I have also made up immune rollers for us to use.
Immunity Roller
An immunity roller makes applying immune boosting essential oil easy at any time. To be prepared, you can make one. Empty glass rollers can be bought here.
Recipe:
- 8 drops purification oil
- 8 drops thieves oil
- 5 drops of lemon oil
- 2 tsp. coconut oil
Mix in roller, and roll along spine, on wrist pulses or on bottoms of feet.
We Eat Healthfully
Eating nutrient-dense “powerhouse” foods is an effective way to boost the immune system. Avoid processed foods with chemical dyes, preservatives or sweeteners. Instead, focus on eating fruits and veggies packed with vitamins and minerals — and try eating as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible.
- Organic leafy greens (Kale, micro greens, lettuce and spinach are all highly nutrient-dense)
- Nuts and seeds (Look for raw almonds, pistachios, cashew nuts, hemp and sunflower, chia, sesame and pumpkin seeds.)
- Colorful vegetables and fruits (bright colors = vitamins, minerals and nutrients!)
- Probiotics (Healthy gut bacteria influence the immune system, correct deficiencies, and increase T-cells. Try kombucha, yogurt, pickles, sauerkraut — anything fermented.)
We Get Plenty of Exercise
Go outside: This almost always involves some physical activity. Our family try to go outside as much as possible and this means hiking, biking, going to beach or just stay in our garden. Get some exercise or even just take a family walk every day because exercise, as well as spending time outdoors, boosts the body’s immune system. A recent study found a solid link between physical activity and immune system health.
We Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is critically important for infants, children and teenagers, as well as adults; a lack of sleep impairs the immune system. We work on going to bed early and make sure to turn off all screens and media.
We Take Vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3
- Zinc — Deficiency affects the ability of T-cells and other immune cells to function properly.
We Drink Warm Golden Milk
Golden milk refers to a warm beverage made with turmeric (a spice) and some sort of milk and/or coconut oil. Turmeric is a root that contains curcumin, an antioxidant rich polyphenol known for its anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting benefits, and it can boost the immune system.
- 1/2 cup organic turmeric powder
- 1 1/2 tsp organic black pepper
- 1T cinnamon
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 3/4 cups filtered water
- 6 T raw honey or agave
- Combine all the ingredients — except for the raw honey — in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking frequently. Once the mixture begins to boil, whisk constantly and let it boil for 10 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool for about 10-15 minutes, until it’s cool enough to touch. Add the raw honey or agave and mix until combined.
- Store this paste in a glass jar in fridge. It will last for a couple of months.
- To make the golden milk, just warm some coconut milk (or almond, soy, rice, etc.) and stir in the paste.
