What is Immunity?
According to the Merriman-Webster dictionary, immunity is
“a condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products.”
Germ Theory
Conventional modern medicine follows the germ theory of disease.
This theory was developed by Louis Pasteur. It basically says that microorganisms are all around us and will attack us and damage us if we don’t protect ourselves with pharmaceutical drugs or vaccines.
The current approach to the current pandemic, seems to follow this line of thought.
Social distancing!
Self-isolate!
Use hand sanitisers!
Wear masks!
Lockdown!
Vaccines are the only salvation!
Essentially you should try any means possible to avoid coming into contact with a microorganism, because if it gets you, you will get very sick and you may die!
If germ theory was true and validated, then everybody who would come into contact with any sort of virus or bacteria would be affected.
The reality, however, may not be the case.
Terrain Theory
A contemporary of Pasteur, Antoine Beauchamp, proposed a different theory at the time, based on his own research. From his observations, germs lived and proliferated in unhygienic and unfavourable conditions, and that exposure alone was not the only factor in becoming ill or contracting a disease.
From his point of view, it was the biological terrain was the cause of disease, not the germs themselves.
You can think of it this way: mosquitos will thrive and reproduce where there is stagnant water. It is not that they created the stagnant water.
The same goes with our body’s health. If we maintain it clean and healthy, it will be difficult for germs to create disease in it.
I think we have all experienced times when we are stressed and rundown and then we can easily catch a cold or flu.
Or times when we are happy, rested, and full of energy, and the latest bug going around bypasses us completely.
This is because the state of our immunity depends on the state of wellbeing of our bodies.
What do we need to have a strong immune system?
Most people know how important nutrition is to our health and well being. That’s why eating nutrient dense foods and getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals is so important for immunity.
It also goes without saying that an inadequate diet, with high amounts of sugar, processed foods, and toxic chemicals (such as those found in pesticides or GMOs) will then cause damage to our immunity.
Our environment and emotional wellbeing are key to our overall health, including physical health.
We all need sunshine, fresh and clean air and water to maintain our health and immunity.
We need to move our bodies.
We also need love, connection, friendship, and a sense of purpose to be happy and healthy.
All these things help us build and strengthen our immune system, which in turn will help us to withstand any exposure to viruses or bacteria.
Apparently on his death bed, Pasteur actually admitted that Beauchamp was right, and that disease starts with the body, not the germ.
We are still unsure what role of bacteria and viruses play in our health and wellbeing. Are they there as the bad guys, making us ill? Or are they there as messengers telling us we need to clean ourselves up? Or are they there to actually do the cleaning up?
Until we know more, let’s not just rely only on outside measures to improve your immunity. Let’s take responsibility for ourselves, and feed our bodies with good food, clean water, get some fresh air and sunshine, rest and laughter, and lots of love and connection.
I’d love to know what immunity means to you. Let me know by commenting or send me a message!
