A Guide To Keeping Safe
It’s a crazy time in the world right now. With the World Health Organisation declaring a pandemic for Covid-19, it seems every day more and more restrictions are being put into place to help curb the infection rate. Originally I had planned on writing an article on energy healing this week but felt it was more appropriate and relevant more than ever to share an article on ways to boost our immune systems to prepare for what may come. Below we’ll discuss immune-boosting remedies, natural antivirals and antiseptics, as well as some things attributed to specifically assisting with the current virus.
Since publishing this article, essentially every supplement and herb on the list below has become available in Welluvia’s store. Click on the Wellness Shop, and select ‘Vitamins & Supplements’ to find out more.
Immune-Boosters
Vitamin C
Perhaps the most crucial member of this list. Vitamin C plays an integral role in supporting the immune system and improving the activity of white blood cells against viruses. It enhances iron absorption, which is vital for our body as iron delivers oxygen around the body, necessary for fighting off infections. Vitamin C also rids the body of free radicals and in high doses acts as an immunomodulator and immunostimulator.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D enhances the immune system's response to body bacterial and viral agents, primarily through tailoring immune responses through appropriate cell response.
Echinacea
Derived from the echinacea plant, echinacea is a well known immune tonic that is particularly useful with the prevention and fight against infections in the respiratory tract. The most important active constituent within echinacea is a compound called alkylamides. This immune enhancing compound can help treat and prevent upper respiratory infections, whilst also acting as an anti-inflammatory and immune modulator.
Mushrooms
Many mushrooms have been found to have medicinal compounds that are antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. This is due to mushrooms having a high beta-glucan index, a natural substance found to assist our immune system in preparing for fighting off infection.
Astragalus
Astragalus, or astragalus membranaceous, is a herb that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries prior to its introduction to the Western world. This adaptogenic herb is well known for assisting the body in lowering the risk for infection and disease. It contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and helps boost immune function through providing antioxidants against free radical damage.
Turmeric
Turmeric, among many other benefits, bolsters the immune system by increasing the immunomodulating capacity of the body. Studies have shown curcumin can modulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells.
Ashwagandha
Spoken about in last week’s article about mental stamina and physical performance, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that increases the activity of Natural Killer cells and reduces inflammation.
Garlic
An everyday ingredient we use in cooking, garlic has several compounds that assist the immune system in fighting off viruses. Since I can remember whenever either my sisters or I got sick with a cold or flu, my dad would crush garlic into a spoon and make us take it. However unpleasant it was it definitely aided in recovery and the relieving of symptoms. Garlic contains alliin that quickly turns into other sulfur-containing compounds, thus giving it its medicinal properties. These compounds have been shown to boost the disease-fighting responses in some types of white blood cells in the body when they encounter viruses such as the cold and flu.
Natural Antivirals
Hosting similar immune boosting properties such as the items listed above, these natural anti-virals (as you would guess) contain anti-viral compounds that fight against viruses in the body.
Andrographis
An Ayurvedic herb used for centuries to assist with production of antibodies and reduce the severity of a virus’s infection on the body. It’s most important constituent is a compound called andrographolide. This andrographolide stimulates the proliferation of immunocompetent cells as well as preventing and treating acute viral, bacterial and parasitic infection.
Elderberries
Elderberries are rich with antioxidants and vitamin C. It’s antioxidant content fights against the harmful effects that unstable molecules (free radicals) have on our body and immune system. This antiviral plant has been used to reduce flu-like symptoms, modulate the immune system and promote antioxidant benefits.
Cats Claw
Cats Claw has been recognised as a medicinal plant by the World Health Organisation since the 1990’s. Studies have shown that it can increase the overall immune competence of humans by up to 60%. A study showed that taking cat’s claw for six weeks increased the number of white blood cells in the body, which we know are integral to combating infection. It also has shown to boost immune response and calm an overactive immune system.
