6 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTHY FROM AN HERBALIST

As an herbalist I will be sharing my top 5 methods to maintain your immune systems highest potential. Now, remember the most important thing you can do is take preventative measures against disease, sickness, and illness. Preventative measures will keep the body in conditions that aren't conducive for any sickness to flourish. This is why the methods shared below are apart of my daily routine.

1. Drinking Water with Flax seeds and Chia seeds

You might wonder why specifically water with Flax and Chia seeds? well beyond the obvious reasons of being amazing sources of protein, and omega-3 fats. The true star are the high levels of fiber and why is that great for us? Because when consumed particularly before sleep it helps to bind all the waste product in our digestive system which therefore promotes and supports the elimination of the waste product leaving your gut health and overall body unclogged and flowing in a balanced state. The reason this is so beneficial is because most sickness and illness start in the gut and keeping the gut circulating and clear always symbolizes your health is already better than most people.

2. Elderberries (Tea & Syrup)

Elderberries (Sambucus Nigra) are a herb that is native to the elder tree. It is antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral rich. It has been shown to restore and extinguish free radicals especially from oxidative stress. This taking place because of the anthocyanins within the berries which help protect the body from illness and disease. It has been associated with Immune Modulating properties which essential means it helps normalize and balance your bodies Immune System response. Furthermore, it has been associated with Anti-inflammatory properties this being beneficial because inflammation in the body leads to delayed immune response and impaired immune function. Finally, elderberries have been shown to have Anti-Viral properties due to its nature to inhibit sick cells and destroy the replication of the diseased cells. I have experience with this because in summer 2022 I had caught COVID-19 and I was able to clear my system out within 5 days of heavy herbal treatment and elderberry played one of the major roles in my recovery.

Some personal comments from my experiences using Elderberry as a form of medicine are Elderberries are super tangy actually and slightly sweet. They're also great for your digestive system. I always get a bitter slight bitter taste when used with no sweetener and I think the natural and minimal bitterness is what is supporting the digestion.

3. Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm better known as Melissia Officinalis is another herb beneficial to the immune system. On the left we see the herb dried and down below we see the herb in its organic state in nature. This herb has been associated like elderberry with Stress Reduction due to its calming effects on the body. We know when the body is under chronic stress it impairs immune function and it impairs your bodies ability to recover from sickness.

Similarly to Elderberries Lemon Balm has shown high levels of antioxidants and destroys free radicals in the body. Anti-inflammatory as well the herb has been known to balance the level of inflammation in the body allowing for a more balanced immune response. This being important to know because inflammation is the immune systems response to disease and illness activating the immune system immediately to deal with any foreign entities and waste. The herb is a anti-viral medicine as well with studies even showcasing its anti-viral properties against people with HSV by completely negating the virus and its replication. Similarly to their other plant medicine elderberries Lemon balm can also cut off illness and diseased cells and the replication of that mutated DNA. The taste is very bitter and earthy.

4. Vitamin C Supplements

Vitamin C is an essential nutrients to our bodies and the role that it plays in our bodies is that of keeping the immune system strengthened and prepared. It is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to dramatically decrease and nullify free radicals and oxidative stress. Furthermore, it is a potent anti-inflammatory. Typically it can be a challenge to get the required daily amounts of Vitamin C strictly from food because of many factors such as food soil degradation which means the food grown from this deprived soil is lacking the potency of nutrients it would have in a fertile and conducive environment.

Personally I make this a daily habit in my routine as it keeps my immune system at its most powerful and it is the only vitamin that you cannot overdose on. Now there is still side affects for taking more than the recommended amounts such as an upset stomach, diarrhea, and nausea. SO be mindful when taking supplements in high doses. But, take advantage of this beautiful and sacred nutrients that plays such a major role in the functionality of our immune systems.

5: RAW ORGANIC Honey

Now, this shouldn't be a shocker to anyone since Honey has been used medicinally for hundreds of years minimum. But, here is why I love honey as a preventative measure against illness. Honey has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties. It is a potent soother. It supports the immune systems natural functionality. It can be used just as potently for internal wounds, illness, and sickness as it can be for topical issues such as acne, cuts, burns, and any abnormalities that can occur internally and externally. Don't forget honey is practically the only immortal thing on earth because it does not expire. Now we must understand these key properties do not apply to all honey. Quality plays a major role in the numerous amounts of benefits because when not processed carefully and patiently you run the risk of depleting the natural nutrients thus making the honey a hazard more than a benefit. So make sure when you are consuming honey it is of the highest quality available to you.

Personally I love local honey the most.

6: Oil Of Oregano

Finally our last star. Personally one of my favorites especially if I feel my immune system has been compromised or needs a boost. Oil of Oregano is a potent healer. It has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and bacterial properties. Shown to drastically minimize or completely rid the body of influenza, hepatitis (not C), HIV, HSV2, and many other common diseases. Furthermore, it is a great digestive aid by clearing out waste and parasites in the body which allow the bodies natural functions to be regulated and normalized which equates to healthy. Just like all the other herbs and remedies mentioned above Oil of Oregano is a potent anti-inflammatory. It's bitter and strong taste is great for clearing excessive mucus in the body and the list goes on and on and on.

I understand that many of these herbs and remedies share very similar if not the same properties and therapeutic profiles as one another. But, by combining these sacred medicines we support and enable our natural functionality to operate at its fullest capacity. May this information serve you well in taking care of yourself and in fending off illness, disease, and sickness if ever presented with it.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more herbalism knowledge.