Have One Strong Immune System

This week we are going to talk about how to prepare our body to fight seasonal viruses like flu and cold; how we can strengthen our body to better fight the viruses and bacteria around us whether at school, at work or even at home. We are not free from diseases but we can be better prepared to react faster and thus help our body  

to get out of a feverish state or even pneumonia using natural medicines, eating healthy food, exercising and  

complementing all treatments and health protocols by adding the right essential oils into your daily life. 

It is through our immune system that we fight the antibodies that enter our body and make us sick, weak,  

without energy and often take a long time to get out of our body.

Immune system, what is that? 

Just as the human mind allows an individual to develop a concept of the intellectual self, so the  immune system provides a concept of the biological self. 

The immune system is composed of the white portion of the blood, which produces antibodies  whenever the body is exposed to a foreign body, such as viruses or bacteria. Its main function is to  defend the body against invaders. Microbes (germs or microorganisms), cancer cells, and  transplanted tissues or organs are interpreted by the immune system as something against which  the body must be defended. 

Although the immune system is complex, its basic strategy is simple: recognize the enemy, mobilize  forces and attack. However, there are many people with Immunodeficiency which occurs when the  activity of the immune system is lower than normal, which causes recurrent infections and in some  cases there is a risk to life.

What causes a low immune system? 

Some situations that can cause weakening of the immune system are poor diet, poor hygiene  habits, and smoking. Also, during pregnancy it is normal to have a fall in the immune system, which  occurs naturally in all women, as a way of preventing the mother's body from rejecting the baby, and  during treatment against cancer or the HIV virus. 

People with other illnesses such as lupus or malnutrition have less efficient defence system and  often become ill. The use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, immune-suppressants or prolonged use of some anti-inflammatory drugs, also diminish the body's immunity and with very  serious side-effects that can create other health problems. (4) 

What characterizes a weakened immune system is the increase in the number of times a person  becomes ill, often experiencing colds, flu and other viral infections like herpes. Here the body is  unable to produce the defense cells efficiently, which facilitates the onset of disease. In this case, in  addition to being commonly ill, a person may have symptoms such as tiredness, fever, and have  simple illnesses that get worse easily, such as a cold that becomes a respiratory infection.

How to strengthen our immune system?

To strengthen the immune system, prevent the development of some diseases and help the body  react to those that have already manifested, it is important to eat more vitamin and mineral rich  foods, reduce the consumption of fat, sugar and industrialized sources, and may be indicated to take natural medicines or supplements that increase immunity. To help keep the body always strong, sleeping well and avoiding stress is for sure a great start. Aromatherapy is a great tool to help you control  anxiety, stress, depression that will allow you to have a better sleep time. You can add a few drops  of Ylan Ylang essential oil on your diffuser before bed. 

In addition, it is also important to avoid enclosed public places such as malls, where there is less air  circulation, and a greater likelihood of developing viruses and bacteria that may seem harmless to  most people but can cause serious harm. This recommendation is for all people in particular newborns, infants and new moms. Their defenses are extremely low and more likely will contract  illness and will struggle to recover from it even if it is just a common flu.

Keep a baby safe and healthy! 

The best way to strengthen the baby's immune system is to invest in breastfeeding, healthy and  diversified eating from 6 months of age, vaccinate the baby at the times indicated by the  pediatrician, have good health habits, not expose any baby or child to smoking spaces, and give  probiotic supplements. This way your baby's body can find everything it needs to make more  defense cells that can fight and beat pathogens like viruses, fungi and bacteria. 

Every day we are exposed to organisms that are inhaled, swallowed or inhabit our skin and mucous membranes. In order to boost your immune system here it is some ideas that can be used at home  to improve your health: 

A) Food That Boost Immunity 

Selenium, zinc, vitamin C and E rich foods, and omega 3 rich probiotics are best suited for boosting  immunity because they favor the ideal setting for the body to produce defense cells more  efficiently.  

It is highly recommended to consume these foods on a daily and regular basis, not only when feeling  sick. It will prevent ones from becoming sick again and it will help to strengthen the immune system.

