How to Boost Your Immune System In One Step!

If you are looking for ways to boost your immunity, there is just ONE thing you need to do to get started! 

Reduce your sugar intake!

That's all there is to it. It may not sound like a big feat but it's all you need to do to see an immense positive change in the way your body works.

I'm sure that has got you wondering how just removing a little bit of sugar from your diet can make such a big difference in your health. The reason is that just that little bit of sugar can wreak such havoc with your immune system, and reducing or even completely eliminating excess sugar from your diet may be the only change you need to make to improve your health. That is especially true if you have tried all kinds of immune boosters and supplements and nothing seems to work, you still keep falling sick at the slightest instance. 

If you are still reading this, you would definitely like to know how sugar drastically damages your system and makes it prone to sickness. Here's how:

When you eat something sweet, the sugar is the first to get digested and is instantly absorbed into your system. This sugar is carried on a fast track to all your cells because it is instant fuel. Your body does not need to break it down to access it for fuel, like it needs to break down other nutrients like proteins or complex carbohydrates. 

Your cells are then loaded with sugar and remain so for hours until all this sugar is used up either during regular body functioning or for extra energy. Your blood sugar level rises, giving you a false state of alertness and making you hyperactive. (Sugar that is not used up is converted into fat and stored.)

While your cells are loaded with sugar, your immune system remains suspended because it is weakened by all the sugar-high activity. Sugar competes with vitamin C for space within your cells. Vitamin C is required by the body to fight infections and heal tissues. 

A healthy diet contains not more than 120-130 calories from sugar obtained from natural sources like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and grains. Sugar found in processed foods made from refined flours, or in desserts or other processed foods should be avoided.

A high sugar diet reduces the absorption of vitamin C which is so important to the immune system. So it is the one thing that you need to change to improve your immunity!

Bach's Walnut for Smoother Transitions

Bach flower remedies are wonderful to help you handle the little (or big) anxieties in the roller coaster ride called Life.

Walnut is especially useful to help us prepare ourselves for the many transitions life puts before us. 

Walnut is the flower essence to use at any period when there is a major life change. 

This may be at birth, or puberty, menopause, teething; or moving from one place to another, marriage or divorce, change of job, first day of school, recovering from a major illness. 

Children respond very well to Bach flower remedies. If you have a child who is having difficulties adjusting to a new school or new city, or needs help to cope with separation anxiety, try Bach's Walnut flower essence!

How to take Walnut: 

For adults or children: Take two drops directly on the tongue, or mix two drops in a glass of water and sip throughout the day. 

Using for 2-3 days is generally enough in acute situations.


Find it here on Amazon (not affiliated)

Plantago major - Homeopathy in Your Garden

Plantago major

The next time you step out of your house, keep an eye out for this plant. It is a very commonly seen plant. It grows just about everywhere as a weed, between the cracks in the sidewalk, in gravel, in grassy surfaces. It is Plantago major.

It is commonly called Plantain, and it has immense medicinal value. Poultices made from the leaves are used to promote wound healing, because the leaves contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds. It also has astringent properties and it prevents loss of fluids from the body by contacting tissues. This makes it useful in diarrhea.

In homeopathy, the tincture of Plantago major is used to relieve toothache caused due to caries. The tincture, when applied with cotton wool, also relieves teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold. In other potencies, it is useful to relieve headache that is caused by toothache, diarrhea. It is especially useful for people with nicotine addiction by creating an aversion to tobacco, and by relieving the symptoms of insomnia and depression caused due to tobacco addiction.

Such a common little plant, and so many uses!

Photo credit: Frank Vincentz

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Homeopathy Seriously

Here are 5 good reasons why you should take Homeopathy seriously:


1. It is a complete system of medicine that has constantly evolved and stayed up-to-date with the evolving health issues, while staying rooted to the basic principles that its founder Dr. Samuel Hahnemann formulated in the late 18th century.

2. Homeopathy addresses a wide range of health problems from headaches to infectious diseases to autoimmune disorders, with gentle administration and very low to nil side effects. It has been useful for adults, children, animals (veterinary homeopathy), and is also being used for plants (agro-homeopathy).

3. Homeopathic remedies are made from materials that are found in our natural world. Remedies need to be created synthetically only very rarely, making homeopathy an eco-friendly and sustainable system of healthcare. Many commonly used homeopathic remedies are made from plants (Calendula) or their parts, some from animals (Apis) or their parts, others from various minerals (Natrum mur). This makes Homeopathy a completely natural system of medicine that uses the resources that are already available on Earth.

