Sixty-five years ago medical scientists promised us that infections caused by bacteria and others would be a thing of the past due to the new discovery of patented pharmaceutical drugs. This very brave statement was made and almost automatically more than half of the herbs recommended in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia were taken off to be replaced with these chemical drugs. I wish I could tell you that the promise was kept and that now we live in an infection-free world, but this is not so. We are all familiar with the enormous 39 amounts and resistance of bacteria. Antibiotics have not lived up to their promise; to the contrary, they have become a problem in itself, by overuse and side effects that cause liver, kidney, nervous and immune system damage.
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.
Weakening of the immune system makes us vulnerable to every type of illness that affects humans. Some common signs of impaired immune functions include fatigue, lassitude, repeated infections, inflammation, allergic reactions, slow wound healing, chronic diarrhea and infections related to overgrowth of benign organisms already present in the body, such as oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections and other fungal infections. It has been calculated that a normal adult gets an average of two colds per year. People suffering from colds more than the average are likely to have some sort of immune deficiency.
Immune system malfunction can also cause dark circles around the eyes. Explaining what the immune system is, is the hard part. The immune system is not an organ but an interaction between many organs, structures, and substances with the task of recognizing or differencing from things that belong and those that don’t belong to the body, and then neutralizing or destroying the ones that are foreign.
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 a 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.
Hi! I'm Deirdre Rawlings, a personal Certified Health Coach, Holistic Nutritionist, Master Herbalist,
Naturopathic doctor, Sports Nutritionist, Speaker, Author, and a trained Plant-based Chef. I practice a
holistic approach to health and nutrition to help you to uncover the root cause for symptoms and disease so
you can live a life that restores and supports your wellness, growth, and highest self.
Read More . . .
Leave a Reply