20+ Go-To Immune Boosting Home Remedies

When it comes to keeping your body at it's best there are so many factors that contribute to your overall health. Everything from stress management to sleep to vitamins to herbal teas and more----this list of my 20+ Go-To Immune Boosting Home Remedies can help to keep your body nice + strong throughout any time of the year, especially the cooler months. It's so important to understand that simple everyday practices play a major role in strengthening our body's entire system, helping us fight off anything that isn't good.

At any given moment when I sense even the slightest sniffle, I'm always turning to the most natural way to assist my body in recovering. In recent years, I really began taking my health more seriously with just small adjustments and tweaks---working my way up to major changes. Regardless of the season, I'm always a soup drinker and juicing has become my biggest staple as opposed to store-bought juices.

After plenty of research (and a fair bit of trial and error), I realized those over-the-counter meds don’t actually help your body fight off illness—they just mask the symptoms. Instead, staying hydrated, loading up on nutrient-rich foods, and sipping on soothing teas can make a world of difference. Trust me, natural really is best!

Jump to:

• What Does Wellness Mean to Me?
• Do Natural Remedies Really Work?
• Zinc + Vitamin C
• Turmeric + Black Pepper
• Garlic
• Salt + Water
• Exercise
• Stress Management
• Sea Moss
• Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey
• Minimize or Eliminate Dairy
• Herbal Teas
• Elderberry
• Oil of Oregano
• Echinacea
• Black Seed Oil
• Lemon or Lime with Honey
• Hot Water Steam + Essentials Oils
• Ginger
• Vitamin D
• Humidifier
• Epsom Salt
• Oranges
• Sleep
• Water
• Probiotics
• 10 Naturally Effective Ways to Fight a Cold/Flu.
• More Lifestyle + Wellness Tips You Might Enjoy
• DID THIS HELP IN ANY WAY?

What Does Wellness Mean to Me?

To touch a bit on Wellness —-for me it’s all about Mind, Body, + Spiritual wholeness. I’ve learned that oftentimes you have to lose to win–in the literal sense!

Sometimes that loss comes from eliminating certain things from your diet for optimal health or killing certain relationships to ensure that the positive aspects of yourself are secure and protected, changing household essentials to ensure that your environment is green and non-toxic, or even setting aside time to cultivate your spiritual being through self-care or spiritual practices.

These immune-boosting recipes will help you enjoy a balanced, nutrient-packed diet that will help keep your body functioning at it's best.

With the holidays ahead, here's a list of my favorite Self-Care + Wellness gift ideas that truly creates the best ambiance at home.

Do Natural Remedies Really Work?

Absolutely! Natural remedies can be incredibly effective at not only soothing symptoms but also supporting your body’s natural ability to fight off illness.

While over-the-counter meds may mask discomfort more quickly, they don’t actually tackle the root cause. Remedies like staying hydrated, eating nutrient-rich foods, and using herbal teas help your immune system tackle the root cause, leading to a quicker + healthier recovery.

With that being said, I've decided to share a few of my all-time favorite home remedies that are staples in our house on a daily basis, but especially during sick moments:

Zinc + Vitamin C

I've been taking supplements by my favorite brand, Garden of Eden that combines Zinc + Vitamin C together. In general, both vitamins are extremely good for our body's function and together they play a vital role in nutrition, immune support, skin health, eye health, additional antioxidants, and overall maintenance of health.

Turmeric + Black Pepper

In case you weren’t aware, Turmeric is an amazing ingredient to incorporate into your dishes. The health benefits that derive from this simple ingredient is so awesome. But if you’re wondering, what is turmeric and where you can find it—no worries. Let’s talk!

The main ingredient in turmeric—curcumin is where all the incredible benefits lie. It has powerful inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

The only downside is that curcumin is present at a very low rate in turmeric, therefore, the best way to gain the full benefits of this ingredient is to take supplements with high contents of curcumin, specifically. OK, so where does black pepper come in? Whelp, black pepper’s main ingredient–piperine actually helps the body to absorb curcumin (by large increases) which gives us the full effect of health benefits at work.

