Immunity Hacks for a Healthy Holiday with Tiffany Hinton, GF Mom Certified

Winter brings cooler temperatures to the Northern Hemisphere along with snow and damper weather. The extra moisture in the air can be a perfect condition for additional colds and viruses to spread. We also begin to wear coats, scarfs and hats which we hang with other’s winter gear on coat racks sharing germs. My grandmother used to say bundle up so you don’t catch a chill. Her advice was a good one for many reasons. Our body when warm will actually kill any cold or virus bugs internally. This is the reason our own natural immune system produces a temperature. In the world of holistic healing we let the temperature go un-medicated until it reaches 103 degrees, to allow the body to naturally fight off the illness.

There are natural spices which warm the body and help us maintain a boosted immune system over the winter months. Spices include cinnamon, cardamon, licorice and Ashwaganda.  Licorice root tea has a sweet tea flavor perfectly suited for the winter months. Imagine curling up with your favorite book and a warm cup of sweet licorice root tea?

For a cough or runny nose, there are few natural remedies that have worked over the centuries and still work today in the modern world. Honey for example is naturally antiviral along with helping coat the throat to lessen coughing and soreness. Mary Poppins sang about a spoonful of sugar, but perhaps should have sang about a spoonful of honey instead!

Another trick of our grandparents that is still part of Ayurvedic practices is to rub your chest with sesame oil to help relieve a cough and remove the cold from our lungs. Black pepper, turmeric, licorice and eucalyptus are all spices to reach for to help with respiratory issues. Even a warm cup of golden milk or turmeric tea can be a remedy to get you through the day when you have a bit of a heavy chest.

We cannot forget the importance of healthy, nutrient dense foods. The key is to get quality energy from your food to help maintain your innate immune system. Root vegetables along with greens and healthy grains are the best choices. These foods have long acting carbohydrates to give our immune systems energy, along with phytonutrients to benefit our cells.

See this holiday feature in the 2020 GF Mom Certified Holiday Guide in partnership with Natural Awakenings Chicago Magazine visit www.nachicago.com/2020/10/23/332287/gf-mom-certified-holiday-guide-2020. To purchase Tiffany’s holiday Must Have’s and Gluten-free Gift Ideas, please visit our Amazon affiliated shop.

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