The immune system is responsible for a complex set of processes designed to protect the body from diseases and infections. When pathogenic bacteria, germs and viruses enter the body, a healthy immune system begins to produce antibodies that fight diseases. The use of natural products - honey, ginger and garlic, the action of which as a means of increasing immunity is described in this article, will help strengthen the protective properties and help the body fight the effects of diseases.
Beneficial features
Natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular for treating common diseases and preventing health problems. They often have similar positive effects with prescription drugs, but do not have the same side effects as their pharmacy counterparts.
The healing properties of natural products have been used for centuries to prevent and treat diseases, increase the body's defenses, which are protected by the immune system. Cold and infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency, nervous strain and stress, smoking and alcohol abuse, rigid diets with an imbalance in the balance of fatty acids, and improper use of antibiotics can weaken the immune system.
Lymphocytes - the main producers of antibody defenders - are produced and accumulated by such organs of the immune system:
- tonsils and adenoids;
- thymus gland (thymus);
- The lymph nodes;
- spleen;
- appendix;
- Peyer's plates in the intestine;
- Bone marrow.
It is by the effect on these organs that one can trace the benefits of natural means of increasing immunity. Honey, ginger and garlic each individually have healing properties that support the health of the immune system and the body as a whole.
Did you know? 20 minutes of laughter per day will help maintain the normal functioning of the immune system, because when you laugh, the hormone dopamine is released in the brain, which reduces the effects of stress.
And when used in one combination, these three ingredients complement and enhance each other's action and help the immune system fight diseases. The use of these natural immunostimulants reduces the use of medications.
Ginger
Ginger has long been known as a cure for indigestion and a natural antiviral. It helps the body produce the naturally occurring antibiotic dermcidin produced by our skin during perspiration.
And in terms of anti-inflammatory effect, ginger can compete with ibuprofen. Ginger root helps to balance the immune system in order to restore its normal functioning and enhance protective functions.
Useful properties and contraindications of the product are summarized in the table:
Benefit | Harm (contraindications) |
Strengthens blood vessels; | Stomach ulcer; |
Lowers cholesterol; | Hepatitis; |
Improves cerebral circulation; | Cirrhosis of the liver; |
It treats colds; | Hypertension, gallstone disease; |
Improves digestion; | Bleeding. |
Strengthens the immune system. |
- Impact on immunity:
- Struggles with mental and physical fatigue.
- Reduces psychological stress during times of stress
- Restores strength and tone
- Contributes to weight loss
Honey
Honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helps soothe sore throat and cough, improves the body's ability to absorb calcium to maintain healthy bones, muscles and brain. Honey contains probiotics that normalize the composition and function of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby strengthening the immune system. According to studies, 70% of immunomodulating cells are in the digestive tract, on the well-being of which the body's resistance to the cold season depends.
- Benefit:
- Strengthens the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as joints;
- Enhances lymphatic flow;
- Antioxidant and anti-stress activity;
- Antibacterial and antifungal effects on the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity and respiratory tract;
- Treatment of colds and flu;
- Therapy of anemia, gastritis, liver and gall bladder diseases;
- Burns and breaks down fat;
- It is a natural biostimulant.
- Harm (contraindications):
- Allergic reactions;
- Individual intolerance;
- High glycemic index (60–87) and high calorie content affect the work of the pancreas and kidneys.
Impact on immunity:
- Relieves depression and chronic fatigue;
- Reduces psychological stress;
- Restores strength;
- Helps normalize pressure, heal wounds and reduce weight;
- It has a beneficial effect on digestion.
Garlic
Garlic is rich in sulfur-based organic compound allicin, which is an antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral agent that makes garlic the most powerful antioxidant in the world. Studies have shown that allicin reduces the risk of colds by 64%. The presence of the trace element selenium in garlic has a positive effect on strengthening immunity.
Important! To maximize the benefits of garlic, let it stand for 10 minutes after chopping to maximize allicin formation.
Useful properties and contraindications of the product are summarized in the table:
Benefit | Harm (contraindications) |
Effect on the immune system; | Exacerbates bleeding, toxic to the liver in large quantities; |
Provides blood flow and improves blood circulation; | Diarrhea |
Antibacterial and antifungal effects on the oral cavity, herpes, urinary tract infections; | Dizziness |
Antioxidant activity in the treatment of atherosclerosis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, malignant tumors, coronary heart disease; | Excessive perspiration; Stabilizes blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol; |
Prevents thromboembolism. | Heartburn, nausea, and vomiting when consumed on an empty stomach. |
- Impact on immunity:
- Natural phytoncide and immunostimulant;
- Improves metabolism.
- Enhances lymph flow;
- It activates the functions of the endocrine system;
- Stimulates the production of cells of the immune system - lymphocytes, restores the beneficial intestinal microflora;
- Increases stress resistance;
- Regulates protein metabolism;
- Reduces tumor burden by inhibiting angiogenesis.
Contraindications
In addition to the healing benefits, a preventive mixture of ginger, honey and garlic can cause negative consequences.
- Namely, an exacerbation of a number of chronic diseases:
- stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis with increased acidity of the stomach:
- renal and hepatic insufficiency;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- inflammatory processes of the urinary system;
- hemorrhoids in the process of exacerbation;
- nervous disorders, epilepsy;
- bronchial asthma;
- poor blood coagulation;
- allergy to components.