B) Natural Supplements

Echinacea: a native North America coneflower, usually classified as an herb and  a powerful immune system stimulator with a significant therapeutic value especially in the treatment of acute upper respiratory infection (4); 

Elderberry: Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants commonly called elderberry  or elder. This fruit contains antioxidant properties that can help prevent cell  damage, and compounds that are known to have immune-boosting properties. (5)

Astragalus Root is one of the most powerful immune-building plants on the  planet. This adaptogen herb helps beat stress while fighting disease at the  same time. Its components allow lowering cholesterol; improving the  immune system and preventing cancer; and has anti-oxidative, anti-microbial,  anti-viral and anti-inflammatory qualities. (6)

Ginseng can help boost your immune system and fight infections. This plant  can be used for medicinal purposes from the roots to its leaves. It can help  to improve concentration, memory and physical endurance, with depression,  anxiety and as an energy booster. (7)

Vitamin D tends to disappear from our bodies since we stay more  indoors, such as malls and in our own home, and not outdoors like parks, mountains. Good levels of Vitamin D can help your immune system to be stronger; fight depression, cardiovascular diseases; reduce risk of cancer; helps our bone structure, blood pressure, mood, and brain function.

C) Recommended Essential Oils:

Ginger: It has been proven ginger’s ability to boost your immune system before recorded history. With its warming effects it can alleviate accumulation of toxins in our system; cleanse the lymphatic system, our network of tissues and organs that help eliminate waste and other unwanted elements. Ginger can treat a wide range of diseases with its immune nutrition and anti-inflammatory responses. It has antimicrobial potential, which helps in treating infectious diseases; has the ability to treat inflammatory disorders that are  caused by infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. 

Myrrh: It is a resin, or sap-like substance that is one of the most widely used  essential oils in the world.  

Historically, myrrh was used to treat hay fever, clean and heal wounds and  stop bleeding. It is also used to strengthen the immune system, and plenty  of other applications such as an anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant, and antifungal; to help  overcome heartburn, inflammation and improve blood circulation. 

Frankincense Serrata: It helps to boost immune system function and prevents illness. Boswellia serrata is a native tree from India that has compounds that can  help to destroy dangerous bacteria, viruses and even cancers. It has anti-anxiety and depression-reducing abilities, but unlike prescription  medications, it does not have negative side effects or cause unwanted  drowsiness. There are studies made in China that when using Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils combined it will help to improve anticancer effects. 

Ylang Ylang Complete: well known Ylang Ylang essential oil in Indonesia for its beauty and health promoting properties, also has positive effects on immune health, blood flow and emotions, making it a natural remedy it can help reduce inflammation, which is a leading contributor to most diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune, cognitive-related disorders, reproductive and digestive systems.

By adding any of these essential oils to your aromatherapy Diffuser, as a complement of your health care protocol, you will for sure benefit from all their incredible  properties. 

In Conclusion 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle these days is considered a challenge and so I launch this challenge to  everyone who reads this article: Let's start taking better care of ourselves today! It can be  improving our diet, spending more time outdoors, doing more physical activities. For those ones with children like me you will surely enjoy seeing them grow up and pass on good examples for them  to follow for the rest of their lives. 

Not only is it important to take time to exercise our bodies to stay healthy, but also to spend time in  open spaces surrounded by nature where we can breathe the oxygen that comes directly from  mother nature. All the suggestions/habits mentioned in this article today should be followed by  everyone throughout life, not only at times when the one is ill or easily ill. 

I hope you enjoyed this week’s article. I would love to answer all your questions and help you to  continue this journey and make big changes in your life. Just post your comment below. 

Thank you! 

Joana Marques 

References: 

(1) https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 

(2) https://www.portalsaofrancisco.com.br/corpo-humano/sistema-imunologico/amp

(3) https://www.tuasaude.com/como-aumentar-o-sistema-imunologico/ 

(4) https://draxe.com/health/how-to-boost-your-immune-system/ 

(5) https://draxe.com/nutrition/elderberry/ 

(6) https://draxe.com/nutrition/astragalus/ 

(7) https://draxe.com/nutrition/ginseng-benefits/