My Favorite Turmeric Supplement: Garden of Life Extra Strength Turmeric Tablets

Best, Easy Daily Drink: Carrot Ginger Citrus Turmeric Juice

Great Soup for Detox: Fall Detox Sweet Potato Veggie Soup

Garlic

Like you might already know, garlic is a super powerful ingredient. Not only is it great in it's raw form, but you can also take garlic supplements for a daily boost. When using it raw, I love to crush it up to make tea over the stovetop, add it to soups, or incorporate it in other dishes like pasta, sauces, etc.

Salt + Water

When it comes to getting rid of a sore throat, soothing a painful tooth infection, or simply creating a natural mouth-rinse, salt + water is my go-to! I usually ensure that the water is warm so that it does the trick and using sea salt works wonders!

If you’re battling a sore throat, gargling with salt water is a simple and effective remedy. Here's why it works:

• Reduces inflammation. Salt helps to calm the irritation in your throat, providing relief.
• Loosens mucus. The warm water helps break down mucus, making it easier to clear from your throat.
• Kills bacteria. Salt has natural antibacterial properties that can help fight off infection.

TO MAKE THE GARGLE:

• Mix ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.
• Gargle for 30 seconds, making sure the solution reaches the back of your throat.
• Repeat 2-3 times a day as needed.

This quick, natural remedy can bring much-needed relief to a sore throat and support your body’s healing process.

Exercise

If I'm honest, I'm not the hugest fan of doing exercises (I mean who likes to get sweaty and deal with soreness? Haha), I know that exercising plays an important role in our body's overall health, not just when it comes to weight loss. Believe it or not, exercise helps with circulation, hormones, good for your muscles + bones, increases your energy levels, and so much more. So, it's best to incorporate as much movement in your day as possible with simple things like jump rope, walking, morning runs, squats, etc.

Stress Management

As we know, stress is never good for us! Overall, stress causes a ton of changes to the body, which further eliminates boosting support, especially when we need it most: causes hormonal changes, brain changes, weakens the immune system, skin + hair changes, increased risk of disease, and so many other things.

The body's stress response is a protective mechanism that helps you handle stressful situations in the short term. However, when stress is chronic, the body stays in a constant state of alertness, which can lead to serious health problems over time. Luckily, you can take herbal supplements like these Ashwagandha Root capsules or this essential oil roll on for stress relief.

If you're looking for natural ways to reduce stress, here are 9:

• Remain Active + Exercise.
• Aromatherapy.
• Deep Breathes.
• Writing + Practicing Gratitude.
• CBD oil.
• Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon Balm, Green Tea, etc.)
• Practice Self-Care.
• Reduce Caffeine, Sugar, Processed Foods, + Alcohol.
• Therapy.

Sea Moss

One of my newest favorites + go-to's has been sea moss. What is it? Irish Sea Moss is a type of algae which has been used in the human diet for thousands of years. The best thing about sea moss is that it has 92 minerals that are beneficial for your health.

In addition, it promotes a healthy thyroid, healthy heart, boosts your Immune system, promotes good digestion, improves metabolism, and so much more! I've created this Vegan Jamaican Irish Moss Drink as the perfect sip while getting in the nutrients.

Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey

Yes, You read that right. I've discovered the combination of ACV + Honey recently and it's so powerful! While they are independently great, together they create the following health benefits: can help to kill harmful bacteria, may help to lower blood sugar levels + manage diabetes, may help with weight loss, may help to improve heart health, among others.

To ensure the best benefits, it's always recommended that you purchase AVC that contains "the mother" like the Bragg's version--my favorite! They also have a capsule version for greater ease, especially if you aren't a fan of the taste of the actual liquid.

Minimize or Eliminate Dairy

Believe it or not, since minimizing my dairy intake TREMENDOUSLY, I've seen a few changes that have aided in my overall wellness. Although, my original reason for minimizing dairy due to an intolerance, doing so does bring forth many other benefits such as: the clearing of acne, better digestion, help with weight loss, reduction of inflammation, etc.