4. Homeopathy is cost effective. Since most homeopathic remedies are made from natural materials, it does not take a huge financial burden to produce them. The methods of producing the remedies are also simple and follow natural laws. Single remedies in Homeopathy cannot be patented because they are made from naturally-occurring materials; so people who use single remedies won't pay extra as patents royalties. 

One vial of a homeopathic remedy goes a long way because of the small doses used in homeopathy. All of this translates into a cost-effective system of healthcare that can reach across all economic boundaries.

5. Saving the best for last, homeopathy can be safely used at home for minor ailments, and regular use of homeopathy strengthens the immune system, because homeopathic remedies work with the body's natural immunity instead of against it. Using homeopathy will only help you to stay healthy longer, and recover from illnesses faster.

Homeopathy in Your Garden - Yellow Jessamine/Gelsimium

Continuing the Homeopathy in Your Garden Series, the second plant remedy you are going to get introduced to is Gelsimium. It is commonly known as Yellow Jessamine or Trumpet flower.

Gelsimium is native to Southeastern United States and is also called Carolina flower. It is the State Flower of South Carolina.

The root of this plant is used to make the homeopathic remedy Gelsimium sempervirens. Homeopathic Gelsimium is used for a range of symptoms like headache, flu, diarrhea, weakness of nerves, giddiness, anxiety, etc.

You can click on the highlighted text to read more about how to use Gelsimium for the flu or influenza.

Does this plant grow anywhere near you?

Homeopathy for Chikungunya

Aedes albopictus female mosquito

Chikungunya is a viral disease, transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms appear within 5-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms are weakness, fever, headache, skin rash, muscle pain, and joint pains are most severe. Most people feel better within 7-10 days, but incapacitating joint pains may linger for one month or longer, sometimes resulting in joint stiffness and restriction of mobility. Young people tend to recover easily. Newborns, adults over 40, and people with chronic diseases may experience the most severe form of the disease.

Conventional medicine does not offer any specific treatment for chikungunya, other than rest and OTC painkillers. Most people find it difficult to take painkillers for long periods of time because of their side effects and risks associated with long-term consumption.

There are many homeopathic remedies which can be used for chikungunya, the first of the line being Euphatorium perfoliatum (or Eup. per). Eup. per relieves the severe joint pains to a great extent and address the fever and weakness, reducing the intensity of the symptoms.

Other remedies that may be considered according to the person's symptoms are Belladonna, Bryonia, Cinchona, Gelsimium, Rhus tox, Pyrogenum, Polyporus pinicula.

It is advisable to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved clothing and full pants when outdoors, keeping windows screened with a mesh, and using a natural mosquito repellent like oil of lemon eucalyptus. It is also important to keep surroundings clean and prevent any collection of water (including roof gutters, bird baths) where mosquitoes may breed.


Note: Please do not take any of the above remedies for chikungunya without consulting a Professional Homeopath.


Additional Reading:

1. PubMed - Homeopathy in Chikungunya Fever and Post-Chikungunya Arthritis

Image credit: James Gathany via Wikimedia Commons

Homeopathy in Your Garden - Calendula

Have you ever wondered about the sources of homeopathic remedies? What are they made of? Many homeopathic remedies are made from plants. Remedies are also made from animal, mineral, and other sources. 

The flower in the picture is calendula, commonly known as marigold. 

Calendula is one of the remedies used for injuries because it promotes wound healing. It contains flavonoids which have anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Homeopathic Calendula has also been used in the treatment of various types of cancer, and the after-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

Do you remember eating marigold flowers as a child? You might not have known its benefits then, but you do now!

I have also shared videos of how homeopathic remedies are made in a previous post. (You can find the videos by clicking on the highlighted text.)

Stay subscribed to learn more about the different kinds of plants that are used in homeopathy!

Have You Found Your Alternative To Painkillers?

Painkillers are the most commonly used form of medication around the world. While they might help to manage pain to some extent, they also have numerous side effects, especially when used to manage chronic pain. It is important to find alternatives to treat and manage chronic pain rather than depend completely on painkillers. 

Low-impact exercise, physiotherapy (physical therapy), acupuncture, yoga, meditation, chiropractics, massage, dietary changes, and homeopathy are just a few of the many methods you can use to manage pain effectively without relying on prescription drugs. Finding alternatives will not only help your physical body, but will also help you connect to yourself and be more mindful of what you need to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle.

If you have been using painkillers like NSAIDs since a long time, this info graphic may give you enough food for thought to help you make a switch to other methods of pain management and treatment.

