Keep Well This Winter - Four Tips For Supporting Your Immune System Naturally

Winter has arrived and the cold weather has made an early arrival! It's expected to be a nasty season for colds and flu so try these top preventative tips below to keep you well this winter. 

Herbs Can Be Valuable Allies

 There is an incredible array of herbs that can help strengthen and support your immune system during the colder months. Echinacea is a beautiful herb for supporting immune health and has been shown in studies to be a potent wide-spectrum immunomodulator that supports both innate and adaptive immune responses (meaning it's a great herb for supporting all aspects of immune function). Look for an Echinacea which is standardised to alkylamides (the active plant part!). 

Elderberry is a delicious berry rich in antioxidants and vitamins and has been used for centuries to support the immune system. Elderberries contain anthocyanins, which possess anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

Mushrooms Can Be A Magical Support

 Mushrooms including cordyceps, coriolus, reishi and shiitake, enhance the body’s immune response and provide antiviral and antibacterial actions. They support recovery from acute and recurrent infections, while increasing resistance to infectious illness. Specifically, these medicinal mushrooms activate the innate immune system, triggering the production of natural killer (NK) cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, and inflammatory cytokines.

Sleep Is The Best Medicine

Sleep is vital for a strong immune system. During sleep, our bodies repair and regenerate, helping to bolster immune responses and fight off infections. So many of us don't prioritise shut eye but it's the best (free!) medicine for supporting wellness this winter. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Support A Healthy Stress Response

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness. I haven't met a client yet who has some type of stress impacting their lives. Winter can bring added stress with holiday preparations and colder weather, so it's crucial to manage stress levels effectively. Actively engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, breathwork and hobbies that bring you joy and put a smile on your face. There is also an incredible array of herbs and nutrients to support stress so book a consultation with me if you would like to explore this further.

Incorporating some of the strategies I have mentioned above, can have a huge positive impact on strengthening your immune system whilst also helping you recover optimally if you do get sick. If you would like to discuss a more individualised approach to supporting your immune system this winter, I am now offering a 15 minute acute immune support consultation for just $55. You can book it here >>