Terrain Theory and Supporting the Body Through Natural Means
Understanding your body’s terrain…
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Terrain Theory is the theory, put forth by 19th century French Scientist Antoine Bechamp, that the human body is its own ecosystem, with its own terrain, and that if you take care of that ecosystem, through nutritious food, sleep, hydration, proper sun exposure, healthy hygiene, and exercise, that the body would reach homeostasis, at which point, the body could deal with any pathogen with no ill effects on the person. But, if the terrain of the body is compromised, then any cell could be damaged by pathogens causing the start of inflammation and other diseases.
Imagine with me a castle. You have a moat, a drawbridge, walls, and towers with watchmen and soldiers to protect it. You have many ways of protecting this castle and the King or Queen inside. Now if the castle is not taken care of, then it is left vulnerable. If the walls, like our skin and immune system, are not taken care then enemies can creep in. If we don’t take care of our immune system, which is likened to our soldiers, then our castle is left defenseless. If we do not take care of the sewer system of the castle, then bile and other gross toxins pile up in the body creating an unlivable environment for our soldiers and it will attract unfriendly bugs.
Vitamins, water, minerals, and nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are building blocks for our castle. They are also food for our little soldiers to stay happy and healthy.
Who are our soldiers? They are our white blood cells, our t-cells, and our own healthy microbiome, aka: probiotics, aka friendly bacteria.
I mentioned the sewer system, the urinary and intestinal tract. Along with the lymphatic system, these are very important for removing toxins from the body. We need to eliminate unfriendly pathogens, toxins, undigested and digested foods. Otherwise, they will pile up in the body and cause unwanted symptoms such as bloating, bad breath, weight gain, brain fog and compromised immune function and can attract unwanted bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Proper water intake (half your body weight in ounces), fiber-rich foods, and probiotics can all help with this.
Probiotics (friendly bacteria) can be thought of as reinforcements for our soldiers to help keep the castle safe. They are also important for making sure the body stays clean, and some studies have shown that probiotics provide mood support as well, a win-win.
Sun exposure helps our bodies produce Vitamin D.
Exercise in the fresh air helps build our endurance and stamina. It strengthens the immune and respiratory systems and our muscles.
Sun exposure is helpful because it causes our body to naturally produce Vitamin D, which is well regarded for its ability to support the body's immune function, and has been noted for aiding the body in dealing with viruses such as cold or flu. It may improve lung function as well, which may help the body deal with diseases such as cold, pneumonia, and Covid19. Other benefits of Vit. D are more energy, bone support, connective tissue support, muscle strength, can encourage better sleep, helps with insulin regulation.
Vitamin C is an amazingly powerful antioxidant that helps our white blood cells stay strong and fight off foreign invaders. This strengthening has been shown to help improve recovery time when dealing with the common cold and other viruses. Vit. C has also been shown to help with memory and to be important for skin health.
Elderberry is very popular for its antiviral uses. Many use it for preventing or helping cold or flu-like symptoms, and studies show that it is more than just an old wives tale, but that those who are ill that take elderberry have a shorter duration of sickness and or their symptoms, fever, headaches, nasal congestion, and aches and pains, were less severe than the control groups. Elderberry, or Sambucus, can be found in capsules, liquid, gummy, lozenges, and cough syrup, making it an easy choice. Elderberry has also been noted for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Zinc is a trace mineral that helps with so many areas of the body: eye health, bone health, appetite support, and more. It is highly regarded for its use during times of cold and for immune support. Zinc is commonly found in foods such as fish, poultry, and red meats. This mineral is not hard to obtain through our food choices and the body doesn’t need much. However, supplementation has been shown to help with the common cold, pneumonia, cold sores, and sore throat. Please keep in mind that because this is a trace element, the body only needs a little bit, so please do not take more than is recommended on the label.
Colloidal Silver - The uses for colloidal silver are FAR and wide. Gargling with colloidal silver has been shown to relieve sore throats. Swishing in the mouth can support gum and tooth health. And it has also been used to boost the immune system aiding the body in ridding parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mold. Clearly a heavy hitter for unwanted bugs in the body, Colloidal silver has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. It can be used to clean fruits and vegetables and as a household spray.
Flavonoids are found in many fruits and vegetables. Supplementation may support the cardiovascular system and immune health. Studies indicate that supplementing with flavonoids may decrease the chances of respiratory and nasal infections by 33%. An added bonus is that products containing flavonoids often contain Vit. C and can help reduce the need to take so many different supplements.
Garlic has so many possible health benefits including, heart support, cholesterol regulation, brain health and so much more. What it is really popular for is its antibacterial properties and ability to support the respiratory system, making it a great choice for taking for immune support.
Olive Leaf Extract, this little darling dates back to Ancient Egypt and is widely eaten in Mediterranean countries. This extract has been shown to help with lowering blood pressure (so be cautious if taking blood pressure-lowering medications), lowering cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, improving brain function, and reducing inflammation. It has been shown to have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties making it a super amazing choice when looking for something to support the immune system overall. It has also been noted for its ability to help with harder-to-kill viruses, making it a very appealing herbal extract these days.