14 Best and Natural Ways To Boost Your Immune System

The immune system is the defense mechanism of the body, which is made up of cells, tissues, and organs that defend the body against any foreign attacks. The immune system protects the body against parasites, bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause diseases and other defects. Your immune system can be termed as the second line of defense to human system aside from the physical defense mechanisms including the skin and the mucous membrane. This means that, when the immune system is attacked or becomes vulnerable, the human system falls victim to several diseases. This is when one may experience several frequent illnesses, slow recovery from ailments, fatigue, slow development, digestive disorders, and allergies.

The immune system weakens when the supply of minerals and nutrients to the system is affected. This may be due to stress, lack of physical exercise, excessive use of antibiotics, bad eating habits, vitamin deficiency, and lack of rest. Others include exposure to harmful chemicals, ultraviolet rays, and bad hygiene.

It is therefore imperative to boost the immune system to prevent the body from being a victim of numerous diseases. Several natural remedies are available to help you achieve a stronger immune system.

# Exercise

Building your lifestyle around exercising is one of the finest ways to boost the immune system. It is very important to exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, four or five days a week. Exercising enhances digestion, increase the white blood cell count, prevents obesity, and help in blood circulation.

Some normal form of exercises includes jogging, cycling, visiting the gym, and engaging in sporting activities like football and basketball. You should, however, bear in mind that some forms of exercises might instead put pressure on the body instead of building it. You should, therefore, know the type of exercise that fits your body type.

# Green Tea

Green tea is a major booster of the immune system and drinking it frequently can be beneficial to the body. It contains antioxidants, catechins, and flavonoids that protect the cells from any foreign attack. Green tea is easy to prepare. Just get yourself hot water and steep the tea in it for five minutes. You can add honey to the tea to enhance its taste and drink. Taking the tea two or three times daily will boost your immune system.

# Garlic

Garlic has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it a strong natural immune booster. This natural home remedy ingredient also contains vitamin B6 and C and minerals like manganese and selenium, which are immune boosters. Its active agent called allicin that fights bacteria and infection.

You can eat garlic raw on an empty stomach each morning or slice it and add to your dish. You should ensure that you do not subject it to intense heat, else the active ingredients would be destroyed.

# Lemon

Lemon is a great source of vitamin C, which is an immune booster. It strengthens the white blood cell and positions it to respond to any impending threats or infections. Lemon also contains antitoxin agents and help flush out all toxins from the body.

All you need it to add ½ lemon to a glass of warm water. You can decide to add honey to taste and drink on an empty stomach. You need to wait for about thirty minutes before eating your breakfast.

# Ginger

Ginger reduces the risk of infection and destroys toxins in the body. It also improves blood circulation and does away with all blockages. This makes ginger a good remedy for boosting the immune system.

You can drink ginger tea twice a day to boost the system. To prepare it, you can crush fresh ginger and boil in two cups of water for five minutes. Strain it, add lemon juice and honey to taste. You can alternatively add ginger to your cooking

# Turmeric

Turmeric contains antioxidant properties, which is vital in the building and maintaining good health. This spice contains an active ingredient, curcumin, that boosts the strength of cells and makes it resistant to infections.

To benefit from turmeric, prepare your milk with it by adding a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a hot cup of milk. You can choose to add honey, stir and drink. Turmeric can be added to your meals to get the same health benefits.

# Astragalus

The Chinese have been using astragalus as an immune booster for centuries. It contains adaptogenic properties that strengthen all aspects of the immune system for any attack. You can prepare a tea with dried astragalus roots by adding slices of the root to adequate water. Boil it for thirty minutes and strain. Drinking this daily will do the immune system a great deal of service.

# Indian Ginseng

Indian ginseng, or ashwagandha, is a great immune booster as it helps rejuvenate it. It increases the white and red blood cells as well as the platelet count. It also contains antioxidants to help in fighting infections. You can get Indian ginseng in dried, fresh, and powdered forms.

To prepare it, add a teaspoon of the Indian ginseng powder to a cup of water and boil for five minutes. Strain it, add honey to taste and drink it once daily.

Warnings

Ashwagandha is not good for pregnant women and people on medication for high blood pressure as it may interact with the medicine. In addition, those suffering from autoimmune diseases should consult their doctors before taking ashwagandha.

# Probiotic Yogurt

Probiotic yogurt contains immune boosting agents and eating it every day can enhance the system. Probiotics help in the development of white blood cells and antibodies that reduce infection. Aside from eating probiotics, you can prepare a smoothie with it and that will be helpful to your immune system.

# Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a very important constituent of the immune system and coordinates the immune responses. Any deficiency of vitamin D increases the system vulnerability to autoimmune diseases and infections. This calls for the need to ensure that the vitamin D component in the body is adequate.

You can have natural vitamin D by exposing the body to sunlight for about twenty minutes. Fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and others like egg yolks and cheese all contain vitamin D. Adding them to your meal would be beneficial. You can also go in for vitamin D supplements, but you must first consult your doctor.

# Hydration

Adequate water intake is very important for a healthy living. Water intake flushes out all accumulated toxins from the body. It is advisable to take at least eight glasses of water a day. The excessive water will trigger urination, which in the end means toxins are being removed from the system.

# Eating Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and green leafy vegetables are great immune boosters. Fruits and vegetables contain a vast range of minerals, including folic acids that improve the functioning of the immune system. There is an adequate quantity of vitamin A in carrot, potato and other dark leafy vegetables that enhances the white blood cell to fight infections.

In addition, vitamin C found in citrus fruits like lemon and orange and others like broccoli and papaya enhances the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. You can also get vitamin E from grains and nuts to boost the immune system against the flu and upper respiratory infections.

# Red Wine

This is not recommended for persons who are not into alcohol, however, taking red wine in a responsible manner can boost the immune system. Drinking wine occasionally fights against dangerous bacteria like salmonella and other harmful foreign agents. When taken in moderation, red wine can prevent coronary heart disease and other conditions like stomach disorders, colds, and fevers. You should nonetheless bear in mind that, too much alcohol intake can damage the liver and have an adverse effect on the immune system.

# Flaxseed

Flaxseed is a reliable immune booster. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, and the phytoestrogen, lignans. These properties prevent autoimmune diseases and other infections that are detrimental to the body. It also contains anticancer agents to fight cancers. Simply try to eat a serving of these seeds a day to get the most benefits from this home remedy.