Important: This article does not claim a cure for coronavirus or prevents coronavirus, it only disusses how to strengthen the immune system using natural remedies and by opting for certain lifestyle choices. Please consult a health care professional if you are on any medication, have an existing condition or pregnant. Some remedies will not be suitable for young children. These remedies and lifestyle choices are based on research, although some evidence maybe limited.
The chances of any of us or our family members getting infected with the coronavirus are increasing daily. Some patients such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions may be at a higher risk. We believe we can make certain choices that will influence certain outcomes. So primarily, we can continue with our sadaqah, daily adhkar, Quran and making dua to Allah ta'ala to protect us from illnesses and the severe harms of illnesses. If we have not already, we should also start focusing on how to strengthen the immune system. Here are a few food items and practices, some amongst the prophetic medicine (which heavily focuses on preventative measures), to help strengthen the immune system:
- Black Seed
"...black seed energizes the immune system in the human body... This opens the door to medicinal use of black seed in treating and healing all infectious and viral diseases and strengthening the body’s self-defence and helping it to overcome overwhelming disease-causing factors." [Prophetic Medicine]
- Dates
"Dates provide various antioxidants that have a number of health benefits to offer, including a reduced risk of several diseases. Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may cause harmful reactions in your body and lead to disease" [HealthLine]
- Honey (Raw & Manuka)
"Raw honey contains an array of plant chemicals that act as antioxidants. Some types of honey have as many antioxidants as fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help to protect your body from cell damage due to free radicals."
"Manuka honey’s antibacterial properties are what set it apart from traditional honey. Methylglyoxal is its active ingredient and likely responsible for these antibacterial effects. Additionally, manuka honey has antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits." [HealthLine]
- Citrus Fruits
"Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections. Because your body doesn't produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it's easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal" [HealthLine]
- Brocolli
"Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins and minerals. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many other antioxidants and fiber, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your table. The key to keeping its power intact is to cook it as little as possible — or better yet, not at all." [HealthLine]
- Garlic
"Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin." [HealthLine]
- Ginger
"Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses." [HealthLine]
- Spinach
"Spinach made our list not just because it's rich in vitamin C. It's also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Similar to broccoli, spinach is healthiest when it’s cooked as little as possible so that it retains its nutrients. However, light cooking enhances its vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid." [HealthLine]
- Yoghurt
"Look for yogurts that have "live and active cultures" printed on the label, like Greek yogurt. These cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases. Try to get plain yogurts rather than the kinds that are preflavored and loaded with sugar. Yogurt can also be a great source of vitamin D, so try to select brands fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost our body’s natural defenses against diseases." [HealthLine]
- Green tea
"Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Where green tea really excels is in its levels of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, another powerful antioxidant. EGCG has been shown to enhance immune function. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG. Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented, so the EGCG is preserved. Green tea is also a good source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells.". [HealthLine]
- Sunflower seeds
"Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They’re also incredibly high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function. Other foods with high amounts of vitamin E include avocados and dark leafy greens" [HealthLine]
- Water
"Drinking water can do a whole lot of good for your immune system, as it can help your kidneys flush toxins effectively from the body."
There are many other food items that can benefit us including, olives, fig, pomegranate, etc.
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Lifestyle choices and other practices that will help the immune system include:
- Regular hand washing
"Basic hygiene measures may seem obvious, but they are important. Washing hands with plain soap and plain water kills viruses, but only if it’s done thoroughly and often. Hands should be scrubbed for at least 20 seconds, to ensure germs won’t be transferred to objects or spread from person to person."
"Hand sanitizers may be helpful, if they contain at least 60 percent alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But if your hands are dirty or greasy the sanitizer won’t work, which is why the agency favors hand washing." [Harvard]
- Wudhu (ablution)
"Medical science has proven that wuḍūʾ benefits the circulatory system, the immune system and the body’s reaction to static electricity. A person who performs wuḍūʾ five times a day cleanses his nose from germs, dust and other airborne impurities" [Prophetic Medicine]
- Sleep well
"If you seem to catch every cold and flu that's going around, your bedtime could be to blame. Prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system, so you're less able to fend off bugs." [Harvard]
- Cupping
"Cupping also works on the lymphatic system; it energizes it, thus strengthening immunity and making the body resistant to diseases and viruses. It also works on the blood vessels and nerves, and stimulates all the glands and strengthens the immune system. It also energizes the centres of the brain and so on." [Prophetic Medicine]
- Fasting
"Fasting strengthens the immune system and protects the body against many diseases, as it improves the functioning of the lymphatic cells by a factor of 10. It also increases the number of T lymphocytes by a large amount, and it raises a number of some kinds of antibodies in the blood, and stimulates the immune activity as a result of the increase in low-density fatty proteins. (Riyadh Albiby and Ahmed Elkadi: A Preliminary Report on the effects of Islamic Fasting on Lipoproteins and Immunity, JMA, vol. 17, p. 84)." [Prophetic Medicine]
- Maintain a good mental wellbeing
"High wellbeing can lead to improved immune system response and slower disease progression." Minimising stress can increase wellbeing. [NHS]
- Stop smoking
"Smoking harms the immune system and can make the body less successful at fighting disease. The immune system is the body’s way of protecting itself from infection and disease; it works to fight everything from cold and flu viruses to serious conditions such as cancer." [CDC]
- Breastfeeding
"The most common type of immunoglobulin in breast milk is type A, which is an important protein for resisting various kinds of bacteria and some kinds of virus, such as the polio virus, measles virus, mumps virus and Japanese brain fever virus." [Prophetic Medicine]
- Exercises
"Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently." [Harvard]
- Take prescribed medications
If you have an underlying condition such as heart disease (e.g. blood pressure), lung disease (e.g. asthma) and diabetes it's important to ensure you have enough medication and taking them as prescribed.
There are many other lifestyle choices that will influence on how our immune system will react.
To summarise, supplements cannot replace a good balanced diet. However, if you're not getting the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals from your regular dietary intake, then it's best to take some some supplements (especially containing Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and Zinc). Importantly, catch germs in a tissue, dispose tissues straight away, wash your hands to kill the germs when you cough, sneeze, after touching surfaces and before eating. Lastly, whatever you do or eat, do it in moderation and focus on your mental wellbeing
Allah ﷻ knows best.
Prophetic medicine examples taken from: Islamic Medicine - The key to a better life (by Yusuf Al-Hajj Ahmed)
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