Here are a few tips to boost your immunity.
Vitamin C is a well-known immunity-boosting properties. A regular intake of Vitamin C ensures a better defense mechanism. Taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid as the best nutritional supplement for increasing one’s immunity. National Pharma Pricing Authority has put it under a list of essential medicines. You can find Vitamin C in a very simple household ingredient:
Lemon Zest: Each time you use a lemon, do not throw the lemon peel. Each 100gm peel gives you about 129 mg of Vitamin C or ascorbic acid. This lemon zest which is raw and natural can help in protecting us from various issues including cancer. It contains Salvestrol, Q40, and Limonene which are known to help fight cancer cells. You can consume the peel as soothing lemon tea or as an alternative to the seasoning Amchoor while cooking. Remember how our grandmothers would give lemon pickles with the peels on?
Kadha, Ayurvedic Concoction Immunity Booster
Spend just 15 minutes in the kitchen to make one of the best immunity booster shot. Kadha is an Ayurvedic drink which has various herbs and spices that have been boiled in water for about 15-20 minutes, allowing all of the medicinal benefits to be extracted. Boil in a saucepan 1 inch of turmeric root, 3/4 inch of ginger root (peeled and sliced), a dash of freshly ground Black Pepper, Cinnamon powder, a bunch of Tulsi leaves, 4 cloves and a bunch Mint leaves. Once boiled, you can sip the Kadha multiple times during the day. You can even store it and then reheat just before consuming it. You can add some honey and lemon juice for a good taste before consuming it. All the ingredients are immunity boosters. Besides this Kadha will also stimulate digestion, detox the liver and your body.
Neem Chutney: Neem has a bitter taste but the leaves are a reservoir of goodness. Neem helps reduce inflammation in the body, improve liver health, cardiovascular health, eyesight, and basically just give your immune system a boost. Research also suggests that ayurvedic properties help in treating ailments like ulcers, skin diseases, and dental disorders. Wash the neem leaves thoroughly, crush it into a chutney paste and add jaggery, saunth and some honey to balance the bitter taste. Jaggery is a rich source of iron, zinc, and selenium. It’ll help with the bitter taste and help detoxify the body by aiding digestion. Honey is also known to have Vitamin C and anti-bacterial properties.
Coconut Oil: Consume coconut oil in your black coffee or alternate your cooking oil with it. This oil and its derivatives have a significant amount of Lauric acid which is known to have “antiviral properties”. You can make a concoction or Kadha of herbs like Cinnamon, Ginger, Sage, Rosemary and add a tablespoon of coconut oil to it. Coconut oil is affordable and has enormous benefits.
Intermittent fasting: Intermittent fasting or not eating anything for a minimum of 12-16 hours is very to help prevent infections from multiplying. Fasting enhances autophagy which means our immune system starts metabolizing damaged proteins in our body. It’s not only a great anti-aging method but also a great way to improve your health. Fasting gives our organs some resting time which thereby enhances their functional capacity.
(Watch Khushboo Jain explain how to boost your immunity)
Hot Beverages: Consuming hot beverages to stay hydrated will help you avoid constipation to prevent toxins from building up in your body. Keep sipping hot beverages like tea, coffee, Green tea, Dal soup, Tomato soup or just plain hot water as it will improve your digestive system and keep sinus issues at bay!
(By Khushboo Jain Founder, MadAboutWellness | Spas & Wellness Expert. Follow on Instagram -@khushboospas, www.khushboojain.co.in )