When we’re sick, our body is trying to get back into balance and flush things out of our system. Our immune system is like our own internal “cleaning lady” going through and getting rid of toxins and impurities. According to Dr. Annemarie Colbin, when we get a cold, fever, flu, etc, and take medicine/antibiotics to stop the symptoms, it’s like “killing the cleaning lady while she’s cleaning.” It actually suppresses our immune system’s natural response to illness, which over time weakens our natural ability to heal. If you continuously kick the cleaning lady (your immune system) out while she’s cleaning and let drugs take over, after awhile she says, “forget it!” and stops working so hard to heal us naturally.
So what can we do to strengthen our immune system and enhance our natural healing process?
Garlic is a natural antibiotic! Substances called allistatin, allicin, garlicin and ajoine are the strongest antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and immune-enhancing compounds found in large quantities in garlic.
A good way to take it is by chopping up a raw clove into small pieces, and swallowing it with water or juice. If you feel a cold coming on, you can do this 2-3 times a day for a day or two. If you don’t chew it, no garlic breath. :)
Garlic-Miso Soup
A remedy for infections and anytime you feel like you’re “coming down with something.”
From Dr. Annemarie Colbin’s Food and Healing
- 1 whole head garlic, all cloves peeled
- 1 quart water or vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
Simmer the cloves in 2 cups of the water or stock for 10 minutes. Puree in a blender with the miso. Pour back into the pot; add the rest of the water/stock, and heat. Serve hot.
*This soup is nice to drink from a mug when you’re feeling sick.
*To make it heartier, try adding brown rice.
Happy healing!
Jeanne says
i’m going to have to make this tonight…i feel a sore throat coming on! thanks for the useful resources. crushin’ on it :)
Dee says
Question… I have numerous food allergies which are pretty severe. Isn’t miso from soy? I had a miso soup years ago when I was very very ill, and it felt as if it had gone into my body and said, “It’s alright folks, everything is going to be ok!” I responded so favorably to it I was shocked. However, at this time, I have such adverse reactions to things such as wheat, soy, msg and others that I don’t dare take that chance. How can miso be a healing food if it is something that affects me so adversely?
jenny sansouci says
Hi Dee!
Foods that are healing for some may not be healing for everyone. Miso, however, is a fermented soy product and often doesn’t cause the same adverse reactions as processed soy products. Listen to your body. :)
Alana says
There is now miso paste made from chickpeas/garbanzo beans. I hear it is fantastic.
Danielle says
I just made this soup and added a handful of organic parsley into the blender. so good! I think I will make this once a week during the winter. :) Thanks for posting. P.S. I just started Annemarie Colbin’s book. I cant wait!