Immune system, natural remedies

Immune system, health smoothies

An immune system that works well is important to deal with attacks from viruses, bacteria and fungi. Diet plays an essential role, here are some ideas of juices and smoothies to fill up on vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants.

Against coronavirus what we can do is to stay at home as much as possible avoiding causes of infection, to maintain a safety distance between people of at least one meter, but two meter or 6 feet is better, to wash your hands often with soap and water and/or to use a disinfectant solution containing at least 60% alcohol. These are the rules to follow, there is no miraculous food that, if taken in large quantities, protects from coronavirus. However, this does not mean that it is not important to...

Immune system and diet, health also passes from the table

Vitamin E and probiotics strengthen the immune system, especially the defenses of the respiratory tract, it is good to limit vegetable pie with cheeses and bechamel sauce and high glycemic index foods because in the long run they could increase inflammation and weaken the immune system.

A healthy immune system, able to be on alert, ready to recognize threats and attacks and to counter them, is essential. Certainly against the coronavirus pandemic that we all are facing, the first weapon is the prevention of infection. Therefore, it is pivotal to avoid crowded places, to keep the safety distance between people of 1 meter, better two meters or 6 feet, to wash often your hands with soap and water for a minute and to disinfect hands and surfaces with a solution prepared with water ...

Immune system, how is it influenced by dietary choices

Green light to cinnamon, cloves and turmeric, but also whole grain cereals and legumes that keep inflammation under control, attention instead to preparations that increase blood sugar peaks and cause liver overload.

A strong and healthy immune system protects us from external attacks by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. That's why it's important to take care of it. How? With lifestyle, therefore not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, reducing chronic stress, practicing moderate physical activity, yoga and meditation, but also with diet. Some foods in fact, as we have seen in previous posts and as we will see below, show clear antibacterial and antiviral properties, other foods, instead, can induce infl...

The power of imagination regenerates the brain and boosts the immune system

What can we do when we suddenly become masters of a lot of free time? Maybe we didn't ask for it, it's a situation that is imposed on us but we can certainly take advantage of it and learn again to use the regenerating power that is in our mind, also able to strengthen the immune system. How? With imagination!.

Do you remember when as a child you could play for hours, completely absorbed in building castles, forts, dollhouses? And while brick after brick the building was created or the furniture was placed, the characters came to life in your mind, the story was created and nothing mattered, except the time you were lived in. Over the years, unfortunately, many of us have lost this ability to imagine. The world has become problems, watches, run and how many times is the mind thinking to the next action...

Immune system, the best diet able to strengthen it and the diet that could weaken it

Garlic and onion protect the immune system, be careful to eat too much red and processed meat which could increase the levels of chronic inflammation.

The coronavirus emergency has made it clear, now more than ever, how important it is to have an immune system able to work at its best. We can do a lot to limit possible infections by reducing social relations, by following hygiene rules, such as washing often the hands, but certainly we can also strengthen the immune system to put it in the best conditions to fight the external aggressions. The immune system depends on several factors and there is no miraculous tablet or food capable, in an ins...

Immune system, how to boost it

Relaxation techniques, diet, herbs and spices to stimulate the proper functioning of the immune system.

The immune system is the mechanism by which the body defends itself against aggressions. It is therefore essential to protect and strengthen it, so let's try to understand how lifestyle and diet can contribute to the health of our immune system. Stress, mind body techniques - Mind body medicine focuses on the union between mind, body and brain and uses disciplines such as yoga, tai chi, listening to music or meditation. These techniques are based on the idea that mental state affects body heal...

Garlic, supplements, properties and benefits

From garlic, different types of herbal remedies are obtained, such as powdered extract, aqueous or oily extract and aged garlic, each with different properties, such as strengthening the immune system, protecting the heart or fighting inflammation.

Garlic, scientific name allium sativum, is an essential ingredient for cooking, it is excellent rubbed on slices of toasted bread and really delicious minced and added to the preparations of sauces and fillings. But garlic is also a powerful source of important substances for health. In fact, it is useful in reducing cardiovascular risk and tumors, has an antioxidant and antimicrobial effect, helps detoxification processes and is protective for the liver (Bayan et al, AJP, 2013). These propertie...

Dog rose, herbal medicine

Glycerine macerate and mother tincture are obtained from dog rose, the remedies are antioxidant, anti-allergic and able to stimulate the immune system, useful in case of sinusitis, cold, cold sores, warts but also asthma and allergies.

