The global pandemic COVID-19 got the whole world to a standstill, and people have been confined to their homes. Words like virus, mask, and immunity made their way into daily conversations.
However, the way to fight diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus is by strengthening the body’s defences against it, building up immunity through eating certain foods, like Chimes Ginger Chews in Canada, tulsi, cumin seeds etc.
To boost immunity, consuming certain foods in the daily diet increases white blood cells in the body. WBC are responsible for fighting diseases. These foods also help other body physical activities and immune functions as well. It has an overall excellent and positive effect on the body.
Many companies, like Chimes, include traditional ingredients that give the consumers taste and boost immunity. So, let’s check out some of the traditional ingredients used to boost immunity.
Traditional Ingredients for Boosting Immunity
The idea that only medicines work in building immunity, like Vitamin-C and Zinc tablets, is a surprise. The global pandemic prompted people to look back on the traditional ingredients that can be used, like Chimes and ginger chews.
Such ingredients help boost immunity and give the body natural defences that act as a barrier for protection against various diseases and strengthen the immune system.
- Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a magical herb that alleviates stress levels in the body and helps in sleeping. Stress causes various problems, like headaches and sleeplessness. It also decreases the body’s immune response, which is why it should be avoided, as it compromises the immune system, leading to falling ill and contracting diseases.
Ashwagandha helps in soothing the nerves and boosting the immune system. Taking it daily will help you immensely.
- Cinnamon
Having cinnamon rolls sounds fun. But did you know about the other beneficial properties of cinnamon?
Cinnamon helps in reducing inflammation, heals damaged tissues, helps improve gut health and also fights infections. All of these make it one of the best traditional ingredients in the kitchen that are used in foods consumed daily.
Another great property of cinnamon is that it is rich in antioxidants. It contains a prebiotic bacteria that promotes the growth of good bacteria and helps in the suppression of harmful bacteria. It is used in preparations for juices or smoothies or eaten with fruits which gives a good flavour.
- Neem
Neem has medicinal properties, and is applied on wounds and cuts and used to cure a cold. It is also known to fight bacteria and viruses and boost the immune system.
It also protects the body in warding off deadly pathogens that cause diseases since it has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it essential to include in our daily food.
It also purifies the blood and flushes out toxins, which give us glowing skin, a must for boosting immunity.
- Garlic
Garlic not only wards off evil vampires but also has medicinal properties. It is also antibacterial and antiseptic because it contains allicin and is rich in magnesium, zinc, Vitamin-C, and niacin, and fights free radicals. These properties makes it an antioxidant-booster, along with protecting the DNA from damage and boosts immunity as well. Zinc and Vitamin-C present fights diseases.
Garlic is best when consumed partially cooked or in a raw state. Consuming in these states ensures maximum infusion in the body efficiently.
- Ginger
Ginger is the best remedy for colds and flu and is an age-old traditional ingredient for boosting immunity. It has gingerol that helps kill and fight viruses and strengthens the body’s fight against many other diseases.
Ginger also helps in clearing respiratory tract infections. While a lot of people love the taste of garlic, ginger is slightly off in terms of consuming raw. So, the best way to take ginger is through products, like Chimes and peanut butter ginger chews or even boiling it with water or tea.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the trusted traditional ingredients when it comes to boosting immunity. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It contains curcumin, an active polyphenol and an antioxidant willed with micronutrients.
Turmeric is not used in a lot of dishes consumed daily, especially in western countries. However, adding turmeric and ginger to to milk and sipping it every morning or night boosts immunity like never before.
You can also take capsules that can help you ward off disease and give you immunity to fight any infection.
- Peppermint
You might know about peppermint tea, which has a fantastic taste. However, did you know that peppermint is a herb that contains many flavonoids, which are plant compounds?
These are beneficial for the immune system. The natural component of peppermint is menthol, which is also an ingredient found in many over-the-counter cold and cough syrups. It helps in clearing and relaxing the air pipes of the nose to facilitate proper breathing.
Peppermint can be used in juices and smoothies for the excellent flavour and also for boosting the immune system with a taste.
- Paprika
You might be thinking why paprika is on the list of traditional ingredients when all it does is spice up the food! So here is something you might not know about the spice.
Paprika is packed with vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and vitamin A helps the immune system and strengthens it. However, paprika does not boost immunity directly, the compounds present in it do so. This property makes it an essential ingredient to boost immunity.
It also has capsaicin that reduces inflammation and pain. So, the next time you want to trying something to boost immunity or fight the common cold, do not think of paprika as a spice, use it as a great ingredient to make you fit and healthy.
- Black Cumin
Black cumin is a hidden gem in the list of traditional ingredients that boosts immunity. Many people might not know this but black cumin keeps us safe from various diseases caused by bacteria and viruses that weakens the immune system.
Black cumin is rich in antioxidants that eliminates free radicals. You can take a teaspoon of black cumin seeds and have it with water, it works wonders for the body.
Alternatively, you can take Chime toasted coconut hard toffee with sea salt.
- Echinacea
Echinacea is an ornamental plant that Native Americans use for various diseases. Nowadays, it is being recommended by health professionals and nutritionists to fight colds and flu.
After some research, it was concluded that echinacea has some active compounds that strengthen the immune system and help in shortening the duration of cold and flu symptoms. It hastens and eases recovery from these diseases.
Moreover, it supports the immune response towards these diseases and helps in alleviating the symptoms and provides relief.
Final Thoughts
It has been a challenging three years fighting the pandemic, and there is no assurance that another wave is not coming our way. Boosting our immunity to ward off diseases is not related to just the pandemic, we should do it for seasonal flu and overall well-being as well.
A sound immune system fights not only these minor diseases but also life-threatening diseases and we must give our bodies the necessary immune-boosting properties that will help it to fight these diseases.
Taking supplements or medicines might not be sustainable for you at all times. In such cases, you can just have ginger chews and candies that can prevent any major illness.