Immunity Herbs & Spices

by Antoinette Bozanic.


The Immune System is an advanced communication system that synchronises its responses with cells and organs to defend the body.  It remembers diseases it has come across before and is able to defend the body with this information and in an emergency it triggers an immediate response through secretions and cells.  When it malfunctions, it can start to attack itself, leading to an autoimmune response or disease.  

Fresh or dried herbs and spices can be nutritional powerhouses that can complement your immune health.

Cinnamon
One product which is considered to be a building block of the immune system is cinnamon.  It is able to boost the immune system by fighting harmful pathogens like viruses, fungi and bacteria which attack our bodies.  It is a versatile spice that can be added to various dishes, both sweet and savory. Simply sprinkle cinnamon powder over tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh fruits or cereals to enjoy the daily health benefits.

Cayenne
Its anti-inflammatory action can help maintain healthy and strong mucus membranes, the body's initial line of defense against infectious microbes like viruses and bacteria.  It dulls pain sensations by interrupting the chemical messages sent to pain-sensing nerves.  It is also rich in Vitamin C and contains bioflavonoids, which the body needs to produce white blood cells and is the disease-fighting component of the blood.  In particular lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the lymphatic system that are responsible for purifying cells and tissues of toxins. You can make a tea by adding a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water and is great accompanied with cacao in smoothies.

Black Pepper
Known as the king of spices, it helps to stimulate the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas after eating food and enhances the digestive capacity of the gastrointestinal tract.  It’s the spice best known for making you sneeze and can ward off the sniffles, the compound in pepper is known for its anti-fever and pain-relieving qualities.  It is often used as a main ingredient in many curry powders.

Turmeric
One of the foods with the highest antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, the active ingredient in turmeric, is anti-viral, anti-fungal and can help protect against cancer.  Inflammation is the cause of many chronic diseases that cause health to deteriorate, so turmeric is your anti-inflammatory superhero!  When you mix turmeric with black pepper, you increase your body’s absorption significantly.

Oregano
It is an anti-viral herb that significantly relieves symptoms immediately in those with upper respiratory infections.  As an essential oil it helps with urinary tract infections, yeast infections, parasitic infections and food borne pathogens - its natures antibiotic.  Add it to your food fresh or topically as an essential oil.



Parsley
Helps boost the immune system, which makes it a crucial player in the fight against allergies, auto-immune and persistent inflammatory disorders.  It is completely chock full of chlorophyll, which helps because it has anti-bacterial properties that cut down on the development of bad bacteria.  Throw into your green juice, salads or make it into a tea.

Thyme
As an essential oil it can be used to stimulate the mind, strengthen memory/concentration and calm the nerves.  It is used as an antiseptic and helps prevent infection, applied to the skin as an herbal wash or used orally as a mouthwash, it kills germs.

Peppermint
Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats.  It relaxes the muscles that allow painful digestive gas to pass and when applied topically as an essential oil, it has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations.

Echinacea
Reduces the odds of developing a cold and the duration of a cold by days, especially taken in the early stages.

Garlic
An immune booster, dissolves and clears thick mucus.  Place peeled whole garlic cloves in a good quality medicinal raw honey (red gum or jarrah) and keep it in the cupboard.  Take a teaspoon for colds, flu and as a cough syrup.

Some people are blessed with a strong constitution and immune system, for others they need to work on it - our immunity is dependent on the support it gets.  A strong immune system requires proper nutrition, sufficient rest, a healthy active lifestyle, plenty of sun and reducing stress.  What does that mean exactly, mostly unhealthy habits and avoiding processed foods to restore peak performance.

  

 
Image courtesy of jk1991 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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