03 Nov Boost your immunity for preconception & pregnancy

Posted at 11:02h in Fertility by
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Heading into the winter months, coupled with concerns around COVID-19, ensuring a strong immune system is high on everyones priority list.  As a naturopath I’ve been trained to look at things in a wholistic manner. When it comes to wellness and immune health I think about this in two ways. How can I boost my immune system to avoid catching bugs, and what can I do if I do get sick?!

The key to good health and a strong immune system is maintaining the balance of nutrition, sleep and exercise. When these aspects of life are in balance we have more energy, are able to manage stress better, and we don’t get run down as often.

The first things that come to mind when I think about maintaining stong immunity are the simple things in life. For example getting outdoors and having adequate sun exposure, staying hydrated, trying to maintain 7-8 hours sleep a night and exercising 3/4 times a week. Don’t underestimate how important these basic things are!

If you do catch something, getting onto it quickly can really help nip it in the bud There are many herbal and nutritional supplements that Naturopaths can prescribe to help support your immune system. Vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D which help to stimulate immune function are good examples of these. Not everything is safe during pregnancy, so I always encourage my patients to check with us before taking supplements and herbal medicine. . When you are very unwell or really need the extra support its good to come in and have a consultation tailoring a treatment plan to your specific needs.

Here are some basic home remedies that are available to everyone..

  • Ginger and lemon tea just before bed, this is very warming. To make a tea, add 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger to one cup of boiled water and let it steep for 10 minutes. If using ginger powder use 1/3 to ½ teaspoon per cup.
  • Manuka honey on a spoon to help ease a sore throat.
  • Eucalyptus inhalations to help clear a stuffy nose.
  • Eating an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables is always going to be the first consideration for a healthy body.
  • One of the best cold remedies is a combination of peppermint, yarrow and elder tea. Known in the herbal world as YEP tea.