The immune system is the internal defence system of the body which guards against disease. When the body is invaded by a foreign substance or by an infectious organism, the immune system tries to neutralise, destroy or isolate the substance. The reaction is called the immune response. We are all exposed to bacteria, viruses and toxins everyday, however some of us are more susceptible to falling ill than others. Those people with a strong immune system tend to get sick rarely and are able to fight off infections quickly, whilst those with a weaker immune system may find they easily pick up infections and often take longer to recover from illness. 

 

There are many factors that may contribute to the weakening of your immune system including a diet low in fresh fruit, vegetables and lean protein, emotional, psychological or physiological stress, too little or too much exercise, lack of sleep, exposure to pollution or extremely cold weather. Research has shown that even a single nutrient deficiency can have a profound effect on the immune function. A number of nutrients play important roles in immune health including Vitamins A, C, D and E, the B Complex Vitamins and Zinc and Selenium.

 

The respiratory system takes oxygen into the lungs and removes waste in the form of carbon dioxide and a small amount of oxygen. The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to parts of the body. Mucous in the airways and lungs is essential to protect these vital organs from foreign particles. Mucous is produced by the mucous membranes that line the bronchial passages of the lungs, healthy mucous traps and filters harmful particles like dust and pollen ensuring they do not enter the lungs and cause infection. If any foreign objects manage to enter the lungs, coughing is the body’s mechanism by which it expels them in the mucous. But when the amount of mucous produced increases abnormally, it can block airways leading to congestion and may need to be loosened up with expectorant herbs such as Mullein and Fenugreek to help ‘cough’ it out.