a bowl of fresh hemlock reishi mushrooms

Remedies and Practices for Frequent Infections and Low Immunity

We've just crossed the threshold of mid-winter--known in Gaelic tradition as Imbolc--half way from the Winter Solstice to the Spring Equinox. How is winter treating you? Have you been sick too many times this winter? I hope the answer is no, but if it's yes, I have some guidance for you. 

Medicinal Mushrooms are my #1 ally for deep immune support, regulating and strengthening our immune system. This is different than stimulating the immune system, as we do with immune stimulants like Echinacea and our Immunity Elixir. We stimulate when we are sick or at risk of getting sick. We regulate and strengthen the immune system to be ready to fight off sneaky pathogens. In this way, when you reach for an immune stimulant, your immune system has the get-up-and-go to fight. See our Medicinal Mushroom Medley Reishi Double Extract, and our Elderberry Syrup, which also contains reishi mushroom.

Medicinal mushrooms have been such a game changer for our family, especially with preschool and elementary aged kids. I discovered this in desperation during the fall of my daughter's second year of preschool. She was getting sick twice a week, and we were catching a lot of the bugs. I started to add reishi extract to our food, and the constant sickness dropped off! Now during winter, whenever I make a soup, smoothie, anything liquidy, I add a splash of reishi extract so the whole family gets that good immune regulating medicine. They don't even know they are receiving this medicine.

To round out this strategy, I suggest supplementing Vitamin C and D through the winter. During winter the sun doesn't get high enough for us to get Vitamin D from the sun, so we can become depleted. Supplementing Vitamin D at 3000 IU and Vitamin C at 1000 mg per day (for adults) is an easy and cheap way to support the immune system. If you suspect you're low, it's safe to take a couple of large doses of Vitamin D (like 20,000 IU). For even more immune support, you can add in regular zinc and A--I just get these from a multi-vitamin. 

A couple more easy and free immune supports: walking and legs up the wall both support the lymphatic system, an important part of your immune system.

Medicinal mushrooms combined with these other practices have cut down on our family infections so much. When it feels like we are at risk of getting sick, I tend to reach for the Elderberry Syrup, or Immunity Elixir if I feel something coming on, but honestly, I haven't felt as much of a need for them lately because we've been feeling healthy, I believe thanks to our mushroom friends. 

Thanks for reading! Wishing you well!

Lindsay Perry

Community Herbalist, Founder Full Flower Herbs

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