Over the past few weeks it seems like everyone has been sick. One of the questions that I’ve been getting a
lot is “what foods can I eat to prevent respiratory tract infections”. So, here are eight foods and spices that are
great for preventing and/or helping treat respiratory tract infections.
1) Echinacea. This flowering herb has been a staple in natural medicine
for hundreds of years, as it possesses unique, immune-boosting compounds that
work almost immediately at the first sign of infection to quell it quickly.
Commonly referred to throughout history as a "cure-all" herb,
echinacea helps naturally boost the body's own natural levels of properdin, a
chemical substance that activates the part of the immune system responsible for
warding off bacteria and viruses. Echinacea can also help reduce the severity
of existing cold and flu symptoms, and help quickly eliminate such conditions.
2) Garlic. A powerful immune booster, garlic has also been used for many
centuries as a natural remedy for respiratory illness. Long before synthetic
antibiotics were invented, in fact, garlic was the medicine of choice for
treating infections, as it contains powerful medicinal compounds such as
allicin, sulfhydryl and various other sulfur-containing compounds that ward off
disease. Adding more fresh garlic to your diet or taking garlic supplements is
a great way to fortify your immune system to avoid disease.
3) Green onion (scallion). A close relative of garlic, the green onion
also possesses powerful immune-boosting compounds that make it an excellent
remedy and preventive food for respiratory tract infections. Rich in organic
sulfur compounds, as well as vitamin C, B vitamins, and trace minerals, green
onions are a food you will definitely want to eat plenty of during the winter
months. Try making a vegetable soup out of green onions, leeks, and garlic for
immune support, and add any other ingredients you like into the mix.
4) Ginger. Packed with more than a dozen antiviral compounds, ginger is
an excellent herb for both preventing and treating colds and flu. Ginger is
especially helpful if you already have a respiratory ailment that you are
trying to get rid of, as the herb works exceptionally well at relieving pain
and disinfecting the body. Ginger can be taken as tea, brewed into a tincture,
or chopped or grated and added to food.
5) Elderberry. No immune-boosting arsenal would be complete without
elderberry, an herb that ranks among the most effective remedies for treating
respiratory illness. Rich in antioxidant flavonoids, elderberry is uniquely
suited to both prevent and treat illness due to its unique ability to minimize
the swelling of mucous membranes. The fruit is also a powerful
anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer food.
6) Oregano. A potent antibiotic and antiviral herb, oregano, and
particularly oil of oregano, is another amazing remedy that works particularly
well at treating respiratory illness after it has already formed. You can mix
five or six drops of oil of oregano in water and gargle with it for instant
relief, or you can drink the entire thing down to kill a flu or cold in as
little as 24 hours. Oil of oregano can also be purchased as a supplement in
capsule or gelcap form.
7) Vitamin C. Though it is sometimes mocked by the mainstream medical
system as an inert substance, vitamin C has long been confirmed as a powerful
nutrient for boosting immunity and warding off disease. A 2004 study review out
of Finland, for instance, found that respiratory patients who take vitamin C
are far less likely to develop colds, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections.
Just be sure to take non-GMO ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or natural
vitamin C as it comes from "superfoods" like acerola cherry and camu
camu berry.
8) Vitamin D. Millions of Americans have dangerously low levels of
vitamin D in their system, which is a primary cause of chronic illness today,
including respiratory illness. This is why it is important, especially during
the winter months, to either supplement daily with between 2,000 and 10,000
international units (IU) of vitamin D3 -- some doctors recommend that severely
deficient patients take upwards of 40,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily -- or use a
tanning bed or tanning wall daily.
For more information about NATURAL SOLUTIONS for common health problems like weight loss, knee pain, fatigue, low thyroid, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, stress/anxiety, IBS and more contact us at 561-369-0808.
Have a great day
Dr. R