Honey + Ginger + Garlic Recipe
Next, we consider several recipes for the preparation of a healing mixture of honey, ginger and garlic. This is the so-called garlic-ginger tea, as well as a remedy with the addition of apple cider vinegar.
First option
Garlic-ginger tea helps to use the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger and garlic, the ability of ginger to relieve headaches and relieve nausea. Honey has antibacterial properties, and also reduces the irritating effect of garlic and ginger on the digestive tract and improves the taste of the drink.
Ingredients:
- water: 4 cups;
- fresh ginger: 1 piece 5 cm;
- garlic: 1 clove;
- honey: 2-3 tbsp. spoons.
Cooking:
- Peel the ginger and cut it into thin slices.
- Cut a clove of garlic into plates.
- Put garlic and ginger in a pan with water and boil for 15-20 minutes.
- Filter the drink and add honey to taste.
- Take 1 cup 3-4 times a day.
Did you know? In ancient Egypt, the builders of the pyramids were given garlic so that they were stronger and more enduring. And Greek Olympic athletes ate garlic before the competition to improve performance.
Second option
Ingredients:
- garlic: 3-4 heads;
- fresh ginger: 2 medium (8-10 cm) pieces;
- honey: 1 cup;
- lemon juice and apple cider vinegar: 150 ml (optional).
Cooking:
- Peel and grate ginger roots.
- Crush the cloves of garlic with a garlic squeezer or chop with a knife.
- Put garlic and ginger in a jar, add honey and mix. If desired, add lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
- Put the jar in the refrigerator for 3 days so that the mixture is infused.
- For a single dose of 2 tbsp. tablespoons of the mixture diluted in 1 cup of warm water.
- Take 2-3 times a day. The last evening reception should be 1 hour after dinner.
Honey + Ginger + Garlic + Lemon Recipe
Light chills, sore throat and nasal congestion are signs of a cold. Ginger and garlic disperse blood and warm the body, and a combination of all ingredients enhances immunity to fight viruses.
The addition of a healing folk remedy with lemon ensures the intake of vitamin C in the body, reduces swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes. It also neutralizes free radicals that cause the destruction of body cells. Recipes for wellness mixtures based on these products are presented below.
First option
Ingredients:
- garlic: 1 clove;
- fresh ginger: 1 piece 3 cm;
- honey: 1 tbsp. the spoon;
- water: 1 cup;
- lemon: ½ pcs.
Cooking:
- Chop the garlic clove finely
- Ginger grate, cut the lemon into slices.
- Put the ingredients in a mug and pour 1 cup boiling water. Cover and let stand until the liquid has cooled (about 10 minutes).
- Add honey until desired sweetness.
After you drink the drink, add honey (1 teaspoon), stir the chopped garlic and ginger and use the spoon to eat the leftovers. Honey reduces the pungent taste of garlic and ginger. You can drink such a drink 2 times a day for prevention, and in case of illness - more often (3-4 times).
Second option
Ingredients:
- garlic: 1 head;
- fresh ginger: 1 piece 10 cm;
- honey: 5 tbsp. spoons;
- filtered water: 1 cup;
- lemon: 1 pc.
Cooking:
- Peel garlic, ginger, remove seeds from lemon.
- Finely chop the garlic, ginger grate, finely chop the lemon through a meat grinder.
- Put all the ingredients in a jar and mix. Let it brew for a day, and put it in the refrigerator.
Take morning and evening after eating 1 tbsp. spoon for 2 months for prevention. During colds, the norm can be increased to 2 tbsp. spoons. For children, the consumption rate is 1 teaspoon.
Important! Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any homemade natural remedies for colds, flu, or other diseases based on garlic, ginger, and honey.
Use for children
As a rule, in the absence of contraindications, preventive wellness mixtures give children a dose 2 times less than for an adult. You should not give at all funds based on garlic, ginger and honey to children under 3 years old.
Children over 3 years old are recommended to introduce the mixture into the diet gradually, observing the condition of the child. To improve the taste, you can use warm milk as an additional ingredient, which also enhances the therapeutic effect, or orange juice.
It should be remembered that honey often causes allergic reactions in children.while an allergy to eating fresh ginger root is very rare. The duration of prophylactic administration for children should not be more than 2 weeks. Prevention can be carried out 2 times a year during an exacerbation of colds.
Possible negative consequences
You can not take such funds to pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as people with hypertension of the 2nd – 3rd degree and who have previously suffered a heart attack or stroke. It must be added that a mixture of ginger, garlic and honey enhances appetite, so people with severe obesity and dieting need to weigh and evaluate all the risks of taking.
Uncontrolled use of the drug or fasting can cause heartburn, nausea and vomiting, upset stomach and diarrhea. The above recipes for wellness mixtures can improve well-being and fight infections.
Did you know? According to various studies, medications and vaccines are less effective for those people who sleep less than 6 hours a day, compared to those who get a good night's rest, because poor sleep leads to weakened immunity.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the immune system is a complex structure, and the use of natural immunostimulants is only one way to maintain the optimal functioning of the organs of the system. In addition, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, abandon bad habits and adhere to a balanced diet.