Modern conventional medicine battles diseases directly by means of drugs, surgery, radiation and other therapies, but true health can be attained only by maintaining a healthy, properly functioning immune system. It is the immune system that fights off disease-causing microorganisms and it engineers the healing process. The immune system is the key to fighting every kind of insult to the body, from that little shaving scratch to the gigantic amount of viruses the constantly try to invade our bodies. Even the aging process may be related to a deteriorated immune system.
The immune system is like no other bodily system; the patrolling and protecting tasks of the immune system are shared by white cells, bone marrow, the lymphatic vessels and organs, specialized cells found and various body tissues, and specialized substances, called serum factors, that are present in the blood, ideally all of these components work together to protect the body against diseases.
To boost and protect your immune system, I recommend a list of herbs, vitamins, supplements and special recipes that have shown remarkable results throughout the years. Astragalus boosts the immune system and generates anticancer cells in the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant and protects the liver from toxins. This makes this plant ideal for people suffering from dark circles due to liver problems and depressed immune system. IMPORTANT: Do not take this herb if fever is present.
· Bayberry has antibiotic effects for sore throat, coughs, colds and flu.
· Garlic is effective against at least 30 types of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
· Echinacea boosts the immune system and enhances lymphatic function.
· Goldenseal strengthens the immune system, cleanses and detoxifies the body. It has anti bacterial properties.
In a small town called Chirchik, Russia, a flu epidemic swept the town. When many adults and children did not get sick scientists wanted to know why they were immune to the disease. It turns out that all of them used the berries from an herb called Shizandra.
Immune System Booster.
2 cups of water.
1 tsp. Echinacea root.
½ tsp. chamomile leaves.
½ tsp. Shizandra berries.
½ tsp. peppermint leaves.
Mix all the herbs and add boiling water, step and strain drink one cup a day for two weeks.
Immune Tincture.
½ tsp. Echinacea root tincture.
½ tsp. pau d´arco bark tincture.
½ tsp. Siberian ginseng root tincture.
½ tsp. licorice root tincture.
½ tsp. Astragalus root tincture.
½ tsp. bupleurum root tincture.
Combine all these ingredients. If you have evidence of a depressed immune system, take 3 tsp. of the formula daily for up to 5 days. Double the dose during an infection.
Include in the diet chlorella, garlic and pearl barley. These foods contain germanium, a trace element beneficial to the immune system. Also giant red kelp contains iodine, calcium, iron, carotene, protein, riboflavin and vitamin C, which are necessary for the immune system’s functional integrity.
Vitamin C may be the single most important nutrient for the immune system. It is essential for the formation of adrenal hormones and the production of lymphocytes. It also has direct effect on bacteria and viruses. Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavonoid, natural plant substances that enhance absorption and reinforce the action of this vitamin.
Deirdre Rawlings, ND, PhD advises clients in her local area of Atlanta, Georgia, USA in person as well as remotely, both individuals and groups/corporations. While she has a focus on advising those with fibromyalgia or developing symptoms with a focus on nutrition as solution for wellness, her expertise is global and 'wholistic'. Her complete information can be found at http://www.foodsforfibromyalgia.com/ [1]. She is the author of "Foods that Help Win the Battle Against Fibromyalgia"; check out Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobel.
Links:
[1] http://www.foodsforfibromyalgia.com/
[2] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/give-your-immune-system-boost-using-herbals-and-nature-remedies#comment-776
[3] http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/preventive-medicine-concepts/nutrition/supplementing-what-you-eat-and-drink
[4] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/give-your-immune-system-boost-using-herbals-and-nature-remedies#top
[5] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/login?destination=node/589%23comment-form
[6] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/register?destination=node/589%23comment-form
[7] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/give-your-immune-system-boost-using-herbals-and-nature-remedies#comment-777
[8] http://twitter.com/lumigrate
Comments
The immune system is indeed the key. I take a different but complementary approach to building up the immune system. My emphasis is on whole food nutrition and a pharmaceutical grade Omega III Fish Oil. Beware of the term "pharmaceutical" as it is unregulated.
Great to see your efforts at working with people who have truly depleted immune systems and need help.
http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/preventive-medicine-concepts/nutrition/supplementing-what-you-eat-and-drink [3]
Mardy's Note: 12/8/11: The distributor who provided this content on Lumigrate at my encouragement and with my support in the past has messaged through Lumigrate to request the content he provided be removed as he doesn't wish to participate in this 'effort' anymore. The forums at Lumigrate are a social media format, similar to facebook. That would be like contacting facebook and saying "take everything I ever commented on or posted off". Many conversations and exchanges of other providers are woven in 'threads' and that would be disrespectful to the other forum participants who gave their time and energy to participate in the 'social' media of Lumigrate's forums. However, I have changed the UserName to be Juice Plus 007, removed the photo, and am posting this in the signature and removing the contact information that is set up in the signature in order to make it clear this contributor no longer wants to be 'connected' with the posts. Additionally, as time permits, I will work to replace the content with similar but that will entail selecting another person distributing for Juice Plus. I wanted JP represented on Lumigrate because it is a well-known company based on the concept of supplementing fruits and vegetables. Also because JP reaches many people due to it's vast number of distributors; there are 10 in Grand Junction, population 50k or so. In addition to removing the information in the signature for contact, I have changed the username and email address associated with it to route to me if anyone were to send a "private message" to JP007. My first step will be to edit out any internal contact information/links to the requestor. I guess you call this an "imposter"? Grins! I hope this is a clear statement for the users of Lumigrate to view related YOUR forum area and how I manage it. After all, it is YOUR health education (and mine) I'm advocating for but Lumigrate, at the end of the day, is my website. I care a great deal about the users of Lumigrate feeling they are being treated well and providing a forum area which is a FUN place to come get valid, progressive information in a streamlined way when searching for health information our audience of consumers is seeking.
Hey Tom (and Deirdre potentially) ... can you offer some information about the 'pharmaceutical' term as Tom refers to it, above? I've just seen in the last month or so ads on TV related to pharm. fish oil and I thought 'how can they do that'? because I understood that something that is molecularly as it is found in nature cannot obtain a patent in the US. So.... then they must change the formula to be 'unique', and in my mind, THAT means it's not the way your body can assimilate it without some discernment, which is one of the causes of disease. SO, I'd really appreciate the input of those that can give some in put on that. THANKS! ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [8] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!