Real Immunity: No surprise, it comes from food!

Advertisements for flu shots, prescription and over-the-counter medicines hawk us from billboards, television, and magazines.  Antibiotic overuse leads to dangerous super-bugs such as MRSA.    Can we even imagine a time when our immune systems grew strong enough through natural means to combat the viruses and bacteria we encounter on a daily basis?

This may be a sweeping generalization, but from a holistic viewpoint, the modern, Western lifestyle and diet destroy our immunity from the foundation up.  As children, we are under-exposed and over-sanitized, kept from nourishing sunlight, and often fed “food-like substances” [Michael Pollan] billed as healthy by the manufacturer that are in reality loaded with sugar and rancid/synthetic fats.  As we grow, the Standard American Diet deprives us of the vital minerals and healthy fats required for our brains, hearts, joints, and skin to perform optimally.  We become toxic thanks to pesticide exposure and the chemicals added to our food, water, air, and household products.  By the time we reach adulthood, our love for coffee, alcohol, refined carbohydrates and non-nutritive convenience foods stresses our rattled immune systems even further.  Our adrenals are taxed by lack of rest and too many stimulants.  We suffer vitamin and mineral deficiencies that undermine our ability to sleep and aggravate our mental states.  No wonder we catch every cold that comes down the pike!  And when our ‘simple’ colds develop into sinus or bronchial infections, we take powerful antibiotics (translated: anti-life).  In fact, destroying the beneficial bacteria that live in our intestines, sinus cavities, and other places is one of the most surefire ways to undermine our natural immune response.  Insults to our digestive processes have widespread ramifications for so many other aspects of our health.

The reality of the situation to this point need not be discouraging.  One meal at a time, wave upon wave of people are changing their habits and building health from the ground up.  It takes time to wean from delicious, detrimental substances, and even more dedication to cleanse the body of its toxic buildups.  Fortunately, simple choices in our day to day consumption can make all the difference in fortifying the front line of our immune defenses.  In many years of working with the public, I have abandoned my idealistic hope that sick people might wash their hands and accepted that my immunity is my responsibility.  Probably thanks to my continuing struggle with caffeine and sugar, I still fall prey to occasional colds and sinus issues.  But I recover much more quickly than the average Jane.  There are many simple remedies one can rely upon to restore and safeguard health when the temperature drops and the sniffles begin.  Hand washing is key, of course, and I’ve found that sleeping in a soft scarf to keep my neck warm makes a difference too.

Food is our first defense against illness.  We hear this over and over but don’t always realize how easy it is to bring immune-boosting foods into our repertoire.  Unfortunately for breath and body odor, the most pungent ingredients are the most effective.  Oregano oil- just a few drops per day- is a powerhouse of anti-viral properties, along with raw garlic, miso, ginger, onion, and apple cider vinegar.  A bulb of chopped garlic can be blended with apple sauce to go down easily.  This blend keeps in the refrigerator for a few days, and a spoonful or two at meals makes this historical natural antibiotic simple to consume in its raw form.  Quantities of raw garlic are best consumed just a few days in a row, as needed.  Big pots of soup can bring in the other ingredients.  Dark, leafy greens are easily added to soup with each serving, as well as a spoonful of fresh miso, full of enzymes and probiotics.  Miso is but one of many fermented foods with the same benefits- try spiced carrots, sauerkraut (an excellent addition to potato dishes, just shred), pickled beets, or kimchi.  Raw ginger peeled and steeped in hot water makes excellent warming tea.

Raw, organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) bridges the gap between food and medicinal use.  It is alkalizing, which means it helps to reduce inflammation.  Raw ACV is a staple of restoring digestive health as well.  Digestion could be considered the real seat of immunity.  Raw ACV’s enzymes and beneficial bacteria restore the balance we evolved to expect in our soil, before industrial agriculture depleted the benefits of good, old-fashioned dirt and began to irradiate vegetables.  A few ounces per day in hot water, for cooking (add post-heat to retain enzymatic benefits), or even as a gargle mixed with hot salt water for throat trouble bring the simplicity of this health food staple to you.  Apple cider vinegar can be easily infused with herbs such as sage, thyme, and rosemary for additional benefit.  Teeth are the only body parts which disagree with vinegar.  Rinse well and brush gently after consumption.

