Taking a course of antibiotics can influence the health of the liver and immune system due to the actions of these medications on suppressing these systems. In the recovery stage after illness (convalescence) the body may take some time to rebuild these systems and in the meantime blood is shunted from other areas of the body to help these systems to recover. This means that you may be left feeling lethargic. It is recommended that you ensure that you receive enough rest to improve immunity and not cause a further weakening of an already degraded system. The sleep deprivation you are currently experiencing should be short lived and recorrected once your body gets back on track again.
DIET TIPS FOR IMMUNITY
- Ensure that you are properly hydrated (at least 2 litres of water/ day) as dehydration after a recent illness is a major cause of slow recovery and low energy levels
- Herbal teas such as fenugreek and rosehip, licorice, echinacea, lemon with ginger and honey may help to provide the body with immune boosting Vitamin C as well as improve elimination of wastes and build immunity
- Eat simple alkalising foods such as chicken soup, miso soup, sprouts, soaked grains, ‘alive foods’, vegetable juices, brown rice, water, lemon juice and steamed green leafy vegetables. These meal ideas will lighten the load on the digestive system and leave more energy reserves for the immune system, encourage liver detoxification, reduce acid and provide the body with anti-oxidants
- Include Manuka honey in warm some warm lemon drinks as it is a demulcent (soothing) for the respiratory tract and is also an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial to improve immune resistance
- Reduce acid forming foods that contribute to mucus congestion such as dairy foods, sugar and wheat, tea, coffee, alcohol and soft drinks. Naturopathic philosophy considers that alkalising the body is one of the most important practices for revitalising your health
- Eat plenty of garlic, ginger, chillies and horseradish in your diet as these will improve overall immunity
LIFESTYLE FACTORS FOR IMMUNITY
- Get plenty of rest and sleep so that your body recovers properly
- Eat well
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Address nutritional deficiencies
- Address low immunity
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR IMMUNITY
- Probiotics may help to ensure that you recolonise the bowels with immune building bacteria and maximise your chances of recovery. It is especially important to re-establish bowel, gut and immune flora after a course of antibiotic therapy
- Immune trophorestorative herbs such as Astragalus, Garlic, Golden Seal, Reishi mushrooms, Codonopsis, Atractylodes, Barberry, Licorice and Siberian Ginseng
- Herbs such as Mullein, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Echinacea, Andrographis, Licorice, Poke Root, Golden Seal and Olive Leaf help to restore immune function, build white blood cells, are anti-bacterial and anti-viral, reduce fever and congestion, reduce the symptoms associated with a cold, cough or flu and also provide anti-oxidants to the immune and lymphatic system to cleanse the body of impurities
- Vitamin C, Zinc and Bioflavinoids are important nutrients for the health of the immune system
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