We get a lot of questions about everything health and wellness related, especially about immune system boosting. So, we thought we would put together a list of some of the methods we use to ward off sickness.
Keep in mind that it is January and if you live in Upstate NY like us, the sun is shining less, so you are lacking vital vitamin D. You have also been most likely eating foods that don’t help your immune system at all for the last 3 months. It started with the Halloween candy overload and ended with Christmas cookie feasts. SO, if you think about it, is it really that surprising that your immune system is compromised and you just got sick?
Also, everyone knows, ‘ain’t nobody got time for that’! So, let us help!
There are a lot of schools of thought in regards to staying healthy, holistically. From essential oils, to vitamins, to tinctures, there is a lot to know. So, we will list the methods that we, and people we have worked with, have had success with.
Please keep in mind that the most effective way to stay healthy, using herbal medicine is to take herbs preventatively. Once you are sick it is much more of an uphill battle getting yourself back to health.
Here are all the weapons in our healing arsenal:
FIRE CIDER!
We talk A LOT about this powerful herbal remedy. And, if you have a healthy alkaline diet and are currently taking this tonic daily, like we do, you are most likely successfully keeping sickness away!
So, what the heck is fire cider? Fire cider is a medicinal and herbal concoction that has been used for many generations by herbalists to support healthy immune system and digestion, keep away seasonal infections, boost circulation and get rid of sinus/respiratory congestion/inflammation. Our recipe has even proven to help people with their seasonal allergies!
It is essentially a collection of health-boosting herbs and vegetables, which have been soaked in raw apple cider vinegar for a month, then pressed out to make this flavorful and amazing medicine. The vinegar acts to draw out the active medicinal constituents of the plants.
There are nearly 30 immune boosting ingredients in our herbal masterpiece/proprietary blend. Most fire ciders have about 5 ingredients, but we did not feel that was enough! Many of the ingredients are harvested from our farm and every ingredient is (beyond) organic. The taste is AMAZING and makes a delightful salad dressing, or use it in recipe that calls for vinegar. (remember…food is medicine)
Take a preventative 1 tbsp. to 1 oz. shot daily, OR, in our experience, 2 shots daily to quickly kick any acute illness. All of our products are made in small batches with love, great care, and healing intention. Personally, we prefer to take this before or just after eating a meal.
Ingredients: Raw Apple Cider vinegar, horseradish, ginger, onion, turmeric, garlic, lemon juice/zest, jalapeno, habanero, cayenne, astragalus, rosehips, black peppercorns, burdock, yellow dock, dandelion roots, poblano peppers, nettle, oregano, lemon balm, holy basil, mullein leaf/flower, parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, raw honey
https://shop.bespokeapothecary.com/product/new-26-oz-organic-fire-cider
HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS!
One of the most effective wellness comprehensive herbal blends we like to take is ‘Wellness Formula’ by Source Naturals. (https://www.sourcenaturals.com) As soon as we feel that tickle in our throats we take the max dose with at least 16 oz. of water. Water alone is key to overall health and MANY of us don’t drink enough of it. Do not underestimate the power of H20!! Also, I will get to this but work on listening to the cues your body gives you!
We also recommend Vitamin C, B complex, and D daily. We love and trust Garden of Life brand supplements.
We have a wonderful cold, cough, sore throat syrup that is comprised of our raw honey that is mixed with a super herb blend. This Kick Your Cough Syrup has helped out many, especially children. It tastes GREAT!
https://shop.bespokeapothecary.com/product/8-oz-elecampane-ddf-honey-herbal-cough-syrup
Medicinal mushrooms are another powerful healing machine. And it is no wonder because fungi are more closely related to humans than plants! I could go on and on about the healing wonders of mushrooms. They are very high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They can regenerate cells, contain pre and pro-biotics to improve gut health (your second brain!) and they are an immune system powerhouse! They also have extreme anti-inflammatory properties. Sometimes I wonder if when we talk about inflammation if some people understand what that truly means. Without getting too far off topic, and in a nutshell, inflammation is disease. It is the body’s way to signal the immune system. And if your immune system is taking a nap because it is too weak, it cannot help you! The moral of the story is to keep your immune system in check at all times by using these methods we are highlighting. Your body has an extraordinary and innate ability and will to heal itself, if you give it the proper tools. Help your body, help you!
We fully recommend master mycologist, Paul Stamet’s products Host Defense, MyCommunity Extracts. Specifically their comprehensive immune support blend.
We have also had speedy relief from acute sickness from a tbsp of black cumin seed oil from Activation products. This stuff is an elixir for life!!
https://www.activationproducts.com/blog/black-cumin-healing/
IMMUNE SHOTS / TEA!
One of our favorite immune boosting methods are ‘immunity shots’.