Rosa canina, also known as dog rose, is a spontaneous plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The glycerine macerate is obtained from its buds while the mother tincture is obtained from the berries of this wonderful plant. Let’s see better in detail properties and uses of these two amazing remedies! Glycerine macerate of dog rose, properties and uses - Glycerin macerate of rosa canina is characterized by a high content of antioxidants such as quercetin, ellagitannins and kempferol (Jimenez et ...

Natural remedies for flu, glycerin macerates and mother tinctures

Rosa canina, black alder and echinacea taken together to boost the immune system to protect the body from seasonal illnesses.

Sore throat, sinusitis, rhinitis and cough, these are the symptoms that often accompany us throughout the autumn and winter period. But natural remedies in the form of macerates and tinctures extracted from plants such as rosa canina, black alder and echinacea may be really helpful. Let's see what are the best treatments that you can use for flu symptoms, alone or together to exploit their synergy. However, before starting to take the remedies, always ask your doctor for advice if you are pregna...

Sauerkraut

Vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants, probiotic and prebiotic food, able to protect the gastric mucosa, the digestion, the health of the intestinal flora and the immune system.

Sauerkraut is a symbol of German cuisine and is obtained by cutting the cabbage into thin slices and subjecting it to a fermentation process lasting a few months. Sauerkraut, however, has a very ancient origin that dates back to the Roman Empire when there was the need to have food supplies available in periods of time, such as winter, when fresh food was difficult to find. Fermentation preserves, or even improves, the nutritional values of cabbage and gives it a sour taste. Not for nothing it i...

Poria mushroom

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer, strengthens the immune system, useful for lowering blood sugar and therefore helpful in case of type 2 diabetes, protective for brain health, diuretic action.

The poria mushroom, scientific name Wolfiporia extensa, belongs to the Polyporaceae family and is also known as Poria cocos. This edible mushroom has been known and used by traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years and, as often happens, in recent years science has also been interested in its properties, trying to verify and understand them. Poria mushroom, properties - Nowadays we know that, thanks to the presence of polysaccharides, triterpenoids and fatty acids, the poria fungus...

Umeboshi plums

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and able to support the immune system, help to overcome moments of stress and fatigue, protect the stomach and counteract allergies.

The prunum mume, also called the Japanese plum, is a fruit tree halfway between the plum tree and the apricot tree. The plant is native to China and produces fruits that, in shape and appearance, remind of an apricot. The fruits are dried and pickled for several months together with shiso leaves, or Laminaria Purpurea, which gives to the fruits their typical reddish color. After this process the fruits take the name of umeboshi plums. The umeboshi plums are the most common form with which people...

Food combinations and cooking methods, pumpkin Part 1

Food combinations and cooking methods to maximize the properties of the pumpkin, today we see the cooking in extra virgin olive oil and the combination with garlic, useful in case of coagulation problems, insomnia, anxiety and weak immune system.

Pumpkin is the fruit of several plants of the Cucurbitaceae family. The pumpkin, depending on the type, may have a round or elongated shape, a smooth or lumpy skin and a more or less sweet pulp with inside flat and white seeds. In general, the pulp of the pumpkin is a powerful source of beneficial substances while it is considered poor in calories, around 26kcal per 100 grams. The pumpkin brings mineral salts, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc, vitamins, such as A, important for the...

Auricularia

Antioxidant, source of vitamins and mineral salts, it strengthens the immune system, helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar, promotes the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid by fighting wrinkles.

The auricularia auricula judae, also known as wood ear or jelly ear, is an edible mushroom characterized by a particular ear-like elongated shape. This fungus grows on tree trunks, especially elder, and has been used since ancient times in China as a food and herbal remedy (Balakrishnan et al, International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jan 2015). From the auricularia fungus a supplement is obtained with important medicinal properties, useful for the well-being of the organism...

Mu tea

Synergistic action of the herbs that make this mixture, useful in case of digestive problems, weak immune system, fatigue, diabetes.

Mu tea is not a particular type of tea but a mixture of herbs and roots able to tone the body, to stimulate the immune system and digestion, to protect the liver and the kidneys, to counteract water retention, fever, hemorrhoids and acne. This blend was formulated in the 50s by the Japanese Georges Ohsawa, considered the father of macrobiotics, and includes from 9 to 16 ingredients. Each ingredient of this special tea brings important healthy properties for different problems and all act in syne...

