Never has been boosting your immune system more important than today. The immune system is a remarkably effective structure that protects you from disease-spreading organisms and incorporates specificity, and inducibility. To function well, it requires balance and harmony and your first line of defense is a healthy lifestyle. There are many wonderful practices you can do to boost immunity—techniques that are simple and safe. Here are a few, drawn from the science of Ayurveda.
Gargling
Try gargling with warm salt water twice a day. Gargling cleans out bacteria and germs that linger in the nasal passages and throat for 24 to 48 hours before getting into the bloodstream and weakening immunity. Using a neti pot is also a nice option for clearing the sinuses; use it each morning, followed by a few drops of nasya oil.
Eating
Mindful eating is so important for healthy digestion and strong immunity. To receive the nourishment in your food, you need to chew thoroughly. Slow down and enjoy each meal in a peaceful environment. Try at least one relaxing—and if possible, silent—meal a day, and no eating within two hours of bedtime to ensure proper digestion and a good night’s sleep.
Eat more garlic. It is one of the most potent of all superfoods! Not only does it go back thousands of years for the treatment of sickness, but recent studies back up the legendary claims for garlic boosting your immune system. Be sure to include in your diet egg yolks, fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, organ meats, and some mushrooms. You might be surprised to know that most people have low vitamin D levels (especially in the Winter). Sometimes dangerously low. The levels below 20 ng/ml could severely limit your immune system and hormone balance.
Seventy percent of your immune system lies in your gut flora. Have some fermented foods and drinks that contain billions of gut-friendly organisms (probiotics) that help to strengthen your immune system by bolstering the levels of good organisms in your gut. This provides the first level of defense against pathogens from things you ingest.
Don`t bombard your body with processed foods, inflammatory omega-6 oils (soybean oil, corn oil, etc), fried foods, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugars or chemical additives. These toxic “treats” force your body to do extra work to expel all this junk and repair the internal inflammation that they cause in your body.
Sipping
Sip hot water throughout the day. This soothes, hydrates, decongests, and helps cleanse the body. Carry a thermos of hot water with you and regularly take sips. In general, drink warm over cold beverages. Anything iced is difficult to digest when immune function is low.
Meditating
To reduce stress, settle the nerves, and calm the mind try daily meditation. Silence miraculously boosts our buffer against germs. Whether you prefer sitting or walking meditation, opt for at least 10 minutes per day. Practicing yoga nidra or Savasana for 20 minutes a day, two to three times a week, will further soothe the nervous and endocrine systems.
Sleeping
Each night before getting into bed, try jotting down things for which you are grateful. Perhaps you’re grateful for your yoga practice or peaceful moments in nature. Whatever it is, writing it down each night helps you to focus on the positive, and also quiets the mind and reduces stress—easing you into a good night’s sleep, which is essential for boosting immunity.
For special immune system boosters, Ayurveda recommends the following:
DIY Ayurveda Immune system booster
- Warm 50 g turmeric powder on a very low flame
- Add 10 g long or black pepper powder
- Add 25 ml ghee and mix well for five minutes
- Allow to cool and store in an airtight container
Take daily with a teaspoon of hot water or hot milk—highly beneficial for boosting your immune system, especially for the respiratory system.