Herbal Teas

Teas have always been my go-to and they continue to be regardless of the type of tea that I chose to drink. While the ingredients used all offer different health benefits, overall, drinking tea on a daily basis helps to boost your energy levels, relieve stress, boost brain function, help to fight off free radical damage, and so much more. These Detox Green Tea Shots are an easy way to prep for your daily dose of vitamins and nutrients.

My Top Teas to drink: Honey Grapefruit Cucumber Thyme Tea, Roasted Dandelion Strawberry Tea, Citrus Pear Ginger Detox Tea, and Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Lemonade (which can be enjoyed hot or cold).

Elderberry

Elderberry has become super popular in recent years due to it's high levels of antioxidants and great success at treating cold + flu symptoms. There are about 30 types of elder plants and trees around the world. The European version (also known as Sambucus nigra) is the one most closely tied to your health and healing.

I take these Elderberry Gummies on a daily basis in the winter months for that extra barrier to my immune system and the same brand makes a liquid version for adults + kids.

Oil of Oregano

When it comes to Oil of Oregano, this has been one of my main go-to's on most days. Usually, however, I take these Oil of Oregano capsules for no more than 3 or 4 weeks, before taking a break for a month or two and then taking them for another small period, if needed.

The health benefits of taking Oil of Oregano includes: it works as a Natural Antibiotic, may help to lower cholesterol, it works as a powerful Antioxidant, may help to improve gut health, has anti-inflammatory properties, and so much more. Of course, always discuss using anything with your Dr. before trying it.

Echinacea

Echinacea is the name of a group of flowering plants in the daisy family. In addition, studies have linked echinacea and their compounds to many health benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved immunity, and lower blood sugar levels.

Honestly, I love taking these Echinacea capsules the moment that I feel even the slightest scratch in my throat and they've knocked it right out before anything has developed.

Black Seed Oil

Another one of my latest discoveries has been Black Seed Oil, especially during the pandemic. It is just as powerful as Oil of Oregano and I usually consume them via these Black Seed Oil capsules. It is high in antioxidants and can treat various skin conditions along with lowering of blood sugar, maintaining brain health, aiding in weight loss, and more.

Of course, for better absorption, you can take this supplement in liquid form as well.

Lemon or Lime with Honey

This combination is a staple within the Jamaican culture and has been a go-to in my family and household for years. While both Lemon + Honey each have their own benefits, together, they both aide in the detoxification of the body and weight loss, clears the skin from acne, increase immunity, reduces throat + cough infections, and so much more.

This Starbucks' famous Medicine Ball Tea is by far a must try when it comes to incorporating lemon and honey together!

Hot Water Steam + Essentials Oils

These have been one of the best home remedies that I've used to not only keep my immune system healthy, but also as a form of self-care in helping me to relax. Most people use both Hot Water Steams + Essentials Oils to soothe cold/flu symptoms, especially congestion.

However, you can always use both to create great lung + respiratory health (use of eucalyptus oil, clove oil, lemongrass oil, etc.) , relieve stress (use of lavender oil, jasmine oil, chamomile, etc.), digestive issues (use of lemon oil, peppermint oil, etc.); as well as using essential oils for hair and skin health (after mixing with a carrier oil).

This Nasal cleanser is also a great option if you're suffering with congestion.

Ginger

People typically use fresh or dried ginger in cooking or herbal tea, and some take ginger supplements for their possible health benefits.

Ginger may help relieve nausea and vomiting and aid digestion. Antioxidants and other nutrients in ginger root may help prevent or treat arthritis, inflammation, and various types of infection. Ginger may also reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and other health problems.

These ginger-infused recipes are the perfect starting point to adding more of this nutrient-powerhouse to your diet: Creamy Carrot Ginger Dressing, Easy Homemade Lemon Ginger Ale, and Citrus Ginger Turmeric Ice Cubes.

Vitamin D

Believe it or not, Vitamin D has a load of benefits. While many of us often joke about getting a dose of Vitamin D from the sun, in reality, it is a super important vitamin that we truly need to keep our Immune Systems running strong. It helps to fight disease, reduces depression, boosts weight loss, helps keep our nerves in tact, and so many other benefits.

