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How the immune system can be naturally strengthened
The immune system is not just an organ but, as the name suggests, an entire system. This includes all lymphoid organs, lymphoid tissue, the hormonal system and the nervous system. With this complexity, it is understandable that influences such as stress, massive stress in life or hormone fluctuations can have a negative impact on the immune system. To strengthen this, various aspects must be considered and treated across organs.
The defense system: construction and development
The organs of the immune system include the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, tonsils, tongue and tonsils as well as the lymphatic tissue in the intestine. The cells that are involved in the defense all develop from a so-called stem cell in the bone marrow. These cells then migrate to various places in the body in order to carry out their defense work there.
The organs and tissues of the immune system are divided into two categories: the former form the primary lymphoid organs such as the thymus and bone marrow. Here the immature immune cells mature into so-called immunocompetent cells and then enter the second category, the secondary lymphatic organs. These consist of the lymph nodes, the so-called lymphatic pharyngeal ring (pharynx, tongue and palate tonsils), the spleen, the Peyer plaques (lymphatic tissue in the small intestine) and other lymphatic tissues in the body. There the immune cells go about their work.
A baby is born with a so-called nest protection. This means that as long as the child is still in the womb, the mother transfers placental antibodies to the unborn child (immunoglobulins of class G, in short: IgG). Thus, the child has passive immunity to diseases such as e.g. Measles, rubella and mumps.
After the first few months, this level of antibodies in the blood drops and the little ones are extremely susceptible to infections in the first years of life. The child's organism is confronted with many pathogens in the further course of life and, as a result, acquires active immunity over the years.
Defense cells
The actual defense cells all belong to the group of leukocytes (white blood cells). These are formed from the stem cell in the bone marrow. These leukocyte progenitors can take two different pathways. They either become granulocytes, monocytes or macrophages, whereby these three cell types belong to the so-called unspecific defense system. Or they develop into the lymphatic progenitor cells, which later become lymphocytes or natural killer cells. These cell types in turn form part of the specific defense.
Unspecific defense
The non-specific defense is responsible for a quick response. This ensures, for example, that the pathogens that have penetrated a small cut are quickly made harmless. The non-specific defense also includes substances that are in the saliva in order to quickly provide a defense here.
Specific defense
This type of defense takes a little longer to be effective. She has the gift of being able to memorize pathogens so that she can react immediately if she enters again. An example of this is a child's illness that has already been passed through and is recognized and warded off by the body when it makes new contact.
The non-specific and specific defense systems do not work separately, but across the board. For example, it is possible for the former to “mark” a pathogen so that it can then be recognized and eliminated more quickly by the specific defense.
The immune system
The immune system is not an isolated system, but works closely with the immune system, the hormone system and the nervous system. Accordingly, it can also be influenced by thoughts, feelings and stress.
The immune system has the task of repelling, destroying or adapting. This means not only work on the purely physical side, but also on a mental and spiritual level. In this way, one person succeeds in warding off things that are charging at him and staying healthy. The other reacts to almost the same living conditions with constantly recurring infections. Everyone has their “weak” regions of the body, which are most likely to become ill when stress, grief or massive strains make life difficult.
Causes of a weak immune system
Strong immune system disorders result from autoimmune diseases. In these, the defense mechanisms are not directed against intruders, but against the body's own tissue. Strengthening the immune system in these diseases requires great caution, as stimulation can possibly worsen them. With autoimmune diseases, therefore, only modulate and never stimulate.
Medications, such as pain relievers or cytostatics, can also lead to weakness in the immune system. Massive kidney diseases, which lead to protein losses, often result in a disturbed immune system.
The same applies to hunger, diabetes, childhood diseases and, for short periods, also to acute and chronic infections. Excessive exercise, massive exposure to the sun, hormonal imbalances, stress and severe mental and physical stress can also lead to a weakened immune system.
Strengthen the immune system
In order to strengthen the immune system, people have to be seen as a whole. So not only should something be done for body defense, but the human being as a whole should be strengthened with soul and spirit.
On the one hand, the mucous membranes in the airways and intestines have to be hardened. The immune system in the gut practically trains with the bacteria of the intestinal flora, the composition of which is therefore extremely important for an intact immune system. On the other hand, it is important to support those affected to (again) achieve an inner balance or a state of well-being. There is no general recipe here that helps everyone strengthen their defenses. Everyone reacts individually and their immune system should be treated in exactly the same way.
The right nutrition for a strong defense
A weak immune system and the associated frequent infectious diseases such as colds, bronchitis, etc. can also be due to poor nutrition without sufficient vitamins and minerals. People who have a lot of stress and are constantly pressed for time often tend to have bad eating habits. They eat fast food more often, eat while standing or walking and quickly grab unhealthy snacks instead of taking time for a healthy, balanced meal.
In order to strengthen the immune system, one's own eating habits should therefore be critically examined and, if necessary, changed quickly. Try to eat as balanced and varied as possible and especially eat lots of vegetables and fruits. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends five servings a day, which should be fresh or briefly cooked or should also be part of every meal in the form of juice or smoothie.
