This post is in partnership with Pascoe Canada.

It’s that time of year again where we need to support our bodies the best way we know how! As the cold & flu season is nearing, I wanted to share my recommendations to help prevent colds and the flu. If you or your loved ones do get sick, I am also sharing some ways to nurture your body through it so you can recover quickly.

It is best to always be proactive and keep your house and environment healthy. As a person with an autoimmune disease (celiac disease), and a mama of a two-year-old, I make sure my natural tool belt is ready and that we’re well equipped for the winter months ahead.

Of course, we can’t prevent every cold or flu bug from making us ill. But, naturally supporting the immune system is one way to strengthen our body’s defences against common germs.

This roundup is jam-packed with simple and natural suggestions for you to support yours and your family’s immune system.

Let’s jump right in…

9 Ways to Support Your Immune System Naturally:

1. Quality Herbal Supplement Toolkit – Pascoe Canada:

Having quality herbal supplements on-hand is essential for both preventative and support for the cold and flu season.

I am sharing some of my favourite immune supporting herbal products from Pascoe Canada.

Gripps Drops: A homeopathic remedy made with eucalyptus to help relieve symptoms associated with the common cold and flu such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever and muscle aches. The drops also work to help your body heal faster and fight viral infections.

Lymphdiaral Drops: A homeopathic remedy used to relieve symptoms of swelling, inflammation, and infection, such as pain fever and swollen lymph nodes due to recurrent conditions including tonsillitis and sinusitis. Made with calendula and Echinacea. These drops can help speed up the healing process and improve lymph flow.

Improving lymph flow can:

Improve immune function
Support the removal of toxins
Decrease swelling
Reduce inflammation

Lymphdiaral Drainage-Cream: A homeopathic remedy used to relieve symptoms of swelling and inflammation such as pain, fever and swollen lymph nodes due to injury or recurring conditions such as earaches, tonsillitis and sinusitis. It has been used worldwide for over 40 years and has excellent tolerability. It can be used on individuals as young as 1-years-old. The cream is made of conium, calendula, and colchicum.

Sinupas Drops: A homeopathic remedy to relieve sinus and nasal congestion and inflammation. These drops are a great alternative to antibiotics and are available over-the-counter. The drops work to provide fast decongestant relief from:

Sinusitis/chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis
Sinus infection/chronic and acute sinus infection
Congestion due to cold and flu
Inflammation due to infection

Tussiflorin Thyme: This cough syrup blend was originally formulated in 1960 and is made with pure thyme extract. It is a great-tasting expectorant that can be used for the whole family. Tussiflorin Thyme is effective enough for adults but can be used for children and toddlers over 1-years-old.

Tonsillopas: A homeopathic remedy for tonsillitis that soothes sore throats. It also provides fast relief for the symptoms of gingivitis, such as swollen, bleeding or red gums and a sore mouth.

Pascoleucyn Drops: A homeopathic remedy to relieve symptoms due to colds and flu such as headache, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough and fever. The drops are made with Echinacea.

Pasconal Drops: A homeopathic remedy for sleep disturbances, physical and mental exhaustion nervousness and restlessness. Pasconal is approved by Health Canada for children ages 1 and older and adults suffering from sleep disorders with nervousness.

How to know which Pascoe Canada product is right for your needs:

2. Add Epsom salt to the bath

Did you know our soil is depleted of vital nutrients? Due to soil and water levels being depleted, many individuals, especially children are deficient in magnesium. An Epsom salt bath can help increase magnesium levels. Add a handful of Epsom salts with two tablespoons of sea salt to yours or your child’s bath. This will help you to relax right before bed so you can have a good night’s sleep!

3. Reduce blue light and create a relaxing evening routine

Turn off the TV and electronics at least one hour before bed so the natural hormone cycles can begin. For those who experience stress, anxiety or worry around bedtime, try these tips to help:

Pascoe Canada’s natural herbal products Pascoflair and Neurapas Balance.
drinking herbal tea such as chamomile or catnip
rubbing magnesium oil mixed with shea butter and coconut oil onto the bottoms of feet
using lavender, cedarwood or peace and calming essential oil

4. Diffusing essential oils

Keep some essential oils in the home diffusing to ward off germs. My favourites for fall/winter are Thieves, R.C and lemon.

5. Get out in the sun and fresh air

The sun is generally demonized for the risk of skin cancer, however, by using some sun safety skills, it can bring many benefits to the human body. North Americans are not receiving enough Vitamin D which is a hormone for immune function, hormone development and bone and muscle growth.

6. Make homemade broth/soup

Make some nourishing soup just like your grandmother or great-grandmother would have. This is a food item that has nearly vanished from the modern diet and needs to be brought back for optimal health. There’s a reason that chicken soup is a common food during illness. Our mothers and grandmothers knew the amazing benefits! Homemade broth contains minerals that are incredible for immune health, skin, bone and muscle growth. It is simple and inexpensive to make at home.

I like to roast up a whole organic chicken once a week and save the bones for the broth at a later time. Broth can be consumed on its own as a liquid during illnesses or added to soups, stews and meals.

Here is my grandmother’s recipe:

Herby Chicken Soup – Gluten-free & Paleo

Jayde

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

6 medium carrots chopped
6 celery stalks chopped
5 garlic cloves minced
1 medium onion chopped
1.5 lbs. pre-cooked chicken chopped
2 tbs. Italian spices
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. dried rosemary
8 cups chicken bone broth
water as needed to fill pot
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
fresh basil or cilantro for garnishing
avocado oil for cooking

Instructions

In a large pot, place the carrots, celery and avocado oil on medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes to soften.
Add the garlic and onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Next, add the pre-cooked chopped chicken, Italian spices, thyme, rosemary, broth, water, salt and pepper.
Let the pot simmer for 20 minutes to take on the flavour.
Top with fresh herbs like basil or cilantro.
If you like it spicy, you can add in some red pepper flakes.

7. Add healthy gut bacteria

A great way to add beneficial bacteria to the diet is through fermented foods. Some of my family’s favourites are coconut milk kefir, sauerkraut, and low-sugar kombucha. The beneficial bacteria will help to crowd out the bad bacteria to assist with supporting the immune system

8. Get active

Get up and move! If you have children, get them outside where they will be able to get fresh air along with exercise. This is a great way to have children and adults to get fresh air and activity. Physical activity is important for overall health. Aside from helping maintain a healthy weight, exercise improves heart health, brain function, and can even impact the body’s immune system.

Studies show that exercise diversifies the bacteria in our gut. Our gut also holds over 70% of our immune system!

9. Whole Foods

A healthy whole foods diet plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system.

When grocery shopping for your family, make it a priority to focus on the outer perimeter of the grocery store. The foods in these areas are typically more nutrient-dense. If food is highly processed, contains chemical preservatives, dyes, or artificial sweeteners, then it is not a healthy option.

These unhealthy foods often cause inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation lowers the body’s ability to fight off infection.

Focus on these foods to help support your immune system:

organic leafy greens
free-range eggs
nuts and seeds
wild-caught fish
vegetables and fruits
grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, and even organ meats

These foods will provide the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to support a healthy body and mind.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Along with proper nutrition and lifestyle, Pascoe Canada’s herbal supplements can be excellent supporting tools to help you and your family to support your immune system during the cold & flu season.

To learn more about Pascoe Canada’s products, visit their website here: https://www.pascoe.ca/

Always consult your doctor before you begin taking a supplement or make any changes to your existing medication and supplement routine. This is not medical advice, but it is information you can use as a conversation-starter with your physician at your next appointment.