March 9, 2020 – By Behrooz Tahririha, DNM, NHP, Clinical Herbalist

We need a robust immune system because it is not an organ, or a particular tissue, but rather a condition in which our whole body is capable of defending itself against its internal and external enemies.

Rudolph Virchow, MD (1821 – 1902) “The Father of Modern Pathology” says:

“If I could live my life over again, I would devote it to proving that germs seek their natural habitat—diseased tissue—rather than being the cause of the diseased tissue; e.g., mosquitoes seek the stagnant water, but do not cause the water to become stagnant.”

Dr. Pasteur’s Deathbed Confession was “The pathogen is nothing. The terrain is everything.”

A well maintained and properly driven vehicle will last much longer than the one not maintained and poorly driven.

We are what we eat, what we don’t eat, and what we don’t excrete. The knowledge of our individual bodies helps us know what to feed it at different times of the year, at different seasons, at different stages of our life and at different ages and for different genders. Proper nutrition is what keeps our physical body function smoothly and free from weaknesses. Many nutrition scientists and doctors who were gifted and inspired have left behind volumes in guiding us to do just that, but corporate influenced media does not guide us to them and rather guide us away from them. No, ignorance is not bliss, it is only more profitable for a few in our society.

Among these giants of nutrition medicine, one is Dr. Weston Price who left to posterity an extremely well documented book called “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration” that contains several nutritional gems of knowledge that help us use to keep our body well tooled and strengthened  and equipped against many pathogens.

He spent years studying many cultures, from around the world, who have a proven record of health and vitality. Curious as to what may be a common denominator among them that have helped them be so vigorous, he found that common element was in their DIET. After examining many inhabitants of those cultures, he came down to a few items which among them are certain fats and fermented foods.

Fish oils, in particular for the coastal people, and nutrition-rich butter among the land locked people, were major common denominators.

Cod liver oil, unadulterated and naturally fermented, is one of the richest sources of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D, F and K. These are the vitamins that people of the modern societies, due to their consumption of modern processed foods, laden with preservatives, food coloring, taste enhancers, are eating. These foods are void of natural nutritional complexes such as vitamin A complex, D complex, K complex, E complex…etc. Science has proven that lack of fat-soluble vitamins affects our immune system as well as many other physiological systems.

Most of us are now familiar with the term microbiome which comprises the many colonies of friendly bacteria, yeast, fungus, spores and parasites that we need in our body to help our bodies function. Several forms of fermented foods are needed to help build and maintain them. This is another part of our immune system. Avoidance of all processed foods and consumption of all-natural foods help nourish cells instead of toxifying them or damaging them. This is an important part of the immune system.

Daily detoxification via our organs of elimination are critically essential to keep our body clear from damaging substances. These organs are intestines, skin, lungs, and bladder. Clean diet help keep them well functioning. This is another part of the immune system.

Our skin is our shield against many pathogens. This is a major part of our immune system as well. Personal hygiene has improved tremendously over the past 150 years, but still many of us don’t do well at it. In a case of a flu outbreak or any viral epidemic, frequent washing of our hands and avoidance of physical contact with surfaces will greatly reduce the chances of cross contaminations. Drinking clean water help keep them well hydrated. Skin care products made with toxic and cheap chemicals kill the naturally occurring and protective bacteria in our skin. Natural oils such as coconut oil and hemp oil are, instead, protective of the skin biome. This is another part of the immune system.

Lungs are constantly exposed to air-born pathogens. Our nostrils and sinuses are the gate keepers of our lungs. Keeping them well hydrated, open, and clean, help them in protecting our lungs in their defense against them. Essential oils have been used to keep them strong for thousands of years. Eucalyptus oil and pine needle oil are among the best ones. This is another part of our immune system.

Behrooz Tahririha, DNM, NHP, Clinical Herbalist

Behrooz Tahririha, a doctor of natural medicine and clinical herbalist, practices Persian Traditional Medicine, Chinese Traditional Medicine and Energy Medicine at his Family Herbal Clinic since 1992 in the city of St. Albert in Alberta, Canada. He has made presentations on different aspects of health in Canada, USA and Middle East, as well as writing many articles for newspapers and multi media.

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