Ten Tips For A Natural Immune System Boost

By: Michael Brooks

Cold and flu season is upon us. The first line of defense is to
wash your hands often, and keep your work area clean by wiping
it down with an alcohol solution.

In addition, now is a great time to start boosting your immune
system. A weakened immune system leaves your body susceptible to
every cold and flu virus, especially during the holiday season
when you are in close contact with others, often moving between
time zones and changing climates.

So, how exactly do you go about boosting your immune system?
There are a number of great methods. Below are ten
recommendations that will boost your body's immune system
naturally.

Vitamin C: You are probably already aware of this reliable
supplement. Your body cannot store vitamin C so it is dependent
on your dietary intake. To make sure you are getting enough it
is recommended to take 1,000 mg a day to fight off infection.

Goldenseal : You will find this remedy very effective in not
only preventing infection but also reducing inflammation after
you have a cough or flu symptoms.

Turmeric: This herb is a member of the Ginger family and also
known as Curcuma. We have a good article on the UHR site on
Turmeric along with a chicken recipe that uses this exotic
spice. Animal research has shown this herb to be beneficial as
an immune stimulant. Recommended dosage is 200 mg per day to
support immune health.

Maitake: These mushrooms enhance immunity, and are especially
effective in helping the body to inhibit cancer growth. Maitake
appears to activate the immune response by stimulating the T-
cells that are the body's defense against viruses and cancer
cells. Recommended dosage is 3-7 g per day.

Aloe Vera: Supplementation with Aloe Vera has been shown to be
extremely effective in bolstering and balancing the immune
system. Recommended dosage is a quarter glass of juice each
morning. Take twice a day when you feel a cold or flu coming on.

L-Arginine: Is a non-essential amino acid that promotes wound
healing and improves the immune response against bacteria,
viruses and tumor cells. Levels of L-Arginine drop during
periods of increased stress. Recommended dosage is 3-6 g per day.

Astragalus: Used for nearly 4000 years in traditional Chinese
medicine. Early Chinese writings refer to it as "the superior
tonic". Astragalus is a favorite immune system builder among the
natural health community. It is good for colds, immune-
deficiency- related disorders, including AIDS, cancer, and
tumors.

Black Tea: You may be able to boost your fight against the flu
with black tea. In a recent study, people who gargled with a
black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher
immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle
with black tea. Black tea represents probably the single biggest
source of flavonoids--a natural class of antioxidants that are
found in many natural plant- derived foods.

Olive leaf: Olive leaf extract is a powerful tool in the fight
to kill viruses such as the cold, herpes, and Epstein-Barr. Its
power also extends to helping wipe out sinusitis and bronchitis,
as well as reducing hypertension and cholesterol levels. The
most important element in olive leaf extract is a compound
called oleuropein. When purchasing this supplement, look for
capsules standardized to 6 percent oleurpein. The recommended
dose is 500 mg daily to fight an existing bacterial or viral
infection.

Liquorice: Scientific studies have shown that liquorice
stimulates immunity. Its ability to fight flu viruses and
bacteria allows using it not only for treatment, but also for
flu prevention during epidemics. Liquorice root should not be
used in cases of high blood pressure, water retention, pregnancy
or if on medication.

It is best to start thinking about immune health before you
become ill with the cold or flu virus. Now is a great time to
start improving your diet, learning to cope with stress and
taking an inventory of the gaps in your diet to help decide
which supplements will be of most benefit to you.

Here's to your health!

About the author:
Mike Brooks is the publisher and editor-in-chief for the health
information site http://www.Ultimatehealthreport.com.

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