The Coronavirus epidemic has got us all a little scared and wary. It feels like there could not be a better time to pay attention to the way we look after ourselves and our well being. The Coronavirus is one that hits at our respiratory systems and weakens our immune system, making us more susceptible to flu-like symptoms. As a beauty salon Marylebone, we wanted to look at how we can do our part and boost our immune systems naturally. We give you our top tips… Remember boosting your well-being is not a one-off thing but an ongoing part of our lifestyles.
Use Turmeric – Turmeric is a herb that has been used in Asian cultures for centuries. Not only for cooking but it is widely used in ayurvedic practices for a myriad of health conditions. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a powerful antioxidant. It will help your body to fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing the damage – helping to neutralize free radicals on its own and stimulate your body’s own antioxidant enzymes.
How To Use Turmeric
Turmeric
Powder form – In the East, turmeric is used in cooking, but the chances are you won’t get its full benefits by just adding it into your food alone. What I do is buy fresh turmeric, skin it and cut into small pieces and soak it in some salted water and eat a few pieces throughout the day.
Tablet form – If like me, you aren’t always on the move then try taking Turmeric supplements. Remember to go for a brand that contains black pepper of peperine to help boost its absorption. By itself, it tends to just pass through your digestive tract so you don’t really get its full benefits. Take 2 tablets a day. I personally use, TURMERIC by YOU Theory, which also contains Peperine, (Bio Pennine) and olive leaf. Look at taking Turmeric supplements as a part of your lifestyle and not see it as
A Quick Fix – GARLIC
Garlic has been used for centuries as both a food ingredient and a medicine. It is a plant in the onion family that’s grown for its distinctive taste and health benefits. It contains sulfur compounds, which are believed to bring some of the health benefits, including reduced heart disease risk, improved mental health and enhanced immune function. Garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese and contains trace amounts of various other nutrients. Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties will help boost the immune system – keeping bugs at bay. It is also renowned for helping to reduce blood pressure and reducing cholesterol.
Ways To Use Garlic
Garlic
In your food, a clove a day at least. You can add it to your food or just have one clove a day… Any more can leave you a bit smelly as the smell is pretty potent. In tablet form, go for aged garlic. The ageing of garlic converts the harsh, unstable and irritating compounds found in raw garlic such as allicin to stable unique and beneficial compounds… The high antioxidant activities of aged garlic extract might be due to antioxidant compounds other than phenolic compounds. I personally use Aged Garlic by Quest; It is produced from organically grown cold aged garlic cloves, contains water and oil-soluble compounds and is high strength. It is odourless and gentle on the stomach too. As often, too much garlic can produce a lot of heat in the stomach. You can also take an aged garlic supplement. In that case, a normal dose is 600 to 1,200 mg per day.
GINGER
Ginger is a strong antioxidant that has been shown to naturally boost the immune system. It contains tons of vitamins, some of which are magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium… It is also a great detox — ginger root helps relax the intestinal tract and eliminate intestinal gas. Add some to your food or boil up some grated fresh ginger and infuse it in hot water and add some honey to sweeten. Becomes a daily healthy tea!
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C
Renowned for its role in supporting a healthy immune system… As an
antioxidant, vitamin C fights free radicals in the body which may help prevent or delay certain cancers and heart disease and promote healthy ageing. For women over 19, it is recommended you have a daily intake of 75mg Zinc supplements. Zinc can really help to boost the immune system – It activates enzymes that break down proteins in viruses and bacteria so they are less able to spread. Zinc also increases the activation of cells responsible for fighting infection. Take 8mg a day. There are combination supplements over the counter that have vitamin C and zinc, which might be easier.
MASSAGE
Get a professional monthly lymphatic massage. Not only will it relax you and relieve tired and aching muscles, but a good massage will also stimulate your lymphatic system – the body’s circulatory system. The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from the bodily tissues. Some health conditions can cause lymph fluid to build up. If the system is sluggish the body holds on to waste and causes degeneration of body tissues. This means your body has to work harder when fighting viruses or infection. At our beauty salon Marylebone, we are renowned for our Acu-Lymphatic Massage, which also stimulates vital acupressure points as well as the lymphatic system, which enhances its health-giving properties. When massaging your self at home, use a salt scrub before your shower. The Ultimate Salt Scrub (picture of product below) uses minerals from the Dead Sea Salt, which are highly therapeutic and will for stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation, which ultimately means the body is more effective in removing toxins and supplying ‘healthy blood’ around the body.
Ultimate Salt Scrub – Beauty Salon Marylebone
ACUPRESSURE POINTS stimulate your stomach 36 pressure point. Stomach 36 is one of the most effective acupuncture points for strengthening the immune system, recovering from fatigue and boosts endurance in general. It’s like a Vitamin C shot for your body. Acupuncturists or holistic massage therapists will often incorporate this point into treatments because it is such an energizing point. Activate it 2 or three times a day for 60 seconds with a pumping action.
Where is it?
Stomach 36 is found about four fingers length below your knee, just outside the prominent tibia bone. Sometimes pressing this point, if it’s done firmly enough, will produce a strong sensation that travels down the leg.
Other Tips
Cut out smoking – cigarettes are packed with highly toxic ingredients.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Meditate to stay as calm and relaxed as possible.
Aim to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night. When you are at rest, your body does most of its healing and rejuvenating.
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