Build an Effective Immune System - Part 3
What to do When You’re Sick
There IS a time to boost your immune system, giving it some extra fire to jump into gear, and that’s when you’re fighting a cold, flu, or other virus or bacteria.
This is a guide for any time you’re feeling the beginnings of something or if a bug is lingering and your body is struggling with kicking it to the curb.
Remember – the symptoms you’re feeling are caused by your immune system fighting the bug, not the bug itself. This means, there’s a VERY good chance that boosting your immune system will increase your symptoms. Yes…you might feel a lot worse for a while. But, you’ll (usually, everyone is different) feel much better much quicker.
For me, when I’m boosting my immune system to fight off something, I usually find that I’ll feel TERRIBLE by the evening…and more times than not, I feel significantly better by the morning. Sometimes it takes a day or two, but I don’t remember the last time I was sick for more than a few days.
The role of inflammation
Inflammation is a part of your immune system’s response, so there’s a very good chance you’ll feel extra achy and any chronic painful spot will feel worse.
If the pain is manageable, it’s best not to use an NSAID (Tylenol, Advil, etc) to treat the pain, as it will lower your immune system’s fighting power. But, only if the pain is manageable…there’s no need to suffer through.
What is a fever?
A fever is part of your body’s immune response, it warms you up to make the environment unsuitable for the virus or bacteria.
There’s early, preliminary research that shows that it might be beneficial to let your fever run its course. This was done on ICU patients with a fever over 38.3C/101F.
At this point, it should be thought of as a personal choice whether or not you treat your fever with Advil or Tylenol. There is a possibility of brain damage with a VERY high fever (over 106F), so please keep this in mind.
Personally, I let low-grade fevers run their course (under 102F) and I was grateful for Tylenol when I had the measles in high school and had a fever of 104F. I don’t know what would have happened if my parents had let it run its course (maybe I would have recovered faster? Or had fever induced seizers?), but I did have a few days of hallucinations after that fever. I’d rather not experience that again :).
Immune Boosting Protocol
There are 4 parts to the immune boosting protocol - immune boosters, anti-virals, diet, and sleep. Just choose one thing from each part and you’ve got your plan!
Immune boosters
These are supplements, herbs, and nutrients that can boost your immune system. Just pick 1 (2 max)
High Dose Vitamin C – This is an easy way to boost your immune system. At lower doses (under 2000mg) Vitamin C builds an effective immune system. At higher doses (5000mg+) it boosts it.
How to take it – 500mg every hour, stop once you’ve hit 10,000mg or hit “bowel tolerance”. You can’t overdose in Vit C, instead, your body will flush any extra through your bowel (a.k.a diarrhea). This a very rare symptom when you’re sick, usually your immune system gobbles up all of the extra Vit C.
Echinacea – this herb is always an immune booster, so only take it when you’re feeling sick. It’s popular, effective, and easy to find.
How to take it – Echinacea works best when it can hit the back of your throat. Find echinacea in a liquid/tincture or as a throat spray (A. Vogel has a nice spray). Use as directed on the label. Echinacea tea is also helpful.
Astragalus – this is a herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can boost the immune system. Honestly, I don’t have a lot of experience with this, but I’ve heard many raves about it :).
How to take it – Liquids or tincture work faster than capsules, and use as directed on the label.
Anti-virals
You’ll notice some of these are in the immune-boosting category too…many play double duty, which makes it extra easy. 2 jobs for 1 supplement! One anti-viral is all you need, so don’t take too many :)
Astragalus – the herb is traditionally known as an anti-viral (and a booster!). Take as directed.
Oregano oil – this is a potent anti-viral and antibiotic. Take 2 – 4 drops under the tongue twice a day. Take no more than 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off.
Collodial Silver – this is also a potent anti-viral/antibiotic but is a little nicer to take than oregano oil. Take 1 tsp 3x per day, take no more than 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off.
Elderberry – it’s the deep purple of elderberries that binds to viruses and stops them from replicating. But, it doesn’t actually kill anything off so it’s safe to take every day and safe for children over 5. It comes as powder, syrup, liquid, capsule, and as dried berries. Take as directed.
Honey – raw unpasteurized honey has some mild anti-viral/antibiotic benefits, and early research has found it to be as effective for a cough as cough syrup. Take 1 tsp as needed to soothe the throat.
Elderberry and honey are so gentle and can be used on their own or alongside one of the other anti-virals.
Did I miss your favourite immune booster or anti-viral? If so, let us know about it in our Facebook Group <3.
Diet -
Digestion takes a lot of energy, and frequently when we’re sick our appetite is much lower.
Eat small amounts of food when you’re hungry and eat very light, easy-to-digest food. Like fruit, broth, soups, rice, oatmeal, and steamed veggies. Don’t steal energy from your immune system to digest a heavy meal.
Avoid – refined sugar, refined flour, and heavy meals (especially red meat). Don’t overstuff yourself, just eat when you’re hungry.
Sleep –
You’re tired for a reason, go to bed! The more you sleep the faster you’ll recover :). That’s all, get your butt into bed and stay there! (if possible due to family &/or work responsibilities)
You’ve made it to the end! You’ve got your every day plan for a balanced and effective immune system, and your plan if your body is fighting off a cold, flu, or virus.
You’ll notice that once your immune system is inside the Goldilocks Zone, you won’t get sick quite as often and you’ll feel better faster. I used to get a bad case of strep throat at least once a year (and 3x one winter), but once I started keeping an anti-viral on hand (oregano oil is my go to) and added more nutrient-dense food into my diet, I stopped that painful pattern. My last case of strep throat was 20 years ago and I can count on one hand the number of terrible colds/flus I’ve had since. They always happen when I’m going through periods of high stress…so I can’t blame my body.
What are your favourite ways to combat a cold or flu? Do you have a family tradition? Or a go to that always works for you? Share in the comments below or in our Facebook Group :)
Got any questions or comments? Jump to our private Facebook Group or the Ask Lisa page :)