To have better immune health, it helps to focus on improving gut health.
Why? It’s because the gut and immune system are closely linked – our gut is often the first line of defence when a virus invades the body.
It might answer the question of why some people are always healthy while others are often getting sick.
At first glance it might not make sense. How does a virus that attacks our respiratory system also affect our gut?
It’s because our gut microbiome regulates host defences against viral infections including respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus. This occurs through the activation of immune antiviral mechanisms and the prevention of excessive inflammation.
The microbiome consists of the trillions of bacteria,fungi (specifically yeast), protozoa and viruses that all contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem for good human health.
The gut microbiome collectively performs many beneficial functions, and one of them includes educating the immune system. The immune system doesn’t function independently – it is intricately connected to the gut so what we eat (or don’t eat) and the exercise we do or don’t do all impact the health of the gut.
Millions of interactions are constantly occurring between the gut and the immune system.
When the gut becomes unbalanced it is disrupted in a way that leads to disease in a phenomenon known as microbiome dysbiosis.
If you’ve ever had that sick nauseous feeling in the pit of your gut when you are first getting sick, then you know what I’m talking about.
Ginger is one herb that is very good for the gut. It has a strong but warming spicy flavour and has powerful anti-biotic and anti-viral properties.
Ginger is anti-nausea as it has natural enzymes that relieve nausea and vomiting. This makes it an excellent choice for morning sickness and motion sickness.
Ginger is one herb that is good for the gut. Turmeric is another one.
Herbs influence the gut along with the foods we eat, enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics, exercise, stress, sleep and other factors.
So to have a healthier immune system it makes sense to have good gut health.
That’s the theme of the Herbal Collective magazine October issue, where you can learn about 8 issues that affect the gut, 5 steps to better gut health, herbs and spices that contribute to better gut health and much more.
To get your copy of the Herbal Collective magazine online, head to Herbal Collective October 2024 issue.
But before you do, did you know you can access current and past issues of the magazine in An Herbal Journey.
It’s like an online herbal club where you can learn how to use herbs and spices in foods and beverages, herbal remedies, how to use grow an herb garden (indoors or out) so you always have a supply of fresh herbs, essential oils and so much more.
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