The human body is designed to overcome any illness, as long as you provide it with the necessary raw materials. Here are 10 healing foods that can boost your immune system, give you more energy, fight chronic illness, and much more!
We’re all working to make healthy lifestyle changes these days and getting a nutritional boost from power foods is a great place to start. Increasing your intake of healing foods can raise your energy levels, strengthen your immune system, manage the symptoms of chronic illness, and much more.
When you provide your body with the right raw materials, you support it’s natural ability to fight illness and disease. Who wouldn’t want that? Let’s take a look at 10 healing foods that have been proven by science to make an unbelievable difference in your health!
1. Kelp for a Healthy Thyroid
Kelp is a healing food for the thyroid, which is a butterfly-shaped gland found in the neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development, mood, and bone maintenance. As you can imagine, if it’s not functioning correctly, it can have a dramatic impact on your health!
Many people are moving away from processed foods and refined salt that’s been enriched with iodine, and that’s a good thing! However, it also means that we don’t get enough iodine in the typical diet, which prevents the thyroid from doing its job properly. Kelp is rich in iodine, as well as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are important for the thyroid, as well as many other body functions.
Iodine is also crucial for optimal energy levels and proper brain function. So, if you’re feeling run down and can’t focus, there’s a good chance you’re iodine deficient. It is important to note that iodine can cause problems if you get too much of it. For best results, consume it in moderate amounts as part of a healthy diet, but don’t go overboard.
2. Ginger for Better Digestion
Ginger is good for so much more than cooking and baking! This power food has been loved throughout history for its ability to calm an upset stomach and improve digestion. Ginger is a go-to healing food for relieving nausea during illness or pregnancy. It’s also widely revered for its ability to relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery (PONV).
Ginger makes a fantastic natural alternative to motion sickness medication. Nibbling on some crystallized ginger when traveling is a great way to keep nausea at bay without drowsiness or other side-effects.
Here at the homestead, we sip organic ginger root tea and real ginger ale (sweetened with stevia) whenever we’re dealing with tummy troubles. If you suffer from arthritis, it’s also a good idea to keep it on hand in an extract or capsule form. Supplementing with ginger each day has been shown to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain, due to its anti-inflammatory compounds.
The combination of ginger, turmeric, and black pepper found in this high-quality supplement is a nutritional powerhouse for fighting arthritis, joint pain, inflammation, and even the signs of aging. This potent combination is loaded with antioxidants that support the heart, digestive system, and immune system, as well.
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3. Mushrooms for Overall Health, Strengthening the Immune System and Fighting Cancer
Medicinal mushrooms have been valued throughout history as healing foods for improving overall health, especially in Eastern cultures. In recent years, science has discovered that mushrooms contain a host of medicinal compounds that can strengthen the immune system, fight certain types of cancer, and much more.
We would love to experiment with growing medicinal mushrooms here on the homestead but haven’t gotten there yet. Until then, we purchase dried or powdered medicinal mushrooms and add them to our cooking, smoothies, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate for a nutritional boost. Some of the most useful types of medicinal mushrooms are:
- Shiitake: Shiitake mushrooms are widely recognized as a power food for the immune system and slowing the growth of malignant tumors. Shiitake mushrooms contain a substance called lentinan, which is recognized by science for its ability to prolong the life of those suffering from colorectal or stomach cancer. They also contain phytonutrients that help to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, support healthy blood pressure, and improve circulation. We like to keep dried shiitake mushrooms on hand and include them in our cooking as often as possible.
- Reishi: Reishi mushrooms have unique calming properties, which have earned them the nickname “Nature’s Xanax.” They contain a compound called triterpene, which boosts the mood, relieves anxiety and depression, improves sleep, and can even help you focus. Reishi mushrooms also support the immune system and promote healing. We love to add a spoonful of powdered reishi mushrooms to our hot drinks and it’s especially yummy when paired with chocolate.
- Lion’s Mane: If you’re looking for some serious brain food, you can’t go wrong with the healing powers of lion’s mane mushrooms. They’re packed with antioxidants that support the immune system, but they don’t stop there. Lion’s mane encourages the production of myelin and bioprotein nerve growth factor, which are both crucial for brain health. Not only can they improve your memory and focus, but they may also relieve the symptoms of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and MS. Try adding lion’s mane powder to your morning coffee on days when you need a boost of energy and focus!
- Chaga: Those who suffer from chronic inflammation can benefit from adding Chaga mushrooms to their diet. These antioxidant powerhouses are also useful for combating oxidative stress, reducing the signs of aging, and lowering LDL cholesterol.
- Turkey Tail: Turkey tail mushrooms contain a compound known as Polysaccharide-K (PSK), which is excellent for the immune system. In Japan, PSK is actually approved as a prescription drug for fighting cancer. It can increase the survivability rate of cancer sufferers, and it’s known to kill leukemia cells. Anyone who wants to boost their immune system can benefit from including turkey tail mushrooms in their diet.
