Poor health, insomnia, a tendency to catch colds, and fatigue in adults often occurs under great physical and mental stress, after illnesses. The reason for these signs of weakening of the body is a decrease in immunity. How to increase immunity with folk remedies to regain energy and strength without pills?
Traditional medicine has in its arsenal many methods of healing and recipes made from natural raw materials . Increasing immunity with folk remedies will raise the body’s defenses without the use of pharmaceutical drugs, which is attractive for opponents of “chemistry”; it is important if the disease was accompanied by taking a large number of medications.
What does traditional medicine use for immunity?
A balanced diet, reasonable exercise, and sufficient night rest will help a tired body recover. To achieve the effect faster, you cannot do without special recipes. All folk remedies for immunity can be divided into several groups:
- Preparation of products from plant materials (tinctures, decoctions, infusions);
- Beekeeping products;
- Eating sprouts of grains and legumes;
- Natural immunomodulators (deer antlers, mumiyo);
- Products to boost immunity.
Despite the completely natural composition, some folk remedies for boosting immunity have contraindications. Therefore, before use, you should consult your doctor.
What is immunity?
Immunity is the body's defense mechanism. The immune system is located throughout the body and includes the thymus (a small endocrine gland - the most important organ of the immune system), spleen, bone marrow and an extensive network of lymph nodes. It is our body's second line of defense, after physical barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes. It consists of many cells, proteins, tissues and organs.
The immune system itself is divided into two functions:
- the first is to produce T-lymphocytes that protect cells from the invading virus;
- the second is to produce B lymphocytes, which destroy cells recognized by the body as foreign.
The main function of the human immune system is to fight infections, germs and cancer cells. The immune system works constantly to keep our body healthy and protected from infections.
Plants for immunity
The list of plants for immunity is extremely wide: it includes both wild herbs and potted green favorites.
Healers on the windowsill: indoor plants to boost immunity
In every home there are representatives of the “green pharmacy”: Aloe, Golden Us, Kalanchoe. These plants are used both for the treatment (of certain diseases) and as a means for immunity in adults and children.
The juice of the fleshy leaves of aloe or Kalanchoe is mixed in equal proportions with honey. The mixture is consumed 1 tsp. 3 times a day.
Golden Us (stems, leaves) are filled into a jar halfway, filled with vodka, and left for 20–30 days. Use a teaspoon or tablespoon 2-3 times a day.
Note: the biologically active substances of home “healers” are activated and work better if the leaves are kept in the refrigerator for 12 hours before use.
Wild herbs for immunity
When independently procuring raw materials, herbs are collected away from roads and railways. Plants collected within the city or in environmentally unfavorable areas are unsuitable.
Birch buds are a powerful immunomodulator. Birch grows throughout Russia, so folk recipes for immunity often contain this ingredient. The buds are collected in early spring. Prepare a tincture (1 glass of buds per 1 liter of vodka) or a decoction. Dried birch buds can be added to herbal teas and tea can be made from them.
Immunity Boosting Foods and Herbs
To boost your immunity, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, which provide a wide range of essential antioxidants and nutrients. The immune system also depends on high-quality proteins and healthy fats, especially monounsaturated fats such as those in flaxseed oil and olive oil, to repair tissue and build healthy immune cells.
Yogurt
Research has shown that a daily serving of yogurt with live beneficial bacteria, such as acidophilus, boosts immune function. It is also important to reduce your intake of all types of sugars (including concentrated fruit juices) because even one serving of sugar significantly reduces immune defenses within a few hours.
This helps the development of white blood cells and antibodies, which in turn reduces the number and duration of infections. 2 cups of probiotic yogurt daily is recommended.
You can also drink a smoothie made with yogurt and immune-boosting fruits such as bananas, apples, strawberries, and blueberries.
Lemon
Contains vitamin C, which plays an important role in boosting your immunity. Vitamin C helps white blood cells function properly so they can fight off infections. Lemon also helps remove toxins from the body.
Be sure to read:
Treating flu at home
Squeeze the juice from ½ lemon into a glass of purified warm water. Add some honey. Drink on an empty stomach every morning. Wait 30 minutes and then enjoy your breakfast.
