Foods and Spices to Boost the Immune System
Every day we find more and more foods can provide the necessary ingredients to prevent illness and/or alleviate symptoms of illness. Natural remedies have become much more popular in recent years due to the emerging information about the side effects caused by manufactured medicines. With that said, I want to be sure and point out the not all man-made medicines are bad! Some can be very useful, if not imperative to healing. But if you can prevent illness with the foods that you eat, why not give it a shot!
One of the best ways to prevent illness is to boost your immune system and the answer may lie in your pantry! Foods and spices have long been used to enhance the immune system and combat numerous ailments. However, some are much more effective at boosting the immune system and preventing illness than others.
Garlic
This flavorful cousin of the onion has been used in medicine for thousands of years. Garlic contains a chemical known as allicin, which has powerful antimicrobial properties. That will give you an extra line of defense to accompany your immune system. Studies have also shown that not only can the ingestion of garlic greatly shorten the duration of your sickness, but it may also prevent you from ever getting sick in the first place! Fresh garlic can easily be added to your daily meals. If I start to feel like I might be getting sick, I will thinly slice a garlic clove and eat it raw on a piece of toast. I know this will not sound appealing to everyone, but every once in a while it’s worth it!
Honey
This rich, golden liquid had been regarded as a miracle food for much of human history. In recent years, science has discovered that this sweet substance contains an immune system stimulating probiotic called Lactobacillus kunkeei. This means that only raw honey, specifically honey that hasn’t been heated will contain far more health benefits than that of honey which has been processed. Add it to hot tea, drizzle on fruit, or add it to your oatmeal. You can also take spoonfuls by itself! It’s great for sore throats and coughs.
Hot Green Tea
Tea is another food that has been used as an immune system booster for thousands of years. The vitamins and trace minerals absorbed from the tea leaves are a great way to stimulate organ function and deliver easily digested nutrients. Green tea is extremely high in antioxidants that protect the body from infection and cancer-causing free radicals. You can even add a tablespoon of honey to your tea to double up on its healing power.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights off infects and free radicals. It fights microbes by destroying the nucleic acid in the organisms. That causes the organism to die. Free radicals are dangerous particles that can lead to cellular anomalies, which in turn lead to cancer, so lots of vitamin C can help to slow cancer growth and may even prevent it in some cases.
Common foods high in Vitamin C: guava, red and green bell peppers, tomato, orange, strawberry, papaya, broccoli, pineapple, Brussel sprouts, kiwi, mango, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the best healing spices you can use, particularly in terms of boosting the immune system. It’s closely related to ginger and has been used for its medicinal benefits for more than 4000 years. It is the active ingredient, Curcumin, which helps to boost the immune system. It contains a high level of anti-inflammatory properties, required to ensure the immune system is functioning correctly.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the more versatile spices and it’s great for the immune system. Its impressive mix of antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties work together to protect the immune system, as well as fight off numerous illnesses. Although you might think of cinnamon as a fall or winter spice, it can be used all year long sprinkled in your coffee, added to pastries, or paired with squash in delicious savory dishes.
Cayenne
It doesn’t matter whether you use the supplement capsules or the real thing, cayenne will help significantly boost the immune system. It contains a lot of Vitamin A and antioxidants. These don’t just protect the immune system, but they also ensure the body is better able to fight off any illnesses which may develop.
Cloves
While largely used to improve oral health and ease toothache, cloves can also be used to boost the immune system. They contain an exceptional level of antioxidants which help the immune system fight off free radicals, as well as oxidative stress. They’re also good for reducing the symptoms of infections and fighting off disease. Or, use them to fight off the common cold and aid digestion.
