FOOD
home food for immunity
We all know food is the basis for life. Not just for nutritional value, but as a social anchor, multilayered pleasure and a platform for daily activism (think of the everyday choices for supporting different food sectors). Unless we grow / catch / process our own food ourselves, the sea of constant choice is very hard to navigate if we want to make the most sustainable / ethic / healthy / not too pricy / low waste decision. An organic farmer friend said that the food market is a serious labyrinth (he actually used the F* word), so i will not go further into this since it is not my field (haha, got the joke?!). However, i do work on a daily basis with people's nervous system, immunity and vital functioning of the body. And i also believe strongly that food is one of the best medicine for the body / soul / spirit.
* Disclaimer * i am not a nutritionist, this brief overview is just a result from personal research. You take what you like and drop the rest.
Nourish immunity with simple kitchen medicine
The following symptoms are the ones associated with the current virus roaming over the globe. But these symptoms are also associated to other ailments current at this time of the year.
Dry lungs
Tiredness
Fever
Body aches
My point is not to be an expert in what i am not, neither to give any type of diagnosis. Simply to share info on foods that are relatively easy to find especially now that it is not as easy to go out and about. At the least, adding these foods to your day will not harm you. Here are foods that may be already in your kitchen.
Dry Lungs
STEAMS : A little personal sauna for your lungs. Steams is one of the best ways to hydrate lungs and prevent viruses to stick in there. Steaming is super easy :
Bring a pot of water to a boil
Remove from the heat & add some aromatic herbs / essential oils
Put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam as deeply as you can, for as long as you wish
Use these herbs : Mint / Thyme / Oregano / Rosemary / Sage / or other herbs that you would use for cooking.
From the King Road Apothecary :
“This gets all the antimicrobial steam deep into your lungs, where it moistens lung tissue, aiding the mucous membranes in getting rid of any naughty little virus particles. If you have aromatic herbs to throw in there, even better, because the aromatics will kill any wee naughty virus particles that are there. Kill em dead. Just like that. But the steam itself is so helpful for your lungs, which like to be limber, and moist. So even if you don't have herbs, steam alone is great.”
ONIONS : these little veggies work magic to reduce mucous, which is really useful when people are suffering from thick / sticky / impacted mucous in the lungs (think also colds or flu). We tend to overlook onions as a true medicine because so common in our kitchen, but it is powerful lung medicine. When i want a quick fix for lung / colds i always put a plate with a cut open onion in the bedroom – it WORKS!
Read more on great onion syrup & tinctures here.
Dryness
CHIA : Chia seed is moistening. They are not just a great pre-biotic, high in nutrients, fiber, and help to manage blood sugar, but also very slimy. And that will keep your system nicely moistened. Can add to smoothies & make amazing puddings. Read more on chia from herbalist Sophia Rose here.
FLAX : Another moistening seed, flax, or linseed, is also slimy. From A Modern Herbal : "Linseed is largely employed as an addition to cough medicines. As a domestic remedy for colds, coughs and irritation of the urinary organs, linseed tea is most valuable. A little honey and lemon juice makes it very agreeable and more efficacious.” Can add to smoothies & bakings. Grind it first so your system can absorb it – so it doesn't just travel “through” the body straight in & out!
OATMEAL : Yes we all know about the sticky oatmeal pot! This is also another good source of slime that moistens your body. If you feel dry, your lungs and sinuses are feeling tight, and oats are ok for you, put more oats in your life!
Tiredness & Boost
RAW GARLIC : It is old knowledge that garlic is one of the most potent kitchen medicine to stimulate the immune system. It also thins and stimulate flow of mucous out of the body. If your stomach can handle it, add some raw garlic to your meals : salad dressings / crushed with olive oil on a toast / in bouillons.
GINGER : Amazing for immune system in general and for warming the organs for better digestion. Can add to smoothies / curries / anything, really!
CITRUS : High in vitamin C and that is exactly what our immune system needs! Helps with absorption of iron, which is essential against deep tiredness & fatigue.
CAYENNE : A real booster for general flow of everything in the body! Circulation / digestion / warming. Add a tiny-mini to your tea.
Fever
FIRST : At first go for warming. Ginger / Turmeric / Cardamom / Cinnamon. SECOND : Then it is good to open up the pores to sweat a bit. Mint / Oregano / Lavender / Chamomile. All these herbs can be made into simple herbal teas / infusions.
Body aches
SALT : Take a bath with epsom salts (if you have) or just coarse sea salt. Add some essential oils if you have. Simple and very effective to sooth the body in a deeper way.
Ultimately, the body is a very intelligent being. It is designed to be resilient and find the way back to balance. Food, healthy movement, massage therapy, inspiring activities are just ways to help the body come back to its already brilliant self!