Selenium

Antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antitumor action, protects the heart and the thyroid, better to take it with the diet.

Selenium is a trace element essential for the body and health thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor action, it is also beneficial for the heart, the immune system and the thyroid. Selenium was first described in 1817 and owes its name to the Greek term selene, which indicates the moon, referring to the light and silvery color that selenium assumes when it is melted and then cooled. In the past it was erroneously believed that selenium was toxic, however, in the 60s, this be...

Immune system, how to protect it Part 2, plants and foods

Herbs and plants, fruit, vegetables and mushrooms, they can be powerful weapons that we can deploy to strengthen the immune system.

Viruses, bacteria, toxins and yes, even tumors, are all the aggressions from which the immune system defends us. That's why it's important to take care of it. There are lifestyle habits and particular food choices that can help strengthen the immune system, some more known, others less. We’ll see better in detail and we’ll try also to understand what remedies are really effective and supported by scientific studies. Vitamins - Vitamins C and E have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pr...

Immune system, how to protect it Part 1, healthy habits

How to protect and strengthen the immune system with natural remedies with diet and healthy habits.

The immune system is our shield, thanks to chemical reactions and biological processes it has the task of protecting us from any aggression, which can occur in the form of viruses, bacteria, parasites but also tumors, as emerged from recent scientific researches that are studying the connection between the immune system and cancer cells (Corthay et al, Front Immunol, May 2014 - Palmer et al, PNAS, Feb 2018). It is therefore important to take care of our defenses, whatever the season! Fortunately...

Chokeberries

Vitamins and mineral salts, able to lower blood sugar levels, helpful to counteract cholesterol, against water retention and cellulite, able to protect the liver, the stomach and the heart, reduce the waist line.

Aronia, scientific name aronia melanocarpa, is a bush belonging to the Rosaceae family. Its fruits, called aronia berries or chokeberries, are berries that, for what concerns their appearance, remind the blueberries but the taste is a bit sourer. Aronia berries can be found in the form of dried berries or in the form of juices. Chokeberries, properties – As for the properties, aronia berries are a source of vitamin K, useful for the health of bones and the proper blood clotting, vitamin C, gro...

Kombucha, the immortal health elixir

Vitamins and mineral salts, digestive action, protective on the microbiota, detox and antioxidant, able to stimulate the immune system, antifungal properties able to counteract the bacteria of Candida.

Kombucha is a fermented and sweetened tea of ancient tradition, consider that the first signs of this drink date back to Chinese dynasty Qin in around 250 B.C.. For Chinese people kombucha was and is the true health elixir, they call it indeed the immortal health elixir, considered able to balance and protect the digestive processes. From China the fame of this drink has grown all over the world and even science is focusing its attention on its healthy properties. Kombucha, what is and propert...

Stinging nettle, the herbal tea for health and beauty

Detox and anti inflammatory action, antibacterial and digestive properties, useful in case of gout, rheumatism, retention, kidney stones, acne, eczema, wounds, benign prostatic hypertrophy but also bleedings, hypoglycemic properties, source of vitamin C.

Stinging nettle, scientific name urtica dioica, is a plant belonging to the Urtica genus well known for its action that causes stinging and itching on the skin. The leaves, indeed, are covered by hair that, when breaks, releases a substance that causes the rash. However, it is in fact this substance that makes the nettle so healthy. Stinging nettle is indeed a valuable natural remedy, known and appreciated for centuries for both the wellbeing of the body and the beauty of skin and hair. Stingi...

Probiotics and yogurt

Taking probiotics helps our body work better, it supports the immune system, protects the cardiovascular system and is beneficial to the skin, but not all the yogurts contain probiotics, let’s see in detail how to choose a probiotic-rich yogurt or how to prepare it at home in order to have a beneficial action on the gut.

The scientists have given a name to it in order to indicate its importance and complexity, they call it microbiota. Microbiota is constituted by the tens of thousands of billions of bacteria that live in our gut and that are able to influence our health condition. Scientific researchers have indeed observed that the microbiota isn’t just responsible for the digestion but also that it plays a role in supporting the immune system. The gut bacteria indeed teach to the defense cells how to recognize...

Wintersweet

Plant that gives strength and energy, stimulating action on the immune system, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antibacterial properties, useful in case of cough and phlegm.

