10 Natural Cures for when You're Feeling Ill
Also, the herb echinacea is a fantastic product to boost your immune system during the winter months. Once again, always buy a quality product, such as Biocare Echinacea Complex - £14.15 with free delivery.
There are many different vitamins and minerals in the high street and on online shops, but the most important thing to remember is quality. Generally speaking the supermarkets and other high street retailers own brands are of medium quality and yet some of the budget brands, are exactly that. If a pot of Vitamin C is only 99p, then there's a reason why! The brands recommended are from reputable companies and are of excellent quality.
When the seasons become colder we often succumb to nasty viruses that can lay us low when we need it least. Many foods, herbs and spices have restorative ingredients that can help you keep those runny noses, aches and pains at bay.
There are many different vitamins and minerals in the high street and on online shops, but the most important thing to remember is quality. Generally speaking the supermarkets and other high street retailers own brands are of medium quality and yet some of the budget brands, are exactly that. If a pot of Vitamin C is only 99p, then there's a reason why! The brands recommended are from reputable companies and are of excellent quality.
When the seasons become colder we often succumb to nasty viruses that can lay us low when we need it least. Many foods, herbs and spices have restorative ingredients that can help you keep those runny noses, aches and pains at bay.
1) Eat Garlic Every Day
Garlic is natures antibiotic. It is at its most powerful when raw, but is still effective when cooked. The stronger the smell, the more powerful it is. Add to stir fries, soups or stews. For those wanting the raw power, add to chickpeas to make hummus, mix with tomatoes for salsa or avocado to make guacamole.
2) Fresh lemon or lime
Citrus fruit has lots of vitamin C but it gets killed by heat, so squeeze lemon or lime juice instead of balsamic on salads, fish or chicken. Add a slice of lemon to hot, not boiling water, for a refreshing, but warming drink. Add fresh lime to vodka and soda for the most ‘healthy’ drink!
3) Avoid sugar
Sugar increases blood sugar levels and leaves your immune system more susceptible to disease. It feeds the bad bacteria that you want to keep at bay in your gut. Sweeten foods with apple or pear, add cinnamon or nutmeg to desserts or porridge which tricks your brain into thinking that it has eaten something sweet.
4) Protect your throat with ginger
Ginger contains compounds that protect against and help to alleviate sore throats. Grate ginger into hot water, or simmer in water to give a warming and beneficial drink that will kill bacteria. Add some lemon or fresh garlic if you’re feeling really under the weather.
5) Avoid dairy
Dairy is mucous-forming and encourages bacteria to proliferate in the body. Add olive oil to vegetables rather than butter.
6) Regular Exercise
Daily exercise supports the immune system and encourages the body to expel toxins. Walking at pace for 20 mins a day, is a great way to incorporate exercise into your busy schedule. Walking is a great way to keep yourself naturally warm on cold days too.
7) Eat seasonally
Nature has a clever way of producing the foods that have the nutrients we need to fight the viruses and bacteria that are thrown up during the seasons. Eating from our local environment means that we are building up a pool of vitamins and minerals that can be accessed by our immune systems when required.
8) Drink two litres of water per day
Water enables our bodies to function properly, when our body is dehydrated it has to work harder to do all of the essential functions it needs to do using up important nutrients that could be used elsewhere. Aim to drink a combination of herbal teas and water to get to this target. Filling a large water bottle up every day is a good way to measure how much you really drink. Flavour water with fresh citrus or cucumber to get used to the taste of water rather than squash or fruit juice that can often contain high levels of sugars or sweeteners.
9) Chew well
It is not just about what you eat, it is also about what you absorb. Chewing increases the surface area of food and enables the body to access vital nutrients easily. If we don’t chew well then the body may have problems breaking down food molecules, not only depriving you of those building blocks but also potentially causing issues such as bloating.
10) Take probiotics
Probiotics, good bacteria to you and me, populate the gut wall and act as the first line of immune defence. A lack of good bacteria can provide harmful viruses the gateway into your blood stream. They also produce energy-enhancing and stress reducing B vitamins as well as protecting your bowel with good stool formation which allows you to remove toxins from the body the natural way. Buy a good brand such as Udo Super 8. See my blog on probiotics. I take these twice a year to build up my immunity and keep the bad bacteria at bay!
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1. SWEET POTATO
Add to shopping list!
1. SWEET POTATO
The lining of your nose is your first defence against airborne bugs. Keep it healthy with a dose of vitamin A from this betacarotene-rich root vegetable.
