Immune Conditions

Have you been getting sick a lot lately?

Or maybe you have been struggling with hay fever or chronic sinus infections?  You may have recurring fungal infections or urinary tract infections?

You may need some immune support!

Your immune system is made up of immune cells, proteins, tissues, and organs that defend you against germs and microorganism. In most cases, your immune system will protect you well.  However sometimes problems with your immune system may let you down.

Problems of the Immune System

1. Immune deficiency disorders
2. Autoimmune conditions (the body’s own immune system attacks its own tissue as foreign)
3. Allergic disorders (the immune system overreacts in response to an antigen)
4. Cancers of the immune system

The most common immune problems that I see at the clinic are:

• Upper respiratory tract infections
  • Colds or flu.
  • Tonsillitis
  • Bronchitis
• Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Hay fever
  • Eczema
• Urinary tract infections
• Thrush or fungal infections
• Autoimmune conditions
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Coeliac disease
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Psoriasis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis

A strong, healthy immune system is able to keep us well, even when those around us are coughing, sneezing and getting sick.

However there are many factors that may contribute to a weakening  immune system including:

• Stress
• Not enough sleep
• Lack of exercise
• Not enough rest and relaxation
• Poor food choices
• Inadequate nutrition
• Processed foods
• Sugars
• Unhealthy fats

What can I do to help support, regulate and strengthen your immune system?

• Assess your immune problems and your immune systems’ response
• Clear viral, bacterial, fungal infection with the support of herbs and nutritionals
• Reduce allergic response if needed
• Provide symptomatic relief (reduce mucous, pain, fatigue etc)
• Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
• Support GIT healing where most of our immune system resides
• Support your nervous system and help you to reduce and manage stress
• Assess and help modify your diet according to your needs
• Provide nutritional and herbal support to boost your immune system

Herbs and Nutrients for Immune Support

If your immune system needs a boost, I will recommend dietary, nutritional and herbal support.  Fortunately there are herbs and nutrients that can help manage infections and keep your immune defences strong. 

Zinc is crucial for immune function as a zinc deficiency may cause a weakened immune response, predisposing you to a longer or more severe cold. Zinc and vitamin C are nutrients essential to good health and scientific evidence supports their benefits in boosting immunity and strengthening the healing process.

I use a range of Herbal Medicine Remedies that are anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal or immune enhancing, specifically to support your immune system depending on your individual condition.

How you can prevent colds and flus?

There are many things you can do to improve and maintain a healthy immune system which will reduce the likelihood of succumbing to an infection.

• Wash your hands frequently, particularly if people around you have symptoms of cold or flu.
• Try to avoid crowded places as much as possible during ‘flu season’.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. This ensures that you get vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are essential for a healthy immune system.
• Eat adequate protein. This can be obtained from animal sources such as lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy foods or from plant sources such as legumes and soy products including tempeh and tofu.
• Have lots of onion and garlic, ginger and chilli.These are very warming, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
• Get plenty of sleep and make time for relaxation and enjoyable activities.
• Exercise at least four times per week to improve immunity and improve the elimination of wastes through the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
• Avoid processed foods – these are often lacking in essential nutrients.
• Minimise or avoid the use of alcohol and caffeine – these leach many valuable nutrients from the body.