4. Healthy Fats are Healing Foods for the Brain and Heart
Our society has an unhealthy obsession with reducing fat in the diet as a way to cut calories and lose weight. However, healthy fats are power foods for proper brain function and reducing the risk of heart disease. Boosting your consumption of healthy omega-3 fatty acids can also reduce inflammation throughout your body, which is essential for controlling chronic pain and illness.
Healthy fats come from whole food sources like fatty cold-water fish, avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds. We try to include these foods into our diet as often as possible, but we also like to take a high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplement each day since they’re so important.
5. Probiotics are Healing Foods for the Gut and Immune System
Probiotics can be found in many foods or taken as a supplement. They are the living, gut-friendly bacteria that reside in your digestive system. They’re important for gut health and supporting the immune system, which means they may actually be able to treat and prevent some illnesses.
There are many different types of healthy gut bacteria, and each one has a job to do. Some simply assist with digestion, while others kill off disease-causing cells and produce important vitamins our bodies need to stay healthy.
We try to eat some probiotic foods each day, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and fermented foods and beverages like kombucha. In fact, our pets get probiotics every day, as well. High-quality probiotic supplements are also very useful if you’re recovering from a sickness like a cold or flu, have a weakened immune system, or for managing the symptoms of a chronic illness.
6. Swiss Chard for a Nutritional Boost
Swiss Chard is a healing food that’s rich in a variety of valuable nutrients, including vitamins C, E, and k, plus calcium, zinc, and fiber. These nutrients are crucial for healthy bones, fighting stress-related illnesses, supporting the immune system, and fighting inflammation.
We grow swiss chard and a variety of other nutrient-dense leafy greens and microgreen superfoods on the homestead year-round in every color of the rainbow. Swiss chard is a very versatile, slightly bitter, slightly salty green that can be tossed into a salad, stir-fry, soup, or pasta sauce for an added boost of nutrition.
7. Lean, Organic Protein for Energy, Stabilizing Blood Sugar, and Overall Healing
Many people struggle to keep their energy levels up and stabilize their blood sugar. Lean, organic protein is crucial for proper cell function and production, as well as healing. It also provides energy and balances blood sugar.
We get our protein from organic, free-range, or wild-caught poultry, fish, meat, dairy, and eggs. Legumes, seeds, and nuts are great sources of high-quality plant-based protein for vegans and vegetarians.
8. Capers for Allergy Relief
If you don’t normally stock capers in your pantry, you might want to reconsider, especially if someone in your household suffers from allergies. They’re rich in two bioflavonoids, rutin and quercetin, which have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. According to our research, adding bromelain (the enzyme found in pineapple) can boost the allergy-fighting properties of capers even further.
9. Coffee is a Healing Food for the Liver
Coffee is consumed by more than half of the people in the United States on a daily basis. Unfortunately, it has been given a bit of a bad rap as being harmful to your health. Thankfully for all of us caffeine addicts out there, science has proven that coffee is actually good for your health in a host of ways.
Coffee is an extremely beneficial power food for the liver because it protects it against fatty liver disease. Not only that but drinking coffee every day may also reduce your risk of developing chronic liver disease and prevent liver cancer.
This study shows that the benefits come from coffee’s ability to influence liver enzymes. It reduces the buildup of fat in the liver while also increasing the production of liver-protecting antioxidants. The compounds in coffee can actually help your liver enzymes remove cancer-causing substances from the body.
Be sure to read this article for more on the amazing health benefits of coffee.
10. Green Tea- The Healthiest Beverage You Can Drink
Green tea is a healing food that belongs in everyone’s diet. The nutrients and antioxidants found in green tea lower your risk of cancer, reduce inflammation, help you lose weight, improve brain functions, and much more. It may also lower your risk of developing type-2 diabetes and heart disease.
The antioxidants in green tea can reduce your risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. They can also protect the brain against neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Green tea can also kill bacteria and inhibit viruses, preventing things like dental infections, cavities, and even colds and flu.
Be sure to choose high-quality green tea for the best results. Here’s one that we love and consume on a regular basis. For more on the amazing health and beauty benefits of green tea and the best way to incorporate it into your diet, check out this article.
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Gunpowder Green Tea Organic, Fair Trade – $30.92
Gunpowder Green Tea Organic, Fair TradeA hearty, strong, Chinese Green Tea that is rolled into the shape of small pinhead pellets and was awarded its title because of its resemblance to the pellets used for gunpowder ammunitions during the 17th century. Originally rolled tightly to preserve freshness and maintain moisture during long voyages overseas. Because of its tightly rolled leaf, it has a great shelf life. It is a classic, bold and unforgettable tea with a striking taste and crisp, clear flavor. |
Final Thoughts | Healing Foods Are Key to a Healthy Lifestyle
This is only a small selection of the many foods that have medicine-like properties. There are so many healing foods that can benefit your overall health and prevent disease. We encourage you to do your own research and discover which foods will be most beneficial in your situation. Adding more power foods to your diet is a proactive way to relieve many chronic health issues, and it’s something we do here on the homestead as part of a holistic approach to a healthier lifestyle.
Have you made changes in your diet that have had a positive impact on your health? Please share your story below so we can all be inspired!