The recipe for making lemon water for immunity is described in this video.
Green tea
Drink green tea regularly. The antioxidants in green tea protect the body from free radicals, which are essential for the immune system to function normally.
Steep a green tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag, add honey and drink 2 - 3 cups per day.
Foods containing vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in modeling the innate and adaptive immune response. Vitamin D deficiency increases susceptibility to infection. Sunlight improves the absorption of vitamin D in the body. It is necessary to expose the body to sunlight early in the morning for 10 to 15 minutes daily. You can also take vitamin D supplements after consulting your doctor.
Include in your menu foods high in vitamin D, such as organ meats, salmon, fatty fish, mackerel, cheese, eggs, mushrooms.
Astragalus
It is the basis of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which helps improve immunity. The immune and general tonic effects of Astragalus help to increase the effectiveness of the action in almost all components of the immune system.
Add a handful of dried astragalus root in slices to 1 liter of water. Boil it for 30 minutes, then strain. Drink tea daily.
If you have an immune disorder, talk to your doctor before taking this herb.
Bees produce more than just honey
Bee products have a strong stimulating effect, but can cause allergies. Increasing immunity with the help of beekeeping products is carried out carefully, carefully monitoring the body's reaction.
Traditional recipes for immunity use:
- Propolis - prepared in water (infusion), in alcohol (tincture), used in its pure form (one pea under the tongue). For colds, add it to warm drinks (milk, tea) and drink it at night.
- Drone brood - a third of a teaspoon is placed under the tongue until completely absorbed. Used in courses of 1–2 months. 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals. Drone brood contains hormones, so it is often taken during menopause, impotence, and to rejuvenate the body.
- Royal jelly - take 3-4 times a day, 10-20 mg under the tongue until absorbed;
- Dead bees are the bodies of dead bees. Powder from dried crushed insects contains royal jelly, drone jelly, honey, bee venom, pollen, propolis. The rich composition of the product provides a powerful stimulating effect - it is an ideal tool for increasing immunity in adults . Recipe for making deadstock tincture: 2 tbsp. l. The powder is infused in 100 g of vodka for 2 weeks. Take 20 drops for a course of up to 2 months.
If there are no problems with the immune system, then you can limit yourself to a simple recommendation from traditional healers: during colds or flu epidemics: eat a teaspoon of honey every day in the morning on an empty stomach.
Folk remedies for immunity
Nature has created a large number of substances and plants that actively influence the improvement of the immune system. Traditional healers recommend using such proven remedies as propolis, dead bees, honey, beebread, mumiyo, fruits, nuts, oats, garlic and many others. In all recipes, unless otherwise recommended, the medication is taken three times a day, preferably half an hour before meals.
Oats
Biological substances from oats will help strengthen children's health and improve the well-being of adults:
- Half a glass of well-washed oat grains should be filled with water in the amount of one and a half liters overnight. In the morning, the infused grains are boiled in the same water for 1.5 hours. The boiling should not be violent, so the fire is kept very low. Store the strained broth only in the cold and for no more than 2 days. For children, the daily dosage starts at 1 hour. l. (6 months), one-year-old babies will need 1 tbsp. l., two years old - 2 tbsp. l., from 5 years – 100 ml. Adults require 200 ml per day. Duration of use for a positive result is 1 month.
- You can make a decoction with milk instead of water. Rinse a glass of grains well with cold water and pour boiled milk over it. Take 4 glasses. The poured oats are kept on the fire for 2 minutes and left to brew for half an hour. A well-strained and squeezed decoction is taken one glass at a time. They drink it for two months, and then stop for 30 days and repeat the course. Children are given half a glass.
Chaga
Mushrooms also help strengthen the immune system using folk remedies. A parasitic fungus called chaga growing on the trunks of birch trees is usually black or brown in color. It also settles on other trees (alder, maple, rowan), but only those that settle on birch trees heal. The mushroom must be cut off from the tree trunk and cleaned, leaving the inner part. This inside is divided into smaller pieces and dried. The substances contained in chaga actively affect the human body in terms of increasing immunity, enhancing cerebral circulation, and improving the functioning of other organs. The fungus has a negative effect on pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells.
