How can you boost your immune system? On the whole, your natural immune boosting system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. Is it possible to intervene in this process and boost your immune system? What if you improve your diet? Take certain vitamins or herbal preparations? Make other lifestyle changes in the hope of producing a near-perfect immune response?

Our immune systems are just that, a system, and not a singular entity.  So to function well it needs balance and harmony.  We all know to eat well, sleep well, drink water, don’t smoke, have a moderate consumption of alcohol etc.. but what else can we do?

Here are 3 top tips that I personally use to boost my immune system (and my family’s) that has never before been so relevant with a global pandemic happening around all of us;

 

1- Take Vitamin D tablets

Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight. Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitating normal immune system function.

Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and warding off depression. In one study, scientists found that people with depression who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in their symptoms.

Buy Vitamin D at all good Chemist shops (always support local).

 

2- Vitamin C Powder

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses.

Also known as ascorbic acid it is an excellent natural immune boosting supplement in addition to foods containing vitamin C.  Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day according to the NHS Website.If you are feeling run down and have a cold coming on put a 1/4 of a teaspoon of Vit C powder into a fruit juice.  I almost swear by this!  At this time I’ve been making sure my family is taking additional Vitamin C regularly, especially if feeling like a cold is coming on.Be warned though, the body can only hold a certain amount of Vit C at any one time.  Taking too much can cause stomach pain, flatulence and diarrhea.  You know if this happens then your body can no longer absorb any more.

Buy Vitamin C powder at any good Chemist shop!

 

3- Drink an Immune Boosting Hot Drink.  Laura’s Honey Lemon Drink

I love this natural immune boosting drink and make it most nights, or my lovely Partner does for me 🙂

If you are feeling like a cold is coming on or you’ve started to develop a sore throat I do recommend grating a raw garlic clove in it.  Yep, this sounds potent but when you drink this drink with the addition of the garlic, you can feel the magic on your throat as you drink it.

 

Here is the Recipe:

 

1- Squeeze a whole lemon into a mug.

2- Add 2 tablespoons of honey.  If you can, use local honey or even better Manuka Honey (from a health shop).

3- Add a tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (make sure it has ‘the mother’ ACV is an amazing product and is worth googling for more info).

4- Add grated fresh or frozen ginger into your drink.  The amount you put is personal I always have at least 1 – 2 tablespoons making this quite strong.  I recommend starting with a little amount and as you become accustomed to this drink increase the amount.

5- Add 1 teaspoon of Tumeric powder or Cinnamon (or both).  These spices both have amazing health benefits.  Turmeric makes the drink taste slightly bitter and the cinnamon makes it taste sweeter.  Again this is a personal choice.

6- Top up the mug with boiling water. Enjoy 🙂

This is the Apple Cider Vinegar I’m currently using.  Read about it here.

If you do make my Lemon Honey Hot Drink please do let me know.  Email in a pic or tag us on social media.  Instagram @laurathomasco Facebook @laurathomasco