Wintersweet, scientific name Chimonanthus praecox, is a plant native to China. The shrub is very resistant to cold and is characterized by yellow, very scented flowers that bloom in the middle of winter until march and appear as a prelude to spring. It is precisely for this reason that the name of wintersweet is chimonantus, from the Greek cheimon winter and anthos flower, the winter flower. However, the wintersweet does not only have a beautiful ornamental role, but it also has interesting heal...

Hericium erinaceus

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective action, able to improve the cognitive functionalities both in healthy people and in case of degenerative illnesses, antidepressant action and able to counteract anxiety, protects the stomach and bowel mucosa, useful in case of ulcers or chronic inflammations of the digestive tract.

Hericium erinaceus, known also as lion’s mane mushroom or monkey head mushroom, is an edible mushroom native to North America, Europe and Asia. This particular mushroom isn’t just fascinating for its look, characterized by long and white spines, but also thanks to its healthy properties demonstrated by scientific studies. Properties – This mushroom is indeed antioxidant, it is able to stimulate the immune system but shows also a neuroprotective effect connected to the enhance of a protein, NGF...

Food combinations and cooking methods, ginger Part 1

Ginger is rich in active substances that make it a powerful remedy with digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, able to protect the cardiovascular system and the immune system, we’ll see the preparation methods and the food combinations that allow you to make the most of these effects.

Ginger is a plant, scientific name Zingiber officinale family of Zinziberaceae, whose rhizome, also called root, is used to cook, thanks to its fresh aroma, and to prepare herbal remedies. Ginger is rich indeed in active substances, such as zingiberene, gingerol and shogaol, resins and mucilage. Thanks to these characteristics, ginger shows anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. In addition, ginger is also able to keep at bay blood sugar, triglycerides and chol...

Uncaria tormentosa

Able to strengthen the immune system, useful to prevent or counteract cold, flu and cold sores, shows an anti inflammatory and painkilling action helpful in case of rheumatism and arthrosis.

Uncaria tormentosa is a medicinal plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to the rainforests of Amazonia and central America and is called also cat’s claw because of its hook-like thorns needed by the plant to climb on the trees. Used as a remedy since ancient times thanks to its healthy action, now the properties of uncaria are recognized also by scientists (Reis et al, Int Immunopharmacol, Mar 2008 – de Paula et al, J Altern Complement Med, Jan 2015). In particular, according to ...

Pomelo

Vitamins and mineral salts, powerful antioxidant and able to protect the body from the effects of diabetes and high levels of blood sugars, able to strengthen the skin, eyesight and immune system.

The pomelo, also known as pummelo and pamplemousse, scientific name Citrus maxima, is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family. This plant is becoming very popular thanks to its fruits, considered the most ancient citrus fruits cultivated by men. The fruits of pomelo are characterized by a smooth and green peel and by a flesh with a color ranging from yellow to red. These fruits have been considered since ancient times a remedy to stimulate the appetite, to protect and improve the functionality ...

Food combinations, raw tomatoes and cooked tomatoes

The best food combinations to eat raw tomatoes and cooked tomatoes in order to maximize the beneficial effects of this incredible vegetable.

Paying attention to the food we are eating, choosing whole grain rice, bread and pasta, fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants, legumes and extra virgin olive oil is a first step to live healthier and longer. Not to mention that what we eat acts also on the gut by modifying the intestinal flora that, according to the latest scientific researches, affect the general health and also the mood. But another important step is also to choose the food combinations in order to balance the nutrients, i...

Amla

Protects the liver from the action of chemicals and toxic substances but also from a diet high in fats, reduces LDL cholesterol and blood sugar levels, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, tonic.

Amla, scientific name Phyllantus emblica, is a plant of the Fillantaceae family and is known mainly for its fruits, similar to green plums, which have the same name. The fruits of amla are considered an elixir of long life, able to promote longevity and there is plenty of scientific studies supporting the Ayurveda tradition that considers amla one of the essential ingredients for good health. These berries have in fact a special protective action on the liver. In particular, amla, according to s...

Clover honey

Antiseptic action, soothing and expectorant properties, able to strengthen the immune system, prebiotic.

Clover or trefoil is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family and owes its name to the fact that it is characterized by three leaflets. From the clover you get a special honey, which is very light in color and has a delicate flavor. The clover honey is energizing, prebiotic with a beneficial effect on the bacteria of the gut, but it is also able to strengthen and stimulate the immune system. Together with manuka honey, the clover honey is able indeed to counteract in v...