My favorite Immune Boosting Tips!

Tip 1: Oil Pulling

How Does Oil Pulling Work?

Both Western medicine and Ayurveda use the tongue as an important diagnostic tool, indicating the fact that a healthy mouth and a healthy tongue are interrelated to the health of the entire body. Supporting our oral hygiene is a benefit for our general health. 

Our mouths are host to over 600 different species of bacteria which populate the teeth, tongue, soft tissue of the cheeks and palates, and tonsils. The oral cavity connects the esophagus, nasal passages, sinuses, and intricate ear cavities. 

Bacteria are single-celled organisms, enclosed by a lipid membrane. These bacteria are attracted to the lipid structure of the oil, pulled from the oral tissue by adhering to the fat molecules of the oil, then flushed away through the act of oil pulling and spitting out the oil.

Oil pulling is a time-tested method for improving oral hygiene … Remembering, it’s a delicate ecosystem and irritation in your gums frequently travels south! And from what I believe if you are fighting off a sore throat keeping bacteria away from any inflammation of the throat is going to help to prevent infection.

How to Do Oil Pulling

Here are a few simple instructions for how to do oil pulling. Oil pulling is best incorporated in the morning, upon rising, and on an empty stomach, as it helps to stimulate the appetite and enhance the sense of taste.

Some suggest swishing before brushing, while others suggest brushing before swishing. Dr. Mark Burhenne, from Ask the Dentist, says, “If you brush after you pull, you’ll actually get rid of the good bacteria you just worked to support.” With this in mind, brushing and then swishing may be best. 

Instructions:

• Start by putting 1 tablespoon of oil in your mouth, or 5 pumps of living Libations linked below
• Swish and pull the oil in the mouth, moving it around both sides, and in front of, behind, and through the teeth.
• Continue the process for 15–20 minutes, until the oil has become thin and whitish in color. (You will want to work up to this time frame, but to start, try to swish for at least 5 minutes for best results.)
• Spit out the oil in the trash or toilet, rather than down the drain, to avoid clogging the drain. Do not swallow the oil.
• Rinse the mouth with warm water.

My favorite product to use is from Living Libations - but you can also use coconut oil!

Tip 2: Facial Reflexology

This is the formula when used at the very first signs of a cold always worked to prevent the cold from taking hold. You may need to do it a few times (every time the symptoms come back) to fully stop the virus from taking a hold. Much better than getting sick, though!!

In this formula, you will use facial reflex points to strengthen the kidneys to warm up the body. You will support your lungs and respiratory system which heats and humidifies the air that enters your body. Since viruses thrive in a colder, dry environment, this makes it way less likely that viruses will get past your sinuses to be able to take root in your body. 

Cut up small Salon Pas Patches (do not use the ones with lidocaine) and place on points to magnify the action of the points and provide extra heat. Cut and apply to areas worked for about an hour to continue the activation of the points. Get your facial reflexology tool here!

Tip 3: Heating the body with Chinese Medicine 

When you increase Yang, you help symptoms like back pain, knee discomfort, cold hands and feet, low libido and fatigue. It can also help with increased circulation to not feel as cold!

Yang is our fire, our internal sun. It must always be burning bright and strong for our immune and digestive systems to be functioning optimally.

Tiptoeing has long been used in Chinese medicine, because the toes are a reflection of the head. Tiptoeing activates many essential meridians of the body, especially stimulating the Kidney meridian which begins on the bottom of the foot. When you tiptoe while standing, you squeeze your calf muscle which is called the second Heart in Chinese medicine. This benefits both the Heart and the brain as it’s a long path for Blood to travel down to the calves and feet, that’s why if you have cold feet it is due to poor circulation. This exercise helps pump the Blood back to the Heart. This is great if you stand a lot.

1️⃣ Stand straight, make all toes grip like a hook, flex and then release. Do this for 3-15 minutes.

2️⃣ Stand on your tip toes and then release. Do this for 3-15 minutes.