Vitamins A, C and E, which protect against free radicals, are particularly important for vitamins. The former can be found e.g. in carrots, tomatoes and spinach. Lemon, kiwi, broccoli and bell pepper are among the rich in vitamin C. You get vitamin E e.g. with sunflower and olive oil, almonds and walnuts.
The diet should contain plenty of whole grains, rice, potatoes and legumes. Because these contain a lot of fiber, vitamins and minerals, but at the same time hardly any fat and cholesterol. The fiber also ensures that the intestinal mucosa can better perform its role as a protective shield against harmful pathogens.
Dairy products are (in moderation) part of a balanced diet because the lactic acid bacteria they contain have a positive effect on the intestinal flora and thus on the immune system. However, other animal products such as meat, sausages and eggs should only be used sparingly. Sea fish (with recognized sustainable origin) as a supplier of omega-3 fatty acids, iodine and selenium is recommended once or twice a week.
Vegetable fats and oils should generally be preferred (e.g. rapeseed and soybean oil) because they contain mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to animal fats. Try to avoid sugar or sugary foods as much as possible and use little salt. Instead, give your dishes the right taste with herbs and spices.
It is important to always ensure that you drink enough. Water or mineral water, fruit teas and diluted fruit and vegetable juices are the most suitable. Coffee, black tea and alcohol, on the other hand, should only be consumed in small quantities.
Strengthen the psyche with natural means
If the psyche is in the foreground, i.e. those affected are strongly influenced by mental stresses in their defenses, the first thing to do here is to counteract them. In this case, recommended relaxation procedures for stress relief are, for example, yoga or autogenic training.
In order to strengthen the psyche positively, individually tailored Bach flower therapy can be very effective. Dr. Bach, the founder of this therapy, discovered 38 flowers, each of which represents a certain state of mind. For example, if the patient suffers from a lack of self-confidence, Cerato helps. Mental fatigue can be alleviated with the help of Hornbeam and mustard is used against depressive mood. Aspen would be the treatment of choice for anxiety, and restlessness can be treated with Rock Rose.
In order to determine the correct bloom or combination, the current state of the soul must be analyzed precisely. Once the appropriate flowers have been identified, a drop solution for oral administration is created. Other therapists work with classic homeopathy, which can also be used very successfully. After a detailed medical history, the homeopathic remedy suitable for humans is administered.
Other naturopathic remedies for the soul are in the area of complex homeopathy (medicinal products made from at least two active ingredients), mineral therapy with Schüßler salts (healing with mineral salts), phytotherapy (herbal medicine) and aromatherapy (healing with essential oils).
Healthy through herbal immune modulators
Natural remedies that are supposed to strengthen the immune system were formerly referred to as “toughness”. This includes Kneipp treatments, sauna and daily brush massages.
In today's naturopathy, the phrases immunostimulation (stimulating the immune response) and immunomodulation (changing the immune response) are used. The immune system is subject to high demands nowadays. Environmental toxins, civilization food and stress put considerable strain on the immune system. For this reason, immunomodulation is usually preferred in therapy and immunostimulation is not used.
Immune modulators include plants such as coneflower (Echinacea), mistletoe, taiga root (Eleutherococcus) or the tree of life (Thuja). However, these plants have to be used in certain dosages and potentizations in order to be able to develop their modulatory effect.
Medicinal plants such as rose hips and linden flowers can also contribute to a healthy and strong immune system. A tea from these plants can not have a positive effect on the immune system, but also has an expectorant effect and is therefore a good home remedy for colds.
Defense tea:- 25 grams of rose hips
- 25 g linden flowers
- 15 g orange peel
- 15 g elderflower
Mix the ingredients and pour a heaping tablespoon of the mixture into a cup. Pour a quarter liter of boiling water over it. Leave the infusion covered for 10 minutes before straining. Drink the tea as hot as possible two to three times a day. If necessary, a little honey can be added to sweeten it.
Autologous blood therapy to activate the immune system
One of the most frequently used therapies to strengthen the immune system is autologous blood therapy. Blood is taken from the vein and returned to the body directly or in the form of an intramuscular (into the muscle) or subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. This injection creates an inflammation that affects the whole body like a small infection. Various immune reactions are then triggered, since the injected blood is recognized as foreign.
Activating the immune system stimulates the body's own self-healing powers and thereby strengthens the immune system in the long term. With autologous blood therapy, blood is usually drawn and injected over a period of 10 weeks, once a week. (sw, nr)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of the medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical doctors.
Swell:
- Greten, H. et al .: Internal Medicine, Georg Thieme Verlag, 13th edition, 2010
- Mechthild Scheffer: The Original Bach Flower Therapy: The Complete Theoretical and Practical Bach Flower Knowledge, Irisiana (May 20, 2013)
- Charles A. Janeway: Immunology. 5th edition. Spectrum Academic Publishing House, Heidelberg / Berlin 2002
- Immunology for everyone, German Society for Immunology (DGfI), DGfI
- Elvira Bierbach: Naturopathic Practice Today. Textbook and atlas. Elsevier GmbH, Urban & Fischer Verlag, Munich, 4th edition 2009
- Ralph Skuban: The Psychology of Yoga, Arkana Edition 2 (March 24, 2014)
