Cold and flu season is in full swing, which means it’s time to start bringing on immune boosters again. Some of us will chug freshly squeezed orange juice. Others will slam shots of elderberry kombucha. A few will start force-feeding themselves and their family pungent raw garlic, all in a martyrish effort to avoid getting sick. But there is probably something even more powerful missing from your natural immune defense arsenal…propolis.
Propolis is one of the most undervalued natural immune boosters out there. Personally, I use my propolis spray daily. After years of getting sick every cold/flu season, a friend sent me some propolis to try. Ever since then, even the most inevitable colds seem to repel off of me. It’s pretty amazing.
If you are unfamiliar with propolis, it is a bee product, much like honey is—but that’s where the similarities end. Bees use propolis to keep their hives free of invaders and disease. It lines the hive walls and acts essentially as the immune system of the hive. And guess what—it can do the same for your body.
Propolis is naturally jam-packed with quality vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It also acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory force. But when it comes to beating a cold, propolis even has science on its side. Naturally antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, one studyshowed that propolis reduces the severity of upper respiratory tract infections in children and may even act preventatively to help them avoid getting sick in the first place. In another study, the common cold was treated with either propolis or a placebo. Those given propolis experienced a cold duration that was 2.5 times shorter than the group taking the placebo.
Believe it or not, propolis has been used by humans for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. My favorite source for quality propolis is Beekeepers Naturals, whom we recently highlighted as one of our Brands for Good. BKN recommends 3-5 sprays on the back of the throat every day to keep you immune system strong and thwart foreign invaders. Simple enough routine if you’re trying to stay healthy, right? And guess what, it’s affordable and actually tastes good! Mary Poppins must have been in cahoots with Big Sugar, because medicine doesn’t always have to taste bad.
Looking for some other underrated immune boosters to go with your propolis? Check out these other naturally medicinal concoctions:
CHAGA
A powerful source of vitamins D, K, Bs, iron, calcium and more, the medicinal value of this mushroom should not be sneered at. This mushroom boasts antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties and actually promotes the growth of certain essential immune cells. Chaga also supports a balanced mind and increased natural energy levels. To benefit, steep the crushed, dried mushrooms as long as you desire to make a nourishing, health-promoting tea.
LEMON AND RAW HONEY
Okay, maybe this one isn’t much of a surprise, but people should take the old ‘lemon+honey’ remedy more seriously. Raw honey has those incredible antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it medicinally precious. Bees really know how to make their products. Lemon helps to detoxify and balance the pH of the body, plus offers a killer does of vitamin C. Together, they make an unstoppable cold-busting duo.
GOLDEN MILK
Seriously, now is the time to try golden milk if you haven’t already. A nourishing blend of turmeric, black pepper, coconut oil and spices in warm non-dairy milk, golden milk is as delicious as it is healthful. And boy, is it healthful. Turmeric is an incredibly powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial agent, due to the presence of the compound curcumin. Curcumin has even been shown to improve brain function. By combining turmeric with black pepper, you are able to reap it in its most bioavailable state.
It’s never too early to start preparing your body. Don’t wait until you have the cold or flu to start treating yourself. By taking natural immune boosters like propolis throughout the season and beyond, you’ll drastically reduce the number of miserably sick days you have to endure. And that is a wonderful thing—thanks again, bees!
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