If you fear the dreaded illness is coming for you next, don�t stockpile the tissues yet. Beyond getting a flu shot and washing your hands religiously, the best line of defense comes from simple, healthy habits.
Below are nine natural ways to support your immune system.
Sleep like a regular human being
It�s tempting to binge-watch your favourite show until 3 a.m. But research shows that staying up all night, making you more likely to catch a virus and making it even harder to fight it off. Ditch the late-night screen time and get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
Eat more garlic
You may not be doing your breath any favours, but eating garlic regularly can do wonders for your health. Not only does it boost your immune system, but it can also help prevent heart disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
It�s delicious to blend pesto with raw garlic and throw it over pasta or bread. Or if you�re feeling bold, whip up a spicy, homemade immunity shot with raw garlic, ginger, carrots and lemon for a quick system boost.
Drink lemon, honey, ginger and turmeric with warm water
Many people swear by this tonic as a tried and true remedy for colds. The research on each ingredient looks promising. A 2012 review published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that honey, an antioxidant, acts as a natural immunity booster. Ginger, another powerful antioxidant with antiviral properties, can be used to treat digestive woes like nausea and motion sickness. Lemon juice is high in vitamin C, which according to Mayo Clinic can be used for its antioxidant properties and to prevent the common cold. Lastly, studies show that curcumin, a component in the spice called turmeric, can regulate the immune system.
Make a batch of chicken soup
The bowl of chicken soup is just comforting food. The dish has a mild anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to the vegetables and chicken. Ingredients in the soup (when made with chicken, onions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, carrots, celery, parsley, salt and pepper) have been found to slow the migration of white blood cells into the upper respiratory tract, which helps relieve cold symptoms. What's more, according to UCLA Center East-West Medicine, is that carnosine, a compound found in chicken soup and chicken breast, could help prevent the common cold.