First you take an organic washed lemon and cut it in half. Scoop out the insides into a cup and discard the seeds but put aside for later use your lemon cups you just made. Get as much juice and pulp as you can. Add 1 tbsp of cayenne, 2 tbsp raw organic honey, and 2 cloves of fresh chopped organic garlic. We recommend chopping the garlic and letting it rest to gain full herbal potency for up to an hour prior. Mix well, pour into your lemon cup, and bottoms up! We personally LOVE the taste of immunity shots. This is enough for 2 so share with someone you love! ?
As for tea…there is nothing better when you are sick than a strong, hot, cup of herbal tea. We recommend: Tulsi, Lemon balm, Thyme, Echinacea, Peppermint, Ginger…any of those lovely aromatic herbs!! Don’t forget the local, raw, organic honey!
SWITCHEL!
Our proprietary herbal S W I T C H E L is a wonderful immune booster and gut soother. It superbly quenches thirst and balances electrolytes so there is no worry for dehydration when sick.
This version has been known to almost immediately ease an upset stomach, help boost immunity, digestion, overall balance and well-being, as well as reduce inflammation! (also a GREAT hangover or morning sickness cure…so we hear!) ?
Ingredients: *Water *Fresh/organic juiced Turmeric and Ginger root *Lemon juice
*DDF Raw Honey *Raw Apple Cider Vinegar * Black pepper tincture
https://shop.bespokeapothecary.com/product/s-w-i-t-c-h-e-l
TINCTURE HERBAL MEDICINE!
We like tinctures because they are simple yet effective, and work fast. Tinctures are preparations of herbs in a liquid menstruum. We prefer using premium grain alcohol because it is not only very shelf stable, but it also is a modality that works to extract the maximum amount of plant benefits.
When we process, we use an herb press to get max constituents during extraction.
Tinctures are taken orally in juice, water or SWITCHEL!! Dosing varies depending on the plant.
We have over 20 tinctures available at this time. Many of them are well known immune systems boosters. You can read more about them here or find it on our web page:
http://www.bespokeapothecary.com/pdf/BA-TINCTURE-GUIDE-11-30.pdf
COLLOIDAL SILVER!
Silver is an essential mineral and non-toxic metal with anti-biotic, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties. It can be used orally and nebulized to aid in healing. It is a natural alternative to an antibiotic.
We recommend using silver in acute instances and not long term or preventatively, generally. And, it is best to use with a pro-biotic.
We have a commercial generator and produce 20 PPM Colloidal (Internal use) and Ionic (external use) silver.
https://shop.bespokeapothecary.com/product/16-oz-ionic-silver
VOLATILE OR ESSENTIAL OILS!
Recently essential oils have gained major popularity and they absolutely have their place. We prefer to use them topically with our calendula jojoba oil or our Goode lotion, or diffuse them. We produce a ‘thieves’ oil blend that we have found very useful to ward off sickness. In our experience this modality is best used as a preventative. That is not to say there isn’t benefit once you are sick, but, like I said before, it is an uphill battle once you are already battling. Often, we will use an antiseptic oil blend like ‘thieves’ on our feet and chests, with Goode lotion! ?
We typically rely mostly on fresh plants/vegetables more often when we have an acute ailment. But remember that all of these modalities complement one another well. They are all providing different components of the medicinal plants.
Please check out this link for further information on essential oils. This is an article from Mountain Rose Herbs, a company we love, wholeheartedly trust, and source our supplies from, if we do not grow it ourselves.
https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/8-things-you-should-know-about-essential-oil-facts
CASTOR OIL ABDOMINAL COMPRESS (*Not for use for those who are pregnant or nursing)
I mention this a lot, as this is a method that has served me well time after time. Whether it be a lyme disease flare up, the flu, or believe it or not…a pesky stye in my eye… this has TRULY aided to heal me.
I could do an entire post on the benefits of castor oil. An abdominal compress helps to stimulate the lymphatic system (among other systems), which is an integral part of your immune system. It helps to draw out and process the toxins/dis-ease in your body.
You see, we have systems and processes in place right inside of us, that work without us even having to think twice about it. If we take care of those processes, they help us THRIVE. Get excited because this is all very amazing! And when you learn about it, you start to appreciate it. And when you appreciate, you take good care of it. ?
Again, I prefer to put this compress on my abdomen. Here is a good step by step on doing your own castor oil compresses from a reputable source:
https://wellnessmama.com/35671/castor-oil-packs/
LEARN/KNOW YOUR BODY!
Just like no person is exactly the same, all immune systems are not created equally! So ultimately you need to figure out what works for you.
We have already talked about how our bodies are filled with absolutely amazing mechanisms. Often, it seems, people look at the inner workings of our bodies as a foreign object. It is not at all! It is every bit a part of us, so it makes sense that if you take care of it, it will take care of you…because it IS you! Listen to, love, cherish, trust, and take gentle care of your body. Be mindful, learn to know its cues, and follow them. You only get one!
We hope this was helpful and we write all of this with love, healing, and with personal experiences. Best of luck and health to everyone reading this.
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