Reishi
Reishi, a type of fungus that grows in hot and humid locations across Asia, has long been a staple in Eastern Medicine. Studies have shown that Reishi affects the genes in white blood cells, an integral part of our immune system. Research in cancer patients has shown that some of the molecules found in the mushroom can increase the activity of a type of white blood cell called natural killer cells.
Amla
Used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, Amla possesses a compound called Pentagalloylglucose (PGG), which contains antiviral properties against the influenza. A study showed that incubating the virus in PGG caused levels of the virus to reduce. Natural killer (NK) cells are the body’s most powerful immune cells that attack cells infected with a virus. A study showed Amla powder increases the activity of NK cells by 2-fold, as well as having fever reducing properties comparable to other fever-reducing medicines such as aspirin. Amla has also been found to reduce coughing by increasing mucus in the airways.
Nigella Sativa
Also known as Black Seed, Cumin Noir and The Seed of Blessing, Nigella Sativa is well researched for its powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties. Recent studies have shown it can reduce virulent strains of salmonella and other bacterials that are increasingly becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics. The high antioxidant content within nigella destroy virus and destructive renegade molecules.
Natural Antiseptic
When Canberra diagnosed their first case of the virus, I went to the local supermarket the other day to buy a pump bottle of antiseptic for work. Needless to say the shelves were completely empty. This result continued as I tried various other stores and a bigger supermarket in the city. I spoke to a lady who worked there to see if they had anymore out the back only to be told that they sold out weeks ago and whenever they restock its quickly snatched up within the hour. I was able to find a small (and very expensive) sanitising gel at a beauty shop but it was highly fragranced with some sort of ‘tutti-fruitti’ like smell. Around the same time my mother was ordering organic essential oils that she knew were natural anti-septics and can be used to sanitise instead. Below is the super easy mix we’ve made at home.
Ingredients needed -
20 drops organic clove bud essential oil
15 drops organic lemon essential oil
10 drops organic cinnamon bark essential oil
8 drops organic eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops organic rosemary essential oil
5 drops organic oregano essential oil
5 drops organic tea tree essential oil
150ml silver colloid
150ml distilled water
Method -
Blend oil mix into separate bottle to allow oils to mix properly.
Add 20 drops of this oil mixture into a spray bottle.
Add in the silver colloid and distilled water into the spray bottle and shake to blend.
Another thing I’ve remembered with antibacterial properties is palo santo that I wrote about a few weeks ago, find that article here.
Studies on Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is being used in hospitals around the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak. Studies showed that a traditional Chinese remedy called ‘brown soup’ blended with over 20 herbs helped patients recover in Wuhan 33% higher than those who didn’t drink the soup. Whilst another study with more serious cases showed that patients taking a combination of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine left the hospital sooner than the patients who just took Western medicine, with higher levels of oxygen in their blood and a higher lymphocyte count. Obviously this is not saying that this is a cure for the virus, but assisting our immune system is of great importance to prevent and treat our bodies right now.
Immune Boosting Recipes
My sister and brother-in-law over at The Minimalist Vegan have years worth of articles about minimalism and veganism, along with recipes, a handy book and a weekly podcast. I’ve gone through the archive with Maša to curate a list of immune-boosting recipes that are delicious and worth trying at home:
Music for Introspective Reflection
As more and more of us are self-isolating (if not being quarantined), we have a lot more time on our own to self-reflect and heal. I’ve compiled a mix that I’ve been listening to to help relax and give me company when alone. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (Isolation) is available to listen to in the soundscapes tab under Culture.
Lastly, one of the most important things for our health and bodies is to practice mindfulness and not let ourselves become overwhelmed by stress. As we all know stress wrecks havoc on our minds and bodies and that’s not something that can be reversed. I’ve had to stop myself from checking the news every two seconds because, although it’s important to stay informed, it made me anxious to be checking every single detail that was written about. A podcast discussing this topic (being obsessed with the news) that I found interesting and helped put things into perspective can be listened to here. Just do what you can to prepare yourself and your immune system and keep your family, friends and neighbours safe. Everything will be okay.
With wellness,
Aleksandar
Photography by Aleksandar Zarić for Welluvia
