6 healthy smoothies to boost your immune system

It's always more reassuring to know what you put inside your body and why. Let's go over some natural tips.

The chemical process of transforming sugar into energy inside your body produces what is called free radicals. These free radicals are composed of noxious chemicals that "oxidize" your cells. Fortunately, you can disintegrate these toxic elements by consuming antioxidants that you can find nearly everywhere in nature.

These antioxidants are found in green tea for example, but here at Dodow we try and avoid stimulants. Here is an overview of smoothies and other natural beverages selected by our team to make you feel better with a solid dose of antioxidants, all while curing your everyday woes.

Grog

This thousand year old Chinese traditional grog is a catch-all for winter illnesses. if you have the flu, a cold, or even a random passing pain of indeterminate origin in winter, if it's nothing too severe, this grog should help you out.

Ingredient: ginger, orange rinds, honey, milk

• Cut the ginger into pieces, then crush them with a knife.
  
• Bring water to a low-boil in a saucepan, then add the pieces of ginger. Wait 20 minutes.
  
• Add orange rinds. Wait another 10 minutes.
  
• Drain the mixture, then drink it with a little honey!

When should you have some? Up to 3 times a day, and not before bed: ginger has a energizing effect.

Carrots concentrate

If you can't stop coughing, this miracle remedy should allow you to feel better. Carrots are full of vitamin B and C that will stimulate your immune system. Coupled with honey and lemon, they act as an expectorant for mucus and other throat discomforts.

Ingredients: 500g of carrots, 150g of honey, water, lemon juice

• Cut the carrots into pieces and cook them in hot water.
  
• When they are soft, mix them with honey and lemon juice until your mixture has a more liquid consistency.
  

When should you have some? As soon as you start coughing, or up to 4 spoonfuls a day. The effects should be felt after 2 days, but ideally you should consume it until you stop coughing. Start in the morning, and if you cough at night you can take an extra spoonful.

Antiseptic syrup

To cure angina, you can create your very own painkilling syrup. Careful though! This syrup isn't advised for children under 36 months of age, breastfeeding women, people with pulmonary congestion or diabetes... and insomniacs! Don't drink any after 5PM if you want to sleep right.

Ingredients: half a liter of water, 100g of sugar, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of pollen, a lemon, an onion, 4 garlic cloves, about 15 juniper berries, cloves, a teaspoon of powered cinnamon

• Squeeze the lemon.
  
• Grate the lemon rind and mix with the peeled onion, garlic cloves, and juniper berries.
  
• Put this mixture in the boiling water. Then add the cloves, the cinnamon, and let heat over a low fire with cover for half an hour.
  
• Allow the mixture to cool and then filter: keep the liquid on one side and the solids on the other.
  
• Mix the lemon juice, honey, pollen and sugar with the solid mixture and let steep for half an hour.
  
• Filter this new mixture and mix the result with the previous liquid.
  

Keep the result in an airtight container, away from light. Do not forget to shake it every time you drink it.

When should you have some? 3 to 4 times a day for 5 days.

Dandelion coffee

This alternative to normal coffee will give you a boost in the morning and fill you with energy. It also help to detoxify the liver. Dandelion coffee is particularly good for stomach issues, hypoglycemia and arterial pressure. It helps reduce bloating and is used by competitive wrestlers to keep their weight at an ideal low and studies are currently being done to determine if it could help against cancer.

Ingredients: dandelion roots, chicory roots, a cinnamon stick, water

• Put water, dandelion and chicory roots, and cinnamon in a saucepan.
  
• Boil the water and simmer for 5 minutes.
  
• Pour your dandelion coffee into a sieve or colander.
  
• Add coconut milk or cream to taste if desired!

When should you have some? In the morning, instead of your usual coffee.

Circulation smoothie

This smoothie will help you improve your blood circulation, reduce your varicose veins (coupled with proper exercise) and prevent bloating and heaviness in your legs. Beats and parsley are anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants as they regulate arterial pressure and are full of magnesium.

Ingredients: 1 beet, 5g of parsley, 1 glass of water, the juice of half a lemon

• Take a fresh beet, wash, peel and cut it into 4 pieces.
  
• Wash the leaves of the parsley, and put them in the mixer with the beet, lemon juice and a glass of water until the mixture is perfectly smooth.

When should you have some? In the morning when you get up, three times a week for more effective results.

Detox decoction

This decoction combines the great vitamins of Cayenne pepper with turmeric and ginger. Cayenne pepper is used as a base in balms and ointments because it is an analgesic that relieves pain and bloating, whereas turmeric is an antioxydant and anti-inflammatory.

Ingredients: 2 pieces of ginger (fresh), 10g turmeric powder, 2 pinches of Cayenne pepper, 4 lemons, 2 liters of water, honey

• Put the ginger in a juice extractor with the juice of 3 lemons out of 4, and mix.
  
• Add the two liters of water, turmeric, Cayenne pepper, and the last lemon cut into slices.
  
• Stir with a spoon and add a little honey to taste.
  
• Let stand 10 minutes, then drink.

When should you have some? On an empty belly, 5 to 7 days in a row.

You should drink all these beverages during the day or in the morning. For herbal teas before going to bed or to have a better time falling asleep, we have different list that you should definitely check out!

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