Back to school immune system boosters

School will soon be back in session and every parent knows what comes next – sick days! Help your kids fight off infections and viruses naturally with these 5 ways to boost their immune systems.

#1 Stop germs before they can make your child sick by teaching them to wash their hands! Don’t just assume they know how to wash their hands, either. Show them.

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

• FIRST: Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• NEXT: Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• THIRD: Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Sing the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• THEN: Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• FINALLY: Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

#2 Stock your natural medicine cabinet. https://tribalearthmama.com/top-herbs-for-your-natural-medicine-chest/

#3 Fortify your diet with foods or supplements that provide these nutrients.

• Vitamin D:  This important immune booster is created naturally through exposure to sunshine but as the days get shorter and kids spend more time indoors at school or at activities, you may have to supplement with D3. Foods rich in Vitamin D are wild Alaskan salmon, egg yolks, and dried mushrooms. As for supplements, your great-grandma was right – Cod Liver Oil is a rich source of the vitamin.
• Zinc: Liquid zinc boosts white blood cell production to kill off viruses. You will find it naturally in legumes (chickpeas, lentils and beans), seeds (hemp, squash, pumpkin and sesame seeds) and nuts (pine nuts, peanuts, cashews and almonds)
• Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed. Keep your kids’ gut microbiome healthy and populated with good bacteria to help their immune systems stay strong and fight bacteria and viruses. You can buy probiotics formulated for children, or you can serve fermented foods. Yogurt and Kefir can be flavored with fruit and seeds. Other fermented foods might require an acquired taste but introduce them often and soon your children will love them, too. Sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, pickles, are buttermilk are just a few.
• Omega-3s: Cod Liver Oil and Flax Seed Oil also supply Omega-3s, known for its contribution to gut and immune health.

#4 Lay off the sugar. Make lemonade with freshly squeezed lemons and pure maple syrup. Provide fruit and cheese or peanut butter on celery sprinkled with raisins and seeds for a snack. Slices of red apples support the immune system.

#5 Eat meals at home, made from ingredients, not out of a box. The less processing food undergoes, the better it will be for your kids.