COVID19… and Immune Boosting Ideas
There is much panic going around for COVID19 right now, which is stressing everyone out. Precautions need to be taken of course, to protect you and your loved ones, but we still need to maintain some common sense and sanity along the way.
I keep getting asked about ways to bolster the immune system, so I want to share some recommendations, I hope they will help you. I think that knowing there are protective things that can be done to increase your immune system and reduce your virus risk helps to reduce panic and allows you to find a sense of calm. I think we can all use a bit of calm in today's climate.
We are constantly seeing news coverage about all of the people at risk for getting infected with this virus, how it is spreading, and to self-quarantine for safety. However, there is good news as well. There have been 10's of thousands of people who have already had the virus and are already fully recovered and healthy again. We need to exercise caution for sure and implement safety measures so we do not spread the virus, for sure, but please know that the vast majority of people that will end up getting the virus will fully recover from it. Unfortunately, the older generation is at the most risk, so take extra care with your folks and keep them healthy too!
During this time, we all need to use our common sense to reduce the spread of the virus along with strengthening our immune system so we can reduce the risk of getting the virus in the first place. If you have been in contact with someone who is sick or has been around someone who has been sick, even briefly or if you are symptomatic, please stay home and work on feeling better.
My top 10 Immune boosting tips to keep you healthy and happy!
1) Some of my very favorite immune boosting herbal formulas to help strengthen the immune system.
A strong immune system is the best defense! These formulas are wonderful and can be found online.
My all-time favorite is Jade Screen from Plum Flower. This is a classic TCM formula (in pill form) for boosting immune function. We are stocked up at the clinic - Striving for Health
There are a few tinctures that I also really like and would recommend for strengthening the immune system.
Immune Tonic from Urban Moonshine. It has a great combination of astragalus and reishi.
Myco Shield Immune Support from Host Defense. It is a great mushroom based formula.
Immune Defense from Herb Pharm. It has a great combo of astragalus, Schisandra berries and reishi
2) Don’t want a formula? No problem, here are my favorite individual herbs to boost the immune system, in case you prefer to use raw herbs in a tea.
Astragalus
Reishi
Codonopsis
Eleuthero
Elderberry
Goji Berry
Rosehips
Schisandra Berries
Garlic (if cooking, make sure to let stand for 10 minutes after cutting before cooking it. This will retain the health benefits)
3. Eat the rainbow every day!!!
The more color in your diet the higher the nutrient value of the foods and the more health benefits they provide! Add plenty of dark green leafy veggies and cruciferous veggies, purple cabbage/blueberries, and yellow, orange and red foods like peppers, oranges, squash, sweet potato, etc.
4. Make sure to get your nutrients!
These vitamins and minerals will help to increase immune function, AND they are tasty! Here are just a few places where you can find the nutrients in foods, so you can increase them in your daily diet.
Vitamin A - found in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe and squash
Vitamin B-9 - found in beans, peas and leafy green vegetables
Vitamin B-6 - found in bananas, lean chicken breast, cold-water fish such as tuna, baked potatoes and chickpeas
Vitamin C - found in green leafy veggies, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, strawberries and papaya
Vitamin D - found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines, mushrooms, and eggs
Vitamin E - found in almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, spinach and broccoli
Zinc - found in oysters, crab, lean meats and poultry, baked beans, yogurt and chickpeas
Selenium - found in garlic, broccoli, sardines, tuna, Brazil nuts and barley
5. Take your probiotics, protect your gut!
80% of your immune system is in the gut, so let’s support it. Taking a daily probiotic (the right ones) is great, along with increasing fermented foods like pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, or kombucha to support a healthy gut flora.
6. Wash your hands!!
This is fantastic defense against spreading germs, and it is so easy!
Most people don't wash their hands properly. Take your time and make sure to wash for a full 20 seconds and get into all of the crevices and between the fingers and under the nails. Singing the "Happy Birthday" song in your head twice is the perfect amount of time.
But, if you get tired of singing that song in your head, I just found an app that lets you pick your own music, which is kind of fun.
Pick your tune for handwashing
7. Reduce Sugar
Sugar can depresses the immune system. So, when trying to improve immune function it is a great idea to decrease your sugar intake.
8. Get plenty of sleep
It has been shown that when people get a full 8 hours of sleep, they are better at fighting off viruses and have a more robust immune system. One reason for this may be that the body releases cytokines during extended periods of sleep. Cytokines are a type of protein. They help the body fight infection by regulating the immune system.
9. Find your calm - stress makes everything worse!
Staying in a constant state of stress keeps us in a fight or flight state, which doesn’t do anyone any good and can depress the immune system. When in this stressed state, the body can't heal.
If you in need of some help with your stress levels during this time, a CBD and/or herbal tincture can be a lifesaver for finding your calm! I like the ones from Qi Botanics. Their Daily tincture also has immune strengthening herbs like astragalus, goji berries, amla berries and hemp seeds, all of which can do wonders for the immune system.
CBD can help calm your body and mind while supporting your endocannabinoid system, which helps maintain homeostasis in the body.
10. Embrace staying home
If you can work from home, that is great and makes it that much easier to avoid contact. If not, then do your best to practice safe hygiene when you are out and about to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus around. Don’t be out if you are sick and try to limit your time around others regardless of how they are feeling, as many people are totally without symptoms and are still contagious. Wipe down surfaces at work, home and don’t forget your steering wheel, purses and phones, they are notorious for collecting germs.
Hopefully these easy tips will help you stay healthy and virus free!!
Stay healthy out there.
DeBritt