What is the Immune System

A naturopath can help provide you short-term, symptomatic relief from infection, as well as help to build your immune system and prevent recurrent infection. Naturopathy can also provide support with auto-immune conditions and help to prevent progression.
Condition

Colds & Flus

  • Description

    • Colds and flus can be either bacterial or viral and are often very interrupting in our day to day lives.

  • Symptoms
    • Runny nose
    • Sore throat
    • Facial congestion
    • Headaches
    • Fever (shivering, sweating)
  • Treatment
    • Dietary recommendations: Warm fluids, bone broth, tea, low sugar (to not feed bacteria), rich-coloured fruit & veg.
    • Nutritional support: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, iron, quercetin
    • Herbal support: Immune-stimulating, immune-modulating, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, lymphatic.
    Condition

    Respiratory Chest Infections

    • Description

      • A bacterial or viral infection of the lungs, often bronchitis. These can be acute (go away after 2-3 weeks) or chronic (lasting months); chronic chest infections are often the result of cigarette smoke, dust, smokes and fumes in industrial workplaces or general pollution.

    • Symptoms
      • Unproductive or productive cough (with or without mucous)
      • Sore throat
      • Pain/tightness in chest
      • Wheeze
      • Fever (shivering, sweating)
    • Treatment
      • Dietary recommendations: Warm fluids, bone broth, tea, low sugar (to not feed bacteria), rich-coloured fruit & veg.
      • Nutritional support: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, iron, quercetin
      • Herbal support: Immune-stimulating, immune-modulating, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, mucolytic, anti-catarrhal, expectorant, diaphoretic, antitussive.
      Condition

      Reduced Immunity

      • Description
        • If you find yourself sick more than 3 times per year, you are likely suffering with reduced immunity. When living or working with children, it can become quite common to be frequently infected (as it is normal for children to be sick multiple times throughout the year). This can be due to a number of things, including poor gut microbiome (our gut is a large contributor to our immunity), high stress, dietary and lifestyle factors.
      • Symptoms
        • Frequent or recurrent infection or illness.
        • Low energy
        • Low mood
        • Low vitality
      • Treatment
        • Dietary recommendations: At least 2L of water daily, 3-5 servings of vegetables per day, wholefood diet, reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates, sufficient protein intake, reduced alcohol consumption, no smoking or vaping.
        • Nutritional support: Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, probiotics
        • Herbal support: Immune enhancing, immune modulating, anti-inflammatory, nervine, adaptogens
        Condition

        Gut Dysbiosis

        • Description

          • The gut microbiome is made up of billions of bacteria, contributing to our immunity, mood, digestion and overall health and wellbeing. When both internal (high stress and anxiety, hormones) and external (antibiotic use, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption) factors disrupt this microbiome, it can cause a shift in the balance of good-to-bad bacteria.

        • Symptoms
          • Lowered immunity or frequent infection
          • Low mood
          • Low energy
          • Anxiety or depression
          • Headaches
          • Digestive symptoms (bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence)
        • Treatment
          • Dietary recommendations: Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrate consumption, eat fermented foods (natural source of probiotics), eat a diverse diet (multiple different fruits & vegetables each week), reduce alcohol consumption, reduce smoking and vaping
          • Nutritional support: Probiotics, glutamine, zinc, vitamin
          • Herbal support: Anti-inflammatory, bitters, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic
          Condition

          Auto-Immune Disease

          • Description

            • Autoimmune disease is defined as a condition where tissue injury is caused by T cell or antibody reaction to itself; the body is attacking itself. The prevalence of autoimmunity in Australia is rising, with approximately 1 in 31 people suffering. Autoimmune disease is often genetic, other contributing factors include infection, environmental triggers and gender. Some autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, grave’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

          • Symptoms

            • As there are a vast range of autoimmune diseases, the symptoms are varied. Below are some general symptoms that may be noticed:

            • Frequent infection
            • Digestive disturbances
            • Chronic pain
            • Food allergy/intolerance
            • Poor liver detoxification
            • Inflammation
            • Dizziness
            • Fatigue
            • Irritability, anxiety or depression
            • Blood sugar irregularities
            • High or low blood pressure
            • Weight changes
          • Treatment
            • Dietary recommendations: Antioxidants, fasting, plant-dominant diets, pre- and probiotics, fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, reduce allergenic foods, dairy, starch, alcohol, yeast, sulfur-containing foods
            • Nutritional support: Selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E
            • Herbal support: Immunomodulating, immune-suppressing, lymphatic, anti-inflammatory, hepatotonic, antioxidant, adaptogen