Our Immune System

 

The immune system helps the body stay healthy. It consists of tissues, cells, and small organs that produce white blood cells. Without a healthy immune system, you could not defend yourself from potential threats that are all around. 

 

The immune system is responsible for protecting your body from environmental threats. To do so, the immune system uses a variety of cells, tissues, and organs, many of which are shared by other body systems. The immune system's first line of defense is your skin. It acts as a barrier that keeps invaders out. Mucous membranes in your nose, mouth, and throat also protect your body from invaders by trapping potential threats and keeping them from invading the body. 

 

When environmental threats get past these defenses, white blood cells kick into action. White blood cells find the invaders, tag them as harmful, and destroy them. But that's not all-they also remember the invaders so that if they try to attack you again, your body can stop them even faster. White blood cells are made and stored in a variety of places inside the body, such as the tonsils, thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. 

 

Keeping the immune system functioning properly depends on many things, including getting adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. Malnourishment and micronutrient deficiencies can result in altered immune responses and increased risk for health issues. 

 

 

Strong All Season Long

Maintaining a strong body requires several elements to come together in harmony-things like diet, exercise, stress, sleep, toxins, and medical care must all be addressed properly in order for the body to work as it should. 

 

Eat Right
Fueling your body with the nutrients it needs is the foundation of lifelong health and vitality. Eating whole foods that are rich in nutrients support a strong immune system function. 

 

Exercise
Regular physical activity is important in staying strong all season. Nearly every system of the body, from cardiovascular to respiratory, and even mental health benefits from physical activity. 

 

Rest & Manage Stress
If you want to stay strong all season, you need to rest and manage stress. Use techniques and products to help you create an atmosphere that encourages rest and relaxation. 

 

Reduce Toxic Load

A "toxin" is any substance that places undue stress on the body and vital organs. Reducing your toxic load helps your body function smoothly so you can stay strong all season. 

 

Informed Self Care

As you take greater responsibility for your health, it's paramount to understand the issues that may not require the immediate attention of a medical professional. While it's important to see a doctor when the situation calls for it, some minor issues can be solved at home, especially if you're proactive (instead of reactive) about taking care of your body. Taking care of your skin, supplementing to promote the health of your body's systems, staying on top of health issues-all of these can be addressed with proper use of natural products. 

 

Proactive Medical Care
I believe that with a foundation of healthy habits and effective education, you can address 80% of your family's wellness needs from the comfort of home. From time to time, however, situations arise that require extra attention and support. The other 20% of health needs involves what we call proactive medical care. 

 

A trusting relationship with a medical professional is one of the most important pillars of lifelong health. Developing a relationship with your medical professional is crucial so that you can be proactive-instead of reactive-about necessary medical care. 

 

How to Stay Strong All Season Long:

 

As you know, environmental threats can travel, moving in and out of the body through exposure pathways. 

 

They enter the body through the mouth, ears, nose, eyes, and skin. They exit through excrement, sneezing, coughing, or pores in the skin. Stopping the movement along these pathways is critically important-and fortunately, it's also simple. 

 

You already know how to minimize your exposure pathways. It's all the things your mom told you to do: wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, keep your room clean, and don't touch your eyes or pick your nose.  Great advise! 

 

Prevent 

The first thing to do is limit the exposure pathways in and out of your body. Thoroughly washing your hands is the best way to protect yourself and others from environmental threats. Essential oils are an excellent way to keep yourself, your space, and your air clean. 

 

Strengthen 

Now that you've addressed exposure pathways, be sure to give your body what it needs to stay well. Fortunately, you're already living a lifestyle that helps you stay strong-the wellness lifestyle! By eating right, exercising, resting and managing stress, and reducing your toxic load, you've gotten a head start in staying strong all season. 

 

Respond

Sometimes-despite our best efforts-things slip through the cracks. When that happens, you need to address some of the effects. There's a wide variety of essential oils and products that provide soothing and comfort. 

 

Natural Ways to Boost the Immune System:

 

• doTERRA On Guard® : This powerful blend can be used daily to support the body's natural antioxidant defenses. Diffuse or apply one drop to the bottoms of the feet as needed.
• doTERRA On Guard®+ Softgels: take one or two daily when seasonal threats are high to strengthen immune function.
• doTERRA On Guard® Sanitizing Mist: Use to kill 99.9 percent of the germs and bacteria you encounter in your environment.
• doTERRA Foaming Hand Wash: cleans and softens hands while providing an invigorating aroma of essential oils with protective benefits.
• Frankincense: place a drop under your tongue each morning for daily immune support.
• doTERRA Breathe® / Respiratory Blend: Add it directly to a diffuser or apply it to your chest to help minimize the effects of seasonal
  and environmental threats.
• Oregano Touch: Apply on the bottoms of the feet to support a healthy respiratory function and fight
  threats.
• Copaiba: Put one to two drops in a Veggie Capsule or the same amount under your tongue in order to support the health of the cardiovascular, immune, digestive and respiratory systems.

 

Immune Supporting Essential Oils

• Basil
• Black Pepper 
• Cardamom 
• Cassia
• Cilantro 
• Cinnamon Bark 
• Clove 
• Coriander 
• Frankincense 
• Geranium 
• Helichrysum 
• Juniper Berry
• Lime
• Marjoram
• Tea Tree
• Melissa
• Myrrh
• Petitgrain
• Roman Chamomile 
• Tangerine 
• Thyme Vetiver
• Wild Orange 

 

 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about using natural solutions for you and your family. 

 

While you are scrolling on social media, please hop on over to my Insta and/or Facebook pages this month. I'm sharing my favorite and fun DIYs for the winter months (no snow required) There are activities to do with the kids, fun holiday gift ideas, winter-themed diffuser blends and roller bottle recipes that will have you "walkin' in a winter wonderland. 

 

Until the next time.

 

Be well, Deanna

Peace. Love. Oils.