THE TWO TYPES OF IMMUNITY

Our bodies as well as the compositions of all pathogens (bacterial, fungal, viral) are complex, and to claim that one herb functions like an "easy button" that is a one size fits all solution would be very misleading. In my work, I see that on a physiological level of plant medicine, there is as much of a defensive measure and an offensive one. Let's briefly discuss this here:

DEFENSIVE IMMUNITY

Your immune system starts with your gut and is far more effective to build gut health than simply go nuts with common offensive measures such as oil of oregano. Ways to restore and strengthen your gut (while simultaneously improving brain function) include consuming:

• bone broth

• homemade jello (with collagen and fruit)

• cooked veggies (rather than raw veggies, which require a very active digestive fire to break things down thoroughly)

• healthy fats (in moderation)

• fermented foods

• Turkeytail mushroom

• Dandelion (greens and root) - I like consuming in tincture form 10 mins BEFORE a meal

• Fennel - I like consuming in tincture form 10 minutes AFTER a meal

• Ginseng

• Ginger and Tumeric (Tumeric is best consumed with Black Pepper as piperine - found in Black Pepper - enhances curcumin absorption)

• avoiding processed sugars

• avoiding wheat (unless it's been fermented such as in a long ferment sourdough)

• eating easy to digest fruit on its own (such as melons)

• filtered, re-mineralized, and alkalined water

OFFENSIVE IMMUNITY

It's this category that has been more widely discussed, yet without a healthy gut as a sturdy foundation, most efforts with medicine in this category will be largely less effective and short lived. My favourite herbs that offer a strong offensive punch towards viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens are (notice some appear in both categories):

• Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor)

• Thyme

• Rosemary

• Pine

• Sage (do not consume if you are breastfeeding or have dry mouth)

• Yarrow - more so because it is such a strong diuretic

• Cat's Claw

• Clove

• Ginger - helpful for chills and aches (as it offers Yang qualities of heat)

• Peppermint - great for sore throats and fevers (as it offers a strong Yin quality of cooling functions)

• Astralagus

Read this blog post that shares immune boosting recipes.

With so much love,

Mimi

founder and animist spirit medium