Immunity is now a global issue. At the personal level, we all want to strengthen our immune systems as much as possible.

Various factors affect our immune systems, including:

​

• Stress & burnout - raised cortisol level severely impacts the immune system

• Sleep-deprivation 

• Hormonal imbalance

• Various diseases

• Poor diet

• Lack of hydration

• Fitness level

• Smoking

• Drinking excessive alcohol

• Grief

• Too little, or too much, exercise

• Long term gut dysbiosis & inflammation leading to leaky gut (1)

Tea for Immunity

Immunity Boosting Booklet

Download your guide here. It's free to join the Communitea!

One of the best ways to improve immunity is proper sleep. This means getting between 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Getting less (and believe it or not, more) even just a couple of nights during the week can have negative effects on immunity. Try our insomnia helper, TranquiliTea if you are having trouble sleeping, and consult our insomnia page. 

Make sure you are getting adequate nutrition, with lots of dark leafy greens (always cooked), berries and good oils (e.g. olive oil). Include foods that naturally kill infections (e.g. onions, garlic). Drink plenty of warm water with honey. Cook broths with mushrooms like Shitake, Reishi and Lions Maine. Mushrooms have strong and beneficial effects on immunity. Many herbs can be used in different combinations to build immunity, deal with an infection once it’s set in and speed up recovery time.  Read more in our Immunity Boosting information booklet.

One way that Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM) understands the body is as a complex system made up of different energetic levels. Pathogens are thought to invade from the most outer level (wei qi) and if the environment permits, then continue deeper into the body. Through the use of specific herbs (e.g. cool, acrid herbs) the pathogen can be “vented” out of the body (if it is in a superficial layer) or strengthen the system so that the body is able to deal with the pathogen itself. Creating the right environment in the body means to strengthen the body’s overall immunity and resistance to different pathogens (i.e. virus and bacteria). 

​

References

​

1. Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you? Harvard Health Publishing 2017 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/leaky-gut-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-for-you-2017092212451

You may also like: