Stress also impairs immunity. When you're under pressure, don't stress, take action; Stop, breathe and relax. Even a minute breathing deeply a day is a powerful preventive health measure. ?This, combined with the worldwide wisdom of cold fighting cuisine below, should keep you fighting fit.
Cold Fighting Cuisine
Native Americans:
Echinacea, native to the North America Plains, has been used by the Native Americans for centuries leading to its global fame. It is a blood cleanser which increases properdin, a natural chemical to activate immune defence mechanisms against viruses and bacteria.
Ancient Aids:
Slaves building the Great Pyramids were given garlic daily. The Romans fed it to their soldiers and it remains an excellent immune boost. Garlic contains several helpful compounds, including allicin, a natural antibiotic.
Franco Fighter:
Onion is a relative of garlic with similar properties. Not especially social, but effective. To help keep the great vineyards of France well tended in winter pruning, onions,
warming and nutritious, are a workers' staple, especially in that famous French
Onion soup. Use garlic, onions and leeks ?in your winter cooking.
The English Sage:
A traditional healing herb used in southern England, Sage is renowned as a
treatment for colds and flu - especially effective when combined with yarrow.
Being English, naturally it makes for a fine tea.
Mediterranean Warmer:
Olive leaf extract, nature's most potent antibiotic, has been used to sustain healthy immunity and attack illness and infections in central and southern Europe for centuries. Olive leaf's powers are praised wherever the olive tree grew.
Sometimes used as a tincture or a balm it is best taken ?internally for immunity.
Asia's Wellness Weed?:
Containing nearly a dozen antiviral compounds, ginger is anti-septic, antioxidant, soothes sore throats and relieves pain.
Across Asia ginger is seen in text and art, and has been used for centuries as a balm, inhalant, tea, condiment and ingredient in foods, as a restorative and preventive.
Korean Cure-All:
More than just a national dish, Kimchi - the potent mix of fermented vegetables, garlic, peppers and fragrant fish oil - is promoted as a cure-all by Koreans to be consumed immediately a cold or flu strikes. The same applies for it's near relative Sauerkraut in Germany.
Man's best friend:
The bits and bobs produced by the humble honey bee have morphed into a myriad of cold and flu-fighting products.
Try royal jelly, bee pollen or propolis - especially good for sore throats.
Cuppas with a twist:
Lani's Lemon, Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne and Manuka Tea
Take one dessertspoon of apple cider vinegar, a pinch of cayenne pepper, juice of
1/2 lemon, one teaspoon of Manuka honey, and combine in a cup.
Add boiling water, stir and enjoy.
It is an intense drink but effective and I love it it. One cup every hour or two.
Preventive Chamomile, Cinnamon and Sage Tea
With chamomile tea leaves add cinnamon stick and 2-3 sage leaves to a pot of boiling water, leave to steep at least 15 minutes.
If using a chamomile tea bag, first put in sage leaves and 1/3 of the boiling water.
Cover for five minutes, then add the chamomile tea bag and remaining boiling water. Steep to your taste.
Lani Lopez BHSc AdvDipNatHealth is a naturopath, clinical nutritionist and
top-selling author. Founder of lanilopez.com find her and talk wellbeing on
facebook.com/lanilopez.com