Here are two recipes for using chaga:
- A piece of washed dried mushroom is poured into a small container with boiled water. Let it be completely covered with it and stand overnight. Next, the soaked body of the mushroom is ground and placed in the same water, but only heated to approximately 500C. The proportion of liquid and chaga should be 5:1. All this must be infused for 2 days, and then the infusion must be strained, thoroughly squeezing out the mass. You should check the volume of liquid; if it is less than the original, then add as much cold water and also boiled water as needed. The product can be stored for 4 days in the cold. One-time dose – 1 glass. You can be treated for up to 5 months, with a mandatory break of 10 days between each of them.
- The second option can be used for children. A collection is made of 2 parts of chaga, 1 part each of nettle leaves, angelica root and marigolds, add half a part each of dandelion and knikus roots. Mix all ingredients, pre-grinding. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and pour it into a container, pour it with cold water in a volume equal to 250 ml. Leave it overnight, and in the morning everything should be boiled and left (wrapped up) to steep for about half an hour. A small child should drink a quarter glass, an older child should drink half a glass. Take the drug an hour after eating.
Attention, nursing mothers, pregnant women, patients with dysentery and those with intolerance should not take this remedy.
Mumiyo
This mountain resin consists of more than 80 components. Among them are vitamins, essential oils, resins, phospholipids, steroids, organic and fatty acids, alkaloids, macro- and microelements. Such a rich organomineral complex makes it possible to use mumiyo as a means of increasing immunity and improving hormonal levels.
Since this substance has a strong biostimulant effect, it should not be used for a long time, as addiction is possible. Shilajit should not be used by people with bleeding, tumors and high blood pressure, as well as small children, nursing and pregnant women. How to boost immunity using folk remedies based on mumiyo is given below:
- Taking 7 g of mumiyo, dissolve it in a small volume of water so that a paste is obtained. Mix it with half a kilo of honey and use it for 20 days. Afterwards they take a ten-day break and continue the course for another 20 days. One-time dosage is a tablespoon. The product is stored in the cold.
- For this recipe you will need mumiyo (5g), aloe leaves (100g), lemons (3 pcs.). The leaves are crushed and the juice is squeezed out of the lemons. All ingredients are mixed and left for a day. The dose is the same as in the previous recipe.
- You can simply dissolve mumiyo (2 g) in heated water (10 tbsp) and take one tablespoon at a time. So they use the product for 10 days, and then break for 5 days and continue for the same amount.
Bay leaf
The famous seasoning can help not only in cooking, but also in improving health. Laurel has many beneficial properties, such as healing wounds, eliminating inflammation, improving digestion, fighting germs, lowering blood sugar and even eliminating the effects of stress. But, like most drugs, it also has contraindications. Thus, bay leaf should not be used during periods of exacerbation of kidney diseases, problems with the liver and cardiovascular system, or if there is a disorder of protein metabolism. Do not use it in large quantities during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The recipe calls for boiling the bay leaves for 5 minutes. You will only need 5 g of them per 300 ml of water. The broth must be left to steep in a thermos for 4 hours. For one day, only a tablespoon of strained infusion is required. Treatment is carried out for 3 days, then there is a break for a period of 2 weeks and the course is repeated.
Ginger
Folk remedies for increasing immunity based on ginger root are very popular. A large number of substances included in its composition have, first of all, immunostimulating, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, as well as antispasmodic, adaptogenic and sedative effects. Despite the benefits of the plant, it has some negative properties and therefore in some cases it is better not to use it, namely:
- children under 2 years old;
- lactation period;
- ulcerative colitis;
- stomach or duodenal ulcer;
- cholelithiasis.
The root can be used simply as an additive to teas, infusions, various dishes to improve disease resistance, or prepared according to special recipes:
- Immunostimulating drink. Clean 2 cm of the root, and remove the top layer as thinly as possible. The surface layer contains the highest concentration of useful substances. Finely grate the prepared piece, add it to boiling water (2 liters) over low heat and cook for 10 minutes. Add half a lemon and sugar (2 cups) to the finished drink. If there is no allergy, then sugar can be replaced with honey for greater benefits. Use the product twice a day, half a glass or 200 ml.