To discuss healing herbs and detoxifying in entirety would require another article altogether.  Suffice it to say that herbs provide excellent support for healing foods.  A hot cup of water is a great place to start: to this you can add prepared teas like Traditional Medicinals’ Throat Coat; loose herbs such as elder flower (which warms the body and combats illness in its early stages); your peeled, raw ginger; or tinctures of herbs such as echinacea, either alone or in formulas such as the popular Herbalist and Alchemist’s Sinus Support Compound.  Wiseways Crystal Lung is an excellent tincture formula for those colds that settle in the chest and won’t let go.  Elderberry juice concentrate is another trusted sipper.  Because it is a food, elderberry can be consumed freely and is gentle on the body.  Lemon and honey can be added to a hot water concoction for greater soothing.  Again, be cautious with lemon sitting on the teeth for too long.  There are cautions with some herbs.  Please do some research or make time to speak with our staff Herbalist Donna Merrill when introducing new herbs you plan to use extensively.

Supplements for immunity fall into two categories.  The first group are effective over the long-term: supplementing with Vitamin D in the winter for example, or medicinal mushrooms and astragalus, which require weeks of buildup to be helpful.  Again, Donna can help you to determine which supplements are effective for you in the long or short term.  Once food and herbal support have been addressed, I strongly believe in the power of short-term supplementation when dealing with illness and potential or debilitating infection.  There is much beyond echinacea.  Umcka formulas contain a type of South African geranium that seem to help many customers prevent or get over colds and flu.  Goldenseal in my neti pot and salt/vinegar gargle has prevented escalation of infection on several occasions.  Taking goldenseal internally isn’t as effective, as it must come in contact with the affected tissue.  Colloidal silver is a homeopathic remedy that has superior antibiotic properties.  This can be taken in a liquid form, under the tongue, used in a neti pot, or even as a nasal spray, another customer and staff favorite.  Internally silver should be taken carefully as it kills both good and bad bacteria alike.  Both brands of colloidal silver that we stock are extensively researched to be safe.  Please ask for more information from the company if you like.

So many suggestions may be overwhelming.  Most people find which solutions they prefer by trial and error.  Often, simply closing your eyes and holding two different supplements in your hands will make clear which your body prefers.  Sounds silly, but our instincts are more powerful than we give them credit for.  Choose foods which fit into your routine.  Eat dark, leafy greens and the pungent benefactors as often as possible.  I find a smoothie each day makes supplementation easy.  A milk or non-dairy base of your choice makes elderberry, fruit, fiber, bee pollen, and tinctures easy and tasty.  Even lemon-flavored fish oil or oregano disappear in a flavorful smoothie.  Capsules of vitamins, zinc, probiotics, or mushroom and astragalus formulas like Herbalist and Alchemist’s Immune Adapt can be emptied into the liquid before blending, eliminating the need to digest the capsule itself.  Loose, often powdered herbs are available in our bulk section.  Some determined nutrition junkies even add raw egg and coconut oil to such a mixture.

Between food, hot beverages with helpful herbs throughout the day, and targeted heavy-duty formulas for when illness strikes, I have not had to take an antibiotic for sinus trouble or any other infection for well over three years.  Find what works for you, keep warm, and enjoy the season without fear of every person who coughs into their hand and then reaches to shake yours.  Finally, no discussion of immunity and well-being would be complete without mentioning the most powerful tool we have: a positive attitude.  Think well thoughts, and the crocuses will be peeking through the frozen ground soon enough!

Contributed by April Lea