Our immune system is always ready (without us having to intervene) to defend our bodies against an attack of pathogens, of which a flu virus is one. However, if our immune system weakens, for whatever reason, invaders manage to pass through the mucous membranes and enter the bloodstream and organs. Then our immune system needs external support. Let’s give it the support it needs.
1. Drink lemon water every morning
Drink a large glass of lemon water—on an empty stomach in the morning first and then several times a day. Lemon water is lukewarm water with squeezed lemon in it; you can determine the ratio yourself. Mine is ½ lemon to 1 glass of water. Lemons are packed with vitamin C and also contain flavonoids that help our bodies cleanse themselves. These substances cleanse our blood, among other things. With their cleansing effects, Vitamin C and flavonoids support our intestines, liver, kidneys, and gallbladder. These organs are responsible for the elimination of waste and toxic substances from our bodies. And that is especially necessary during a cold or flu because viruses produce poisonous substances and create a lot of toxic waste when they die. If your blood has not been cleaned in a timely and effective manner, you can suffer from fatigue complaints for a longer time, and you don’t want that. So don’t forget to drink lemon water every day.
Pay attention to this. If you use medication, for example, for your blood pressure, drink your lemon water on an empty stomach first and take medication at least half an hour later. Otherwise, lemon water can make your medication ineffective.
2. Eat at least a half bell pepper per day
Just one bell pepper provides about 285 mg of vitamin C. It is almost four times more than the daily requirement. In normal circumstances, outside periods of virus spread, we need 75 mg of vitamin C per day. The maximum safe amount is set at 2000 mg per day. So it’s not crazy to add a half to one bell pepper to your daily menu to help your immune system fight pathogens such as viruses.
3. Eat two kiwis a day
Kiwifruit is packed with antioxidants and bioactive substances. If you eat two kiwis (about 100 grams/3.5 ounces) per day, this provides the daily vitamin C requirement. Kiwifruit, in addition to your daily intake of raw bell peppers and lemons, provides your body with extra vitamin C to support your immune system in its attempt to overcome the cold or flu.
4. Eat at least one garlic clove every day
Garlic is known worldwide for its excellent health properties. Garlic is good for flu, colds, sore throats, and coughs, among other things. The volatile oil that causes the recognizable smell of garlic contains allicin. The main property of allicin is that it has a killing and antibiotic effect on pathogenic organisms.
Garlic is also rich in flavonoids. These are powerful antioxidants essential for vitamin C metabolism; we have already discussed the indispensable role of vitamin C in supporting the immune system.
The benefits are generally noticeable if you eat one or two cloves of raw garlic daily.
5. Drink freshly made thyme tea daily
Freshly made thyme tea has many health properties. It helps to fight colds and flu effectively, among other things. Thyme dissolves mucus in the respiratory tract, thereby stimulating breathing, helping prevent violent coughing, and relieving sore throat.
6. Drink freshly made ginger tea every day
Freshly made ginger tea is a delicious drink that has many health benefits. Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body, among other things, effectively prevent and fight pathogens, such as viruses and some bacteria. To make ginger tea, grate a piece of ginger (about 1 inch/ 2,5 cm fresh ginger) in a cup and add cooking water. Let the tea steep, and add one teaspoon of raw honey. You can also add a slice of lemon. A bonus: ginger tea can also help lose weight when needed. Drink this tea every day to get all the benefits.
7. Increase your hours of sleep
And last but not least—increase your hours of sleep and try to go to bed earlier, for example, between 9 and 10 pm. A night’s rest is indispensable to keep your immune system strong. During sleep, your body and mind perform the necessary cleaning and repair work.
This list of remedies can be as long as you want, as there are many more remedies that will help with the common cold and flu, but I’ll stick with this so you can start with the basics. I’ll be sharing more tips in the coming months because the body’s vulnerability to viruses usually increases in the colder periods of the year.
Take care of your health, and stay safe!
