Seasonal changes
Though the changes of the seasons are external, internally we adjust as well. Our body begins to slow down as our energy is reserved for the longer, more active summer days. The body begins to call for more rest and regeneration; sleeping longer than usual, having warmer, more filling meals like stews and broths to strengthen through the winter for the next summer. Encouraged by seasonal changes, you may begin to put on a hat, coat and gloves to protect your body from the cool breeze, which may give you a stuffy nose! Well, internally you may want to do the same to protect your immune system; padding the barriers as to have natural vigilance against any viruses
Medicinal Mushrooms
Adaptability of the body can be strengthened systematically, using immunomodulant medicinal mushrooms, such as Ganoderma. Immunomodulating herbs work by strengthening the innate immune system, enhancing its T-cell ability, especially if their function is minimal. However, immunomodulators also work when the immune system is hyperactive, which may be seen in hayfever, asthma, allergies and eczema. This is why the term ‘modulating’ is denoted to their action; they aim to restore balance.
Omega-3 & Essential Fatty Acids
As well as adapting the body systematically, cellular immunomodulating can be done with the use of Omega-3. The Omegas are essential fatty acids that constitute part of every cell membrane, without them the formation and functioning of each cell is jeopardised. Omega-3 strengthens both the innate and adaptive immune system through stronger defences against viruses and pathogens. Modulating the cell membranes, they enhance cell signalling and communication with the immune system to prevent the pathogens from entering through a cell membrane.
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid commonly known as vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, white peppers, bell peppers and strawberries. It is water soluble, which is beneficial to be easily absorbed into the body and put into action by the cells. However, the water solubility means the body isn’t able to retain vitamin C or build up a store of it. This means that a regular intake through dietary or supplementary means is needed to maintain levels of vitality through the winter. Vitamin C is involved in many processes of immune response, including its ability to strengthen the epithelial layer of skin on the outer layer of our body, it acts as a winter coat; keeping pathogens out! A wonderful immunomodulating herb for the autumn that contains vitamin C is elderberry!
Bone broth
Nourish the body with a bone broth decoction stock through revitalising the lungs, muscles, joints, skin and immunity. This is a great opportunity to create stocks for your soups, stews, noodles or simply just to sip on. Personally, I make a batch of this each week, broth’s are perfect to decoct any tougher herbs (liquorice, codonopsis, angelica root) to get a medical as well as nutritional decoction. Optimise the benefits of your broth with ginger; ginger encourages the blood circulation to carry your nutrients all the way to your toes, especially if they are cold! Add any other spicy, warming, heating herbs. You may like to add vegetables to make a stew, or blend the veggies to get a soup, either way, the both broth is still present to provide nourishment.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is sourced from the sun or plants that have already converted the sun’s energy into an edible form. Through winter months of the northern hemisphere the sun’s orientation limits the ultraviolet rays from reaching us, pairing that with the weather leads to overall vitamin D deficiency. Although the lipid soluble vitamin can be stored in the liver once absorbed, those reserves are used with multiple metabolic processes, slowly depleting the storage. Therefore ensuring regular intake optimises cell capacity, energy and mood levels, especially during the winter! This is an essential supplement if living in the UK, where 50% have insufficient levels through the winter and 16% have severe deficiencies.