Immunity
What are some simple ways you can help strengthen and improve your immune system? Harvard Medical School published an article on this topic and suggests some helpful ways to incorporate strategies into our daily life. A good and natural approach is form healthy habits so that we are able to not only maintain a strong immune system during these times, but for the future as well.
Don’t smoke
Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Exercise regularly
If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation
Get enough sleep
Wash hands frequently to avoid infection
Minimize stress
Although the article does discuss that scientists still don’t know whether a higher level of antibodies in the blood after consuming an herb actually leads to overall immunity of the body, there is no harm in consuming natural fruits and vegetables such as lemon and ginger, as they also have other benefits such as aiding digestion.
So, what are some health benefits and properties of lemon and ginger?
Lemon: Known for its high vitamin C content, lemons also contain anti-oxidants that can help support our immune system. Apart from this, it’s found in a variety of cuisines and can be used in anything from salad dressings to desserts, or had simply with some water.
Ginger: Originally from Southeast Asia, ginger is a root plant that has been used in traditional medicine for many hundreds of years, but also is commonly found in the cuisine in this region. It’s known to contain functional ingredients which gives it anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative properties, and can aid gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular disorders, and even treat some diseases through anti-inflammatory responses.
RECIPE: Lemon Ginger Brew
(slightly adapted from Bon Appétit’s Lemon-Ginger Brew)
Ingredients:
-225g fresh ginger, peeled, chopped into small pieces
-1.4 liters of filtered water
-1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (can swap with lime juice)
-zest of 1 lemon
-1/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or agave (can be adjusted to taste)
Directions:
Peel the ginger using a spoon so scrape it off. Chop into small pieces or if you have a food processor, pulse it to create a corse texture (make sure that it’s not a complete paste)
Peel the zest of 1 lemon
Bring the ginger, peeled lemon zest, and 1.4 liters of water to a boil in a pot and then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for around 30 minutes. You’ll know when it’s done when it turns a deep brown color like in the photo above.
Juice your lemons and strain the pips out.
Strain the whole mixture into a jar/container and mix in the lemon juice and your sweetener of choice. We suggest you add a little bit of the sweetener at a time in case you prefer it less sweet. Please note that this is meant to be a potent concoction, like a ginger shot.
Cool the mixture and cover and chill it in the fridge. It should last 1-2 weeks in the fridge, chilled.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
http://europepmc.org/article/med/23830380
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/