Sunday, May 12, 2013

Home Remedies for Immunity Boost/രോഗപ്രതിരോധശേഷി

1.  Lemon
Lemon is an easy way to start. Add lemon juice to a glass of water or your cup of tea daily to help maintain your body’s internal “climate” at a pH that supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments.

2. Holy Basil/ Thulsi
It raises the human body immunity by increasing the antibody production. Take two to three leaves daily first thing in the morning.
3. Thyme
Using a decoction prepared by boiling six tablespoons of thyme in about three liters of bath water for 15 to 20 minutes on the body improves immunity. Follow this procedure just a couple of times in a month. Another simple way to incorporate this therapy is to add three to five drops of thyme essential oil in 200g bath water.
4. Rosemary
5. Aswagandha
It is a general stimulant of the immune system. This herb is known to counteract the effects of stress and promote general well- being.

6. Ginseng
It is known not only prevent illnesses but also to treat immunity related diseases.

7. Flax seed
Make powder of flax seeds and take about three grams of it in a bowl. Add sesame seeds about three grams, paste of two almonds and honey into it. Taking this mixture early morning on an empty stomach will boost your immunity level. It is also effective if you will just add some flax seeds and sesame seeds to your morning breakfast and eat it.

8. Astragalus root
Astragalus root are also useful in building the immune system, as they increase the production of white blood cells. Many people make paste of astragalus root and eat it to treat their cold and flu.

9. Almonds
Eat a handful of almonds for your daily dose of vitamin E. An immune-strengthening antioxidant, studies have found that vitamin E deficiency causes major problems in the integrity of the immune system.

10. Crab
A zinc deficiency can zap your immune system. Zinc acts as a catalyst in the immune system's killer response to foreign bodies, and it protects the body from damage from invading cells. It also is a necessary ingredient for white blood cell function. Nosh on 3 ounces fresh or canned crab and you've got one-third of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of this immune-enhancing nutrient.

11. Beans and lentils
Everybody needs a little folic acid. And not getting enough of this vital nutrient can actually shrink vital immune system fighters like your thymus and lymph nodes. To make sure you're getting your fill of folic acid, try to include beans & Lentils in your diet.

12. Guava
Go a little tropical with this tasty fruit and get more than twice your daily vitamin C needs. Vitamin C acts as an immune enhancer by helping white blood cells perform at their peak and quickening the response time of the immune system.

13. Chicken
Selenium is a trace mineral that is vital to the development and movement of white blood cells in the body. A 3-ounce piece of chicken will give you almost half your daily needs.

14. Wine
Have a glass of red wine and you may help your body take out a few potentially harmful foreign bodies. Certain components in wine seem to be helpful in killing infectious bacteria, such as salmonella. But be careful. Drinking too much alcohol can cause your immune system to become depressed, leaving you more open to infection. A glass a day should do the trick.

15. Yogurt
Yogurt seems to have a marked effect on the immune system. It strengthens white blood cells and helps the immune system produce antibodies. One study found that people who ate 6 ounces of yogurt a day avoided colds, hay fever, and diarrhea. Another study found that yogurt could be an ally in the body's war against cancer.

16. Carrots
Carotenes, like the beta-carotene found in carrots and other red, yellow, orange, and dark-green leafy vegetables, are the protectors of the immune system, specifically the thymus gland. Carotenes strengthen white blood cell production, and numerous studies have shown that eating foods rich in beta-carotene helps the body fight off infection more easily.

17. Garlic
Garlic is well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. It's even been thought to help prevent cancer. Researchers think these benefits stem from garlic's amazing effect on the immune system. One study found that people who ate more garlic had more of the natural killer white blood cells than those who didn't eat garlic.

18. Kale

19. Shiitake mushrooms
Throw a few shiitake mushrooms in your stir-fry and you may prevent your yearly cold. Scientists have discovered that specific components of shiitake mushrooms boost your immune system and act as antiviral agents.

20. Blueberries
Drinking juice of fresh blueberry on a daily basis is one of the very effective home remedies for low immunity.

21. Broccoli/ Cabbage/ Cauliflower
Vegetables belonging to the Cabbage family like – cauliflower, radish, turnip, broccoli and turnip are said to be immunity boosters and should be include in daily diet.  

22. Tea
Both green and black varieties have immune system-boosting properties due to the high presence of antioxidants. Tea is considered to have as many antioxidants as some of the healthiest vegetables.

23. Ginger
This root has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years as a digestive and immune system tonic. It can be boiled and taken as a tea, or cooked in meals, to which it adds a characteristically tangy flavor.

24. Milk
Milk is considered as immunity booster in Ayurveda. Take glassful of milk with little sugar at bedtime. This will improve your immunity and is also considered as one of the good home remedies for low immunity.
25. Yoga
Latest research says that practicing Yoga and meditation regularly in a proper method will boost immunity without taking any internal medications.

26. Pranayam/ Breathing Exercise
Breathing techniques like ‘Pranayama’ is now considered to be one of the excellent methods to restore your energy level and to boost up your immunity.

27. Sleep
Proper sleep or rest also strengthens your immunity level. Take proper rest and sleep to restore your energy level and to make your body functioning well.
Take carrots, peel them well, and add Indian gooseberry, ginger, beetroots and pinch of rock salt. Crush them well to make a juice. Have two cups daily. This is one of the best home remedies for increasing immunity.
Do's and Don'ts
  • Avoid sugar. Sugar may keep your white blood cells from being their strongest. Keep the sweet stuff to a minimum if your immune system isn't working like it should.
  • Avoid fat. Polyunsaturated fats in vegetable oils such as corn, safflower, and sunflower oil seem to be a deterrent to an efficiently running immune system.
  • Reduce weight. Being overweight has a major effect on your immune system. One study found that the white blood cells in overweight people weren't as able to fight off infection as those of their healthy-weight peers.
  • Relax. If stress causes you to lose your cool, you could be impairing your immune system. Chronic stress can even shrink your thymus gland, creating major problems in your body's ability to fight off infection.
  • Exercise is a proven immune system booster. Don't overdo it, though. Too much can wear you down and create immune system problems.
  • Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water per day to boost the immune system and flush out toxins.
  • Control Coffee – as caffeine depletes the minerals and vitamins in your body and dehydrates you. If you have to drink a cup of coffee, then add 2 more glasses of water to your daily water intake to counteract the downside of the coffee.
  • No smoking including second hand smoke – when you introduce cigarette smoke to your body, you are inviting multiple invaders for your immune system to chase, catch and remove. The more you smoke, the harder your immune system has to work. So of course your immune system is going to be weakened
  • No alcohol and drugs – low or moderate alcohol consumption will stimulate immune functions in a positive way but excessive consumption depresses immunity. All drug abuse will cause immune dysfunction.
  • Keep away from processed food and saturated fat. If you can boost your immune system by following many of these suggestions, you are much less likely to become sick.  You have a good chance of avoiding those other conditions that can rear their ugly heads when your immune system is compromised.
  • Keep proper gap between two meals. Let the prior meal get digested fully before you take your second meal. Keeping proper gap will allow body to absorb nutrients in proper way and this will boost up your energy level as well as your immunity.