Natural immune support for adults + kids (bonus elderberry gummies recipe)
Cold season, the flu, and now the dreaded coronavirus. Many of us worry to some degree about falling ill in the winter every year, especially during the bridge between seasons when the weather swings unpredictably from cold to warm. And with the onset of every potential pandemic, we worry even more.
Our first line of defense from any virus? A healthy, robust immune system.
Take simple, sensible actions to support a healthy immune response, and reduce your risk (and fears) for whatever bugs you might be exposed to. With regards to fear, I encourage you to not fall into the fear cycles perpetuated by an overzealous media. Weigh the actual risks, not the hype. Then get busy shoring up your immune system with some simple, tried-and-true tricks that can make all the difference in helping you stay healthy and strong.Support a healthy immune system
Follow the six tips below for your healthiest immune system yet. Then talk to your holistic health care provider or family doctor for even more solid options to better health, and to ensure that the options below are a match for your family and your existing health conditions.
1.Wash those hands!
Sometimes the simplest tricks are the most effective. Your first line of defense to keep bugs out and good health in? Proper hand-washing, especially when you're out-and-about. Pro tip: My daughter and I carry a small bar of LüSa Organics soap in our bags whenever we go out, so that we don't have to use the fragrance-drenched detergent in public bathrooms. We're sure to practice better hand-washing if we have soap with us that won't scent our skin or give us a fragrance oil-induced headache.
2. De-stress + rest
High stress often translates to a suppressed immune response. Support your body, mind, and spirit with plenty of sleep, and by managing your stress.3. Upgrade your diet
Reduce sugar intake, and boost your consumption of healthy veggies and proteins. These steps benefit more than just our immune system, and can lead us to greater health for bones, teeth, gut, and brain. You've got nothing to lose making this (relatively simple) shift.
4. Check your D levels
Vitamin D3 is critical for a spunky immune response. Check your levels and supplement with a natural source, like fermented cod liver oil.5. Oh, Mg
Look into topical magnesium (I offer my own version here), which can help support healthy sleep cycles and a healthy immune response.
6. Herbs for the win
Bring on the immune-supporting herbs! From a daily shot of homemade fire cider to spiking your chai with astragalus, or adding medicinal mushrooms (like rishi + shitake) alongside aromatic herbs in your bone broth, there are a plethora of simple herbal ways to support your immune system. Which herbs are a great place to begin your research to see if they're a match for your family? A handful of my favorites include:- Astragalus
- Echinacea
- Usnea
- Chaga
- Rishi
- Shitake
- Rosehip
- White Pine
- Elderberry
Elderberry love
One of our very favorite immune-supporting herbal remedies is elderberry. It's is one of the ten herbs I feature in-depth in my beginner's herbal book, Herbal Adventures. With tips on using foraged/fresh berries or purchased/dried, there are recipes within these pages to savor throughout the year.
Whether you choose homemade our boughten elderberry tinctures, elixirs, teas, syrups, or gummies, there is a plethora of excellent options to incorporating this immune-supporting powerhouse into your winter and spring routine. Want to get started making your own kid-approved elderberry gummies? Then turn to chapter 4 in Herbal Adventures. Don't have your own copy yet? There's another way to try my recipe! (Read on.)
I was honored last week to have Kelly from Primally Inspired share her love of Herbal Adventures (and my elderberry gummies recipe) on her blog. Click here for both her feedback on my book and my recipe! Then get to work boosting your (and your children's) immune systems. Be well, friends. Love, Rachel
What are your family's favorite natural immune boosters? Add them in the comments below!
