Boosting the Immune System

With the autumn months almost upon us, it’s a good time to begin to enhance your immune system for winter’s flu season.

In general, our immune system works in a manner that ensures that our bodies are not continuously over-flooded with pathogens.  Without a proper working immune system, we couldn’t survive, nor would we have any means to heal and recover.  For this reason, the most dangerous diseases today are those that block, weaken or destroy the body’s own defence system.

There are many things that can compromise the immune system; however, a poor diet and stress are the two most common immune suppressors.  Others include a lack of sleep, a lack of exercise, and environmental toxins, to name a few.

One way to begin improving your immune system is to assist the body by removing toxins. This can be done by starting a blood and lymph cleansing program with herbal teas. Cleavers (Galium aparine) and yellow bedstraw (Galium verum) are regarded as exceptional lymphatic-system cleansers. They are deemed to be gentle tonics for the lymphatic system, which collects waste material from the body and returns them to the bloodstream for disposal. Infuse one teaspoon in boiling water and drink 3 cups per day. You can juice the fresh herb and drink 5 to 15 ml, 3 times daily.

Stinging Nettle is one of the best blood cleansing and blood building herbs.  It is high in many vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C and iron.  It rids the body of toxins and metabolic waste products by stimulating the kidneys to excrete more water.  As well, it cleanses the intestinal tract and activates the body’s natural defence mechanisms.  Infuse one teaspoon in boiling water (2 cups/day).

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is another amazing herb.  It has the remarkable ability to prevent and repair liver damage.  It can also be used against more frequently encountered toxins, such as environmental pollutants.

Another approach to enhancing your immune system is through laughter.  Laughter greatly reduces stress and, as they say, is the best medicine.

Patch Adams said “Remember laughing?  Laughter enhances the blood flow to the body’s extremities and improves cardiovascular function.  Laughter releases endorphins and other natural mood elevation and pain-killing chemicals and improves the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the internal organs. Laughter boosts the immune system and helps the body fight off disease, cancer cells, as well as, viral, bacterial and other infections.  Being happy is the best cure for all diseases!”

In a study at Indiana State University, two groups were divided into what they were given to watch.  One group watched a travel film, while the other group watched a laughter video.  Afterwards, it was determined that the group that watched the laughter video produced significantly more killer T cells.

Research on laughter included the following findings:

In the New England Journal of Medicine:  “Ten minutes of laughing can allow up to 2 hours of pain relief”.

Laughter research at Loma Linda University had the following results:

• increases levels of good hormones
• reduced levels of stress hormones, through decreased levels of cortisol and adrenaline
• improvement in the body’s immune system, possibly by increasing the body’s secretion of growth hormones
• increased endorphins to fight pain and depression
• increased blood flow
• increased antibody levels, especially NK cells (white blood cells), which are increased in activity & number
• effects last between 12 and 224 hours after the laughter event

The mind-body connection is very powerful when it comes to the immune system. Positive emotions and laughter benefit it greatly. Why not boost your immune system the easy way?  Watch a great comedy show/movie and enjoy a good, old belly-laugh.