All-Natural Immunity Boosters
Reach for these food wonders and beat cold and flu season.
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Raw Honey - As the temperatures drop and our immune systems become compromised, we can all use a little help staying healthy. We give you some natural alternatives (many of which you can be found in your own kitchen) to help you beat cold and flu season for good. By Britt Middleton Honey is considered “raw” when it hasn’t been heated to high temperatures through commercial processing, so natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes remain intact. In its natural state (which resembles a thick paste), raw honey is prized for its antiseptic, antiviral and antibiotic properties and ability to promote healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. Look for a jar at your local natural foods store. (Photo: Getty Images/StockFood)
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Kombucha Tea - Kombucha, a fermented tea, has been used for centuries in cultures around the world to protect the body against disease. It’s rich with probiotics, healthy bacteria and enzymes that do everything from aiding in digestion to helping the body fight infections like the common cold. (Photo: Health-Ade)
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Garlic - Rich in antioxidants, garlic also contains allicin, a sulfur compound that fights bacteria. If you can’t muster the thought of chomping down on raw garlic every day, you can still reap its benefits by adding it to your favorite dishes or taking an odorless garlic supplement daily. (Photo: Gerhard Egger/GettyImages)
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Essential Oils - Capturing the aromatic compounds of plants, herbs and seeds, essential oils are also valued for their unique medicinal properties. Lemon, peppermint and oregano oil are popular for their immunity-boosting benefits. If you are prone to chest colds, try mixing a few drops of peppermint essential oil with massage oil and apply to the chest and neck to help keep them at bay. (Photo: MR.SURAKIT HARNTONGKUL/GettyImages)
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Mushrooms - Packed with protein, vitamins and cancer-fighting antioxidants, mushrooms can also help raise your body’s defenses against viruses and bacteria. For a healthier immune system, try adding a handful of Maitake or Shiitake mushrooms to your favorite recipes or try an oral supplement made from Reishi mushrooms. (Photo: Oscar Won/GettyImages)
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Olive Leaf Extract - When taken orally, olive leaf extract is said to help prevent bacteria from replicating inside the body, giving it a reputation as one of nature's toughest cold and flu busters.
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Sleep - This may seem like a no-brainer, but getting enough sleep (about seven to eight hours) can help your immune system stay strong all season long. Too many all-nighters can make your body more susceptible to cold and flu viruses and can lengthen the duration of your cold symptoms if you do get sick. (Photo: GettyImages)
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Lemons - Great sources of immunity-strengthening vitamin C, these tangy fruits are also known for their antiseptic properties and ability to detoxify the liver, which flushes toxins from your body. Try kick-starting your day with a warm glass of lemon water to reap the benefits. (Photo: Christina Reichl Photography/GettyImages)
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Colloidal Silver - Made from water infused with silver particles and known for its germ-killing properties, colloidal silver is said to help with everything from clearing sinus congestion to boosting overall health. Some liquid formulas can be taken orally several times a day to strengthen the body’s defenses against germs and viruses. (Photo: Vitamin Shoppe)