- Delicious medicine. Ginger can be combined with other products that have a similar effect: freshly grated root (200 g), ground lemons with peel (2 pcs.), chopped dried apricots and figs (100 g each), a glass of mashed cranberries, honey (200 ml). Everything is mixed and used one teaspoon at a time. You can drink tea.
For those with weak immunity, strengthening with folk remedies from propolis will be a suitable option if there are no allergies.
Propolis
Bees produce propolis for “household needs” in the hive. It contains a large amount of plant resins, essential oils, waxes and tannins. This composition helps bees disinfect their homes. The product also has a good effect on strengthening the defenses of the human body. Used as a preventative and stimulant. Infusions and tinctures are made from propolis:
- For the tincture, chilled propolis is broken into small crumbs and poured with alcohol. The recipe uses 300 ml of alcohol and 80 g of propolis. The bottle for tincture should be made of dark glass. The product is infused for two weeks, and during this time it must be shaken thoroughly every day. Use the tincture by adding a few drops to drinks (tea, juice, milk, water).
- For children, an infusion is made with water, but it can be stored for no more than a week. Grated propolis (30 g) is placed in water (1/2 cup) and boiled in a water bath for an hour. It must be stirred during the cooking process. The finished strained infusion is placed in the cold. It is enough to add 15 drops of the product to your drink to improve your health.
You can also boost your immunity using folk remedies using other beekeeping products.
Honey and bee bread
Honey has always been considered an effective remedy in the fight against colds and other diseases. Vitamins, minerals, folic acid and other beneficial substances contained in honey help prevent diseases and increase the body's resistance.
Plant pollen collected by bees is put into honeycombs, filled with honey, and after some time turns into bee bread. It consists of more than 250 different substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Beekeepers who regularly consume bee bread enjoy good health and long life.
It should be noted that beekeeping products can cause allergies and therefore their use must be started with small doses. Children are given them only after one year. There may be contraindications, especially for diabetes or oncology.
Take honey and bee bread in combination, mixing one to one. Take one teaspoon at a time and wash it down with a small amount of warm water. For children, you should start with a quarter teaspoon, gradually increasing the dose with age. At 14 years old, this should already be half the adult norm.
Dead bees
Bees that naturally die in the hive (in small numbers) are called dead. The bodies of dead insects contain so many useful substances that they become an excellent tool for rejuvenating the body and increasing immunity.
The most suitable for treatment will be individuals that died between spring and autumn. It is necessary to check the dead meat for freshness; if there is mold or there is a bad smell, then it is unacceptable to use it. It is better not to use it for pregnant and lactating women; it should not be used to treat children under 10 years of age.
Strengthening the immune system using folk methods based on dead bees:
- Ceiling 2 tbsp. l. bees and pour a glass of vodka or alcohol. Let it brew for 2 weeks. The tincture is well filtered and used twice a day, 20 drops. Course duration is 2 months.
- You can dry the dead fruit in the oven and grind it into powder. First, take ½ part of a teaspoon and, gradually increasing the amount, bring it to full. Drink with water. The number of doses per day is the same as in the first option.
- They also do this: they fry the dead meat in oil and, after cooling, chop it. Accept as above.
Garlic
Not everyone likes garlic, but many of its components tend to boost immunity. True, there are diseases for which its use is prohibited:
- kidney and liver diseases;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Pregnant women and children under 3 years of age are not recommended to use garlic.
Recipes for using garlic:
- Take garlic and honey in equal parts and mix. The garlic is pre-chopped. At one time you need a teaspoon of the mixture. Drink with warm water.
- You can make garlic syrup. To do this, squeeze the juice out of two heads of garlic, add ground lemon and half a kilo of honey. This syrup can be given to children one tablespoon at a time.
- Children are also recommended to drink a glass of milk with 10 drops of garlic juice before bed. For younger children, the number of drops is reduced.
There are folk remedies for boosting immunity that both children and adults like.
