Natural Immune Support

Ahhh!  It's that time of year (you'll survive, I promise, almost 99.999% of the time, and just when you're wiping your brow thinking you are in the clear - another problem will surface to face-I promise that 100%).  Influenza season.  I say influenza because a ton of the population equate the common stomach bug with influenza calling both the flu when in reality they are very different beasts. 
Let's dive into some of the natural ways you can support your immune system to do what it is best at.  When it needs a little ammo, we'll look at ways to combat those bugs that develop a stronghold. 
Lastly, we'll look at the debate over vaccination-to do or not to do that is the question but we'll do that LAST because vaccination should not be your first line of defense. 

1.  WASH YOUR HANDS-the number 1 way to avoid illness
Before you eat, after you eat, every time you go to the bathroom and every chance you have in between.  Don't just run your hands under the water either, use warm water, soap and friction over a period of time (30 seconds) or it doesn't do the trick.  Hand sanitizer has its place but doesn't combat any nasty GI bug so you should not rely on this as your only way of hand cleansing.  Plus, it is laden

with chemicals and drying substances that can cause other problems.  Have your kids rub their hands together while singing the ABC's.   We like to make our own hand soap using castile soap, water and our favorite essential oils.  This leaves your hands soft but also cleansed and germ free without the chemicals and expense of store bought, toxic laden products. 
Here is our recipe:
Foaming hand soap
1/8 cup Wood's Castile Soap
10 drops of your favorite essential oil (we like the immune supporting blend containing clove, cinnamon, wild orange and eucalyptus)
fill to the top with water

2.  NUTRITION-"let food be thy medicine" Hippocrates knew what he was talking about!
Eat the rainbow-that is the easiest way to think about how to incorporate the right amount of veggies in your diet.  Veggies should be the bulk of your diet.  Grow as much of your own food as possible!  You would be surprised how much you can grow in a small city lot or even porch container garden.  Support your local farmers-their goods are more nutrient dense and insist on organic when you're able.  If you are looking into putting some food up for the winter, learn how to can and

consider freezing/dehydrating because those products will be healthier than the canned.  Also, store bought canned good may be coated on the inside with plastic that leaches chemicals into the food.  Incorporate fermented foods which contribute to intestinal health. There are multitudes of studies showing the consequences of inflammation on your body and weakening your immune system if one of them.  Avoiding sugar, grain and dairy are ways to strengthen your immune system and heal inflammation and your gut biome.  Nutrition is the first solid building block to wellness period.  We have seen great changes in our lives since learning about the Paleo way of life including weight loss, bowel regulation, mood improvement and changes in difficult behaviors.  Two great resources to check out are the books Against All Grain,  and The Whole 30.  You will see incredible benefits if you can complete the Whole 30 and then some (these books are available in our shop). 

3.  SLEEP-heal your body while you slumber
Sleeping is such an integral component to our health and you should spend on average of 36% of your entire life doing it! Most of us need to sleep more and sleep better.  Check out Russell Foster's TED talk about the importance of sleep-prepare to have your mind blown (then take a nap).  Don't fight sleep in the name of progress. I often think about how hard my kids sometimes fight sleep and how someday there will be a shift and they'll be desperately welcoming a spontaneous siesta and begging for another hour from their alarm clock. 

4.  GET OUTSIDE-move your body and breathe fresh air
Staying indoors increases your exposure to indoor pollutants and when you are sedentary, your lungs do not get the full expansion that contributes to their cleansing process.  When you exercise you also sleep better (see above).  Katie Bowman has a very innovative approach to exercise that goes well beyond what you've learned in gym class.  Check out her blog Nutritious Movement.

5.  SUPPLEMENT-sometimes you just need a boost
This time of year our family increases our intake of vitamin C, vitamin D(3) and probiotics.  Some research does show that supplementing your diet with probiotics can reduce illness!   Research the companies where you choose to purchase supplements from and don't mega dose yourself.  You can find good supplements that include all 3 however don't rely solely on your supplements to provide these necessary nutrients, start with dietary changes.  More is not better and can do more harm than good.  If you live in a northern climate, your vitamin D requirements may be more as well as if you spend much of your days inside. 

6.  NATURAL SOLUTIONS-increase the tools in your toolbox. 

We use our favorite therapeutic essential oils almost every day for various reasons: discomfort, seasonal respiratory support, mood management, immune support and more.  There are some oils I pull out at the first sign of needed support.  These oils aren't a magic snake cure however there is evidence supporting their effect on the body to support and promote it's natural process.  Message me if you'd like more information about the oils we use in our home! 
MULLEIN TEA: this is a staple in our home.  We harvest this wild all over the area where we live.  This tea is a potent agent against all blocked mucous so if you are needing to break up sinus or lung blockage, this is a great option and it also works wonders on clogged milk ducts!

7.  VACCINATION-to choose or not to choose
I am not going to tell you what to do, this is a decision that needs to be thought about thoroughly with a real look at research done by multiple sources.  Consider the plight of where the research is coming from and talk to your provider. Pro-vax and Anti-vax groups BOTH have an agenda and I strongly suggest ignoring both camps when you are making a decision.  When in doubt, wait!  If you choose to vaccinate, don't assume that you are 100% protected as not a single vaccination is that effective but they all have variances of effectiveness.  I really like The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears.  He proposes facts without an agenda and even offers ideas on vaccination schedule variances that may be reasonable. 

You know what they say about an ounce of prevention...explore the ideas above and start incorporating them into your lives and you should see an improvement in your health.  Sometimes there is nothing you can do to avoid illness but you can support your body through it.