Here's how I "boost" my immune system during the holiday season, when germs are also involved!
It's well known that fatigue, lack of sleep, the arrival of new viruses, and being around a lot of people in a short period of time put a strain on our immune system and increase our risk of catching a germ. But the opposite is also true! For me, it's also important to strengthen my immune system before and throughout the holiday season.
I must confess that several years ago, I used to catch 5-6 colds per winter, especially during the holiday season. So I did some research on the subject and tried to understand what could make a difference in helping me. 1-3
As a result, I put into practice several tips I had learned, and now it is not uncommon for me to not have a cold all winter, or just one!
Obviously, the more tired and stressed I am, the more likely I am to catch a bug, because my immune system is weakened. Both to maintain a healthy immune system and to increase resistance to stress, my best ally is without a doubt "Mushrooms and Adaptogens*" which I take every day in the afternoon. I take it either simply with hot water or with a hot plant-based milk to make a latte.
If I'm experiencing a more stressful situation, I'll also take one to two droppers of the "Strength*" Mother Tincture in a little cold water. The dose of mother tincture I take varies depending on how affected I feel.
As a preventative measure, to strengthen my immune system, or when I feel a germ might be taking hold, such as when my throat is itchy in the morning, I apply the following tips to boost my system and help me fight off germs. I apply these tips for three to seven days, depending on my fatigue and energy level:
- I double my dose of probiotics* for a few days (often 3 to 5 days).
- I take 2 pipettes of "Immune*" mother tincture in a small glass of cold water, to which I add the Defense* powder. If I'm in prevention mode, I'll take 1/4 of a scoop of Defense powder, whereas if I feel like I'm fighting a microbe, I'll add the whole scoop.
- I maintain a balanced diet with as many vegetables as possible, while enjoying festive dishes according to my appetite without overdoing it.
- I try to maintain a good night's sleep by continuing my Magnesium* supplements.
Also, I continue taking my supplements, and particularly those that can strengthen my immune system, namely:
- Vitamin C*, probably the most well-known. I can take it in chewable Vitamin C tablets, or a Multivitamin (like La Totale), but I love taking it via Camu Camu powder that I add to my water. I particularly like its tangy taste. What I also really like is to use it as a "drink" by mixing it with sparkling water on its own, or with a little fruit juice or lemon in a nice cocktail glass. I can also use it in a Smoothie, for example the day after a party, especially if I feel like my system is tired or fighting something.
- Vitamin D* and Zinc* which play an important role in activating my immune defenses.
- Probiotics*, so important to help balance my intestinal microbiota and thus help with prevention.
- All antioxidants that help keep immune cells functioning properly. Antioxidants are found in organic fruits and vegetables, and in many supplements.
- For eating fresh, organic vegetables, MJ Salad Vrac is without a doubt the best way to eat them, whether in a meal salad, soup, omelet, stir-fry or simply as an accompaniment to another dish.
These little tricks are simple to do, but they have such a big and beautiful impact on my immune system and my well-being that I couldn't do without them to fully enjoy the holiday season in great shape.
*Claims:
Mushrooms & Adaptogens: Source of fungal polysaccharides with immunomodulatory properties. Helps maintain a healthy immune system. As an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress (e.g., in cases of stress-related mental or physical fatigue). Source of antioxidants.
Strength: Used as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress (e.g., in cases of stress-related mental and physical fatigue).
Probiotics: Active regenerator of intestinal flora. Improves gastrointestinal comfort.
Immune: Echinacea angustifolia is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve sore throats and symptoms of upper respiratory infections. Echinacea purpurea is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve symptoms of the common cold. Cayenne is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain peripheral circulation. Helps relieve symptoms and reduce the duration of upper respiratory infections. Supportive therapy to treat upper respiratory infections (e.g., the common cold). Use in Herbal Medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system. Helps in the normal function of the immune system.
Super Defense Powder: Source of antioxidants. Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine (as an alterative) to help eliminate accumulated waste products through the kidneys, skin, and mucous membranes. Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system. Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve symptoms of colds and flu (such as cough, sore throat, and upper respiratory catarrh). Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to induce sweating (diaphoretic) to help relieve fever (in cases of colds, or flu).
Magnesium: Helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. Helps maintain proper muscle function, including the heart muscle. Helps maintain proper tissue formation. Helps in the formation of red blood cells. Helps maintain the body's ability to metabolize nutrients.
Helps reduce symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome such as mood swings. Contributes to the maintenance of general health.
Source of electrolyte (for the maintenance of good health).
Vitamin C: Helps prevent vitamin C deficiency, maintain the body's ability to metabolize nutrients, develop and maintain bones, cartilage, teeth and/or gums, and connective tissue formation, and maintain/support immune system function. Promotes wound healing and collagen formation. Source of antioxidants for the maintenance of good health.
Vitamin D: Helps prevent vitamin D deficiency. Helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth.
Zinc: Helps maintain healthy skin, energy metabolism and tissue formation, immune function, red blood cell formation, connective tissue formation and repair; maintain healthy bones, hair, nails and/or skin, normal iron transport in the body. Multimineral supplement. A contributing factor in the maintenance of good health.
References
1. Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;7(7):473-80. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3. Erratum in: Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Sep;7(9):580. PMID: 17597571; PMCID: PMC7106401.
2.Karsch-Völk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Feb 20;2014(2):CD000530. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3. PMID: 24554461; PMCID: PMC4068831.
3. Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, Donner A, Stitt L, Basu TK. Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ. 2005 Oct 25;173(9):1043-8. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.1041470. PMID: 16247099; PMCID: PMC1266327.
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
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