Easy Citrus-Ginger Immunity Shots
Ali Segersten
Cold and flu season is in full swing—here are some simple home remedies you can make to keep yourself from getting taken out by the viruses that are spreading right now. Immunity shots can now be found in most grocery stores, but they usually cost over $3 or $4 for just a few tablespoons! They can be made easily at home if you have a blender—no juicer required!
Not only is vitamin D necessary for maintaining proper immune function, but the food you consume daily also determines the state of your immune system. During an infection, it's important to have some level of inflammation to fight the virus, but too much inflammation can cause the virus to replicate unchecked and illness to progress to a point of tissue damage, and possibly even pneumonia. Consuming a wide variety of plant foods that are rich in phytonutrients can help modulate the immune system to function at its best. Think of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds as your daily medicine for proper immune function. If you need more support with finding delicious, phytonutrient-rich recipes, consider becoming a Nourishing Meals® member to gain access to over 1800 member-only recipes and easy meal planning tools.
How do immunity shots help fight viruses?
Let's look at the ingredients! Oranges, lemons, fresh ginger, and fresh turmeric. How do these ingredients help support immune function?
Oranges and lemons contain vitamin C, and a number of important phytonutrients including naringin, naringenin, hesperetin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, and nobiletin. These are some of the compounds that the plant uses to protect itself from oxidation! Vitamin C can prevent and shorten the duration of cold and flu infections, and it is effective against pneumonia. Citrus bioflavonoids can reduce or inhibit inflammatory cytokines, and can act as natural antivirals.
Fresh ginger can inhibit viral replication and viral entry into cells, down-regulate oxidative stress, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and balance Treg cells (these immune cells help create a balanced immune response).
Fresh turmeric contains several bioactive compounds, including curcuminoids, turmerin, and turmerones. Turmeric can reduce oxidative stress, inhibit viral replication, inactivate Influenza A, and act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Immunity Shots for Calming the Gut!
I often recommend this recipe, or a variation of it, to my clients to aid in calming gut inflammation and reducing painful symptoms associated with SIBO, IBS, or IBD. If you are experiencing a flare, or ongoing bloating and abdominal pain, this immunity shot recipe can be helpful to start consuming daily.
You may want to make a double batch and keep a few jars in the fridge. Two 8-ounce servings daily is a good place to start.
About the Author
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN
Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 2000 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.Nourishing Meals Newsletter
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