Natural Ways to Boost Your Immunity

It’s getting chilly and everyone around you seems to be coughing and sneezing. To make sure your immune system is in check and ready to fight off any unwanted cold and flu germs, we wanted to share with you some of the immune-boosting, detox-encouraging, and healthily-hydrating juices and smoothies being offered at spas and yoga studios left and right. And, the best part is – most of these recipes are so basic, you can make your own version even when you’re not at the spa.

From our friends at New Beauty:
• To build immunity levels, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa’s executive chef Jamie West recommends the Wellness Drink – a concoction of pomegranate juice, fresh mango and apple that packs a powerful dose of vitamins to assist the body’s immune system and fight off fatigue.

• The oceanfront Cabana Bar at Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach serves a locally sourced specialty drink called Orange Goddess – a mix of freshly juiced carrot, orange and ginger, rich in cold-busting zinc.

• The Golden Door Spa at The Boulders Resort recommends its Potassium Broth to help boost immunity. The spa serves the soup as a mid-morning snack and the simple recipe is easy to replicate at home: Just mix tomato-based vegetable juice, vegetable trimmings (like celery, mushrooms, zuchinni, onion, bell pepper, parsley, lettuce or carrots), chili pepper flakes and fresh basil in a small pot. Bring to a boil and let simmer for approximately 40 minutes.

And VitalJuice NY highlighted a few New York City spots that are cheers-ing to your health:
• Mama Spa
Head downstairs at this Lower East Side spa to discover the juice bar. We recommend the immune-boosting apple/carrot (12 oz., $3). Massages priced at $70 or higher include a complimentary cup.

• Bikram Yoga Lower East Side
This hotspot recharges and replenishes yogis in the know with fresh juice from Brooklyn’s BeQu. Grab the cleansing special green blend in 8 oz. ($5) and 16 oz. ($8) bottles.

• Bloomingdale’s 59th Street
Who says shopping at Bloomie’s can’t be a detoxifying experience? Stop at 40 Carrots café for a pressed juice of your own creation (16 oz., $5; 22 oz., $7) or pick a pre-set fave like the Popeye (spinach, parsley, carrot, apple).

Healthy Hydrotherapy at Home
If you can’t make it to the spa, take your smoothie to the bathtub. A warm bath always helps soothe the discomfort and achiness of a cold, and hydrotherapy has been recognized as a vital component of natural healing since it stimulates circulation, promotes detoxification and strengthens the natural defenses of the body, New Beauty says.

Natural skincare line Naturopathica told New Beauty how to create a soothing hydrotherapy experience in the comfort of your own home. Fill your bathtub with hot water and add a bath product rich in evergreen essential oils like juniper, balsam, and pine, which have stimulating effects. Immerse your body in the water for five to eight minutes, until light perspiration appears, then towel off and rest for five to eight minutes to let blood pressure normalize. The herbal bath will help boost immunity and ease a sluggish digestive season and sinus congestion.