Immune Boosting, Inflammation Reducing and Vitamin C Rich Tonic Recipe

 

Hibiscus, Ginger & Echinacea Tonic

1/2 gal of distilled or spring water

1/2 cup of dried hibiscus

1/4 cup of fresh ginger root

1/8 cup of dried echinacea flower

Directions: Make an infusion and boil the herbs for 10 - 15 minutes on medium high. Strain the herbs and store in the fridge. Drink whenever you feel you need a boost for the day! 

Hibiscus: 

• Protects with antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and anthocyanin
• Fights inflammation
• Lowers blood pressure & cholesterol
• Promotes weight loss
• Fights bacteria
• Supports liver health

Ginger:

• May provide relief from motion sickness and alleviate nausea from morning sickness or chemotherapy
• Helps manage blood pressure and support heart health
• Helps manage weight and blood sugar levels
• Can relieve pain and inflammation
• May have cancer-fighting properties

Echinacea:  

• Contains antioxidants flavonoids, cichoric acid and rosmarinic acid which help to bolster the immune system. 
• Encourages production of white blood cells. 
• Contain compounds called alkamides which can further promote antioxidants actively lowering blood sugar levels, reducing anxiety and treating certain skin conditions. 
• It may also be used to treat pain, inflammation, and migraines 
  

Sources:

• Clevlandclinic.org
• Healthline
• Happy Earth Tea Company

 

Fruits that Boost Your Immune System During Quarantine Pandemic

Now more than ever we need to be careful around places we go to and people that we see. In order to have a further protection from the inside we have to eat to boost our immune system. Here is a list of foods that will strengthen your immune system during this crazy time period! 

Fruits: 

Image Credits Essentials by Catalina

Acai Berry

• This berry is loaded with anthocyanin which may provide protection from DNA cleavage, estrogenic activity, enzyme inhibition, boosting production of cytokines, anti-inflammatory activity, lipid peroxidation, decreasing capillary permeability and fragility, and membrane strengthening.

Image Credits: healthline.com

Elderberry

• This fruit may help fight inflammation because all of the antioxidants it contains. Research shows, an extract from the berries appears to block flu viruses.

Image Credits: Real Simple

Citrus Fruit

• Vitamin C may increase the production of white blood cells and they are key to fighting infections.

Dried Tart Cherries

The high antioxidant content in dried tart cherries may bolster the immune system, including reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract symptoms. They also have a natural melatonin that aids in getting a restful sleep.

Kiwi

Kiwi contains folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts white blood cells to fight infection, while kiwi’s other nutrients keeps the rest of your body functioning properly.

Image Credits: Health Line

Over 200% percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in one single papaya. They also contain a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects. Papayas have great amounts of B vitamins,  folate and potassium in which all of which are beneficial to your overall health.

Image Credits: Wikipedia

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice may help your body fight bacteria and several kinds of viruses.

Image Credits: Shape.com

Watermelon

Watermelon has plenty of an antioxidant called glutathione. It powers up the immune system so it can fight infection. The most glutathione in your watermelon is near the rind and the red pulpy flesh. 

Sources:

https://www.health.com/food/immunity-boosting-foods

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/foods-that-boost-the-immune-system

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1082894/

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-immune-foods

Winter Vegetables: Broccoli

Image Credits: drhealthbenefits.com

The Benefits of Broccoli

• A vegetable that is a close relative of cabbage and cauliflower which belongs to the Italica Cultivar group of Brassicaceae family.
•  vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, folate, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and tryptophan. It is a rich source of glucosinolates, flavonoids and phytonutrients.
• Broccoli may prove to be helpful with cancer by removing extra estrogen from the body. With strong anti-carcinogenic compounds like beta-carotene, diindolylmethane, glucoraphanin, selenium and other nutrients like vitamin A, C, and E, potassium, zinc and certain amino acids, which are also anti-cancer agents.
• Broccoli a very good detoxifier with the presence of vitamin-C, sulfur, and certain amino acids. It helps to removes uric acid from the body and other free radicals and toxins,  which it purifies the blood. It also helps with other problems related to toxins such as arthritis, boils, eczema, gout, itches, hardening of the skin, rashes, rheumatism, and renal calculi.
•  It is very rich in fiber or roughage, that can cure almost all stomach disorders by curing constipation. adds to the bulkiness of the food, retains water and forms healthy bowel movements. The magnesium and vitamins can cure acidity, promotes proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food and reduces inflammation.
• It contains significant levels of beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and other vitamins that help lower bad cholesterol and keep the heart working properly by regulating blood-pressure. Steaming broccoli allows the fiber components join easier with bile, making it much more efficient to excrete. Bile reduction has a strong impact on cholesterol levels, by strengthening your heart health. In addition, potassium found in this vegetable is a vasodilator which can boost blood flow and oxygenation for the body's organs by relaxing stress and tension of veins and blood vessels.
• The green and purple color of broccoli are from vitamin C, beta-carotene, and other vitamins and minerals, selenium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus. These are really great for boosting immune system that protects you from numerous infections.
• Being very rich in calcium and nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus, broccoli beneficial for children, the elderly, pregnant women and lactating mothers. These people most prone to calcium deficiency, osteoporosis,weakening of bones and teeth.

Source: www.organicfacts.net