Aconite, Chamomilla, and Coffea are just 3 out of 100s of homeopathic remedies that can be used to manage both acute and chronic pain. Contact your homeopath to find out which remedy is best suited for you!

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs may offer temporary relief for chronic pain, but this comes with a list of side effects ranging from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Learn the painful truth about these painkillers by checking out this infographic on NSAIDs. Use the embed code to share it on your website or visit our infographic page for the high-res version.

<img src="http://media.mercola.com/assets/images/infographic/nsaids.jpg" alt="NSAIDS " border="0" style="max-width:100%; min-width:300px; margin: 0 auto 20px auto; display:block;"><p style="max-width:800px; min-width:300px; margin:0 auto; text-align:center;">Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or <a href="http://www.mercola.com/infographics/nsaids.htm">NSAIDs</a> may offer temporary relief for chronic pain, but this comes with a list of side effects ranging from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Learn the painful truth about these painkillers by checking out this infographic on NSAIDs. Visit our infographic page for the high-res version.</p>

NIH-funded Study: Infants Exposed to Dirt and Germs Have Lesser Risk of Asthma and Allergy

A recent study funded by National Institutes of Health in Maryland, USA, shows that infants who were exposed to household bacteria or allergens early in life (within the first year of birth) showed lesser risk of developing asthma and allergies later in life. 

I have already explained how this works in my previous post on The Rapidly Increasing Immune System Disorders and also in this post about How to Improve Your Immunity.

Asthma and allergies are both very common immune system disorders. They are becoming more and more prevalent at a rapid rate.

It is commonly thought that newborns need to be kept in 100% germ-free environments and anti-bacterial products are used extensively to maintain this. The recent results of the NIH study just show us how badly our war against bacteria is affecting our future generations. 

A reasonable level of sanitation is required to prevent the proliferation of bad bacteria; however, wiping out all bacteria from our surrounding environment will have negative consequences for our health and that of our future generations. Maintaining a bacterially sterile environment should remain in the domain of healthcare facilities like hospitals and the offices of medical providers, not in our homes where we eat and sleep and spend most of our time. While medical science still does not fully understand how immune system disorders are caused, we now know that some exposure to household germs is definitely good for our health.

An excerpt from the published study report:

A report on the study, published on June 6 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, reveals that early exposure to bacteria and certain allergens may have a protective effect by shaping children’s immune responses — a finding that researchers say may help inform preventive strategies for allergies and wheezing, both precursors to asthma.

“What this tells us is that not only are many of our immune responses shaped in the first year of life, but also that certain bacteria and allergens play an important role in stimulating and training the immune system to behave a certain way.”

Asthma is one of the most common pediatric illnesses, affecting some 7 million children in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the time they turn 3, up to half of all children develop wheezing, which in many cases evolves into full-blown asthma.

You can read the full report on the Johns Hopkins website by clicking on this link.

Sprouted lentils

Sprouts are so easy to make in summer! In today's post, I'm going to share how I make them.

Lentils are an excellent source of protein, complex carbohydrates, and soluble fiber. They are inexpensive, nutritious, and extremely versatile!

Compared to other legumes and dried beans, lentils are easier to cook and digest. They can be cooked on the stove top in 20-30 minutes or in a pressure cooker within 15 minutes. 

Soaking and sprouting removes some of the enzyme inhibitors that nuts, legumes, and beans naturally contain. This makes them easier to digest and absorb optimal nutrition. Sprouts also contain a large amount of vitamin C, which is not available in dried lentils or beans. Sprouted lentils can be added to salads or stir fries, or cooked to make dal, soups, or stews.

How to make sprouted lentils:

1. Wash the whole lentils and cover with cold water until they are completely under water.  
2. After 4-6 hours, check the water level and add more water if required.
3. Once all the lentils have softened (usually 6-8 hours), take the lentils in a sieve and drain all the water.  
4. Place the sieve on top of another container to collect any water drainage, and cover the lentils with a damp paper napkin or kitchen towel.  
5. Leave this on the counter top for a day or two. The lentils need air, water, and some light to be able to sprout.  
6. If the napkin or towel dries out, sprinkle some water on it to dampen it a little bit. You should see sprouts within 24 hours. The longer you leave them, the longer the sprouts will get. 
7. Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 1 week.

The photo is of sprouted whole red lentils, or masoor dal, on day 2 of sprouting. These are our most favorite kind of sprouts. We also sprout whole moong, red kidney beans, chickpeas, and fenugreek seeds.

Sprouts are fun to make, fresh, full of nutrients, and filling! How do you use sprouts?



Photo belongs to the owner of the blog. Please do not use it without permission.

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