Fruit and vegetable recipes
Many famous fruits and vegetables provide benefits to the body. You just need to use them correctly:
- Take half a kilo of crushed cranberries, a glass of finely chopped walnuts and 3 apples cut into cubes along with the skin. All ingredients are placed in a saucepan and 0.5 kg of sugar is added. Pour it all over with a glass of water and put it on low heat. The mixture just needs to be boiled. To avoid burning, it is better to stir constantly. The finished fruit mix is placed in a glass container and taken a tablespoon at a time. Children are given a teaspoon. You can use the fruit mixture twice a day along with tea.
- By mixing vegetable and fruit juices you can also strengthen your immune system. Fresh juices are made from carrots, beets, pomegranates and lemons. Vegetables take 1.5 kg, fruits per kilogram. All juices are poured into one bowl and a kilogram of honey is added. The drink is used internally, half a glass in the morning and the same amount in the evening.
- Another delicious recipe that kids always like. For it, walnuts (300 g), dried apricots (150 g) and honey (150 g) are used. Dried apricots and nuts are ground and mixed with honey. It is better to store in the refrigerator. In the intervals between meals, eat a full teaspoon and before bedtime. When the prepared portion is finished, the next one can be made in a month.
- You can add raisins and lemons to the above recipe. Then you will need 5 lemons, a kilogram of dried apricots, raisins, honey and nuts. Everything is twisted in a meat grinder (lemons with skins) and thoroughly mixed with honey. Store everything in a non-oxidizing container in the cold. Take two teaspoons per dose.
Raising immunity with folk remedies can also be done with the help of various herbs.
Herbal Recipes
The following recipes will help improve the body's resistance:
- In the summer, herbs and fruits are collected and dried, and in the fall and winter they make an excellent immune-strengthening tea. So, take a third glass of the following ingredients: rowan and rose hips, birch, raspberry, strawberry and peppermint leaves, buckthorn bark. Dry leaves are ground, and the bark and fruits are crushed. All ingredients are mixed and placed in a screw-on jar. Used for brewing tea, you can drink it in any quantity and whenever you want, just not at night.
- For the next recipe you will need fresh lemon balm leaves, about half a cup, and rose hips, about a handful. Pour this amount into half a liter of boiling water and let it brew for 20 minutes. You can drink unlimitedly every day.
- This mixture consists of berries and herbs. Grind St. John's wort (half a glass) and elecampane root (2 tbsp.). Boil the herbs in an enamel bowl and leave until slightly warm. Take 0.5 liters of water. Squeeze a glass of juice from sour berries. It could be currants, lingonberries or cranberries. Combine the juice with the decoction and drink half a glass (preferably after meals) 2-3 times a day. You need to drink it for a week. Next take a week break and repeat.
How to increase immunity with folk remedies? One of them is goat milk, which is recommended even for infants.
Goat milk
This drink never causes allergies and is completely absorbed by the body of both children and old people. There are some cases when it is contraindicated. This happens with pancreatic diseases and obesity. Sometimes there are people with intolerance to goat's milk. And if a person has never drank it, then it is better to start with small portions. In order not to reduce the concentration of gastric juice, do not drink it before or immediately after meals. It is also useful for anemia or for recovery after a serious illness.
Sprouts for immunity
Sprouted seeds of legumes and cereals contain easily digestible proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as many vitamins and antioxidants. You can eat sprouts as an additive (in yoghurts, salads) or eat them separately. Sprouts increase performance and improve the body's resistance. Popular plants for germination:
- Wheat;
- Oats;
- Soy;
- Beans;
- Sesame;
- Linen.
By regularly eating sprouts, you can forget about pharmaceutical products that increase immunity . The advantage of this folk immunomodulator is that it can be used by children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. It is only necessary to gradually introduce them into the diet and not abuse the amount: the daily norm is no more than 80 g.
Ways to boost immunity
According to the theory of official medicine, healthy immunity is formed as a result of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Well, if there is still a lack of vitamins, then pharmaceutical drugs and dietary supplements are used.
Traditional healers consider this issue much more broadly. They argue that a good immune system is formed from a person’s faith in himself and his good future, from his mood and personal qualities (to give and receive), from his love for others and the whole world. Healthy foods and vitamins will not help if your attitude to life is wrong.