3️⃣ Drink warm water or Ginger Power tea afterwards.

🌞 Practice 3- 7 times per week.

Tip 4: Lymphatic Drainage using a Chi Machine

The Chi Machine was invented in the late 1980s by Japanese engineer, Keiichi Ohashi. It was designed for passive aerobic exercise, which involves applying constant movement and pressure to parts of the body through an outside force. 

Chi machines are devices used to increase the flow of chi, which is the energy force in your body. 

Manufactures claim that it oxyginates the body, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, helps relieve lower back tension, improves lymphatic drainage, and helps with chronic inflammation.

So, why then is this then helpful for boosting your immune system? The immune system is directly dependent upon the lymphatic system. In fact, if the flow of lymphatic materials slows, it weakens the immune system. The lymphatic system is sometimes referred to as the body’s second circulatory system. Its primary function is that of a defense mechanism and it is key to the body’s immune defenses.

When we are not feeling well, it’s not always an option to go and workout and or move your body, even when some suggest exercise to be good to ward off illness. Using a chi machine can mimic to your body light exercise. 

It is a great time to practice controlled breathing, lay under a red light (another great biohacking technique), use a neck corrector, and or listen to a meditation or a podcast.

Tip 5: Essential oils 

I bought oils a few years ago because there was an oil concoction I was given by a client that you rolled on your feet when a sickness was coming on and I swore by it!!! But, after purchasing mini roller bottles and hundreds of dollars worth of oils I really didn’t “get into them”. 

When I had a big event coming up after just getting back from Brazil and started to feel like I was getting sick, I was trying everything that I could think of. 

I combined oregano, basil and thieves (you could really just use oregano as it’s super powerful), this combination has antiviral and antibacterial properties. I filled two drops of each in a vegetable capsule and took it by mouth 3x day … not kidding you I was giving these to everyone at christmas who was feeling sick - they work!!!

Listed below is the Immune support recipe that called me to oils years ago, just roll on the bottom of your feet 3x day when you feel the onset of a cold or flu coming on.

Immune Support Recipe:

10 drops Thieves

10 drops Frankincense 

10 drops Oregano 

Fill the remainder of the bottle with a carrier oil

Blend 2:

15 drops Thieves

15 drops Immunpower

Fill the remainder of the bottle with a carrier oil

If you need help finding quality oils reach out to me! Quality matters when it comes to essential oils, ESPECIALLY if you are taking them orally, or using topically!

Tip 6: Red light therapy

Red light therapy can also increase nitric oxide, the compound that heals the cells and increases the blood flow which may help to stimulate healing and strengthen your immune system to defend against disease; regulate your blood pressure and reduce inflammation. 

I love red light therapy! I am also using my Omnilux Face & Chest Contour Mask everyday for 20 minutes to help rebuild collagen and soften the texture of the skin on my face!

Tip 7: Infrared sauna therapy 

The use of an infrared sauna strengthens your immune system by increasing white blood cell production, triggering the immune system, releasing impurities, improving blood circulation, regenerating cells, and promoting relaxation.

I have a portable infrared sauna that I keep up in my garage - you can however fold it up for easy storage! It's a great buy!

Tip 8: Mineral salt & Clay baths

Mineral salts are very effective when used in a bath or a foot bath for the body to efficiently absorb magnesium. The level of magnesium in the blood is an important factor in the immune system's ability to tackle pathogens and cancer cells. 

Bentonite clay can be taken orally (make sure it’s food grade), put on skin topically and added to baths. I like to bathe in the clay when I am getting sick to help to draw out toxins through the skin. 

You should try to stay in both the mineral salt bath and bentonite clay bath for at least 20 minutes for optimal results. It’s not advised to mix the clay and salts.

I like to alternate these baths when I am feeling run down and incorporate the mineral salt bath at least three times a week into my routine!

I hope you incorporate & enjoy! xoxo Hugs