‘Tis certainly the season to boost your immunity! The combination of cold weather, which naturally lowers the immune system, and the rapid increase of germs and viruses during the winter months, can create the perfect environment for a nagging cough or chronic congestion. Luckily, there are several ways to enhance your immune system this Winter, and fight off pesky viruses using natural remedies. We have compiled a list of our favorite holistic common cold solutions. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, we recommend keeping some of these items handy in case you or a loved one needs them. As always, we recommend that you check with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement routine.
This one is an oldie, but a goodie! Not only is it amazing for boosting immunity, but it is also an antioxidant. What a bonus! We recommend using buffered Vitamin C as high doses can cause an upset stomach. We love this Vitamin C. Although you can take up to 3.5 scoops of this per day, we recommend starting with 1 scoop and working your way up, to prevent digestive distress.
NAC is an amazing amino acid that can be used to promote many functions in the body. It promotes detoxification in the body by assisting in glutathione production. It is has also been found to help decrease the growth of cancer cells by starving them of certain proteins that they need for survival (R) Additionally, it helps to alleviate symptoms of chronic or acute congestion! Instead of jumping straight to possibly harmful OTC medications, try taking this NAC supplement instead. When dealing with cold or flu symptoms, a moderately high dose (500 mg 3x a day) can be used short term.
One of our all-time favorite herbs. A true powerhouse! This potent herb is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. It can even help prevent the common cold from turning bacterial. We recommend 5 drops orally 3x a day when experiencing symptoms. If you don’t experience digestive discomfort, you can try a few days of higher dosages (8-10 drops 3x a day) until symptoms subside. Pro tip: look for an oil of oregano that is at least 70% carvacrol like this one! Oregano Oil
As you have probably heard, over 70% of the immune system is in your gut! In addition to eating a diet low in processed foods/added sugars and high in nutrient dense foods like fruits and vegetables, taking a high-quality probiotic can be extremely helpful in boosting your immunity. We love this Probiotic because it contains no synthetic fillers and is easily absorbed by the body.
There is a reason why healers have been recommending these herbs for centuries…it is because they work! An added bonus is that they taste good too! Try 2-4 droppers of this Immunity Booster throughout the day when experiencing symptoms and 1 dropper a day for maintenance and virus prevention.
If you try all of the above and still feel under the weather, try adding Licorice Root for a sore throat, organic ginger chews for nausea, or black currant for more of an immune boost.
Have a Healthy & Happy Holiday Season!