Keeping Healthy During the Fall Months

The fall months are cooler, the days are shorter and our health is presented with its share of challenges. The immune system must cope with bacteria and viruses throughout all 12 months of the year. However the greatest challenges to staying in good health present themselves in the fall months when temperatures begin to dip.

What can we do to take care of ourselves with all that the fall months have to throw our way to waylay our efforts to stay healthy? Here are some suggestions for you:

Bacteria and viruses surround us and are a part of our environment and our lives no matter what we do. Some of them are good for us but those are the ones we hardly take notice of. It is the bad ones that worry us and threaten our immune systems with the potential for illness. Once autumn arrives we start to spend more time indoors and this can leave us susceptible to germs and the possibility of falling ill.

One of your first lines of defense in the fall is to build up your immune system in a natural manner. You want to keep it as strong as possible throughout the fall and winter months. To do this you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle which is to say eating healthy and keeping physically active. It also helps to make immune strengthening herbs such as Black Elderberry and Astralagus a part of your daily routine.

You have probably heard this many times before and it may sound very cliché but you must pay close attention to what you eat. Your body requires five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Eating five servings will support your immune system in doing its best work. The primary sources of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals for the body are fruits and veggies. They contain nutrients that are the building blocks for the immune system. They also build strong cells and encourage cellular integrity throughout every cell of the body.

Antioxidants such as beta carotene, anthocyanidans and other types of carotenoids are what veggies and fruits are all about. Antioxidants have been proven through research studies to improve immune system function and health and also to protect the cells from free radical damage. Antioxidants are particularly prevalent in fruits and veggies with bright colors such as those that are blue, red, orange, purple and yellow.

It is best to consume these foods raw or steamed. Boiling them will destroy many of the nutrients so this method of eating them is not recommended.

Another simple way to keep your immune health where it should be is to make sure that you drink a plentiful supply of water. Keeping hydrated washes away toxins and it helps your red and white blood cells to function at their highest levels.

You also need to get your sleep and deal with the stress that comes your way. This is important all year long but is very critical during the fall months when your immune system is most likely to be assaulted with bad bacteria and viruses. Too much stress can trigger high levels of the hormone cortisol to skyrocket. This can affect your immune system and can render it not as fast to respond to issues as it would be otherwise.

To improve your immune system’s response time when it comes to stress you must find ways to cope with stress that are suitable for you.

Samantha

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Three Herbs that Start with “A” and Get an A+ in the Health Department

There are lots of different types of herbs that can offer any number of health benefits. Here we take a look at some of the “A” herbs to discover what they have to offer you. Get ready to explore whole new herbal territory!

Astralagus:

Have you heard of the herb astralagus? Astralagus is a plant that has been used for medicinal purposes in China for 100’s of years.

It is native to the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the root of the plant that is used for healing. There are approximately 2,000 different varieties of astralagus around the world. However the astralagus that is native to Northern China has been studied to the greatest extent.

Astralagus is rich in many substances. This makes it a beneficial herb for human beings. It is rich in amino acids, flavonoids, isoflavones, trace minerals, polysaccharides, saponins and triterpeneglycosides.

Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) makes use of astralagus quite a bit. In TCM it is put to use for a variety of health issues. Some of its most common uses include diarrhea, night sweats, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weakness, edema, high blood pressure and respiratory infections. It is also useful for the common cold, hepatitis, heart attacks and systemic lupus erythematosus. Astralagus is composed of anti-viral properties and is very beneficial at stimulating the immune system to help fight off illnesses such as colds and the flu.

Studies have also pointed to the fact that this herb inhibits the development and spread of cancer cells in various parts of the body.

Alfalfa:

A member of the legume family, alfalfa contains a number of minerals including calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, silicon and zinc. It is also rich in vitamins. In particular alfalfa contains a large percentage of the B vitamins, not to mention, beta-carotene, and vitamins C, E and K. It has also been theorized that this herb is plentiful in vitamin A but research has not proven this conclusively as of yet.

Alfalfa is used as a detoxifying agent for the body. It is also used to alkalize the body. It has also been used throughout history for constipation, ulcers and bad breath. It is beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, anemia, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and endometriosis.

Throughout history alfalfa was used as hay. It is one of the oldest of all plants to be cultivated. This plant is multi-functional as a selection of its parts can be used to make capsules, infusions and teas. This includes the seeds, the sprouts and the parts that are visible to the human eye that grow above the ground.

Agrimony:

If you have never heard of the herb agrimony then you are not alone. This is not a commonly known herb but it is one worth getting acquainted with. It is a member of the rose family and is a non-toxic astringent. Agrimony has tonic and diuretic properties and is safe for use with all ages, including children. Children respond particularly well to agrimony tea and agrimony capsules.

If the tea is taken between meals it can quell a sick stomach and can help to bring vomiting to an end. It is beneficial for coughs, diarrhea, diabetes, coughs, jaundice and liver problems. It can also be useful for those suffering from bed sores, bleeding and wetting.

Agrimony contains a compound called agrimophol which can eliminate parasites that have attached themselves to the lining of tissues. The presence of this herb increases the production and development of B cells which help to fight off these invaders in the body. In this way agrimony works as an immunostimulant.

It is always wise to talk to your doctor before you start taking any type of herb. Some herbs should not be taken when a person is taking prescription drugs for other health issues.

Becca

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