Naturally Boost Your Immunity – Guest Post with Leela Yoga Co-Founder Kelsi

It’s that time of year – that awkward in between stage when the weather isn’t sure if its spring or winter. While being “in between” can be a little uncomfortable, there are things we can do to make things a little easier (think growing out bangs + bobby pins). ;)

One of my favourite people on this planet is back again (you might remember her from Holiday Gifts for the Yogi post back in December) – Kelsi. Not only is she my beautiful yoga-teaching friend (and co-owner of Leela Yoga), she is also well versed in the holistic and ayurvedic lifestyle (no big surprise she’s one of my nearest and dearest). <3

Kels and I trying to take a photo with a couple of tissues and failing .

Kels and I trying to take a photo with a couple of tissues and failing after a yoga class @LeelaYoga.

Without further adieu, I’ll leave it up to Kels to give you the details on how to naturally prevent this seasons’ colds, flus and other less than lovely runny-nose causing viruses.

Shop these products with code MEP206 at iHerb and receive $5 off your first order <3

Boost Your Immunity Naturally!

kelsiThe weather here in Oslo has been odd so far this year, with the full winter package of -19 and 60 cm of snow for two weeks and then – over a period of 4 days – the snow melted and there were birds chirping and we were all wearing converse again. Well as I sit here and type this, mother nature graces us with a new winter world yet again. Snow is falling, and I am not prepared as I’ve dressed lighter than usual to go to work. Whoops!

I know my immune system and when these strange weather patterns start appearing I amp up my winter immune boosting ritual.

So what does that look like? Well, let’s dig in:

As October rolls around I start this ritual and keep going until after Easter. Not only does it strengthen one’s immune system, it helps bring a beautiful ritual into your day, which can be a blessing in the cold and dark winter months. Self care is beautiful. Think of it just like your morning skincare routine – just like you give self love to your skin, you can do the same for your immune system.

On the Daily

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Here are my top tips for boosting the immune system naturally – please keep in mind, before taking any herbs or other recommendations, check in with your physician. I am not a doctor – as a note, all dosage amounts are recommended based on healthy adult:

Sleep 

How much?

7-8 hours/day

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This is really important. We need a good rest for our bodies to relax, restore and recuperate after our long days. There is a reason why some of our mammal friends hibernate all winter. We should be sleeping a bit more during the winter months as our bodies crave it!

Turmeric 

How much?

1-2 capsules/day of 500mg

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Turmeric (also known as the yellow stuff in your curry dishes) is great for a myriad of things. It’s a true magician when it comes to supporting your digestive power. Its important to keep everything flowing and moving out of the system – detoxification is key to a healthy immune system (and clear skin too!). Beyond being a great digestive aid, turmeric is probably best known for its anti-inflammatory properties – wonderful for boosting the body’s own healing mechanisms.

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $14.30 USD

Ashwagandha

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How much?

1-2 capsules/day, 500 mg

Ashwagandha (a popular herb in the practice of Ayurveda) is a wonderful adaptogen! It is best known for its ability to help the body fight stress, which is a major key in keeping the immune system functioning on top!

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $14.30 USD

Vitamin D3 

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How Much?

4-5000IU/day

This is key for us in the Nordics with the lack of sunlight – but also for those across the Northern hemisphere. Vitamin D3 is key for a healthy immune system, and is additionally wonderful for women’s health in general.

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $15.37 USD

Chyawanprash 

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How Much?

1 tsp

Thanks to its wonderfully high Vitamin C concentration, this nutritious Ayurvedic jam is a wonderful immune booster. It is potent and powerful thanks to ingredients that carry herbs and spices to the body (oh and it’s sweet too – making it lovely stirred into your tea, or even on a piece of toast). Some of my favourite ingredients in Chyawanprash include: ashwagandha (yes, that one again), asparagus, blue Egyptian water lily, cardamom and Chinese cinnamon.

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $14.30 USD

Neti Pot 

How often?

1 time per day

This is no ordinary tea pot – in fact, this is a nose pot. Yes, that’s right, you pour this little guy up your nasal passage (and watch the water and neti-salts flow out the other side). How to use it? Fill it up with room –  warm temperature water, mix in some himalayan sea salt (until dissolved) and then alternate half of the pot with each nostril until the water is finished.

I used to do it first thing in the morning, but I have since added this to my evening routine. It’s nice to think I’m flushing everything out and going to bed with clear and clean passageways!

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $16.30 USD

 

Nasya Oil 

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How often?

1 time per day

This oil is the perfect addition after the neti pot! It helps lubricate the passageways and restores balance – having lubricated mucus membranes helps to keep the bad guys moving away from the body. Added bonus? It helps promote clarity and intuition while stimulating memory!

Where to Buy?

Online on Amazon for $12 USD

Abhyanga 

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How often?

1 time per day

Abhy-what? This is a beautiful routine to add to your daily ritual. It is an Ayurvedic medicine that involves massage of the body with large amounts of warm oil. The oil is often pre-medicated with herbs for specific conditions, but you can use natural oils like sesame or coconut. Not only does it help soothe the nervous system, but it aids in detoxing, nourishes the body, softens the skin and stimulates the internal organs!

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $10 USD

Manage Stress

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Stress can wreck havoc on our immune system. It interrupts our sleep, our digestion, the body’s natural healing process and it is the cause of a very long list of diseases. Managing stress can be done in many ways including anything from running, to yoga, to meditation or even cooking. Find what helps you disconnect and tune in. It’s a life tool you will not regret integrating into your life.

On the Weekly

Garlic Ear Oil

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It sounds strange, but it is one of the most soothing and healing natural remedies I use when I’m sick. It helps keep your senses and cervical lymph lubricated during the cold and dry months of winter! What to do?

Ingredients:

  • 1 clove of fresh garlic (organic if possible), minced
  • 2 tablespoons of high quality olive oil or sesame oil

Instructions:

  1. Gently heat the oil in a small pan and add the minced garlic.
  2. Keep on very low heat for about 20 minutes
  3. Strain the garlic and remove.
  4. Let cool to room temperature, then place a couple drops in the ear

Triphala

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Keep things moving! Triphala is a mild laxative to help keep things smooth. Elimination is important for a healthy immune system. What’s included in Triphala? Ayurvedic herbs, of course! Amalaki,  Bibhitaki and Haritaki. Learn a bit more about Triphala here.

Where to Buy?

Online at iHerb for $12.50

Shop with code MEP206 at iHerb and receive $5 off your first order

Already sick? Here’s what to do!

Up your intake of:

  • Chyawanprash
  • Do the Garlic Ear Oil daily
  • Take Oil of Oregano (we talked about this in last week’s post) under the tongue
  • Ginger, Honey & lemon tea
  • Sleep
  • Give yourself a break. Don’t feel guilty or bad that you aren’t doing anything. This is your body’s way of saying its time to rest.

What it comes down to is that your body is more intelligent than you give it credit for. Listen to it. Read, unplug and just accept that you aren’t feeling great, because soon enough you will back at work, with your friends and your with loved ones. Use this time to be still and grateful your body does work and trust that it will heal in just the time it needs to take.

Well there you have it my beauties. Healthy, naturally!

Head over to Instagram and give Kelsi a follow and watch her journey. <3

X

K