Especially in quarantine, with us being more indoors, I've made it a mission to take a daily Vitamin D-3 supplement which has helped me incredibly!

Humidifier

I love using a humidifier, especially during the Fall/Winter seasons. Usually, I add air-cleansing and anti-microbial essential oils to my humidifier to keep my family and I's immune system nice and strong. You don't need anything fancy, just ensure that it's a Cool Mist Humidifier----like this Quiet Humidifier for bedrooms or this Smart Humidifier that works with your smart phone (which I have + love).

Epsom Salt

When it comes to treating body aches and pain naturally, I love using Epsom Salt. You simply add a few scoops of salt to your bathe filled with warm water and soak away! Many Epsom Salts come with added Pink Salt, Eucalyptus, and so many others depending on the added benefits that you need. My favorite brand of Epsom Salt is Dr. Teal's and it's super affordable and also comes in a variety of scents.

Oranges

You've also probably heard your doctor tell you to get more vitamin C when you're sick or immunocompromised. This is because vitamin C can help reduce the severity of your cold or flu as well as speed up your recovery. Fruits like oranges are a great source of vitamin C. But orange peels actually have three times the amount of vitamin C as the fruit inside. They also contain a lot of other great vitamins including provitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and calcium.

My Favorite Orange-infused Recipes: Orange Thyme Ice Cubes, Freshly-Squeezed Orange Juice, Superfood Honey Orange Granola, and Blood Orange Kale Salad.

Sleep

Believe it or not, sleep does wonders to your Immune System. Not only is your body at rest, but it also release a type of protein called cytokines, which is a great fighting agent towards stress, infections, or inflammation. Therefore, getting the recommended amount of sleep (or more) is super important for your overall health.

Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night and take short naps if needed. Creating a sleep-friendly environment—dark, quiet, and cool—can also help you rest better. If congestion is a problem, try propping yourself up with extra pillows to ease breathing. The more rest you get, the quicker your body can heal!

Water

While we all know this, Water still remains an essential part of our diet that creates a healthy body overall. Since our bodies are made up of mostly water, it's only understandable that consuming water is important. Personally, I've made it a mission to drink water that include electrolytes and is alkaline as well.

These types of waters have both potassium and sodium, which helps the body to better absorb water once it's consumed. My favorite go-to water brands are Fiji Artisan water and Essentia water.

Probiotics

Last but not least, eating healthy is one of the biggest and best things that we can do for our immune system and overall health. The saying that goes, "You are what your eat" is very factual and whatever we choose to consume will either fuel our bodies to fight everything or not. I definitely recommend reading my list of 11 Best Foods to Improve Gut Health, which include great options that consist of probiotics like yogurt, etc.

Luckily, I've made it a mission to create healthier recipes to help you along the way as we walk out this food Journey. Head over to my recipe index for all categories and food options.

10 Naturally Effective Ways to Fight a Cold/Flu.

Feeling under the weather? With fall and winter in full swing, colds and flu can leave you feeling miserable—but you don’t always need to reach for over-the-counter meds. These 10 Naturally Effective Cold + Flu Remedies can help boost your immune system, soothe symptoms, and speed up recovery the natural way!

More Lifestyle + Wellness Tips You Might Enjoy

If you loved learning about these 20+ Go-To Immune Boosting Home Remedies then check out these health + wellness tips next:

• How to Cut, Dice, + Make Caramelized Onion
• How To Freeze Fresh Herbs
• 10+ Surprising Foods That Can Be Frozen
• 5 Tips For Better Bean Digestion
• 10 Plant-Based Foods Loaded With Iron
• The Complete Beginner's Guide to Intermittent Fasting
• Best Tips for Cooking Sockeye Salmon

DID THIS HELP IN ANY WAY?

If you've learned anything from 10 Naturally Effective Cold + Flu Remedies or given any recipes on my website a go, I'd truly appreciate it if you could share your experience by leaving a ⭐ star rating and dropping your thoughts in the 📝  comments below. Your feedback means a lot, and I love hearing from you on your wellness journey!

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