Now is the time to build up your immune system.
Seasons are changing and our immune systems are adjusting. I’ve heard more than a few sniffles when several clients are regretfully calling to reschedule appointments while they cough into the phone.
With so much talk about the flu vaccine (should we or shouldn’t we?), it’s good to pay attention to the system in your body that keeps you strong. And there are lots of actions that you can take to make your immune system healthy.
Seasons are changing and our immune systems are adjusting. I’ve heard more than a few sniffles when several clients are regretfully calling to reschedule appointments while they cough into the phone.
With so much talk about the flu vaccine (should we or shouldn’t we?), it’s good to pay attention to the system in your body that keeps you strong. And there are lots of actions that you can take to make your immune system healthy.
I like to sip herbal teas -- some are already formulated with tea bags, like Traditional Medicinals' Cold Care P.M., and Echinacea Plus-- and you can also find loose teas at various herbal shops and natural health food stores. When I make chicken soup, I also put a slice of astralgus root into the broth while it is simmering to stimulate the immune system.
Remember to wash up properly – after handling pets, before eating, after visiting the bathroom and after contact with someone who’s sick. Also wash your hands while you’re preparing food – especially if you’re working with several kinds of foods – raw meat and vegetables, for instance. Here’s a video that tells you how to really wash your hands -- worth watching
What you eat and drink will also affect the strength of your body to fight germs and other nasties. Here's a good review of 10 tips to keep your immune system strong.
Last year's Lake House blog also has some good tips worth repeating so I'll give you the link again here.
Keep hand sanitizer close by. Use bleach wipes to wipe doorknobs, phones, counters, yoga mats, wrestling mats and other frequently used objects where people may transfer germs from one place to another.
If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals, you can make cleansing wipes with pure essential oils like tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial agent, and eucalyptus. If you wish, add lavender, which will offer a pleasant smell. One recipe that I found online:
To prepare a roll of paper towels to become cleansing wipes, cut the roll in half so you have two short rolls. Remove the cardboard center. Place a short roll in an airtight water-proof container (like an old baby wipe box or tightly lidded plastic container).
Make a solution of:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 drop lavender pure essential oil
12 drops pure tea tree essential oil
12 drops pure eucalyptus essential oil
Pour the solution over the towels. Put the lid on the box and turn it upside down so the solution is absorbed. The solution could be kept in a jar and cloth towels dipped in it. Make sure that you label the solution clearly according to its use and keep out of the reach of children.