There are also many foods and substances that help improve the body's resistance. So, how to boost your immunity? There are several simple and accessible ways.
Natural immunomodulators
Ancient folk recipes for increasing immunity , rejuvenation, and longevity are associated with mumiyo and deer antlers. These products are quite expensive, but very effective. They contain biologically active substances in large quantities. Recipes for boosting immunity based on them work wonders. To prepare the tincture, a small amount of raw material is poured with alcohol and infused in the usual way for 30 days. You can purchase a ready-made drug at a pharmacy - the pharmaceutical industry produces a wide range of balms that contain these immunostimulants.
Signs of weakened immunity
- Consuming too much sugar is seen as weakening the immune system;
- Dehydration of the body. When a person does not take in enough fluid. The body needs water to flush out toxins;
- Repeated colds, allergies and constant fatigue;
- Swollen lymph nodes;
- The appearance of chronic infections, as well as ulcers;
- Long-term stress. Stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol, which can damage our brains and weaken our cardiovascular and immune systems over time.
Good nutrition - strong immunity
When increasing immunity with folk remedies, do not forget about nutrition. Fish and seafood contribute to the high-quality functioning of all systems, providing the body with phosphorus, iodine, and calcium.
Fermented milk products promote the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and support beneficial intestinal microflora. Including these products in the diet will help restore immunity without the use of potent immunomodulators.
Before using strong folk remedies to boost immunity, you should consult your doctor. Especially if you have chronic diseases. One hundred percent naturalness of products does not mean that they have no contraindications. Stimulants can be dangerous in oncology, diseases of the cardiovascular system, uterine bleeding and many other diseases.
The choice of a folk remedy to boost immunity depends on personal preferences, and giving up bad habits, playing sports, nutritious nutrition and balanced exercise will help restore the body’s defenses even faster.
Olga 04/17/2020 This spring, the issue of immunity is more relevant than ever.
This virus is absolutely terrible. Many people are sitting at home, nothing is working. Of course, we also try to strengthen the immune system using folk remedies, but this year we are taking the antiviral drug Orvis Immuno. It's better than getting sick. Add a comment
Don't give up meat
What recommendations do you think the doctor will give first when answering the question about ways to strengthen the immune system? He will talk about sports, and about adherence to the regime, and about the necessary procedures, and, of course, he will talk a lot and for a long time about proper nutrition.
You should know that any diet must contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. In the case of immunity, a special role is played by proteins - organic substances that are the building material of all living things. First of all, we are talking about meat and fish, and secondly, about legumes.
It is impossible to completely replace “animal food” with legumes - in our climate zone it is impossible to do this without harm to health. Any diets that exclude the consumption of meat and/or fish, whether they are associated with the desire to lose weight or religious beliefs (vegetarianism, veganism, Christian fasting), lead to a decrease in immunity. In addition to meat and fish, try to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet (zucchini, pumpkin, squash are especially useful), fermented milk products, buckwheat and oatmeal, nuts, and green tea.
Juices that will strengthen the immune system
- Citrus. Vitamin C in large quantities, calcium and phosphorus. Useful for frequent colds. You can do a mix.
- Apple. Vitamin C, iron, zinc, potassium, pectin. General strengthening of the body, fight against anemia (due to the high iron content).
- Pomegranate. Huge range of vitamins. Prevention of vascular, heart and blood diseases.
- Tomato. Vitamins C and B, remove toxins and nourish the body, are taken for post-painful rehabilitation. It is better to drink before meals.
- Carrot. Vitamin A, microelements. Useful for maintaining vision, general strengthening of the body, take with a drop of vegetable oil or cream, in courses. When in excess, it causes yellowing of the skin.
- Juice cocktails. Carrots + potatoes + melon. Strengthens the immune system by drinking it over the course of a week. 2 parts apple and 1 part citrus juice. Grapefruit + kiwi + apple in equal parts, drink after meals for high acidity and gastritis. An extremely healthy juice enriched with vitamin C.
You can mix berries and fruits yourself. Vegetable juices such as celery and cucumber are also very beneficial.