Build Immune System Health for Disease Prevention

If you want to use natural methods to boost your immune system and prevent disease, you may need to completely reexamine some of your current ideas about health. When you have an illness, do you wait to see if it will go away on its own, then visit the doctor as a last resort? This is probably a good idea if you're likely to end up on antibiotics, since the overprescription of these drugs makes them less effective for everyone. On the other hand, natural methods need to be applied at the first sign of illness for best results.

Because they're easy to carry and use anywhere, herb, mineral and vitamin supplements make a good first line of defense. Studies occasionally show that these products don't do any good, but that may have to do with the way that they're used. If you take a pill every morning, like a multi-vitamin, it may not have much effect. Instead, dose yourself with one or more immune boosting supplements as soon as you notice symptoms of disease, and repeat every few hours up to the maximum listed on the bottle.

Supplements to try include vitamin C, zinc, and echinacia (for this, a tincture is more effective than dry herb pills). Also, carry a bottle of water with you, and make sure to stay extremely well hydrated throughout the day.

Getting Well Is a Full-Time Job

Dosing yourself with immune boosting supplements is a good first step, but it's important to follow up with appropriate self-care. As soon as possible, go home and rest. Cancel any social engagements or other optional activities, try to get someone to help you with anything that really must be done, and if possible stay at home at least until your symptoms begin to improve.

Rest your mind as well as your body -- taking your work home may be better than not resting at all, but if possible, put off dealing with all sources of stress until later. Spend your time napping, resting, taking warm baths and doing anything else that helps you feel better. Remember to keep taking your supplements and stay hydrated!

Eating to Prevent Disease

When you feel that you may be getting sick (or when you already have), listen to your body on the subject of food. In some cases, your body needs all its energy to get well rather than digest food, and you may not feel much like eating.

On the other hand, some foods can really help boost your immune system. If you feel like eating and your symptoms don't include nausea or other digestion problems, try spicy foods like raw garlic, ginger, and chilis. Hot broths like chicken or miso can also be very nourishing and support immune health.

Immune Boosting Exercise

If all you want to do is sleep, go ahead -- it's hard to go wrong with that approach. If, on the other hand, you feel well enough to be out of bed, get some gentle exercise. Don't overdo it, and make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, but remember that a leisurely walk or gentle yoga routine can help stimulate your immune system regardless of your condition.

An especially good exercise to boost immune function is the Daoist health clap: Standing straight, swing your arms forward and clap, then swing your arms straight out behind you. Repeat a hundred or more times or as often as you feel up to at the first sign of illness, then do another set every few hours when you take your supplements.

Keep up the Good Work

As with antibiotics, it's important to continue the treatment even after the symptoms have resolved. Keep taking your supplements, staying hydrated, eating and sleeping well, avoiding too much stress, and getting appropriate exercise for at least a day or two after you feel better. You don't need mega-doses of immune boosting supplements every day, but it is better to maintain these other practices all the time. In fact, natural health practitioners believe that disease is often the body's way of letting us know that our current habits are unsustainable.

Get Help for Serious Problems

These methods can be surprisingly effective even for diseases that are generally treated with antibiotics, but they're certainly not guaranteed. If you feel that your condition requires more intense treatment, consult an herbalist, who may be able to prescribe specific therapies for fever, pain, or other symptoms.

If your symptoms are very severe, do not improve within twenty-four hours, or are particularly concerning to you for any reason, seek medical treatment as you normally would.